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According to a report from The Daily Mail yesterday evening, Liverpool could be saying goodbye to as many as ten of their first team stars this summer.

Glen Johnson, Kolo Toure and Steven Gerrard are all set to leave upon the expiration of their contracts, loan signing Javier Manquillo will be sent back to Atletico Madrid a year early, Mario Balotelli, Rickie Lambert, Fabio Borini and Brad Jones have all been deemed surplus to requirements, Martin Skrtel has emerged as a target for Wolfsburg and Raheem Sterling appears hell-bent on forcing his way out of Anfield.

That’s a heck of a lot of talent to replace in a single transfer window. But fear not Liverpool fans, for Football FanCast is here to help.

We’ve listed ten like-for-like replacements Liverpool could realistically sign at the not-so-ridiculous total cost of £110million, considering the Reds could land nearly half that sum from selling £50million-rated England international Raheem Sterling alone.

Would the Liverpool end up better off if they made this ten-man trade in the coming transfer window? Let us know by commenting below!

ILKAY GUNDOGAN FOR STEVEN GERRARD

Liverpool need a long-term successor to Steven Gerrard and Borussia Dortmund’s Ilkay Gundogan fits the bill perfectly.

The 24 year-old is a high-energy holding player with cultured feet who loves to make mazy runs on the break, suggesting he’d be a natural suitor to Liverpool’s fast-paced counter-attacking style.

The German international looks set to leave Westfalen this summer as he enters the final year of his contract. The Daily Mail claim he could be available for just £15million, but Man United are considered favourites for his signature.

Alternatives: Roma’s Miralem Pjanic (£37m), Real Madrid’s Sami Khedira (free transfer)

NATHANIEL CLYNE FOR GLEN JOHNSON

A simple enough suggestion; swapping England’s right-back of the last eight years for England’s right-back of the next eight years.

Indeed, the superlative form of Southampton’s Nathaniel Clyne this season, bagging two goals in 30 Premier League appearances whilst averaging the fifth-most tackles per-match, 3.5, of any player in the division, has seen him emerge as Roy Hodgson’s priority choice of No.2.

The 24 year-old looks set to leave St. Mary’s this summer after delaying on negotiations to extend his contract past 2016. He’s rated at £17million, but The Express claim the former Crystal Palace youngster has already agreed a move to Manchester United.

Alternatives: Barcelona’s Dani Alves (free transfer), Arsenal’s Carl Jenkinson (£8m) Real Madrid’s Alvaro Arbeloa (£3.5m)

JAMES MILNER FOR JAVIER MANQUILLO

By no means a like-for-like trade but certainly a player who could offer a lot to Liverpool’s squad.

James Milner is home-grown, two-footed, highly versatile, creative yet industrious and hugely experienced, with 415 Premier League appearances, two league titles and 53 England caps under his belt, so it’s no surprise half of the Premier League is targeting him this summer.

The 29 year-old is expected to leave Manchester City this summer upon the expiration of his contract – but as previously stated, suitors certainly aren’t in short supply.

Noberto Neto for Brad Jones

Liverpool need a goalkeeper who can contest Simon Mignolet for the No.1 jersey, and in terms of price-tag, quality and availability, Fiorentina star Noberto Neto hits an ideal equilibrium.

The Brazilian has kept an impressive nine clean sheets in 23 Serie A appearances this term whilst making 42 saves, but has already confirmed he’ll be leaving the Florence outfit on a free transfer this summer.

He’s already been mooted as a Liverpool target by The Liverpool Echo, but the Reds face competition from Juventus.

Alternatives: Stoke City’s Asmir Begovic (£10m), Espanyol’s Kiko Casilla (£7m), Chelsea’s Petr Cech (loan)

DANNY INGS FOR RICKIE LAMBERT

Having claimed nine goals and four assists in his debut Premier League season, a host of top clubs are courting prodigious front-man Danny Ings this summer.

The 22 year-old’s intelligence, movement and fleet of foot suggest he’s capable of playing at a significantly higher level than Burnley’s, and he’s certain to leave Turf Moor this summer upon the expiration of his contract.

