Transfer Rumors: 10 American Players Being Targeted by European Sides

In football today, there are plenty of great players that are targeted by the best sides throughout the world. After years of separation, American players are now a part of that transfer market and are getting targeted throughout the year.

With some incredible performances in Europe's top leagues, like what Clint Dempsey is doing for Fulham this year, it isn't surprising to see that more clubs want to have a player that would bring dynamism to the club for a relatively reduced price.

The transfer market will open in several months, and you certainly will see some Americans make some moves. Here are some of the players that will be targeted by European clubs.

Ricardo Clark

Club: Stabæk (on loan from Eintracht Frankfurt)

Ricardo Clark started two matches at the 2010 World Cup and earned a recall to the national team's winter training camp, where he started twice and scored a late winner against Venezuela.

Clark is a talented player that is 29 years old, yet he has gotten little playing time with Eintracht Frankfurt, a flaw that will hurt his national team future.

Right now, Clark is on loan in Norway, but you can expect him to want a move out of Germany this summer in order to get more playing time.

Juan Agudelo

Club: New York Red Bulls

Juan Agudelo is still just 19 years old, yet he is unable to get the playing time that he probably warrants with the Red Bulls.

Considering his strong potential, Agudelo can probably join a European club to gain better training time, though that move would probably not be best for his career.

What Agudelo does need is more time in matches to enhance his chances with the national team, something that would be helpful considering that World Cup qualifying is about to begin.

Alejandro Bedoya

Club: Rangers

A key part of the American squad during last summer's Gold Cup, Alejandro Bedoya has been with Rangers this season and has been able to get playing time for the Scottish giants.

However, Rangers have gone into administration and will need to sell players this summer in order to help keep their books in order.

Bedoya could be one of the players sold, though he is probably not as likely to leave as some of his American counterparts.

Jermaine Jones

Club: Schalke 04

Jermaine Jones was the first player in the recent surge of foreign players joining the United States national team. Yet the German-born midfielder could be on the way out of Schalke this summer.

Jones was suspended for eight weeks after he intentionally stomped on a player's injured foot, and was a part of the United States winter training camp due to his suspension.

Jones does have a future with the national team and will be with the team during qualifying. Yet a move would not hurt his future with the USA.

Maurice Edu

Club: Rangers

California native Maurice Edu has been one of the top players at Rangers since he joined the club in 2008.

This season, Edu has already made more than 30 appearances and will try to keep Rangers in second place after they went into administration several weeks ago.

Yet Edu is too good of a player for Rangers to keep this summer. The Glasgow club will need to get extra money in order to stay afloat, and Edu will warrant a nice sum for another club.

Edu will be 26 once this summer starts, and he would be a fantastic investment considering how much talent he possesses.

Carlos Bocanegra

Club: Rangers

The captain of the national team, Carlos Bocanegra has been an influential member of Rangers this season.

Unfortunately, Rangers have gone into administration and Bocanegra is one of their best players and is under contract for two more years.

Considering Bocanegra's experience in Europe and abroad, he would be a smart player to acquire for a strong club in one of Europe's smaller leagues. Don't be surprised to see Bocanegra in a new shirt come next season.

Brek Shea

Club: FC Dallas

Brek Shea is the most highly touted young player in Major League Soccer and certainly will make a move to Europe within the next year.

Shea is a regular with the national team and trained with Arsenal last winter. He also has been linked to a transfer to London.

The question that remains is where Shea will move. Right now, it looks like he will move to the Premier League, but his final destination is unknown at this time.

Jozy Altidore

Club: AZ Alkmaar

After a failed move with Villarreal, Jozy Altidore has been a star with AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands this season, scoring 14 times this season for the club.

Unfortunately, Alkmaar, which is on top of the Eredivisie, do not have the funds to keep their team together, which means that some of the players at the club will be on the move this summer.

Jozy's year will probably warrant an expensive move and will allow him to play for some of the biggest clubs in Europe.

Landon Donovan

Club: Los Angeles Galaxy

Landon Donovan is the most prolific American player in history. Donovan has scored plenty of goals and has been a major part of both the United States, Everton and the Los Angeles Galaxy in recent years.

Donovan had another successful loan with Everton this winter, where he had seven assists for the club and helped Everton get into a stronger spot in the table.

Everton should consider making a move for Donovan over the summer. Even though Donovan is closely attached to the Galaxy and doesn't want to leave, the connection that Donovan has to Everton might be enough for him to make a full-time move to the Merseyside club.

Clint Dempsey

Clint Dempsey has been outstanding this year. Dempsey has scored 17 goals in all competition for Fulham and has continued to shine for the London club. His play has kept the Cottagers away from the drop zone and in the Premier League for another season.

Now Dempsey can cash in on the greatest season ever by an American-born player by making a move to a giant European club. At the age of 29, Dempsey can go nearly anywhere and become an effective starter that will be a major difference-maker at these clubs.

Dempsey's move will be a key move for American soccer, and he should take a chance by moving away from Fulham in order to achieve his goals.

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