Vincent Enyeama
France and Nigeria possess a combined total of 15 players currently plying their trade in the Premier League, but with many more starring at the World Cup that number could be increasing in the near future.
Footy Matters looks at some who may well be lining up in the English top flight this coming season:
Vincent Enyeama (Nigeria) – The goalkeeper currently plays his club football in France for Lille and after a tremendous season in Ligue 1, Enyeama has carried that form into the World Cup with some impressive displays in the group stages. He’s kept two clean sheets in three games, making some eye-catching saves in the process, particularly against Bosnia, where he was named as the man of the match.
Last season at Lille, Enyeama had a remarkable spell of 1,062 minutes without conceding a goal and he has already been linked to Premier League giants Arsenal, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if he ended up in England fairly soon.
Raphael Varane (France) – The chances of Varane leaving Real Madrid for the Premier League are very slim at this moment in time, especially having won the Champions Leage last season. The young Frenchman may not be a regular at the Bernabeu but he is very highly-rated by his club and it would take a huge sum of money to lure him away from one of the world’s biggest clubs.
But with the big-money departure of David Luiz to PSG, it is being reported that former Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has identified Varane as his main target and wants to be reunited with the defender, so watch this space.
Paul Pogba (France) – According to reports this week, Chelsea are lining up a staggering £60million move to bring the ex-Manchester United midfielder to Stamford Bridge. A bid in that region could be tough for Juventus to turn down for a player they signed on a free two years ago. Pogba has also been linked with a move to Arsenal and United have also been credited with an interest in re-signing him.
Pogba is regarded as one of the best young midfielders in the world at the moment and he has proved why with his performances for Juventus last season and in the World Cup with France. It could be an interesting summer for the 21-year-old.
Mathieu Valbuena (France, pictured) – Valbuena’s agent confirmed last week that he has had ”contact with certain clubs in different European leagues” regarding the little Frenchman. The Marseille playmaker has been linked with Arsenal and Liverpool and a move to the Premier League may be in the offing.
Valbuena has been a key member of this France side as their main creative force, due to the absence of Franck Ribery and he has not disappointed. He is very likely to be leaving Marseille this summer in search of a new challenge.
Emmanuel Emenike (Nigeria) – In his own words recently, Emenike admitted he would welcome the opportunity to join a Premier League club this summer. The striker currently plays for Fenerbahce in Turkey but has been linked with a host of Premier League sides such as Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester City.
Emenike said: ”If an offer came from England and Fenerbahce were happy with this offer, it wouldn’t be a problem from my point of view.” It will be interesting to see if any such offer materialises over the coming months.
Ahmed Musa (Nigeria, pictured) – Musa has been Nigeria’s outstanding player at this year’s World Cup and he displayed his talent with two brilliant goals against Argentina in the final group game which made people stand up and take notice. The CSKA Moscow striker is only 21 and could prove a shrewd investment for a Premier League side.
His performances for Nigeria are sure to have caught the eyes of clubs in England and it would be no shock were he to be lining up for a Premier League team next season.
Karim Benzema (France) – It seems Benzema has spent his entire career being linked with a move to England, during his time at Lyon and almost every summer at Real Madrid. The Frenchman appears to be linked to one club more than others, Arsenal. It is no secret Arsene Wenger is a big admirer of the 26-year-old striker and has again been linked with a big-money bid this summer.
If Real Madrid manage to prize Luis Suarez away from Liverpool, they may be open to selling Benzema to recoup some of the money as Suarez will not come cheap. Manchester United have also allegedly shown an interest in Benzema, so if Real Madrid decide to sell, there will be stiff competition for his signature.
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