Summer Transfer Window Euro Edition: Croatia's Luka Modric

Modric is starring for Croatia and is ready to make a move away from White Hart Lane after Euro 2012

Luka Modric is not a new name to many fans but the Croatian could very well be leaving Tottenham now that manager Harry Redknapp has been fired by chairman Daniel Levy.Modric has been pursued by the top teams in the world and a move seems like it will happen now that Harry Redknapp is gone. The world knows the type of playmaker Modric is so where will he end up at?

Manchester United
Sir Alex Ferguson has been linked with a move for the Croatian throughout this window as Modric is exactly the type of player that Manchester United needs. Modric is a playmaker in the central midfield and United were lacking that last season until they brought back Paul Scholes from retirement as he probably has one year left in his career. Modric has been in charge of the midfield for Croatia as he is a proven leader in the midfield for any team whether it be Croatia or Tottenham. Tottenham will look for a big fee in the range of 30 to 35 million euros (38 to 44 million dollars). Modric is bound for a summer and Manchester United is definitely the favorite to sign him.

Chelsea
Chelsea made an attempt to sign Luka Modric this past January from Tottenham as Harry Redknapp blocked any move but now, the door is wide open for a potential Modric move to Stamford Bridge. Modric would give Chelsea the replacement for Frank Lampard as Lampard is past his primeand could form a dangerous duo for a year or two in the midfield with Modric. Modric can be the man that creates the opportunities for players like Juan Mata, Fernando Torres, Eden Hazard, and Daniel Sturridge to score. Roman Abramovich wants to win more Champions League titles and Modric can definitely be another piece of that puzzle.

Manchester City
Roberto Mancini knows that Modric could form a great duo with Spain's David Silva in the center of midfield for Manchester City as they will look at bringing him to the Ethiad to keep him away from rivals Manchester United. City could have a really dangerous midfield as they can move Samir Nasri outside and put Modric inside with Silva as that would be the best midfield in the Premier League with Yaya Toure at the back as a holding midfield. This would allow City to have a 4-1-2-1-2 with Tore as the defensive midfielder, Modric as the attacking midfielder behind Aguero and Balotelli/Dzeko/Tevez, and Silva and Nasri in a wider role in between Toure and Modric. Manchester City might not be the favorite but Roberto Mancini could definitely make a move for the Croatian.

Malaga
Malaga qualfied for the Champions League and their rich owners want to take Malaga to the top of the world. Malaga could use a true central attacking playmaker behind their strikers as Santi Cazorla is more of an outside playmaker. Modric would definitely get the shot to lead Malaga to the top of La Liga as it could be very similar to the rise of Manchester CIty to the top of the Premier League and that would interest Modric. Modric would get to be the star man and would get to go up against Real Madrid and Barcelona. Malaga might be a long shot but it would not be a complete surprise if Croatia's star traded Tottenham and the Premier League for Malaga and La Liga.

Update: June 16
Barcelona
Goal.com has reported that Barcelona is scouting Luka Modric at this year's Euros as they have had scouts at every single game he plays in for Croatia. Modric could potentially be seen as the replacement for Xavi as Modric is an excellent playmaker just like Xavi and would fit in well at the Camp Nou. Modric would have to fight for playing time as he would be fighting Cesc Fabregas most likely for a spot in the starting XI as Modric might want to go a club that can guarantee him playing time. A move to Barcelona is not out of the question but it is not that likely that Modric takes his chances without a starting XI spot guaranteed.

Summer Transfer Window Euro Edition: Russia's Alan Dzagoev



Dzagoev knocks a goal past Petr Cech. Picture via The Mirror

Euro 2012 is a big stage for some players to become known across Europe and force a move to a bigger club with a top-tier performance. Alan Dzagoev did exactly that in Russia's 4-1 win over the Czech Republic as he was very impressive with two goals due to great instincts and excellent finishing. Dzagoev is going to interest a lot of the big time clubs in Europe as he is only 21 years old and has the potential to be one of the best players in Europe. Dzagoev is also affordable as he will probably cost around 15 to 20 million euros (18.75 to 25 million euros) so who will sign Dzagoev?

