EPL Transfer Rumors: One Player Each Team Could See Leave

Most of the transfer talk is about where players are going. It is always fun to watch your team and see who they are interested in bringing in. It prepares you for the type of squad they are going to be next year.

But just as important is who is leaving.

I have sorted through the rumors and speculation involving each EPL club and tried to decide who is the most likely and practical to leave their respective clubs this summer.

I am by no means an expert on every team and would appreciate your opinion on who you think will be leaving your favorite teams.

Enjoy!

Arsenal: Samir Nasri

The 24-year-old Frenchman has had a spotty tenure at the Emirates. He has suffered numerous injuries that have kept him sidelined for weeks. But when he is healthy he is one of the most feared midfielders in the league.

His technique, vision and game time intelligence make him a rare all-around player. He can beat you with superb dribbling or inch-perfect timed runs.

This last season was his most productive at the club by far. On a team that struggled to live up to expectations, Nasri was a consistent bright spot. He would end the season nominated for both the PFA Players' Player of the Year and PFA Young Player of the Year awards. He would also be one of two Arsenal players named to the PFA Team of the Year.

With only one year left on his contract Nasri has yet to ink a new deal, suggesting he may be ready to leave North London. With Chelsea and Manchester United leading the chase, it is no wonder why he is hesitant to confirm his stay. He has yet to win any silverware with the Gunners and a move to one of these two clubs would all but guarantee instant trophies.

Aston Villa: Stewart Downing

With Ashley Young already gone, Villa are going to put a steep price on the their other midfield star, Stewart Downing.

Since Downing came to Villa Park from Middlesbrough in the summer of 2009, he has been the preferred left wing for the club, making 40 starts last season. He would have an incredibly successful year finishing third on the team in goals and winning team awards for Top Star, Supporter's Player of the Season and Player's Player of the Season.

Liverpool and Arsenal are the two clubs that have approached Villa about the 26-year-old. Liverpool can use him to move either Suarez or Kuyt higher, into more of a forward role, and he would provide an ideal replacement for Nasri at Arsenal.

Either club will have to pay top-dollar for the Villa star. An asking price of £20million is required for Stewart Downing, according to club sources.

Blackburn: El Hadji Diouf

Diouf has not always been the most prolific goal scoring forward, but in his 13 year career he has found consistent work in top-flight football.

The Senegalese national has made a living out of being, as Robbie Keane put it, the man "teams and supporters hate." He has had multiple off-field incidents involving opposing fans and traffic violations.

But his attitude is also what makes him a good player. He plays with a fire in his eye that makes him unafraid to take on any defender. He will get right into the chest of an opposing player if he must, but can dribble them as well.

Diouf has made it clear that he is ready to leave Ewood park, suggesting that he would like to link back up with his old manger Sam Allardyce at West Ham. Bolton has done little to suggest that this move will not happen. It seems to be just about negotiating a fair price before Diouf ends up at Upton Park.

Bolton: Gary Cahill

Cahill has a bright future in football. At only 25 years old he has become a staple of the Bolton back line, making 39 appearances last season for the Trotters. He is also a fan and club favorite at Reebok Stadium.

Last season helped Bolton to a good defensive year, allowing only 56 goals in the league. Additionally, out of the 46 games the team played in all competitions, only five times would a team record three or more goals.

He seems to be linked to a possible transfer to every major club both domestic and abroad, but Arsenal have been the most public in their pursuit. Bolton seems to be OK with the sale of their defender, but are putting pressure on Wenger to make a move, as Chelsea recently have also joined the race.

Chelsea: Alex

Alex has always been a reliable center-back at Stamford Bridge and partnered John Terry through some of the clubs best seasons.

When Ricardo Carvalho became injured during the 2008-09 season, Alex began to see regular first team action. He showed that he could be one of the most imposing defensive forces in the league, helping the Blues to a tie for league best goals against with 24.

He also demonstrated his almost Lucio-like mind in the attack. Unlike most defenders, Alex is very comfortable with the ball at his feet and would consistently dribble up the field. He also has one of the strongest shots in the game. It would not be abnormal for him to take a strike from 35 yards on target.

