Premier League: Five under-the-radar transfer targets

Sofiane Boufal, Lille

According to various reports Southampton are closing in on a club-record £20m move for Boufal, and it’s easy to understand why new manager Claude Puel is keen to bring the winger with him from Ligue 1. Displaying exceptional balance and dribbling skills, Boufal has been likened to former Lille star Eden Hazard. “He reminds me of Eden when he was playing here,“ said team mate Rio Mavuba last year. "It is striking, he likes the ball, even if he plays too much sometimes.”

Boufal is Lille’s current leading man, claiming 11 goals and four assists in the top flight last season. Only five players created more chances per game - with Paris Saint-Germain winger Angel Di Maria top of that particular chart - but the 22-year-old Boufal also found himself high in the disciplinary table, picking up ten bookings and two red cards.

The Moroccan international clearly needs to work on his aggression, but his desire to win the ball - high up the pitch or tracking back - only adds to the appeal of his eye-catching displays. Boufal had an operation on a meniscus tear in May but when he returns in September, potentially in red-and-white stripes, he should prove why Puel has been determined to get his man.

Mahmoud Dahoud, Borussia Monchengladbach

At this stage of the transfer window, with Borussia Mönchengladbach busy preparing for their Bundesliga and Champions League campaigns, it would take a sizeable fee to tempt them into selling prized asset Dahoud. The 20-year-old is widely considered to be the next big thing in German football, with Jurgen Klopp believed to be a huge fan of the Syrian-born midfielder’s talents.

It has been reported by German newspaper Bild that Liverpool are prepared to wait until next summer to get their man as a €10m release clause will kick in at the end of the season. But considering Dahoud’s displays to date - which saw him claim five goals and eight assists last season despite only turning 20 in January - as well as strong interest from Paris Saint-Germain, it could be wise to pay the premium and avoid missing out in a year’s time.

With an excellent passing range, the ability to move the ball quickly through the middle of the pitch, and a strong work ethic to put opponents under pressure, it’s clear to see how Dahoud would fit into Klopp’s high-tempo style. He may choose to stay with Gladbach for at least another season, though, telling Kicker magazine in early August: “Who says I should leave? I still have room for improvement. My finishing has to improve, I have to get stronger in the air and I can still improve physically to get stronger on the pitch.”

Adrien Silva, Sporting Lisbon

Despite being born in France Silva has been on Sporting Lisbon’s books since he was 12 years old, but there is growing speculation that he could be set to leave in the last week of the transfer window. Progressing through the youth ranks to become club captain, the 27-year-old played a key role in Sporting’s title challenge last season as they narrowly missed out on their first top-flight trophy since 2002 in Jorge Jesus’s first year in charge.

Jesus will undoubtedly be keen to keep hold of his goalscoring midfielder - despite his costly red card in the 1-0 home defeat to Benfica in March which handed them the title - but Silva put himself in the shop window with his disciplined performances in Portugal’s Euro 2016 triumph. Tottenham have been linked as Mauricio Pochettino looks to bolster his options ahead of the club’s return to the Champions League, with Portuguese paper O'Jogo claiming Silva is keen on a £13m move.

It is West Brom who are thought to be considering an imminent offer, however, as Everton and Napoli also express an interest. Silva would certainly be a coup for the Baggies and, boasting an impressive ratio of a goal every four league matches since breaking into the Sporting first team, he would provide some much-needed attacking drive in Tony Pulis’s midfield.

Ante Coric

Built in the mould of compatriot Luka Modric, there are high hopes in Croatia about their new playmaking starlet. Coric has been heavily linked to both Liverpool and Manchester City this summer and, at a reasonable price of £15m, the only surprise is that he hasn’t yet been snapped up. Perhaps that hesitation was prompted by Alen Halilovic’s struggle to break through at Barcelona before his move to Hamburg, but there should be few doubts over Coric’s obvious talent.

The 19-year-old possesses brilliant dribbling ability and an eye for a pass to suggest that similarities to Modric extend far beyond his slight frame. Importantly, he already has experience of playing abroad after spending four years in the academy at Red Bull Salzburg. In a twist of fate Coric’s current club, Dinamo Zagreb, knocked Salzburg out of the Champions League on Wednesday, with the youngster helping to inspire a rousing fight back that saw Dinamo progress in extra-time.

After winning two caps for Croatia in pre-Euro 2016 friendlies, Coric was one of only three members of the squad who failed to make an appearance at the tournament (the other two being goalkeepers). We’re certain to see plenty of him in the future, however, and possibly in the Premier League if a late transfer can be arranged.

Free transfers

With the startling rate of transfer inflation pricing many clubs out of the market this summer, it might be wise to explore the experienced options still available on free transfers. Despite an injury-blighted career for Juventus, Barcelona and Sevilla - which included a ruptured Achilles in February - Martin Caceres’ ability has rarely been questioned, and the 29-year-old could be worth a gamble for a manager in need of versatility at the back. With 68 caps for Uruguay, and a winner’s medal at Copa America 2011, Caceres can call on plenty of recommendations after leaving Juventus at the end of last season.

Similarly, Christopher Samba, now 32, is the sort of short-term option Arsenal could benefit from after reportedly being quoted £50m for Shkodran Mustafi and £25m for Jonny Evans. Linked to the Gunners in the past, Samba has a wealth of Premier League experience from his time with Blackburn Rovers and QPR. After leaving Dynamo Moscow at the end of his contract, he could be a shrewd stop-gap while Per Mertesacker recovers from a knee injury.

Alvaro Arbeloa, linked to a reunion with Rafa Benitez at Newcastle earlier in the summer, is also available following his exit from Real Madrid, as is once promising Premier League prospect Junior Hoilett, who has cropped up on Besiktas’ radar after leaving QPR. One free transfer who shouldn’t expect to find himself in demand, however, is Southampton record signing Dani Osvaldo. The former Roma, Juventus and Inter Milan forward, who has 14 caps for Italy, was kicked out of Boca Juniors in May after he was caught smoking in the dressing room. Having been on a downward spiral ever since his move to England in 2013, the 30-year-old would be a risk even the most desperate managers wouldn’t be prepared to take.