That means Liverpool could snap him up for a nominal compensation fee, believed to be around £5million. As previously stated, however, potential suitors are in copious supply, ranging from Manchester City to Real Sociedad.

Alternatives: Manchester United’s Javier Hernandez (£10m), Chelsea’s Patrick Bamford (£10m)

FABIAN SCHAR FOR KOLO TOURE

Statistically speaking, FC Basel’s Fabian Schar was the best centre-back in the Champions League last season, averaging an imperious 3.3 tackles, 4 interceptions, 6.7 clearances and 1.8 successful aerial duels per match.

The Swiss side recently activated a one-year extension clause in the 23 year-old’s contract, but set to expire in 2016, he’s still expected to move on this summer after claiming three consecutive Swiss Super League titles.

He’s the ball-playing centre-back Liverpool currently lack and will likely be available for around the £10million mark – but Arsenal, Tottenham and West Ham have all been linked to the Switzerland international by talkSPORT.

Alternatives: Aston Villa’s Ron Vlaar or West Ham’s Winston Reid (both free transfers), Espanyol’s Hector Moreno (£5m)

ANDRE AYEW FOR FABIO BORINI

Winger-forward Andre Ayew boasts 57 goals in 187 appearances for Marseille, including eight in all competitions this season, but looks set to leave Stade Velodrome this summer when his contract expires.

The 25 year-old has a lot to offer Liverpool; he’s versatile, physical and an experienced international, with eleven goals and 62 caps under his belt for Ghana.

He seems a good fit for the Premier League and speculation suggests that’s where he’ll most likely end up this summer.

Everton, Newcastle and Swansea have already made contract offers, however, whilst Wolfsburg and Borussia Dortmund are also interested – according to The Daily Mail – so Liverpool will have to act quickly to sign the L’OM star.

Alternatives: PSV’s Memphis Depay (£25m), Crystal Palace’s Yannick Bolasie (£20m), PSG’s Ezequiel Lavezzi (£15m)

MIRANDA FOR MARTIN SKRTEL

A short-term solution at the age of 30, but in terms of his leadership qualities, aerial dominance and thuggish centre-back style, Atletico Madrid’s Miranda shares many important traits with the potentially departing Martin Skrtel.

The Mattress Makers rejected advances from Chelsea and Manchester United last summer but now appear ready to let the Brazil international leave; he’s verging upon the final year of his contract and the La Liga champions already have a long-term successor in prodigious youngster Jose Giminez.

He’s valued at £18million, but a move to Juventus is currently the likeliest scenario – according to The Daily Star.

Alternatives: Schalke’s Benedikt Howedes (£15m), Tottenham’s Jan Vertonghen (£20m), Juventus’ Angelo Ogbonna (£15m)

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Paulo Dybala for Mario Balotelli

The striker everybody wants but Liverpool desperately need, Paulo Dybala’s 13 goals and ten assists in 30 Serie A appearances this term have seen him emerge as one of the most sought-after strikers in Europe ahead of the summer transfer window.

Many have compared the Palermo prodigy to compatriot Sergio Aguero but I see more similarities with Luis Suarez – tenacious, dynamic and virtually a one-man attack when he’s hitting on the break.

Club president Maurizio Zamparini has already proclaimed the 21 year-old will be sold by the end of the month, however, and also listed virtually every major club in Europe as potential suitors – as reported by The Daily Star.

But Dybala’s £29million price-tag should be within Liverpool’s financial reach.

Alternatives: Napoli’s Gonzalo Higuain (£29m), Aston Villa’s Christian Benteke (£25m), Lyon’s Alexandre Lacazette (£20m)

PEDRO FOR RAHEEM STERLING

Liverpool need a heavyweight replacement for Raheem Sterling and the Merseysiders could do a lot worse than Barcelona’s Pedro.

The winger-forward has won four La Liga titles and two Champions League titles with Barcelona, in addition to lifting the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 European Championship with the Spanish national team, amassing a career return of 113 goals in 359 appearances.

