Luka Modric, Mo Salah, Gareth Bale… five European stars who could be on the way back to the Premier League this summer
Football Whispers shines spotlight on a handful of former top-flight gems who might be making the trip back to England
THE Premier League may not currently be home to the best sides in Europe, but it does boast the most spending power.
Whether it’s transfer fees or player wages, few of the Continent’s elite clubs can compete with England’s top division financially.
It’s therefore not surprising that any player performing on a regular basis abroad is linked with a Premier League club at one stage, even if they’ve left our shores previously in their career.
Football Whispers takes a look at five players who could be making a return this summer.
Some have proved massive successes abroad having already lit up the Premier League during their time here.
But for others it is a case of unfinished business in England and they will be determined to silence their critics.
Gareth Bale
DESPITE regularly finding the back of the net for Real Madrid — including in the 2014 Champions League final — supporters have never fully taken the Welshman into their hearts.
And this season Bale has struggled with injury, meaning the winger has made just 17 league starts and scored nine goals in all competitions.
Manchester United have been long-term admirers of the Wales international having tried to sign the him during his Southampton and Tottenham days.
What’s more, the former Spurs man has reportedly told Real president Florentino Perez that he would favour a move to Old Trafford should the European champions decide to sell.
Bale made 146 Premier League appearances for Tottenham following his transfer from Southampton.
But if Real did decide they wanted to sell the player they signed for £85million four seasons ago, United will face competition from a number of leading European clubs.
Luka Modric
ANOTHER former Spurs star linked with a move away from the Bernabeu this summer is Modric.
The Croatia international has made over 30 appearances for Real this season but has a return of just one goal and two assists in all competitions.
Reports are suggesting that Perez would consider selling the 31-year-old in order to bring in younger talent, with Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City all linked with a move for the player.
There have been signs that Modric’s powers have been waning this season compared with previous years.
The number of chances he’s created dropping from 69 to 27, his passing accuracy dropping slightly from 91 per cent to 89 per cent and his average duel success percentage dropping from 55 per cent to 53 per cent.
Mohamed Salah
EGYPT international Salah made just 13 Premier League appearances for Chelsea - seven from the bench - following his £11million move from FC Basel in January 2014.
His first half season with the West London club yielded two goals and one assist, but Salah was loaned to Fiorentina just 12 months after arriving at Stamford Bridge.
The 24-year-old was loaned to Roma for the 2015-16 season, before making the move permanent last summer, but reports are already linking the winger with a return to the Premier League.
With their hopes of signing Julian Brandt from Bayer Leverkusen fading, Liverpool are set to turn their attentions to Salah, who has scored 17 goals and provided 12 assists this season.
The Reds will target two new wide players this summer, and Salah’s ability to play across the front line will make him particularly useful to Jurgen Klopp.
Steven N’Zonzi
WHEN Sevilla signed N’Zonzi from Stoke for £7million back in 2015, few would have predicted the transformation the Frenchman’s reputation would undergo.
N’Zonzi has made 62 La Liga appearances for Los Blanquirrojos since then, and has been a key part of the squad that won last season’s Europa League and mounted a title challenge this term.
Both Chelsea and Manchester City are thought to be keen on bringing the former Blackburn Rovers midfielder back to England, though the contract extension he signed back in January may make the deal harder to conclude.
Suso
LIVERPOOL academy product Suso never managed to establish himself in the Reds’ first team after making his senior debut in September 2012.
The Spaniard made just 14 league appearances in a three-year spell that included a season-long loan at Almeria before AC Milan signed the youngster on a four-year deal in January 2015.
After being loaned out to Genoa for the second half of the 2015/16 season, Suso has enjoyed regular playing time this term, scoring seven goals and providing nine assists in 33 Serie A appearances.
The 23-year-old’s performances have caught the eye of Tottenham, who are interested in bringing the midfielder back to the Premier League.
Milan are currently holding talks over a contract extension with the player. But there has been no sign yet that he is prepared to extend his current deal, which is set to expire in 2019.
Spurs scouted Suso last month and are keen to add depth to their squad in order to mount a stronger Champions League and title challenge next year, but will face competition from Atletico Madrid.
