World Transfer Rumours: The Top Transfer Target for Each EPL Team

The transfer market is heating up as we near the end of the first full week in July. With the international window now open as well, the teams in the English Premier League look to make some of their biggest acquisitions this month in hopes of going for as much glory as possible in the upcoming campaign.

Big names look to be on the move, and I am sure we all are to see many more unexpected moves to be made. Liverpool surprised many with their pursuit of Jordan Henderson, and we are likely to see more interesting chases for players in the upcoming weeks. 

As the month progresses, I also expect teams to get much more aggressive in their approaches for players as clubs have returned to training, and preseason friendlies are just around the corner. It will be important for new signings to get into the thick of training with their new teammates as quickly as possible.

With that said, after looking at rumour after rumour for months now, and with many deals already done—and more left to be decided—here is a look at the top transfer targets still yet to be signed for all of the 20 teams in the English top flight.

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Swansea City: David Stockdale

Swansea City continue their pursuit of Fulham's 25-year-old keeper David Stockdale. He continues to be the understudy to Australian keeper Mark Schwarzer who continues to show no signs of slowing down, and his chances for first-team football have been limited.

Since joining Fulham in 2008, Stockdale has been on loan three straight seasons, with the last one seeing him earn 21 starts for Plymouth Argyle. At his age, it is important that he keep playing either on loan or manage a permanent move elsewhere.

Another loan move would see him gain valuable English Premier League experience as he nears closer to the full-time job at Craven Cottage, and possible time in the thick of an impending relegation battle would be valuable experience for the player. Swansea City, in my opinion, look to be in for the toughest battle between the three newcomers for staying up.

Fulham's new manager, Martin Jol, got his first win in his opening match for Fulham as they started their UEFA Europa League campaign, and he looks open to the loan talk for Stockdale according to his following statement quoted by The Sun:

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"If you are a young player you should play so I feel we have to find opportunities for them."

"

This could mean that the door is open for further negotiations.

Jol appears open to the loan but is keen to keep Stockdale as a Fulham player for the further as the Daily Mail says that he refuses to sell the young keeper.

Queens Park Rangers: Giovani Dos Santos

Giovani Dos Santos could make a shock move to Queens Park Rangers as Harry Redknapp looks to trim his side to create wage room and rebuild his transfer purse. It is unknown why the English manager has not attempted to use the midfielder in any way, as he has only made two appearances in three seasons for Spurs, and has spent the majority of that time out on loan.

The young Mexican just recently enjoyed victory in the Gold Cup with his country when they defeated the United States in the final played out at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. That alone sparked enough controversy all in itself.

QPR manager Neil Warnock sees Dos Santos as a means of bringing a creative spark into the team, and would hope to add his creativity to the attacking ability of Adel Taarabt if he can persuade the player to remain until at least January, as he has been hotly linked with a move to one of several different teams.

However, the chances of the move could be breaking down as Goal.com reported on July 5, 2011 that Dos Santos wanted to return to Spain.

Norwich City: Dani Pacheco

Norwich City have been the busiest of the new incoming class to the 2011-12 English Premier League. The last few days have seen then sign up Anthony Pilkington, Bradley Johnson and they have also secured a season-long loan for Manchester United's Ritchie De Laet. Steve Morrison's switch from Milwall could be one of the shrewd moves of the season should it work out.

However, despite the flurry of moves already completed, there is one player that I believe the Canaries could use once more to their advantage. That player is Liverpool's Spanish U-21 International, Dani Pacheco.

In six appearances for Norwich during his loan spell at the end of last season, he netted two goals and assisted in helping the final promotion push for the now Premier League club.

Pacheco was quoted in the Daily Mirror as being open to another loan move for the betterment of Liverpool and for his long-term future as a Red.

Wolverhampton Wanderers: Matt Mills

Jamie O'Hara joined Wolves permanently from Tottenham after a great loan spell with the club last season. His time at Molineux Stadium saw him compete in 14 league matches and notch home three goals, and provided some excellent midfield play, thus prompting his permanent move from Spurs.

O'Hara has been tipped as the player to help influence more signings according to Wolverhampton's Chairman Steve Morgan.

O'Hara has already thrown his support behind his manager in the press over the pursuit of Reading defender and skipper Matt Mills. Wolves are said to have originally opened the bidding for the player with a £3 million offer but it now could possibly be pushed up into the £4 million range to beat out competition from Blackburn Rovers and other clubs in search of his services.

Mills could be the future of the Wolves defense and his signing could be a key component in ensuring that the Wanderers remain firmly in place in the English Premier League rather than wandering around back in the Championship.

Wigan Athletic: Ali Al Habsi and Loan Stars

Wigan announced July 4, 2011 that they had indeed secured Bolton's second-choice keeper Ali Al Habsi on a permanent deal for a fee of £4 million and he has singed a four-year contract with the club. After a great loan season with the Latics, Roberto Martinez was determined to keep the Oman national team keeper at the DW Stadium.