But his game-time has been slashed since the arrival of Luis Suarez and the 27 year-old is resultantly expected to leave the Nou Camp this summer.

In a similar vein to Alexis Sanchez, he’s blessed with the pace, stamina and netting prowess to be a real hit in the Premier League. And with just a year remaining on Pedro’s current deal, Barcelona could be forced to sell on the cheap – £15million would be Football Fancast’s estimate.

Unable to sign a replacement until 2016, however, the Catalan outfit’s transfer embargo could stand in the way.

Alternatives: Hoffenheim’s Roberto Firmino (£20m), Borussia Dortmund’s Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang (£20m), Birmingham’s Demarai Gray (£10m)

If this season was supposed to be the antithesis to the stuttering nature of the previous campaign for Jermain Defoe at Tottenham Hotspur, then we’re perhaps left with as many questions as answers as the season winds down this month.

Universally adored by the White Hart Lane faithful and still able to produce moments of scintillating magic, the constants that have always adorned Defoe’s game have been as present this term as they have any other. And most importantly, so have the slew of goals, too.

This season has seen the England man knock away a respectable 15 goals in all competitions this term as he’s looked to confound the doubters that saw no place for him under Andre Villas-Boas’ new outlook at the club.

Far from fading into the periphery and out of the club all together, Defoe has of course experienced a startling change of fortunes under Villas-Boas, after a season on the fringes under Harry Redknapp.

Whereas last season saw the former-West Ham man accumulate a frustrating 11 starts in the Premier League under the now QPR manager, he’s wielded both the trust and backing of Villas-Boas this term, racking up 26 starts and counting in the top-flight this season. Not bad at all for a man who seemingly possessed no future under the Portuguese at the start of the campaign.

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Yet while Defoe has managed to adapt where many of his contemporaries – stand up Mr. Darren Bent – have failed, for as delighted as the N17 crowd have been to see one of their heroes experience yet another renaissance at the club, the 30-year-old’s campaign hasn’t been without its negatives.

Certainly, if this term has underlined the glowing credentials that underline Jermain Defoe’s game, then it’s also thrown up the same issues that have perpetually undermined it.

Given the atrocious season that Emmanuel Adebayor has endured this season, dwelling upon the negatives of Defoe’s skillset hasn’t been a particularly popular aspect amongst many quarters of the Spurs support. Defoe isn’t without his doubters at White Hart Lane, but if there has been a traditional susceptibility to wear the rose-tinted glasses when viewing his performances, Adebayor’s woes have most definitely seen them adorned a little more frequently this year.

But if this season was Defoe’s big opportunity to really lay down a marker down at the club and look to really push on at the peak of his powers in a Tottenham shirt, then the results have been something of a mixed bag.

The 25-goal season that many had down as a given for Defoe should he be given a string of starts hasn’t been quite as forthcoming as perhaps some had expected and although assumptions are always dangerous in this game, this season has perhaps put a real dent in the notion that he has what it takes to carry the burden of a top-four side’s goal threat.

A faulty argument some might suggest, give Defoe’s presence in the fourth-placed finishing sides of both last season and 2010. But while it’s important not to devalue the goals he scored during both of those seasons, it’s perhaps just as important to analyze just why he continues to live with such question marks hanging over his credentials.

After a series of devastating displays at the start of the season, it’s been suggested by some that Villas-Boas’ deployment of the England-man has begun to have something of an adverse effect on him as the goals have dried up in the New Year and beyond. But this isn’t the first time that we’ve seen Defoe struggle to go the distance goalscoring wise.

The 2009/10 season was Defoe’s goalscoring zenith at the club, as he notched up a superb 18 league goals to fire Spurs into the top-four for the first time in the Premier League era. But following the turn of the year that season, Defoe’s goalscoring heroics came to something resembling a grinding halt and far from catalysing his side to success, only four league goals came from January until the end of the season.

