Five World Cup players who could earn Premier League moves

Ecuador star Enner Valencia is believed to have caught the attention of a number of Premier league clubs

The World Cup in Brazil has been one of the best of recent years, goals drama and entertainment in abundance.

Every World Cup there are players that impress and earn themselves big money moves in the process.

Here are a few of the lesser known players who could earn a move to the English top-flight this summer:

Enner Valencia (Ecuador and Pachuca)

England found out about Valencia’s talent in one of their World Cup warm-up games, as he scored in a 2-2 draw between the two teams.

Since then the versatile 25-year-old has scored three goals in his two World Cup appearances. Valencia’s international career only kicked-off in November 2013, so he is a relative newcomer to the international game.

However since then he has gone from strength to strength. He can play as a winger and striker and looks to be a composed finisher in front of goal. Valencia finished as top scorer in the regular Mexican season with Pachuca, scoring 12 goals.

His form has attracted reported interest from Premier League clubs Newcastle, Everton and Tottenham. His Mexican club have already stated they would not stand in the way if he was offered a big move.

The 25-year-old is now odds of 28/1 to finish the competition as top scorer at the World Cup. If Ecuador progress to the knockout stages he would not be a bad outside bet.

Serge Aurier (Ivory Coast and Toulouse)

Ivory Coast full-back Serge Aurier has been linked with a move to Premier League Arsenal ever since it became clear that Bacary Sagna was on his way out. Outstanding for his club last season, Aurier has impressed with his rampaging runs forward and his athletic style of play in Brazil.

According to the Daily Mirror, Aurier could be available for £8million this summer, which for such a promising young star is not a major fee. Arsenal’s Premier League rivals Liverpool are also believed to be monitoring the full-backs situation.

Aurier has let it be known that he is an Arsenal fan. However, should another big Premier League club come in for the youngster I am sure Aurier would jump at the chance of a move to the English top-flight.

Guillermo Ochoa (Mexico, free agent)

Since he broke into the Mexican national team, Guillermo Ochoa has been highly-rated. However, Ochoa has been plying his trade in Ligue One with minnows Ajaccio for the last three seasons. Ochoa helped Ajaccio avoid relegation last season and has decided to move on as a free agent this summer.

In previous summers Ochoa  had been linked with moves to the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea. With the Mexican keeper now available on a free transfer he is likely to again attract attention.

His fantastic performance in denying World Cup hosts Brazil will no doubt have caught the attention of prospective new clubs as well.  Arsenal has been linked with the keeper, as they are currently looking for a replacement for Swansea-bound Lukasz Fabianski.

The Gunners could definitely do worse than sign the talented Mexican, especially on a free transfer.

Keylor Navas (Costa Rica and Levante)

Another keeper who seems to be attracting interest is Costa Rica’s Keylor Navas. The 27-year-old has been impressive for club side Levante in La Liga and helped Les Granotes to a very respectable 10^th place finish last season.

Navas has taken his club form into the World Cup and helped Costa Rica shock everybody by making it to the knockout stages of the World Cup, with a game to spare. He is the solid last line of defence for the World Cup’s surprise package and the further they go the more chances Navas will have to earn a big move.

The talented keeper has previously been linked with a move to Barcelona, but his attributes would be just as useful in the Premier League, as they have been in Spain.

Andre Ayew (Ghana and Marseille)

The Marseille winger has been touted as a potential star of African football for a while and his promise has started to shine through at the World Cup. The 24-year-old son of Ghanaian football legend Abedi Pele, Ayew has impressed in his two games do far, finding the net twice.

Ayew has been in and around the Marseille first team since 2007 and is now starting to fulfil his immense potential. If he helps Ghana to the last 16 of the World Cup no doubt he will attract more attention from the Premier League, after previously being heavily linked with Arsenal and Liverpool.

Influx

The World Cup is a great place for a player to put themselves in the shop window for big clubs, including those from the Premier League. This summer will be no different as those who have impressed in Brazil could end up plying their trade in the English top-flight next season.

Who is the most likely player to earn a move to the Premier League after the World Cup?