Done Deals

Didier Drogba

The list of international stars coming to play in Major League Soccer grew by one more name this week as Chelsea legend Didier Drogba joined the Montreal Impact. In order for the move to Canada to happen, the Chicago Fire had to work out a sign and trade with the Impact, and it appeared as though Montreal was his preferred destination. The 37-year-old striker joins the likes of Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Andrea Pirlo, and Giovani Dos Santos in trading European competition for the growing MLS. Currently, the Impact sit at the bottom of the Western Conference and it will take a bit of magic from an aging Drogba to push them into the playoffs.

Filipe Luís

I guess we can just call Filipe Luís move to Chelsea last summer a glorified loan deal. After making just 15 appearances in the Premier League in the 2014/15 campaign, Luís made the move back to his former club Atlético Madrid with the hope of getting consistent playing time. The Brazilian wingback found himself behind the likes of Branislav Ivanovic and César Azpilicueta in the Chelsea lineup and at the age of 29 he’s nearing the winter of his career. Luís joins an Atlético team that has lost the likes of Thibault Courtois (back to his parent club Chelsea), Miranda, and Diego Costa (also to Chelsea) since Luís left last summer. Will he be able to rediscover the form that made him one of the most wanted defenders in the world two years ago?

Arturo Vidal

Bayern signs Arturo Vidal

It’s been a roller coaster summer for Chile’s Arturo Vidal: with Juventus the defensive midfielder won a league title and the Italian Cup, with Chile he was a part of the Copa América winning squad, but the cloud that loomed over all of that was his near fatal drunk driving incident during the South American tournament. After avoiding prison time for the incident, Vidal returned focus to his club career and soon after he found himself wearing a different set of stripes. This week, German giants Bayern Munich signed the Juventus midfielder and continued the purge of Juve’s star-studded lineup. Vidal follows the paths of Andrea Pirlo (left for New York City FC) and Carlos Tevez (returned home to Boca Juniors). At Munich, it seems as if the 28-year-old will serve as a replacement for Bastian Schweinsteiger (now at Manchester United).

Getting Traction

John Stones

An uncharacteristically quiet transfer window at Chelsea could be leading up to a massive deal for one of England’s brightest young stars. Reports from several media outlets suggest that the Blues are pushing for the services of Everton’s 21-year-old center back John Stones. Stones still has several years left on his deal at Goodison Park so there’s no immediate pressure for the Toffees to sell their young defender, and as they look to rebound from last year’s disappointing 12th place finish, I doubt that they’ll want to sell him at all. National team compatriots and current Chelsea defenders John Terry and Gary Cahill have both been very public about their admiration of the 21-year-old and as Terry ages, Chelsea will need to find his heir. Can the Blues rope another big signing to Stamford Bridge this summer?

Ángel Di María

The Ángel Di María transfer saga looks to be coming closer and closer to an end as the Argentine midfielder failed to join Manchester United for their tour of the United States. United’s manager Louis Van Gaal confirmed to reporters that he did not know why Di María had failed to board his flight stateside and PSG’s Laurent Blanc told the team’s website he expected the deal to be resolved soon. If the move does transpire, it will come less than two months after Di María told reporters he wanted to stay and fight for his place at Old Trafford despite a disappointing debut campaign in the Premier League. Can a move to France revive the 27-year-old’s stalled club career?

Crazy Rumor

Ashley Young

Last summer, I think you’d have a hard time finding a Manchester United fan that would be against selling Ashley Young. Now, the England winger has emerged as Louis Van Gaal’s first choice on the flanks and was one of United’s most dangerous players last season. With that being said, I don’t see the rumored interest of Tottenham to materialize anytime soon. After his best season at Old Trafford since moving from Aston Villa four years ago, I also doubt that Young has any interest in leaving Old Trafford as they gear up for another title challenge. Expect the 30-year-old to sport the famous red jersey for at least one more season.

 

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