Transfer Rumuors : Top 10 Players Outside the EPL Still on the Market
With many clubs now back in preseason training and many on, or embarking on, overseas promotional tours, managers will be looking to secure and finalise their squads before their training gets into full swing.
The players themselves will also want their own futures settled as soon as possible so they can concentrate of getting themselves into top shape come the start of the new season, for either their new clubs or their current ones.
All those concerned would like to have deals done and dusted as soon as possible.
A few weeks ago, a slide show was published ranking the top 50 transfers of players currently outside the English Premier League.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/739508-transfer-rumours-top-50-transfers-of-players-outside-the-epl-this-summer
This is a follow-up piece of the top 10 players from that list who have generated a significant number of rumours and speculation from interested clubs, but have yet to move.
No. 10: Keisuke Honda
1 of 10Player: Keisuke Honda
Age: 25
Position: Attacking Midfielder, Winger
Current Club: CSKA Moscow, Russia
Nationality: Japan
Interest From: Liverpool, Arsenal, Juventus
Valuation: £13 million
Current Situation
Around June, there were significant amounts of rumours and speculation surrounding the departure of Keisuke Honda from CSKA Moscow to Liverpool.
Although he was also linked with a move to Arsenal, most of the news was associated with Liverpool.
Later in the month, Juventus joined the show and expressed an interest in the extremely talented Japanese star. Honda himself was flattered by the interest from the Italian and European giants.
However, since that time, www.Goal.com have reported that the valuation place on Honda by his club at €25 million was too high for the Italians.
So, Honda is still in the showroom and awaiting offers.
No. 9: Romelu Lukaku
2 of 10Player: Romelu Lukaku
Age: 18
Position: Striker
Current Club: Anderlecht, Belgium
Nationality: Belgium
Interest From: Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Real Madrid, AC Milan
Valuation: £20 million
Current Situation
At the start of the transfer merry go round, Romelu Lukaku was the hottest property around. Teams were lining up to be linked to him.
But, there has yet to be any concrete offer for his services from any one of his admirers.
In the last few days, www.football-talk.co.uk has reported on Lukaku's deep desire to secure his dream move to Chelsea.
The Blues have been in pole position to sign the young scoring sensation, but have yet to put their money on the table.
Lukaku is described as the new Didier Drogba, but the original is showing no signs of slowing down and there is little talk of his leaving Stamford Bridge.
New manager Andre Villas-Boas will have to decide whether he wants another striker at the club.
No. 8: Karim Benzema
3 of 10Player: Karim Benzema
Age: 23
Position: Striker
Current Club: Real Madrid, Spain
Nationality: French
Interest From: Arsenal, Manchester United
Valuation: £22 million
Current Situation
In recent weeks, there has been a lot of speculation that Karim Benzema would be a target of an offer from Arsenal.
The threat of losing top players such as Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri and the growing unrest amongst some Gunners fans with Arsene Wenger's transfer policy has led the Londoners to look for a high-profile signing.
But enter the fray, Manchester City. www.givemefootball.com is reporting that English newspaper The Sunday Mirror has reported that Benzema could be offered to Manchester City as part of a deal that sees Carlos Tevez go the other way.
It is reported that the offer to Manchester City could be £25 million, plus Benzema for Tevez.
This will certainly put pressure on Arsenal, with senior players such as Robin van Persie urging the club to invest in top players.
No. 7: Eden Hazard
4 of 10Player: Eden Hazard
Age: 20
Position: Winger
Current Club: Lille
Nationality: Belgium
Interest From: Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, Inter Milan, Barcelona
Valuation: £22 million
Current Situation
The Belgium wizard, Eden Hazard, has been the subject of many links to many of Europe's top clubs.
However, the waters have calmed considerably and it appears that the interest has come down a few notches. Whether that is due to Hazard saying he is happy at Lille or is due to the waning interest is up for debate.
But it is not over till the fat lady sings, and with Liverpool, in particular, still in the market for a tricky winger, a move for Hazard should not be written off.
No. 6: Juan Mata
5 of 10Player: Juan Mata
Age: 23
Position: Winger
Current Club: Valencia
Nationality: Spain
Interest From: Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City
Valuation: £25 million
Current Situation
Valencia winger Juan Mata was also much in demand, but has yet to secure a move to a bigger club.