As far as other targets for the Latics, they have probably been one of the most quiet and hush-hush clubs over their plans during the market. It is apparent that there is not a large amount of funds available, and it seems that manager Martinez looks to make several high-profile loan signings to help his team succeed for another season as he hopes to eventually steer them into the top half of the table.

Players that could be possible loan signings are previously mentioned Liverpool forward Dani Pacheco, Arsenal's Carlos Vela, Manchester City's Craig Bellamy or even possibly Daniel Sturridge from Chelsea.

Blackburn Rovers: Robbie Keane

Signing Robbie Keane could be one of the best £6 million purchases that Rovers could make this transfer season. Their initial bid of only £2 million, I admit, was nearly an insult to the player who is worth more than many pundits give him credit for.

The out-of-favor Tottenham striker has shown he still has what it takes on many occasions, and Blackburn are in serious need of a player that can score goals when given the opportunity.

Despite limited opportunities over the past two seasons, he has scored 14 goals in his 25 appearances on loan to Celtic and West Ham United. Blackburn could use that kind of strike ration from a front man, and with his experience, leadership and class, Keane could easily become Rovers captain if given the chance.

Bolton Wanderers: Daniel Sturridge

Once again, it must be mentioned that Daniel Sturridge was a great loan move for Bolton Wanderers manager Owen Coyle last season. With the loss of Johan Elmander to Turkish club Galatasaray in the early days of the summer transfer window, it is essential that he fill the gap up front with a new partner for Kevin Davies.

The young England U-21 national is truly the best option for the debt-ridden club, and Coyle's comments in the Daily Star today make him seem confident of a return loan for the young striker as he continues to develop.

His confidence comes from his previous encounter with now-Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas when they were both taking coaching licensing classes.

Stoke City: Scott Dann and Cameron Jerome

ESPNsoccernet.com and the Daily Mirror both have issued reports that Tony Pulis and his Stoke City Potters are close to agreeing a fee for a double-swoop from Birmingham City for the duo of Scott Dann and Cameron Jerome.

Dann has been a target of several big teams during the window, but his possible move to Stoke could see him form quite a formidable partnership with Ryan Shawcross. Cameron Jerome also has the opportunity to develop a lasting partnership as he will team up with Kenwyne Jones, who led the team with nine goals last season.

The fee for the two players is expected to be in the range of £16 million being split between the two players at £12 million for Dann and £4 million for Jerome.

Newcastle United: Shane Long

Shane Long had his coming-out season with Reading last year as he scored 25 goals in 50 appearances for the Royals as they narrowly missed out on a return to the English Premier League. He also scored seven goals for the Irish national team.

Newcastle United have emerged as one of the candidates to sign the Irish international according to Goal.com with a proposed cash-plus-Leon Best deal. However, it appears that Reading are intent on riding out the waves of interest in hopes of securing a bid upwards of £10 million to let go of their star striker.

Long would be looking to form a partnership with newly acquired Demba Ba, and it could be one of the newest strike duos of interest to watch if it works out to the Toons' favor.

West Bromwich Albion: Shay Given

Manchester City's Shay Given was rumored to be subject of a move to West Bromwich Albion and the hawthorns in mid-June according to the Express and Star. Roy Hogdson has more of a chance than many believe as I could see City allowing Given to move to a lower-table team sooner than allowing him to go to someone like Arsenal or Liverpool.

The Irish international has spent the last season on the bench playing second fiddle to Joe Hart, and despite most likely taking a drop in wages, he would welcome a move to a team where he would see first team action each week.

Scott Carson's recent departure from the club also suggests that Hogdson has something up his sleeve for the keeper of the pipes.

Sunderland: Wes Brown, Darren Gibson and John O'Shea

The trio of Wes Brown, John O'Shea and Darren Gibson have been on the radar for Sunderland since June as there was reportedly a £12 million deal agreed for all of them to make the move to the Stadium of Light which was revealed by Sky Sports. Steve Bruce seems eager to finalize the deals for at least Brown and O'Shea in the coming days.

Wes Brown was reported to have been undergoing his medical yesterday before completing a his £4 million move to the Northeast, while news Thursday morning has revealed that John O'Shea is due to arrive for his medical at any time.

The arrival of three such players brings a great thing to the Black Cats: experience at winning. Bruce has been raising the bar for Sunderland since his time there, and three players that want to win and know what it is like to taste victory on the highest levels will be key components to his squad to push for trophies in the future.

And as I finish this article, it is now official that Sunderland appear to have completed both deals this afternoon for Brown and O'Shea, and we should hear more about Gibson in the future.

Aston Villa: Diego

Brazilian midfielder Diego was one of the most sought-after playmakers in the game just two years ago before a disappointing transfer to Juventus saw him returned straight back to the Bundesliga the following year.

He looks to be on the rise again as far as interest and Aston Villa could be in line to make a move for the player who is unsettled and out of sorts with his current manager at VfL Wolfsburg.

His ratio of key passes per game still has him highly sought-after, and the only thing that could stand in his way of moving to Villa would be the £15 million price tag that has been slapped on him by his current squad according to the Daily Mail.