At 29, Alex still has a few years left in him—but he is on the back side of his career. But with youngster David Luiz entering into the picture at Chelsea, Alex has found himself third or fourth on the depth chart behind Terry, Luiz and possibly Branislav Ivanovich.

Both Bayern Munich and Real Madrid have made it clear they would like the Brazilian's talents at their clubs. Both teams could use a strong and quick defender to help them regain their spots as the top clubs—domestically and in Europe.

Everton: Leighton Baines

Baines is considered one of the bright young stars for England, but has only played five games in a Three Lions jersey. Most of that has to do with the fact that he plays the same position as the teams most consistent player, Ashely Cole. But on Everton he has been developing into a super star of sorts.

This past year he had a break out season. Playing every minute of every league game helped him win the club's Player of the Season, Players' Player of the Season and Goal of the Season awards.

He has everything you can ask for in a good left back: he's fast, quick, good with the ball, smart and an accurate crosser.

Despite Everton boss David Moyes telling other clubs that the 26-year-old is not for sale, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City have all been linked to him. Arsenal seems the most practical place for him to land, considering the recent departure of Gael Clichy, but Liverpool have supposedly made an "audacious" offer that may give them the edge.

Fulham: Andy Johnson

Once a top striker in England, he has since fallen well off that mark. At age 30, there is little reason to suggest that he will recapture the form he enjoyed at Crystal Palace. He has only one year left on his contract and the Cottagers have made little effort to resign him.

He came to Fulham in 2008 after an OK stint with Everton. But while at Fulham he has struggled to find regular first team action. He would start only 17 games and come in as a sub in 12 others. In that time he would manage only three goals and four assists.

He also seems to be injury prone. A knock to the knee he sustained years ago acted up last year, keeping him out for the majority of the year.

On a team where American midfielder Clint Dempsey has been the leading goal scorer two out of the past four years, Fulham have already publicly pursued Tottneham striker Robbie Keane. This seems to suggest that Johnson's exit is imminent. Championship side West Ham and newly promoted QPR seem to be in a bidding war for the Englishman. Both teams are hoping he can help make them Premier League regulars.

Liverpool: Alberto Aquilani

Aquilani never seemed to find his footing at Anfield. Last season after Rafa Benitez left for Inter, new boss Rot Hodgson agreed to let the Italian return back to his native country on a full season loan to Juventus.

Back in Italy he would return to the form he enjoyed while at Roma. In 35 appearances he had only two goals and five assists, but did manage an 80 percent passing accuracy. Aquilani was a bright light in the midfield on a team that finished seventh in the league two years in a row.

At the end of the season he returned to Anfield with Juventus unable to meet the previously agreed £14,000,000 transfer fee. However, Aquilani has made it clear that he wishes to return to the Serie A side next season.

The transfer fee that Liverpool has set may now be negotiable with the Reds purchase of Charlie Adam. Aquilani may be unnecessary in an already crowded midfield. A permanent move to Turin would seem to benefit all parties involved.

Manchester City: Carlos Tevez

You know when there is that toy every year at Christmas that every kid wants and is sold out at every store, then you learn that there is a small shipment that has come into the local Toys-R-Us and you get super excited? That is kind of an allegory for the Carlos Tevez situation.

About a week ago, Tevez announced very publicly that he would like the leave Manchester City, citing his families discontent with living there. It came as a shock to much of the footballing community that the leagues top scorer last season—and arguably the hardest worker in the game—would suddenly make this request, but it seems to be true and real.

Let's return to the comparison in the first paragraph again for a moment. So after you hear about this toy you wake up at 4 am and run down to the store expecting to be one of the first in line to get into the store. But when you get there you find that a line around the block has already formed. That kind of explains the transfer rumors of where he will go.

The only difference is that this line is organized by who is willing to pay the most, with Jose Mourinho, Gian Piero Gasperini and Andre Villa-Boas standing in front.

Manchester United: Dimitar Berbatov

It is uncanny that the two players who shared the scoring title last season are on extremely wealthy clubs and may be in different jerseys come this fall. But in the case of Berbatov, he may just be the victim of incredible scouting by Fergie and the transfers coming in.

Berbatov is one of the most skilled and lethal goal scorers in all the game. After starring at Bayern Leverkusen he would make the move to Tottenham and continue to impress. After two seasons in London, he made the big move to Manchester United where he instantly made his mark, setting up a goal in his debut game for then teammate Tevez.