And as we’re witnessing this season, while his goalscoring gifts remain a priceless asset, that attribute alone isn’t enough to hide some of his wider failings.

If Tottenham are to progress forward as a club, they need a man for all occasions – someone who can hold the ball up, bring others into play and offer a presence in front of goal over the entire course of the season and perhaps most importantly, a presence in the game over an entire 90 minutes.

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Jermain Defoe has done an outstanding job of altering his game to fit within a style of play that ultimately does not play to his strengths, but for as well as he’s done to adapt, it’s simply not enough to serve as a first choice option for another season.

Does this mean he has to be consigned to the scrap heap or even sold this summer? Not by any stretch of the imagination and his ability to create something out of nothing – personified beautifully during his goal off the bench against Manchester City recently  – is a gift that Spurs would be foolish to sell.

But if he does stay, Defoe must accept his role as a wider squad player. With his 31st birthday on the horizon this October, the Beckton-born forward isn’t going to find a higher level to ply his trade upon.

First-team football might not be a banker for him next season, but he still has an important role to play at Tottenham Hotspur. It might just be time for supporters to accept that such a role might not be quite as close to the forefront as some would ideally prefer.

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Matchday 5 of the Champions League is upon us, and while six teams may have already booked their places in the knockout stages with two games to spare, there are still ten spots in the last 16 up for grabs. Of the four English teams participating in this year’s competition, Arsenal and Chelsea look likely to be in the hat for the next round, while Manchester City and Liverpool – the champions and runners up of last season’s Premier League – face a real battle to avoid elimination. Anything but maximum points from their remaining group games will almost certainly signal the end for these two sides, which should make their ties against Bayern Munich and Ludogorets fascinating affairs. There is much more to look forward to across all groups, of course; here’s the pick of the bunch

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CLICK ON BRENDAN RODGERS TO GET THE BALL ROLLING

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Got any questions? Follow me on Twitter @GruffuddOwen

1. No respite for beleagured Wenger in Europe

If Arsene Wenger thinks that he can seek solace on the continent after another traumatic loss in his Arsenal side’s shambolic domestic campaign, he has another thing coming. Qualification was always to be expected in what is a largely straightforward group, and with seven points from four games – five ahead of third-placed Anderlecht – they will almost certainly progress. However, it has not been an easy ride for the Gunners. Their last outing in Europe saw them squander a three-goal lead at home to Anderlecht – on paper, the weakest team in the group – while their fortuitous last-minute comeback win against the Belgian side in Brussels at the end of October was, in hindsight, a crucial victory. Borussia Dortmund are the opponents on Wednesday, and the German outfit have already qualified for the last 16 with a maximum 12 points from their opening four matches, the first of which was a dominant 2-0 victory over Arsenal in Dortmund. Wenger will have no weak sides to fall back in the knockout stages, which makes this game an important one to determine whether his team is truly good enough to compete with the genuine heavyweights of Europe. Another insipid loss will only further anger the already discontented fans, many of whom are already calling for managerial change. The pressure is most certainly on for Wenger; he cannot afford to take his side’s remaining group games lightly.

2. Mourinho’s fringe players to get a run-out?

If Wenger is feeling the heat in North London, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is as cool as an inuit’s cucumber in the west of the capital. Not only do his side look unstoppable in the Premier League, they are also top of their Champions League group, although qualification is not yet guaranteed after the Blues had to settle for a draw against Slovenian minnows Maribor three weeks ago. An away tie against Schalke on Tuesday will by no means be a stroll in the park, but Mourinho may still decide to rest the likes of Diego Costa, Cesc Fabregas and Eden Hazard, especially with the gruelling Christmas schedule looming large. The Chelsea boss was critical of a number of fringe players in their tight League Cup victory over Shrewsbury Town last month; Tuesday’s match represents an excellent opportunity for these bit-parters – many of whom would walk into most Premier League sides, let us not forget – to prove a point.

