Christian Benteke
Benteke has been a revelation since signing from Genk at the start of the season but after only playing 29 league games for Aston Villa there is already talks of a move elsewhere. His presence up front for Villa this season has been incredible and to have scored 15 league goals already in a team that have struggled all season shows how valuable he really is. If you took away Benteke’s goals that have earned Villa points this season they would be 14 points worse off.
Not only has he scored goals for the Midlands club, they have often been vital goals which have secured all three points. Paul Lambert has stated that he is worth well over £25m so if Tottenham are keen on the young striker a sizeable bid is required to land his services. It is rumoured that Benteke is going to sign a one year extension doubling his wages from 20,000 to 40,000 a week but I think Villa will have a real battle to fight off the interest that will come his way this summer.
Ashley Williams
Williams has gained recognition across the country this season and has been ever present for Swansea City in their league cup winning campaign. The Welsh captain has played his part in eight clean sheets in the league this season and has helped steer the Welsh side into an impressive 9th position. At 28, some people would argue that Williams is playing at the top of his game right now and as he is under contract until the summer of 2015 a large bid is going to be needed for this solid centre half. Arsenal have already expressed a real interest in him but Brendan Rodgers is hoping to sign him for Liverpool this summer. Williams is a Liverpool fan who used to idolise John Barnes growing up and the deal could has plenty of potential.
Andy Carroll
Carroll is not everyone’s cup of tea but in the right side he can be a handful for any defence in the country. The loan deal with West Ham was said to have a clause which could see the London side purchase him for £17m. However, his injuries and goal return which is only 5 league goals in 19 appearances has seen the Hammers reconsider their bid for the striker. Liverpool are also looking at offloading the forward to former club Newcastle as they are keen to sign Hatem Ben Arfa in an exchange deal. The style of football that Brendan Rodgers is trying to encourage at Liverpool does not suit Carroll at all and instead of paying his high wage and watching him run his contract down I’m certain the reds will cut their losses and offload him this summer.
Source: DSG
