Top ten summer target

The star ever david villa is the most target in top EPL club

10. MICHAEL OWEN

He may look about as deadly as a child’s water pistol these days, but the suspicion remains that Owen can rediscover the goalscoring form that has yielded 40 goals for England. After all, the service he currently receives from the Newcastle midfield is about as good as that you’d get from the unwashed grunter behind the counter at KFC. Wages may be a problem, but he’s available on a Bosman in the summer – Aston Villa may look to revive a partnership with Heskey that has produced in the past.

9. WAGNER LOVE

Now that the sun very rarely comes out during June and July, the best way of detecting summertime is the yearly Everton Love affair (sorry). Moyes’ boys are in desperate need of a striker – Louis Saha has a body imprint on the treatment table, whilst loanee Jo seems too busy trying to outdo Fellaini’s afro. If the powers that be are willing to provide the £12m or so, this might be the summer of Love on Merseyside (....sorry).

8. BREDE HANGELAND

The Norweigan has been a mainstay at the heart of a Fulham defence that has been one of the Premiership’s meanest. Given that prolific marksman Bobby Zamora has netted a phenomenal 2 (two) league goals this season, the rear-guard has needed to be solid. With the Cottagers’ debt estimated to total around £150m, Woy Hodgson will face a struggle to hold onto the bullish centre-back. Arsenal, amongst many others, could do a lot worse.

7. EDIN DZEKO

The Wolfsburg striker – let me pause to point out the tragically little-known fact that Wolfsburg used to be managed by a chap named Wolfgang Wolf – anyway, the Wolfsburg striker has scored 17 in 23 league starts for the Bundesliga leaders, and the Bosnian is also the top scorer in European World Cup qualifiers, with 7. He’s a 23 year old target man that the eyes of Europe are on and who most sides will fancy their chances of acquiring.

6. LUIS VALENCIA

Just guessing here, but I wouldn’t have thought that the young Valencia growing up in Ecuador would have dreamed of spending much time in Wigan. Reports of interest from Real Madrid are therefore sure to be to the winger’s liking, although he won’t come cheap if the £13m Spurs paid the Latics for Wilson Palacios can be used as a barometer. Dirk Kuyt’s mullet will be quivering as he looks over his shoulder, as Rafa Benitez is also rumoured to be keen on Valencia.

5. KARIM BENZEMA

Lyon manager Claude Puel isn’t exactly smearing himself in glory at the moment, especially after his side lost 1-0 to league leaders Bordeaux at the weekend. The result means that Lyon are unlikely to win Ligue 1 this year for the first time since 2001 and are in danger of not qualifying for the Champions League next season. Their star striker is French international Karim Benzema, who is unlikely to want to stick around to possibly play in the bloated mess that will be the Europa League. Chelsea, Barcelona and Man City are likely to be sniffing around.

4. FRANCK RIBERY

Every bit as talented with a football as he is ferociously ugly, the French winger seems to have outgrown an under-performing Bayern Munich side. Last year’s German Footballer of the Year is coveted by most of the game’s giants, but prising him from a Bayern outfit that aren’t short of a Euro or six is a task for only those with the deepest pockets. Step forward Manchester City, who should burn all copies of this season’s league table when attracting players. Barcelona are also thought to be interested.

3. THIERRY HENRY

What’s that? Ribery at Barcelona? Surely there’s no place for him? Well, the departure of the Arsenal legend could make room. Last season’s rumours of the Frenchman’s demise were proved to be plain wrong by this term’s 15 league goals in 22 starts, but Barca may be willing to cash in whilst they still can on a player that will by 32 by the start of next season. Could be tempted to follow in the tiny footsteps of Paris Saint Germain’s Claude Makelele by finishing his career in his native land.

2. CARLOS TEVEZ

Every bit as talented with a football as he is... oh, wait. Whoever it is that actually owns Carlos Tevez is likely to get very rich this summer (when his 18-month loan to Manchester United expires), as £32m is reported to be the lucky number for any club wanting to purchase the Argentinian. Old Trafford is likely to be his preferred destination, but whether Fergie is willing to shell out that amount for a player not guaranteed a first XI place is doubtful.

1. DAVID VILLA

After showing all the financial restraint of Richie Rich, David Villa’s Valencia have found themselves in over £400m of debt and with a staff that are not being paid. To make the rash assumption that these probably aren’t conditions likely to motivate players, it seems a summer exodus from the Mestalla is inevitable. The brilliant Villa has made it clear his preference is to stay in Spain if he is to leave, but all the big British clubs will be luring him with the promise of... well, actually getting paid.