3. Do or die for Rodgers

For a number of weeks now, it seems that every Liverpool game has been promoted to ‘must-win’ status, yet Reds boss Brendan Rodgers remains in charge even as his side has succumbed to loss after hapless loss, the most recent of which was a frankly pathetic 3-1 defeat against Crystal Palace in the league on Sunday. While ‘must-win’ is of course nothing more than a catchy phrase used by the media to elevate the importance of a game, one gets the feeling that Liverpool’s crunch match against Basle at Anfield on Wednesday evening really is all or nothing for Rodgers. After an atrocious start to the domestic campaign, the 41 year-old simply needs to secure progression to the knockout stages of the Champions League. Reds fans have waited five long years for their side’s return to Europe’s elite club competition; elimination at the group stage would not go down well with the Anfield faithful, to put it kindly. A Basle win would end Liverpool’s participation in the tournament, and with the way things are going so far for the Reds it would not come as a great surprise if the Swiss side got a result at Anfield. Rodgers must ensure that this does not happen, otherwise his time on Merseyside would surely be up.

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4. Time for AVB to prove his worth

Andre Villas-Boas entered English football management as one of the brightest coaching talents in the world; only 33 years of age when he took over at Chelsea in 2011, he had already won a treble during his time at Porto, leading the Portuguese side to an undefeated season in his single campaign in charge. Two years later, he left England with his reputation in tatters, having lasted just eight months at Stamford Bridge and a season-and-a-half at Tottenham Hotspur. AVB opted to head to Russia to restart his career, and has been in charge of Zenit St Petersburg since March. A current win percentage of nearly 70% suggests that the Portuguese is doing a decent job, yet he has found it difficult in the Champions League so far this season; Zenit are third in their group with four points, and must get a result against Benfica on Wednesday to stand a chance of qualifying. Villas-Boas clearly has the ability to succeed in continental competition, having guided Porto to Europa League glory in 2011. A convincing win this week against Porto’s fiercest rivals would go a long way to silence his critics.

According to reports in The Mirror, Newcastle United are exploring the possibility of bringing goalkeeper Joe Hart to St James’ Park on loan during the January transfer window, and Magpies fans have been quick to have their say on the rumour.

The 30-year-old is currently on a season-long loan deal with West Ham United from Manchester City, but he has lost his place to Adrian in recent weeks following some disappointing performances.

The Mirror says that Rafa Benitez is keen to bring the England international in this month, but it will rely on West Ham, Man City and the stopper agreeing to end his loan at the London Stadium early.

Newcastle supporters took to social media to give their thoughts on the potential addition of Hart via social media, and while one said “relegation it is then”, another said “please say this is a joke”.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

manager Martin O’Neill is hoping that his side can react possitivley in the Premier League this weekend after crashing out of the Capital One Cup in mid-week.

The Black Cats were beaten 1-0 by local rivals Middlesbrough at the Stadium of Light to add more frustration to the start to their league campaign, which sees them 14th after drawing six of their opening eight fixtures.

And O’Neill believes his side are capable of better performances and puts current form down to a failure to create enough goal scoring chances.

He told Sky Sports: “I think that this season we haven’t created enough clear cut chances in many games. I think that’s the biggest thing.

“If you take a ratio of chances there is a bigger likely hood that if you, let’s say, create eight chances in a game there is a decent chance you are going to take one or two of those.

“If that is the case then we need to create more chances and I believe we have the ability to do so.”

O’Neill went on to confirm that he has every faith in his players and he believes he has the right resources to improve the side’s league position.

“I am far from having lost faith in any one. Quite the opposite. I believe we have the capabilities to do this.”

Sunderland host Aston Villa, who are without a league win in five and just two points off the bottom three, on Saturday afternoon.

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One of the few positives from this Arsenal season has been the transformation of Aaron Ramsey. Although transformation may be a little wide of the mark, there was always a good player in there, it was just about finding the right balance to escape the horrors of the past. In many ways, it’s the rebirth of a player of whom many had extremely high hopes for.