Fulham: John Arne Riise

Fulham look to have secured their primary target of the window so far in former Liverpool and Roma defender John Arne Riise for a fee believed to be at £1.5 million. He has been reported by ESPNsoccernet.com as having flown to London to complete his medical before the switch is finalized.

Many remember him for his thunderous left foot that terrorized many Liverpool opponents from 2001-08 when he made over 300 appearances for the Merseyside club, scoring 30 goals. Unfortunately, many fans will still remember his unlucky own goal against Chelsea in 2008 that saw the Blues knock them out of the Champions League when they had a chance for a second straight trip to the final.

He then moved on to Roma for 132 games and 10 goals, and will now look to reassert himself in the EPL as he is still one of the better left-backs in the game even at the age of 30. His durability will be key for the Cottagers in the UEFA Europa League campaign, and it will also be nice for Riise to join the same club as his younger brother, Bjorn Helge Riise, who has been with Fulham since 2009.

Everton: Sergio Canales

Everton have been very quiet this transfer season, and that either means they are not going to be making many moves or they have a flurry of them that they will make at the last minute.

Whatever the case, the most influential potential player to have been linked with the Blues over the period of the transfer window is Real Madrid midfielder Sergio Canales.

The youngster made several first-team appearances last season, but he and Real Madrid could be tempted to accept a Loan offer from Everton if the two clubs could agree terms. Jose Mourinho is an admirer but he admits there will be little space for Canales this season.

Liverpool: Juan Mata

Liverpool have been splashing the cash at Aston Villa for Stewart Downing lately, but it appears he may not make the switch. However, there is a player that Liverpool showed interest in earlier in the window that could be much more valuable to the club over time.

Spain's Juan Mata is that player, and after a successful summer with the U-21 team winning the UEFA European U-21 Championship, he is looking to forward his career.

The £20 million valuation of the Valencia player, who is only 23, looks to provide much more value over time than Stewart Downing, and his play could be much more influential over the next years than the Englishman.

Tottenham Hotspur: Giuseppe Rossi

Tottenham were interested in acquiring Italian national Giuseppe Rossi back in January but the move never materialized. However, it appears that Spurs are now back in the hunt for the £35 million striker and he could be a great asset to the team as Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch had down seasons, and Roman Pavlyuchenko may not return to the club despite not looking to return to Russia.

Rossi could be a great signing for Harry Redknapp, but the price plus the players wage bill could be more than they could handle unless there are some shrewd contract negotiations.

The attacker has come into his own in Spain after his days of previously being a Manchester United outcast. He is averaging just over 19 goals per season in Spain, and that would be a welcomed contribution for Redknapp as he looks to break back into the UEFA Champions League spots.

Arsenal: Gervinho

Ivory Coast and Lille forward Gervinho looks set to make his move to the Emirates in the coming days. He is one of the top forwards in the world right now, and his 15 goals and 10 assists last season helped Lille to the French Ligue 1 title.

He is reportedly about to seal a switch for around £10.6 million according to Goal.com, and is set to sign a four-year deal with the London club.

Gervinho has appeared ready for a move to Wenger's side as he declared he is ready to help end their trophy drought once he arrives.

Manchester City: Samir Nasri

ESPNsoccernet.com reports that Samir Nasri is set to have discussion with manager Arsene Wenger over his future at the Emirates. With the midfielder looking to make a move to Manchester, with both United and City as potential suitors, he is wanting away from the trophy-less Gunners.

The Daily Mail has published reports that the playmaker looks to have possibly been secured for a fee of £19 million. His move to the CIty of Manchester Stadium would make the Citizens' second major signing from Arsenal after they already captured Gael Clichy.

Chelsea: Radamel Falcao

Radamel Falcao was a goal machine for Andre Villas-Boas last season at FC Porto, and he could very well be the next best thing to come to Stamford Bridge.

The possibility of signing Luka Modric continues to look less and less likely for the Blues despite the bookies believing they will get their man. It also appeared today on ESPNsoccernet.com that the Croatian national refuses to submit a transfer request.

Chelsea's attention seems to have switched now to Falcao, and he is looking to jump at the chance for a reunion with his former manager and a chance to play in a top-quality league such as the EPL.

His release clause with Porto is £27 million, but that could be small change for Roman Abramovich if he so chooses to bring in the 39-goal scorer to partner with the likes of Fernando Torres and Didier Drogba.

Manchester United: Wesley Sneijder

Sir Alex Ferguson looks intent on the signature of Inter Milan and Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder after the player has seen two career-revitalizing seasons in Italy.

The Scot is reportedly looking to splash out around £35 million to get his man, and according to the Daily Mirror, he has been given the green light to do so.

He has been tipped as the next best future sensation in the mold of Paul Scholes and Roy Keane, and he definitely could bring some attacking flair to the Theatre of Dreams.

The Dutchman would provide a creative touch of class that has been lost with the retirement of Ryan Giggs, and he would be the main focal point of the midfield that runs the play between new attacker Ashley Young and the other wide man for the Red Devils, Nani.