Summer Transfer Window: Geoff Cameron

Cameron could very well leave MLS for Europe after impressing with the US national team

Geoff Cameron has become a sarter for the United States this summer as the Houston Dynamo center back moved to the back line from central midfield last season and is now being scouted by multiple sides in England and Germany. Geoff Cameron is a better centre back than Tim Ream and we know how Ream has been a good pickup for Bolton so far despite their relegation. Geoff Cameron could be on the move this summer as he would cost around 5 million dollars (4 million euros) so where might he end up?

Schalke
Schalke reportedly had scouts in Houston to see him play against FC Dallas last weekend as they decide whether they want to make a move or not for Cameron? Schalke could definitely afford a move for Cameron and the chance to play with US international Jermaine Jones in the UEFA Champions League would interest him. However, Schalke already has two young centerbacks in Benedikt Howedes and Kyriakos Papadopoulos plus veteran Christoph Metzelder so Cameron might not recieve too much playing time which is necessary if he wants to keep his spot in the US starting XI. Schalke have interest in Geoff Cameron but a move to Schalke doesn't seem likely for Cameron.

Everton
Everton were also scouting Cmaeron last weekend in Houston as Everton already has another American in goalkeeper Tim Howard so he should be able to adjust well at Goodison Park if he makes a move to Everton. Cameron could very well fit into the Everton starting XI as a replacement for the aging Sylvain Distin as Cameron would fit at centerback right beside Phil Jagielka with John Heitinga in a central defensive midfield role. Cameron's vision from central defense can allow him to be a real threat as Cameron can help develop the attack for Marouane Fellaini and then up to Nikica Jelavic. Everton is definitely a possibility as long as they have the funds. If they don't have the funds, then they may have to sell Heitinga or Jagielka before signing Cameron.

Stoke City
Stoke City was the third team that scouted Geoff Cameron this past weekend as they are thinking about a move for the Dynamo defender as they look to bring a younger player that can play more games. Stoke City has struggled finding someone to put beside Ryan Shawcross as Matthew Upson never settled down at Stoke and Jonathan Woodgate has been injured too often to be a regular starter. Cameron can be that defender beside Shawcross in the center of defense with Marc Wilson at left back and Robert Huth at right back. Cameron could fit in well at Stoke City and they have the funds to make a move so a move to the Britania Stadium is definitely possible.

Fulham
Fulham have had tons of American in the past on the roster as Clint Dempsey currently stars for them but Fulham need an upgrade at centerback over Philippe Senderos and Geoff Cameron would be the right choice. Cameron gives them another force at center back who can dominate along with Brede Hangeland. Cameron and Hangeland would be one of the better pairs of center backs in the Premier League as Cameron could also convince Clint Dempsey to stay at Fulham instead of leaving for a club like Arsenal, Tottenham, or Liverpool. Fulham have not been linked with Cameron just yet but it would not surprise me if he ends up at Craven Cottage.

West Ham United
Sam Allardyce is looking to keep West Ham in the Premier League now that he has brought them back up to the top flight as they could use an upgrade at center back over New Zealand's Winston Reid. Cameron would be exactly that as the Houston defender would give them an upgrade in the air on set pieces ove Reid and Cameron knows how to set up counter attacks from the back. Sam Allardyce is already aware of the talent that is MLS as he has brought in FC Dallas's George John on loan this past year. Cameron is a better player than John and could fit in well at West Ham as they look to stay in the Premier League this season.

West Brom
West Brom's new manager Steve Clarke is looking build this team into a side that does not have to worry about relegation as they need to make an upgrade at center back if they want to do that. Jonas Olsson could end up leaving The Hawthorns for Tottenham and Gareth McAuley is not that good of a center back so West Brom will definitely have to think about making a move for US international Geoff Cameron. Cameron replicates the aerial threat that they have and he also gives them a proven player on the international stage in the center of defense. Cameron is also a proven leader and would definitely be someone that could lead a back four. Cameron will definitely be a target for West Brom as a move to The Hawthorns could happen for Cameron.

Hannover
Bundesliga side Hannover already has an American prescence on the team with right back Steve Cherundolo being the captain for Hannover. Americans have had success in the Bundesliga and Cameron would definitely have to think about a moe to Hannover if they decide to make a move as Cameron would be a nice upgrade. Cameron would be a good centerback to pair up with Karim Haggui in the center of defense as that would give Hannover a stronger shot of getting to the top four and the Champions League instead of just the Europa League. Cameron could end at Hannover if they come calling as the chance to join up with US teammate Steve Cherundolo could make a move realistic.