Even before the emergence of Jack Wilshere, it would have been more than appropriate to talk of Ramsey as the natural heir to Cesc Fabregas. In the performances prior to his injury in the 2009/10 season, Ramsey displayed the kind of maturity and intelligence that was familiar to the Spaniard’s game in previous years. Ramsey was skilled, quick of thought, possessed an eye for goal, and at times gave evidence that he was capable of shouldering the load in the absence of Fabregas.

What can never be taken away from the player is his attitude and willingness to take responsibility. What does it say of his character when injuries, the loss of his mentor in Gary Speed and the apparent loss of faith from the majority of Arsenal supporters should have seen him fade under the pressure, but instead emerge as one of the brighter notes as this season draws to a close?

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There was never any sense in Arsene Wenger deploying Ramsey on either of the flanks, despite some degree of success here and there. The player was brought in as a midfielder and should have been retrained in that position once back and fully fit.

The problem is that the topic of Ramsey could often bring up that taboo among Arsenal fans – you sort of know the blame is with the manager, but you don’t really want to shout it from the rooftops. Anyone doing so obviously knows nothing. But like the case with Wilshere in his first full season, Ramsey too should have taken on the role of one of the anchoring midfielders. Fabregas was given the freedom to move further up the pitch with the safety net of Wilshere and Alex Song, and Ramsey should have been given similar guidance in order to regain some semblance of form.

Admittedly it took too long but it did finally arrive. It’s difficult to say whether Wenger’s hand was permanently forced or whether he genuinely saw something in Ramsey and what he could provide alongside Mikel Arteta. These past few weeks have been extremely welcome, as even against the odds Arsenal have found ways to battle against teams who were either superior or who had their number on previous occasions. Ramsey has always been about work rate and offering the necessary components to a well-oiled engine room. You can see in his performances that there is something of a leader in there, while his youth excuses him from always coming to the fore. Moreover, playing alongside a veteran in Arteta can only do wonders for his performances and development.

There was something significant about Arsenal’s second goal at Swansea. Both Gervinho and Ramsey had felt the sting of criticism over the past 18 months, acting as the go-to targets for the supporters’ frustrations. Maybe at any other time you’d have expected one of the two to break down in the way only Arsenal players can. The pressure was on to deliver, and even after some impressive defensive work from the rest of the team, it was important to get that two-goal cushion.

There’s a sense of reliability about Ramsey now, with the hint that you know he’ll make the right decision when it matters. Playing in a natural position has obviously done a lot for him, but that nervous atmosphere that has often been so prevalent at the Emirates seems to be easing a little. Of course, there’s no telling when this Arsenal team will hit the self-destruct button again, but there’s much more trust in Ramsey now and the way he’s been used. Like the rest of the Arsenal team, it’s been about going back to basics.

It is extremely easy to paint the romantic picture that all is well and the corner has been turned for good – it hasn’t. For Ramsey, there will always be that one game where he doesn’t deliver. He still needs to regain that quickness of thought he once had. Playing in the midfield will come far more naturally than playing wide, but the damage of that injury still remains in parts.

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Importantly – and this is the case for many Arsenal players – Ramsey hasn’t been made to feel that he is the only one. He knows now that he has experienced players to lean on – he isn’t the star of a team well before he’s ready.

For all the talent he has, he doesn’t have that same aura about him as Wilshere. But, taking up a place in midfield and being surrounded by leaders, internationals and players who don’t always need to go in search of confidence has played a significant role in Ramsey’s re-emergence.

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Are Liverpool truly playing without fear this season? Well that’s certainly the opinion according to The Redmen TV’s Paul Machin. The passionate Liverpool fans is anxiously awaiting the crescendo of the Premier League season, knowing his club are but four games from securing their first league title in 24 years.

A push that was aided by Tuesday’s 2-2 between Manchester City and Sunderland, attention now quickly turns to the Reds’ game against Norwich City at the weekend. Likened to a Champions League final by Steven Gerrard, talk has also focused on the club’s cavalier approach in front of goal, which Machin feels could be down to the influence of psychiatrist Steve Peters, who has spent the season working with the club.

