Premier League Transfer Rumors: 10 Players Who'll Actually Stay Where They Are

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Around this time of the season, with the real action nearing its conclusion, pundits occupy themselves with both legitimate and fabricated transfer rumors to pass the time.

Sometimes these stories have merit and the player makes the rumored move to his new club. But often nothing comes of these stories and whomever was supposedly ready for a blockbuster move is left to ply their trade with the same club as they did the season before.

Despite all the hype surrounding them, here are 10 players who might actually stay where they are this summer.

Fernando Llorente

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Fernando Llorente has impressed greatly with Athletic Bilbao this season, and his top performances have earned him links to the likes of Barcelona, who might be looking for a replacement for David Villa.

The big, strong Spaniard would find it tough to turn down a move to a giant club like Barca, but I still believe he will elect to stay at his current club, rather than make the move to a bigger one.

Bilbao, with their core of young talent, are emerging as both a domestic and European force. And Llorente is not one for the spotlight either; a shy and humble man, he might well prefer the lower-pressure atmosphere of the San Memes to the cauldron of the Camp Nou.

Shinji Kagawa

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With only a year remaining on his contract, Shinji Kagawa can go almost anywhere he wants with his youth and tremendous talent. But while he might have many suitors, Borussia Dortmund might suit him best.

After all, Dortmund have one of the brightest squads in Europe, laced with young talent that has its merits through back-to-back Bundesliga titles.

Opportunities to be a part of a team like the one that Dortmund have now do not come around very often, and Kagawa may find it difficult to leave his longtime club to potentially take a step down from a fantastic team that integrates him well.

Neymar

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Neymar rumors never stop swirling, and stories of the Brazilian prodigy's departure from his home country, despite signing a feeble contract extension with Santos, will persist this summer.

Last year, Real Madrid reportedly considered a whopping £53 million bid for Neymar's services, and it would be no shock to see similar reports emerge.

But the player is just not ready to make the move this summer. The domestic season in Brazil will be well underway, and Neymar himself has shown a significant desire to remain in his homeland by shirking moves to giant European clubs in the past.

Perhaps next summer—or the winter at the earliest—he could finally make the move. But until then, we will just have to wait.

Wesley Sneijder

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When is Wesley Sneijder not linked to Manchester United?

Never.

Therefore, it is difficult to continue to give credence to the annual speculation connecting the Dutch international with Sir Alex Ferguson's team, which is in need of a creative midfield fulcrum.

This would be a fantastic move for the Red Devils in nearly every respect—that much is certainly not in dispute.

But until this deal is actually confirmed on United's website, I will believe that Sneijder is remaining at Inter Milan.

Adil Rami

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Another man reportedly targeted by Manchester United (who isn't?), Adil Rami would seem to be surplus to requirements at Old Trafford, despite his obvious skill and defensive ability.

The Red Devils will be getting their skipper Nemanja Vidic back next season and Sir Alex Ferguson will have to rotate Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and the suddenly productive Jonny Evans in order to keep each happy and find his best central defensive pairing.

Oh, and there's also that annoyance of Rio Ferdinand's presence.

Therefore, there is no reason for United to commit to another center-back when the team is overflowing with quality at that position.

David Luiz

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If the prospective rosters for the Champions League final tell us anything, it is that there is definite strength in depth.

With so many players out for both Chelsea and Bayern Munich, the Blues are lucky that they can turn to a defender who would be first-choice in many sides to man the back line.

David Luiz, who has trouble actually defending, might not remain a Chelsea player for much longer than the end of May, though, according to one rumor that links him with a ridiculously high bid from Barcelona.

At some other clubs, this would not be tolerated. But Chelsea seem to appreciate the more attacking role that Luiz plays when he is not focused on doing his defensive work, and he adds extremely valuable depth to the squad.

Jordi Alba

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Jordi Alba, the Spanish national team's newest left-back, could probably join Barcelona if he wanted to, as is rumored. But I don't think that Alba will wish to make the move at all.

Alba's club Valencia have had a great season, at least in Europe, as the inhabitants of the Mestalla find themselves in the Europa League final against fellow La Liga side Athletic Bilbao.

And the way things stand now in La Liga, Valencia are in position to snatch the final automatic Champions League qualifying berth, providing further incentive for the grounded Alba to remain at the club for which he already plays.

Gareth Bale

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Many people believe that Gareth Bale is destined to leave White Hart Lane this summer, especially if Spurs fail to quality for next season's Champions League.

First of all, Tottenham will probably qualify. Their remaining schedule is much easier than that of challengers Newcastle, and Chelsea will be preoccupied with the FA Cup and winning the Champions League.

Second, Harry Redknapp is surprisingly staying on as boss at the club due to Roy Hodgson's appointment as England manager, and Bale's loyalty to and affection for Redknapp will be crucial in convincing him to stay.

Sergio Aguero

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Manchester City fans, if they are capable of being unhappy about anything at the moment, might be somewhat angered by the comments of Sergio Aguero's father-in-law, Diego Maradona, about Kun's career options.

Per TalkSPORT, he said: "Kun has to play for Real Madrid. Even though he is flying at City, the best thing would have been to sign for Madrid. He made a mistake."

While Madrid would be happy to have one of the best strikers in the world, they already have Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain.

Plus, Aguero is settled in Manchester, where he is obviously succeeding in the Premier League with the Citizens this season.

Robin van Persie

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Alas, the great Robin van Persie contract debate.

Will he sign? Won't he? How long will this ordeal drag on? Nobody knows for sure, but those who make their living off this type of uncertainty are having a field day with RVP's tenuous contract situation.

Van Persie's love for Arsenal, though, is something that few modern players feel. He is playing for his boyhood club, which he has been at for almost eight years, and now captains on a weekly basis.

To suddenly leave simply for more cash would be quite out of character for the Dutchman, and thus I do not foresee him doing parting ways with the club, especially after top-quality new signings are already arriving.

Van Persie is such an important player to Arsenal that it would not even surprise me if the club broke its infamously rigid wage structure to reward their captain for his admirable efforts during this season and seasons past.

 

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