Veridct
The Houston Dynamo will want a lot for Cameron and any team may have to wait til the January transfer window to make a move with it geing mid-season in MLS. However, Cameron could very be playing in Europe sometime in the next six months as Houston might need to give him a designated player size deal to keep him at BBVA Compass Stadium.

Summer Transfer Window Euro Edition: Croatia's Mario Mandzukic

Mario Mandzukic will definitely be on the move after Euro 2012

Mario Mandzukic had a big opening performance against Ireland as he scored two goals and was key in leading the Croatians to victory and the top spot in Group C. Mandzukic is in a unique situation as he is a free agent after a very good season for Wolfsburg with 12 goals in the Bundesliga. Mandzukic is only 26 years old and can help a lot good teams around Europe so where will he end up?

Schalke
Schalke was able to qualify for the Champions League this year as that was due in large part to the striking combination of Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Raul but Raul is leaving Schalke for Saudi Arabia most likely and Huub Stevens will need someone to pair up with Huntelaar. Mandzukic is exactly that player as he knows how to score and gives Schalke another striking threat beside Huntelaar. Schalke will also not have to worry about spending anything on a transfer status which can allow them to savemoney for a move for Rafael Van der Vaart. Mandzukic and Schalke seem like a very good fit as Mandzukic and Huntelaar can be a really dangerous pair of strikers.

Borussia Monchengladbach
Monchengladbach had a great year this past season in the Bundesliga as they finished fourth which puts them in the Champions League final qualification round. However, Monchengladbach are losing their best scorer in Borussia Dortmund-bound winger Marco Reus with 18 goals as Mike Hanke had the second most goals on the team with only eight. Monchengladbach need to find a goal scorer and Mandzukic can be the answer to that problem. Mandzukic knows how to be in the right spot at the right time which allows him to rack up tons of goals. Mandxukic's free agent status will allow them to spend any sort of transfer fees on finding a replacement Reus like Leverkusen's Sidney Sam or Stuttgart's Timo Gebhart. Monchengladbach would get the upgrade they need in Mandzukic to stay around the top four of the Bundesliga if they decide to sign him.

Sunderland
Sunderland have some problems in the attcking third as Sunderland will not be able to keep on loan Danish striker Nicklas Bendtner while Stephane Sessegnon is a center forward that can operate behind a good striker. Mandzukic is exactly that striker as Sessgnon knows how to set up strikers like Mandzukic who know how to find the right place to score. Martin O'Neill will not be able to bring back Asamoah Gyan so Mandzukic is a necessary replacement. Sunderland and Mandzukic seem like a perfect fit as this could help the Stadium of Light side score more goals.

Fulham
Martin Jol could lose a lot of his attacking players this offseason as Pavel Pogrebnyak and Andy Johnson are both free agents while Clint Dempsey and Moussa Dembele are being linked with moves to bigger clubs away from Craven Cottage. With Fulham having so many questions at striker, a move for Mandzukic makes sense as Mandzukic is a proven scorer that could sure up the striker position for Fulham should they lose one or more strikers. Mandzukic is also a proven scorer as he would definitely battle for a starting spot. Fulham might not be the favorite to sign Mandzukic but they are definitely a possibility.

Lille
Lille is headed for the Champions League final qualification stage after a third place finish in Ligue 1 as Lille has been lacking a strong scorer since they scored Moussa Sow to Fenerbahce in January. Mandzukic would solve that problem as he would give Lille a strong striker that can get the ball from French international Marvin Martin and winger Dimitri Payet as that could make the Lille attack extremely dangerous. Lille does not have the biggest budget so the fact that he is available on a free transfer helps them even more. Mandzukic and Lille seem to be potentially a perfect move as Mandzukic can be the true replacement for Moussa Sow.

Reading
Reading won promotion to the Premier League after winning the Championship as the new, ambitious Russian owner will look to take Reading towards the top of the Premier League. Reading could use a proven striker to put beside Adam Le Fondre and Mandzukic would be the perfect fit as he would be a star for them. Mandzukic could provide a lot of goals for them and that could be key in keeping Reading in the Premier League and away from the relegation zone. Reading might be the longest shot on this list but this move could very well happen.

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.