“There’s talk of having Steve Peters involved behind the scenes and they’ve got the mental coaching behind it, I think the fans probably need it more than the players at the minute,” Machin told Ball Street’s 4-5-1 show. “There’s definitely nerves off the pitch and I think they’re playing without fear because they know they’ve got goals in them.”

The Reds currently top the Premier League’s goals scored column having netted an amazing 93 times this season — 27 more than second placed Chelsea. Yet although the title seems to be edging towards Anfield, Machin admitted he is refusing to believe it just yet, conceding the club have seen ‘so many false dawns’.

“Over the last 24 years, since we last won a league title, there has been so many false dawns. We’ve had so many times we thought: ‘this is it’. It’s our season every season, that’s what it’s like to be a Liverpool fan, we start every season with the thought we’re going to win it this year and it hasn’t come. We almost don’t want to get carried away too soon.”

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It is not the best compliment for a club to hear that their goalkeeper has been their best player but this has been the case for Manchester United this season. Early injuries to numerous players particularly at the back left the Red Devils shaky and easily breached, meaning that David de Gea was, at times, the only man stopping the squad from receiving a mauling.

The Spaniard, who joined United in 2011 for £17.8million, has appeared in all 36 of their league games leaving no space for the club’s other keepers Anders Lindegaard and January signing Victor Valdes. Valdes probably expected to have played at least a few games by now but that is how good De Gea has been for the Red Devils who just aren’t prepared to entrust their goal with anyone else.

De Gea’s heroics have not gone unnoticed with Real Madrid huge admirers of the young man and they are expected to offer United a massive sum to take the player off their hands. Born in Madrid, though a supporter of city rivals Atletico Madrid, De Gea is seen as the perfect replacement for Iker Casillas who has become less reliable for Los Blancos and has himself been linked with a move to Arsenal.

Many Spanish players who ply their trade in the Premier League do eventually succumb to the irresistible allure of one of Spain’s top two clubs so it must be causing some anxiety for United supporters that Real are so fixated on claiming one of their most outstanding talents. Fortunately United are almost certain to be playing in the Champions League next year so if De Gea does leave, it will not be because the club couldn’t provide the European football that all top players crave.

Next season will be a big test for the club. After just scrapping into the top four despite the many millions they spent on world-class talents like Angel Di Maria and Radamel Falcao, United must prove in their next campaign that they are title contenders. Teams like Arsenal, Manchester City and this year’s winners Chelsea will be right in the mix once again and will not make the feat any easier. That is why the club need their world-class keeper.

Manager Louis van Gaal will dip once again into the transfer market with emphasis on signing a striker but if De Gea were to leave then the club would have to commit to bringing in a top goalkeeper which is no easy task. The goalkeepers they have are decent but would not have kept United in contention for the top four like the Spaniard has. In contrast Chelsea’s Thibaut Courtois has made 72 saves while De Gea has been called into action a massive 91 times, the busiest of the top four’s goalkeepers.

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A great goalie is worth his weight in gold and so no matter how much Real Madrid offer United should not accept it. Instead they need to lock De Gea down to a lucrative long-term contract and hope that the future expected success of the club will be enough to keep the Spaniard loyal for many years to come.

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It says a lot about the quality at centre-forward available to Colombia coach Jose Pekerman that Carlos Bacca (and Adrian Ramos) is yet to kick a ball at this World Cup.

Bacca had a fine first season in Spanish football last term, joining Sevilla from Club Brugge and pairing up with former Paris Saint-Germain striker Kevin Gameiro in an attempt to reproduce the goals of Alvaro Negredo, sold to Manchester City that summer.

The reality was that Sevilla ended up seeing a vast majority of Negredo’s production in front of goal covered solely by Bacca, who hit 21 in all competitions (Gameiro also found the net 20 times in all competitions). The Colombian international brought with him a healthy mix of speed, strength and aerial ability. The £6 million investment quickly began to look like a fantastic piece of business for the club.