Last year he continued his good form, scoring 21 goals in 32 games and assisting on six others.

But with the arrival of Javier Hernandez he began to see his playing time dwindle. The Mexican starlet had become a fan favorite and was making waves in the league—and back home. Other transfer speculations surrounding Nasri and Wesley Sneijder would push up Wayne Rooney into a permanent forward role. Danny Welbeck has also shown promise and may be ready to start becoming a bench regular for the Red Devils.

Fergie has declared that he has met with the forward and assured him that he remains a part of the club's plans. Berbatov has yet to comment on that meeting.

The decision to sell Berbatov is both pratical for him and the club. Given his great form last season, Fergie will be able to get top dollar for the Bulgarian and use it to purchase Sneijder. For Berbatov, he is by no means at the end of his career. At 30 years old he still has some good years left in him and they should not be wasted on the bench.

Juventus, PSG and Valencia have all expressed interest.

Newcastle: Jose Enrique

With Gael Clichy off the market, Jose Enrique remains as one of the top left backs available.

He has developed into quite a good player in his time at Tyneside, becoming the preferred left back for the squad. When the team was relegated in 2009, he was one of the few starters who stayed at the club and was integral in the team earning promotion back to the Premier League the following season.

That 2009-10 year he was voted by the fans as the official Newcastle United player of the season. He was also named to the PFA Championship Team of the Year.

He is a strong defensive player who tackles very well, but his long accurate passes have been what has made him so valuable. He can often pick out players high up the pitch, helping get transition and counter goals.

He has seemed poised to move to a bigger club for quite some time now, as Barcelona and Liverpool have been monitoring him for the past year or so. With Newcastle firmly establishing themselves in the middle of the table, they may look to sell him to one of these bigger clubs and use the money to buy more players and help them move up further.

Norwich City: Grant Holt

I admit I know little about the situation occurring in Norwich, but the only rumor I could find featured team captain Grant Holt.

Holt was a very important part of Norwich's rise to the Premier League.

On the team that led the League Championship with 83 goals, he had 21 of them. He also finished last season as Norwich's Player of the Year and runner-up for the PFA League Championship's Player of the Year.

With newly signed James Vaughan and Steve Morrison making their way to Carrow Road as well as youngster Simeon Jackson improving, the 30-year-old may find his way out of the club.

But as team captain and a fan favorite it still seems like a long shot.

QPR: Adel Taarabt

Coming off a career season in which he was named the PFA League Championship Player of the Year, Taarabt is one of the most highly rated values in this summer's market.

The Moroccan midfielder was a top prospect, but due to some admittedly poor contractual decisions he ended up at QPR.

In only his second season with the club—and at 21 years of age—he was named the team captain. He lead in goals (19), assists (16) and was an integral part of the team winning The Championship and gaining automatic promotion.

It would seem unfathomable that a team looking to stay in top-flight football would sell their best player and fan favorite, but QPR boss Neil Warnock has already stated he is prepared to lose him.

Taarabt has publicly acknowledged his interest in moving to a top club, but also has his reservations about being a bench player.

He told Football365.fr: "I like the London clubs. I do not hide my liking for Chelsea [although] I would prefer to play regularly at QPR to being on the bench for a season at Chelsea. Now, if they told me I'd play 20 games per season, I think I'd be very tempted."

He currently has ties to Arsenal, PSG and Liverpool. Arsenal and PSG seem to be the front runners, simply because they are the teams where Taarabt's wishes to have regular first team action would most likely be fulfilled.

Stoke City: Ryan Shawcross

Shawcross was picked up by Fergie back in 2002 and came up through the Man U youth ranks. In 2007, he was loaned out to Stoke City for a successful season that saw the club signing him permanently in the 2008 winter transfer window. He has been replaced a few times, but has always earned back his spot in the central defense.

In his time with the team he helped Stoke get promoted to the Premier League and become a consistent middle finisher. The team has never been a strong offensive power in Shawcross' time and have relied on good defense by him and the rest of the back line to have success.

Manchester United are looking to bring back their former youth player now that he has developed into a consistent center back, perhaps as a future replacement for the aging Rio Ferdinand. But Tottenham's rumored offer of defender Sebastian Bassong may be a more promising deal.