In recent days, www.soccernet.com are reporting that the player is not for sale. There have been suggestions that Arsenal were close to signing the pint-sized winger, but again, the Gunners have not committed.
Mata is currently on holiday and so there has been little recent commentary, but it appears that Arsenal, who will be in need of a major signing, will not be swayed so easily. It would not be surprising to see them formalise their interest.
The interest from Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United has pretty much evaporated.
No. 5: Edison Cavani
6 of 10Player: Edinson Cavani
Age: 24
Position: Striker
Current Club: Napoli, Italy
Nationality: Uruguay
Interest From: Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal
Valuation: £40 million
Current Situation
There was interest in Edison Cavani, but since the Copa America tournament, there has been little rumour and speculation surrounding his move.
His exploits last season were nothing short of fantastic, but top teams have not climbed over themselves to be linked with him.
It could well be that the asking price of £40 million is dissuading any potential interest in the Uruguayan striker.
But, the window is still open and with Tottenham Hotspur still in the game for a striker, Cavani may yet still be on the move.
No. 4: Neymar
7 of 10Player: Neymar
Age: 19
Position: Striker
Current Club: Santos, Brazil
Nationality: Brazil
Interest From: Chelsea, Real Madrid
Valuation: £39 million
Current Situation
The Brazilian sensation Neymar has been the subject of intense speculation, particularly from Barcelona and Chelsea.
But Real Madrid has emerged as real favourites to sign the youngster. With his club, Santos, upset with the Catalans over an alleged direct approach to the player, Barcelona could have dropped down the pecking order considerably.
www.goal.com are reporting that due to this fiasco, Real Madrid may well be where the Brazilian is heading. With Carlos Tevez's move to Real meaning that Karim Benzema may leave, Real would require a top drawer striker to replace him.
However, the player had in the past indicated that he is happy to stay in Brzail.
No. 3: Sergio Aguero
8 of 10Player: Sergio Aguero
Age: 22
Position: Striker
Current Club: Atletico Madrid, Spain
Nationality: Argentina
Interest From: Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Juventus
Valuation: £35 million
Current Situation
Sergio Aguero has been the subject of intense speculation for quite some time now. That speculation appears to be really heating up now, with the main two clubs left in the race being Real Madrid and Manchester City.
Both clubs will be dealing with other a lot over the coming weeks as they look to secure a variety of deals for various players. But it is clear that the signature of the Argentine will feature in some way within these dealings.
www.crunchsports.com are reporting that City have been told up their offer to €45 million if they want Aguero.
Real are in the mix, as they have coveted the striker from their city rival, Atletico; certainly the player would not have far to go.
Juventus, who were for a while the favourites, have dropped away. City and Real are now battling it out.
No. 2: Javier Pastore
9 of 10Player: Javier Pastore
Age: 21
Position: Attacking Midfielder
Current Club: Palermo, Italy
Nationality: Argentina
Interest From: Chelsea, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Barcelona
Valuation: £44 million
Current Situation
Javier Pastore is a player that had a phenomenal season his last time out with Palermo and entered the radar of the top clubs.
Despite being a substitute for Argentina in the Copa America and the hefty price tag on his shoulders, clubs have still been interested in the playmaker.
www.skysports.com are reporting that AC Milan, who expressed interest recently, have cooled on the player, leaving Manchester City and Chelsea the most likely front-runners.
With Chelsea losing Micheal Essien to another long-term injury, they will be desperate for a top-class replacement.
City have a wealth of quality in their midfield, but at such a price, he will surely not be warming the bench as he is for his country.
No. 1: Wesley Sneijder
10 of 10Player: Wesley Sneijder
Age: 26
Position: Attacking Midfielder
Current Club: Inter Milan, Italy
Nationality: Netherlands
Interest From: Chelsea, Manchester United
Valuation: £30 million
Current Situation
At the time of the writing of the original article, there was a limited number of rumours surrounding Inter Milan's Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder and any prospective move away from the Italian giants.
But over the weeks, Manchester United have chipped away at the deal and finally, it is being reported by www.goal.com that a delegation of top United officials have traveled to Milan to finalise the deal.
If United meet the £35 million fee Inter are looking for, then they will be allowed to discuss personal terms with Sneijder.
United would not have sent club officials if there was no deal to be made. One way or another, this deal will come to a close; either United will sign quite possibly the best player in the world playing in Sneijder's position, or Inter will keep hold of their prized asset.
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