Football: German World Cup stars in high demand for Club season
Although they did not win the World Cup, they still finished third which is by no means a mean feat. Germany lost to Spain in the semi finals of the World Cup only by a slender margin of 1-0 but their players put in some high quality performances that have seen their stock prices sky rocket.
With the Club season to resume in less than a month and the World Cup now over there is already a hustle and bustle in the transfer market. With World Cup winners Spain having 7 players locked in long term contracts with Barcelona, the demand for German stars is growing.
But who is linked to whom and how much will it cost?
Manuel Neuer, is currently earning his trade in the Bundesliga with Schalke 04. But with Edvin Van der Sar nearing retirement age and Arsenal’s goal keeping woes known to all and sundry both Arsenal and Manchester United are interested in Neuer. Also, keeping tabs on the Schalke 04 goalie, is Bayern Munich who are known to be long admirers of the German goalie.
Tim Weise is currently playing with Mesut Ozil at Werder Bremen. Genoa-Sampdiria, West Ham and Birmingham have all expressed their desire to sign the player.
Arne Friedrich, after Hertha Berlin were relegated last season he has been lured by the Dutch Eredivisie winning coach Steve McClaren to Wolfsberg and that too for a paltry fee of only 1.6 million pounds.
Dennis Aogo, only signed for Hamburg two years ago but is already attracting interest from the Old Lady of Turin with Juventus offering Brazilian playmaker Diego in exchange. AC Milan also looks interested.
Serdar Tasci, a versatile player who can play either as a centre half or right back has sparked interest from both Tottenham and Arsenal as both are considering bringing the player to the English Premier League
Holger Badstuber, a scintillating talent at left back has been playing for Bayern Munich for two years now and after cementing his place in the first team he has signed a contract extension at the Allianz Arena despite interest from the Spanish Giants Real Madrid. .
Per Mertesacker, with Sol Campbell leaving Arsenal and Gallas also not sure of his future, Arsene Wenger was considering a 10 million move for the centre back but faces competition from Bayern Munich.
Philipp Lahm, if rumours are to be believed Manchster City has already made a 14 million pound bid for the German international Captain but Manchester United is also an interested party.
Jerome Boateng, has already secured a move to the blue half of Manchester in a 11 million pound move.
Sami Khedira, the star holding midfielder, has only one year left on his contract at Stuttgart and to avoid losing him for free the club may be tempted to cash in on their asset. Chelsea, Manchester United, are both keen with the blues already offering 12 million Euros for the player. Real Madrid is also in the picture with an offer of around 13 million Euros.
Bastian Schweinsteiger, the Bayern Munich star is heavily linked with a summer move to Stamford Bridge with Ancelotti offering up to 25 million pounds.
Mesut Ozil, undoubtedly the summer’s most wanted man after his stellar performances at the World Cup, is being tracked by Europe’s top clubs. Chelsea has already been warned to keep his hands off by his parent club Bremen. Barcelona have offered to sign him and loan him back for a year while City and United are also interested and so are Arsenal with a 20 million pound bid
Piotr Trochowski, Arsenal has made a bid of around 13 million pounds and with his relations with Hamburg not as good as he would have liked he certainly is heading out of the Nordbank Arena.
Toni Kroos, is currently spending a loan spell at Bayer Leverkusen but Bayern Munich have confirmed that they will be offering the winger a new contract in the summer.
Marko Marin, the Spurs have already made a 14 million pound bid for him.
Stefan Kiessling, Milan, Juventus and Bayern Munich are all keen on securing the signature of the player while Arsene Wenger has been trying to sign the Leverkusen playmaker for almost 4 years now.
Lukas Podolski, although the striker has said he wants to stay at Cologne but Fenerbahce, AC Milan and Juventus are all interested in the player and so are the moneybags Manchester City.
Miroslav Klose, could not find himself a place in the star studded Bayern Munich side last season but after his goal glut at the World Cup the striker is in high demand with West Ham and Fenerbahce both interested.
Thomas Mueller, the Golden boot winner is worth his weight in gold at the moment. Chelsea and Manchester United both will have to dig deep into their pockets to land the Bayern Munich ace.
Cacau, the Brazilian born forward has made it clear that he wants to stay at Stuttgart but Blackburn, Bolton and Sevilla are keen to land his services.
Mario Gomez, the Bayern Munich striker is heavily linked with a move to the Olympic stadium in Turin and Juventus will try tooth and nail to land their man if they fail to lure Sampdoria’s Giampaolo Pazzini.
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