But prior to the end of last season, Sevilla were reported to be looking to cash in on the striker, who scored seven goals en route to Sevilla’s Europa League win over Benfica in Turin. Clubs outside of Spain have been linked with a move for the 27-year-old, as well as more recently Atletico Madrid.

Bacca’s major flaw isn’t so much to do with what he can provide on the pitch, but rather his general lack of star power. In comparison to countrymen Jackson Martinez and Radamel Falcao, he’s an unknown. But should Arsenal be looking to the apparently available Sevilla striker?

What is important at Arsenal this summer is that they sign a player who is widely considered world class, a player who can help to elevate the club further and replicate the good feeling produced following Mesut Ozil’s signing last summer. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a centre-forward.

As of now, the major name linked with a move to the Emirates is Alexis Sanchez. Judging by recent reports, the club want two forwards, one of the style of Barcelona’s Alexis, who can play in either of the wide positions, and a central striker to take some of the load off Olivier Giroud.

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With the need for a defensive midfielder, a large chunk of Arsene Wenger’s transfer budget looks set to be spent on one forward, with the other being a cheaper addition. An indicator as to why the club have been linked so heavily with Loic Remy.

Various personnel at Arsenal have denied links to Mario Balotelli, while the player’s agent has also said there has been no contact with the club. Is Carlos Bacca a viable alternative?

For starters, the Colombian is far less volatile and a much safer bet to quietly adjust to life in north London. Balotelli has an excellent scoring record since moving back to Italy, and his age and talent means Arsenal could potentially have a consistently brilliant world-class centre-forward.

But it’s difficult to see Wenger giving up totally on Giroud. The Arsenal manager has placed a lot of faith in the French international and, after this World Cup, he’s unlikely to want to disrupt Giroud’s further development by benching him for prolonged spells in the wake of a signing like Balotelli.

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What Arsenal need is the option to call on fresh players who are good enough. Despite being a relative unknown, Bacca has proven to be good enough, both domestically, where he’s scored against both Barcelona and Real Madrid, and in European competition. Going into this World Cup, many had predicted he’d start for Colombia.

The possible purchase of Alexis will also mean the focus is on the Chilean, rather than Bacca. The Colombian is good, but he wasn’t the star player at Sevilla and is unlikely to be ready to take on that level of responsibility. Furthermore, Wenger seems to abhor sweeping changes to his team. In the event Alexis does sign with Arsenal, I’d expect Giroud to start the team’s first game of next season, with the new striker signing on the bench.

With £9million being the figure reported earlier this year, Arsenal could do far worse than a striker who has shown such quality in front of goal since moving to Spanish football.

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Michael Carrick is in the news today after releasing a video releasing a video with Puma showing off his skills as a midfielder. This video is a good representation of why the Manchester United star has been a model of consistency over the years. With some Puma players on set, Carrick gives a thorough explanation on how to be a fundamentally sound midfielder.

This video got me thinking on what has shaped the English star’s career. After stints West Ham United, Tottenham and a few loans, he has established himself at Old Trafford over the past seven seasons. He also has 29 appearances for the England National Team but has yet to be used in a World Cup despite being in the squad.

Even though he is not much of a goal scorer, Carrick is known for his great distribution of the ball and can play either a holding midfielder or further forward. As you can see in the video, he is also great with both feet.

Last season was an interesting one for Carrick. Sir Alex Ferguson had him start the season as a makeshift centre-back, a role he was inexperienced with. As a result he showed flaws earlier on against Everto, but when moved into his natural role came into his own. He had a streak of streak of 33 consecutive starts, showing some of the best form of his whole career.

Now with David Moyes at Old Trafford, it will be interesting to see how Carrick will be used at the back end of the career. Either way, you know the 31-year-old will bring his inventive and versatile style.

//www.youtube.com/embed/lntRrPEMp1s

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Michael Carrick and Steven Caulker wear the super soft PUMA King. It’s in their nature to be the Ringleader – they run the show. The PUMA King and evoSPEED are available from http://www.prodirectsoccer.com/. Visit www.facebook.com/pumafootball to find out which PUMA boot matches your playing style.