Seven Free Transfers for Premiership Clubs to Look at?

Philippe Mexes

Another player who appears to be on his way to AC Milan is French centre-half Phillipe Mexes. The 29-year-old is currently a Roma player, but with his contract set to expire, it’s believed that he would favour a move to Milan. He’s spent seven years at the Stadio Olimpico and still speaks in fond terms of the club, but has also told the Italian Press: “I don’t think I will be staying at Roma, I will be going elsewhere… AC Milan? There has been a lot of talk about such a move and I will probably go there.”

Why more interest hasn’t been shown by Premier League clubs in acquiring Mexes is beyond me. He’s a genuinely top quality defender, with an expert reading of the game and a great sense of positioning. There aren’t many players of this calibre available for free and he ought to be snapped up as soon as possible. I’m surprised that Arsenal haven’t registered any interest in Mexes, given their French connection and their defensive troubles this season.

If you’re looking for experience, look no further. Mexes made 133 appearances for French side Auxerre and 183 appearances for Roma. Although Mexes has never really been a regular for his national side, he does have 22 international caps for France and has been receiving more playing time under Laurent Blanc’s new regime. If AC Milan haven’t agreed terms already, I wouldn’t be surprised if a number of European clubs attempt to woo the Frenchman in the summer.

Johan Elmander

Gary Megson shelled out £8.2m for Elmander in 2008, making the Swedish striker Bolton’s record signing. Now however, with Elmander attracting interest from the likes of Arsenal, Juventus and Fenerbache, Bolton boss Owen Coyle has admitted that the Wanderers will struggle to keep hold of their star player. Coyle recently told The Metro: “When the season ends, we will certainly have one last go at trying to persuade him to sign a new contract… But if there is a club out there in the top bracket that can offer him the lure of Champions League football, then he will do what any player would.”

Although reports have emerged suggesting that Elmander has struggled to adapt to life at Bolton, he has been sporadically brilliant throughout his stay with the Trotters. He was particularly brilliant in the first half of this season, before Daniel Sturridge arrived at the club and took the spotlight away from him. He remains the club’s top-scorer having notched up 10 goals in the Premier League this season – not bad considering he’s been forced to play out wide to accommodate Sturridge.

Where the Swedish International will end up next season is anybody’s guess, but I highly doubt that he’ll remain with Bolton. If there’s genuine interest from the likes of Arsenal and Juventus, they’ll be able to offer Elmander increased wages and Champion’s League football. Whether or not he’s got the quality and ability to make it at a top club, however, remains to be seen.

Michael Owen

As is evident from his Twitter, Michael Owen is desperate to make his mark at Manchester United. The 31-year-old striker recently tweeted: “As I’ve already said, don’t know where, don’t know when, but there is an important goal to come from me this season – mark my words!!!,” Unfortunately the games have sailed by and Owen has been unable to make good on his promise. Sad as it is, Owen is ending his Manchester United career just as he started it: not with a bang, but with a whisper.

Owen has had a decent goal-scoring record at every club he’s been with except for Manchester United. At Liverpool he scored 118 goals in 216 appearances. At Real Madrid he converted 13 goals in 36 appearances (many of which were as a substitute and at Newcastle United he scored 26 goals in 71 appearances. Whilst at Old Trafford, however, Owen has been held back both by injuries and a lack of form.

Now that he’s behind Javier Hernandez, Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov in the pecking order, there’s every chance that United will not look to renew his contract in the summer. That’s despite Owen’s claims that he “would love to play here longer but I will just have to wait and see what the club say. We’ve not held any talks yet.”He’s been linked with a move back to his old club Liverpool, but I don’t think there’s too much likelihood of that happening. The time may be right for a step-down to a mid-table team where Owen could establish himself as a first-choice striker once more and re-find his feet in the Premier League.

This article was written by Harry Cloke and is courtesy of our partner website thisisfutbol.com. Read the latest news and blogs about European Football at TiF. – ed

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