Now the dust has settled on the European Championships, the summer transfer window looks set to explode into action. With this in mind, here are five top talents that could be winging their way to the Premier League in the coming weeks.
Paul Pogba – Juventus
The worst kept secret in world football surrounds the departure of Paul Pogba from Juventus this summer – but where will he end up? Title contenders Manchester United are eager to make a statement of intent under new boss Jose Mourinho and Pogba has hinted he would be open to switch back to the Old Trafford club.
Pogba, despite having an underwhelming tournament in France this summer, is one of the world’s best players having stamped his mark on Serie A. The 23 year-old French midfielder has an explosive style of play to compliment his skill and artistry on the ball.
Having won four consecutive scudetto’s with Juventus it seems to be time Pogba moved on to a new challenge.
Kalidou Koulibaly – Napoli
Everton and Chelsea are battling it out for the signature of Napoli centre back Kalidou Koulibaly. The 25 year-old Senegalese defender looks Premier League bound with figures of around £50m being quoted for this transfer from Napoli.
Koulibaly would be a major coup for Everton who have plenty of money spend but have seen little action in the transfer market following their recent takeover. The centre back can also play on the right hand side of defence or as a defensive midfielder and has won plenty of admirers after an impressive season in Serie A.
He was the heartbeat of the Napoli defence that conceded just 32 goals in 39 matches with Koulibaly posting a pass completion rate of 86%.
Mahmoud Dahoud – Borussia Monchengladbach
Syrian born midfielder Mahmoud Dahoud has been touted with a move to the Premier League with Liverpool and Arsenal both interested. Dahoud has been making steady progress with Gladbach in the Bundesliga after cementing a first team place under Andre Schubert last season
The 20 year-old midfielder has been turning heads with his all action style and he was given a standing ovation by the Frankfurt fans last season after scoring and setting two goals in a 5-1 win.
Dahoud likes to dictate play from the centre of the park, driving his team forward at every opportunity. He ended the season with five goals and nine assists and it can’t be long before Joachim Low considers picking the Gladbach midfielder after representing Germany at U21 level.
Julian Draxler – Wolfsburg
The 22 year-old German winger has pace to burn and could be on the move to North London this summer despite only moving to Wolfsburg 12 months ago.
Draxler had an impressive Euro 2016 tournament for Germany and Arsene is ready to test Wolfsburg’s resolve with a mega money bid in the coming weeks. The Wolfsburg winger looks to have the skillset and physique to ply his trade in the Premier League.
Draxler likes to commit defenders and is comfortable using both feet, making it harder for the opposition to read which way he will twist and turn. He had a strong reputation as a youngster and made his Bundesliga debut at just 17 years old.
If Arsenal can persuade Wolfsburg to part with their flying winger then it could prove to be the coup of the summer.
Alexandre Lacazette – Lyon
The French striker missed out on a place in Didier Deschamps’ 23 man squad for the European Championships but there is no doubting his goal scoring ability.
The 25 year-old Lyon striker plundered 27 goals in 33 matches during the 2014-15 season and he looked set for a big money move last summer – but it failed to materialize as doubts surfaced over his ability to consistently deliver the goals.
Those doubts, however, have been dispelled as Lacazette scored 21 league goals for Lyon last season meaning he now has scored 72 goals in 173 appearances for the club and he looks primed for a move to the Premier League.