Nicolas Otamendi- The Argentine international has been the best enforcer in Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side, as far as statistics are concerned. Adapting to Guardiola’s tactics seemed difficult for the City players as the manager has often played them out of position. And the 29-year-old has been the fewest among them to implement it exactly how the gaffer wanted.
His brilliant performances have earned him good reviews from all across Europe and La Liga supergiants Real Madrid have showed increased interest in the player of late. With Real’s Portuguese centre-half Pepe, edging towards an exit owing to his old age, Zidane is looking to replace him with Otamendi before the start of next season.
Otamendi’s no holds barred defending and brute force makes him an ideal Real Madrid product, who would fit quite well alongside Sergio Ramos.
Virgil van Dijk- Van Dijk is pretty surely nearing an exit from Southampton at the end of the season. After his tremendous performances, this season, not only Premier League giants like Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City, but Barcelona have also shown interest in him.
The Dutch centre-half has been terrific in Southampton’s back line under Claude Puel and after their former skipper, Jose Fonte moved to London club West Ham United last winter, the Saints’ reliance on him is bound to increase next season.
Despite the club director repeatedly stressing that Van Dijk is not up for sale, both the player and the club wouldn’t be able to resist if one of the elites come calling. Given the current defensive crisis in Barcelona, the Catalans are desperate to add fresh legs coming summer; and Dijk tops that list.
John Terry- The former Chelsea and England skipper has been linked with a move away from the Stamford Bridge for the past few months now. With his first team chances surely up in the Blues camp, the 36-year-old has been rumoured to look elsewhere for an opportunity. And with MLS soccer willing to have his services, the centre-back might just follow the footsteps of his compatriots David Beckham, Frank Lampard and Steve Gerrard.
Although clubs like Stoke City, Bournemouth and West Bromwich Albion have all enquired about his availability last winter, he doesn’t seem to retain the defensive attributes that the cut-throat competition of the Premier league demands. And even if he moves to a lower club, his first team chances would be equally unsure. With Chelsea offering him a coaching role at the club, Terry might spend a small stint outside before returning as a coach.