Sunderland: Boudewijn Zenden

No team thus far has been as busy in the transfer window as Sunderland. Boss Steve Bruce has already signed 10 players and let nine go on either sale, release or free transfer. Bruce will probably even up those numbers, soon releasing the aging Boudewijn Zenden.

He is at the end of his contract, but Bruce has said that he will offer him a new one. However, at age 34 the Dutch midfielder is contemplating retirement. After not seeing consistent first team action he may feel it is better to hang it up than stick around. With the influx of youth to the club it may be the best option.

If he were to retire he would be missed greatly in the Black Cats locker room. For the past two seasons he has been a mature role model for the younger players to look up to, and served an important role as club captain over the past season.

Swansea: Joe Allen

With Swansea already losing the keeper that got them into the Premier League, they cannot afford to lose one of their young stars as well.

At only 21 years old, Allen has been making appearances for Swansea since 2007. He is a good and reliable midfielder who plays a traditional role in the center, linking the back and front lines.

With only a year left on his contract he may be looking to expand his game elsewhere. If Swansea and Allen are not able to reach an agreement this summer the team could be looking to get some money for him, as they try to improve their squad to compete in the Premier League.

Reports from April show West Brom and Sunderland in pursuit, but nothing has surfaced recently.

Tottenham: Luka Modric

Modric has been the flavor of the month for this years transfer window and it is easy to see why.

The Croatian international was at the top of his game last year. Though his statistics do not jump off the paper, his ability to create plays and set up goals with a good first pass or intelligent dribble are immeasurable, but nonetheless impeccable.

Spurs boss Harry Reknapp and club chairman Daniel Levy seem to have declared the midfielder is not for sale. This claim has started a media war, as Modric has fought back by saying that Levy and him made a "gentleman's agreement" that he may leave the club if he wishes.

If you have followed the transfer window at all this summer, this is the name you have seen repeatedly throughout all of the major clubs rumors. But as of right now it seems to have become a bidding war between last years top two teams, Manchester United and Chelsea.

West Brom: Youssouf Mulumbu

Mulumbu's presence in the midfield was both an important part of West Brom's ascent to the top-flight, and even more critical in helping them finish in a shocking 11th place in the league.

His play over the past few years has attracted the attention of a few clubs, including Aston Villa, Everton and Bayern Munich. The Baggies could look to make some money off of his recent good form, as well as sure up a defense that let in 71 goals last season—the second highest in the league.

Wigan: Charles N'Zogbia

N'Zogbia is a talented winger that wanted out of Newcastle when he didn't think the team was able to reach a higher level. This situation seems to be occurring again, but this time at Wigan.

Wigan have already made two signings of note this summer, the addition of keeper Ali Al Habsi and renewing the contract for manager Roberto Martinez. This may have depleted some of the funds necessary to keep N'Zogbia at DW Stadium.

Martinez has made it clear that he wishes to keep him a Latic, but a high offer may just be too much to turn down.

He has been linked to a handful of mid to upper level clubs, including Aston Villa, Sunderland and Liverpool. Villa may be looking to him as a replacement for the potential loss of Downing. Busy Bruce is looking to add a reliable winger to his rebuilt squad. Liverpool may just want to add depth to their squad.

Wolverhampton: Wayne Hennessey

Hennessey has had an up and down tenure for the Wolves. At times he has been stellar between the pipes, especially in the Championship when the team won promotion. But once in the Premier League, his form would dip and he would take a seat on the bench.

Wolverhampton barely survived last year, avoiding relegation by a single point on the last day of the season. Manager Mike McCarthy decided that the 66 goals against and the close relegation call was just too much for the team to take. He went out this summer and signed Swansea keeper Dorus de Vries, showing an obvious lack of confidence in the 24-year-old Hennessey.

McCarthy is prepared to let de Vrise, Hennessey and reserve keeper Carl Ikeme duel it out for the starting spot. Hennessey has proclaimed he is up to the challenge, but should he lose out, he may want to look elsewhere for work.

Manchester City have reportedly shown interest in bringing the Welsh keeper to Eastlands to compete with Joe Hart for the starting spot.