Arsenal
Arsene Wenger has been recently linked with a move for Dzagoev as he seems like the prototypical player that the Gunners go after. Dzagoev is a young star that can fit in with Jack Wilshere and Alex Song in an Arsenal midfield as Dzagoev has tons of talent and creative skills. Dzagoev has a knack for being in the right place at the right time and this would make him valuable and very dangerous behind Robin van Persie in an attacking midfield role. Dzagoev is an excellent young talent and Arsenal is a club that knows how to develop those type of players. A move to the Emirates would be a great choice for Arsenal.

Manchester United
Sir Alex Ferguson is looking for a young, creative influence in the central of midfield and Dzagoev is exactly that for United. Dzagoev would get to learn beside one of the best central midfielders in the last couple decades, Paul Scholes. Dzagoev has tons of excellent instincts that would allow him to be a perfect fit for United. Dzagoev also knows when he needs to be to get the ball to the strikers and that could allow United to take off with Dzagoev getting the ball up to Wayne Rooney, Chichirito Hernandez, and Danny Welbeck. Dzagoev would be more affordable than a lot of the other central midfielders like Ganso but he is just as good as those other midfielders and would be a steal for United.

Schalke
Schalke has been rumored with a move for Tottenham attacking midfielder Rafael Van der Vaart but Van der Vaart will not easily leave White Hart Lane so they could look at Alan Dzagoev who is not much more expensive and way younger. Dzagoev plays the same position as Van der Vaart and Schalke would be a climbing up the ladder over the Russian Premier League. Schalke also is in next year's Champions League just like United and Arsenal so that will interest him. Schalke can almost guarentee him a starting spot which is a little better than what Arsenal and Manchester United can say. Dzagoev creativity and instincts make him a great fit for Schalke as they are in the market for a creative attacking midfielder.

Malaga
Malaga is looking to improve for next year after they barely got into the Champions League final qualification stage. Malaga is cash-rich and could bid right with these other teams and they can offer Dzagoev a spot in their starting XI. Dzagoev would be the young creative influence that they need in the midfield if they want to be able to start to compete with Real Madrid and Barcelona for La Liga titles. Malaga will definitely be a suitore for Russia's brightest young star as Dzagoev could very well end up in La Liga.

Summer Transfer Window Euro Edition: France's Olivier Giroud

Olivier Giroud had a breakout year for Montpellier as he helped lead them to the title in the French Ligue 1 while also earning himself a role in the French national team as he is preparing for Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine. Giroud scored 21 goals for Montpellier this season and with a release fee of 12.8 million euros (16.1 million dollars), he will be a bargain for a lot of top tier sides. So, who will be going after the French international.

Arsenal
Even though they signed Lukas Podolski and have Robin van Persie, Arsene Wenger is looking at Giroud as he looks to possibly offer Marouane Chemakh in a deal for Giroud. Giroud would Wenger another dangerous goal scorer as that would be a huge improvement at striking depth compared to this year. Arsenal can also give him the guarentee of being in the Champions League just like Montpellier which could be key in trying to sign him. Arsenal is definitely going to try to sign Giroud as they certainly will have an excellent chance.

Tottenham
Tottenham need some new strikers as Giroud could be the backup plan if they are unable to keep loan wonder Emanuel Adebayor. However, Giroud would be able to be potentially as good as Adebayor as he knows how to score goals and is a true number nine. Giroud could be that true striker that could help lead Tottenham back to the Champions League after they just barely missed out on next year's Champions League due to Chelsea victory in this year's final over Bayern Munich. Giroud might have to battle Jermaine Defoe for the starting spot but Giroud could be a very good upgrade at White Hart Lane.

Malaga
Cash-rich Malaga are looking to find a replacement for the recently retired Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Giroud is their number one target after his dominant season in Ligue 1. Giroud would be the perfect fit beside striker Salomon Rondon as that would give Malaga a prlific pair of starting strikers before the new La Liga season starts and it would also help them out as they prepare for the Champions League. Giroud could end up at Malaga but a move to the Premier League still seems more likely.

QPR
QPR have been linked with a move for Giroud as Mark Hughes is looking for a proven goal scorer in their attempt to avoid a relegation battle. Bobby Zamora has been fairly good but Giroud would definitely be an upgrade for the Loftus Road club. Giroud would definitely be a starter for QPR as owner Tony Fernandes would love to have a star like Giroud. However, QPR are not that big of a club and a successful move for Giroud would be a major surprise.