Summer Transfer Rumors: The 10 Most Skilled Players Who Will Be on the Market

This summer is poised to be a fantastic one in terms of transfers across world football.

Many players from top clubs throughout the best divisions in Europe and, indeed, all the world look to be on the move this summer and there are always suitors for the best talent that the game has to offer.

With time running out before UEFA's Financial Fair play regulations kick in, the perennial big players in the transfer market will likely be out to make one final push to stock their squads with the sorts of expensive players that fans crave.

Let us examine the very best of the players who might be on the market this summer and headed to new clubs by September.

Olivier Giroud

Incredibly, French minnows Montpelier are leading Ligue 1, ahead of oil-rich Paris Saint-Germain by two points with six matches still to play.

The main reason why La Paillade have been over-performing is their striking sensation Olivier Giroud, who leads his team in assists and leads all of the league in goals with 17.

Arsenal have long been mentioned as a possible destination for the striker due to Arsene Wenger's notorious affinity for French players and the Gunners' need to add a quality strike partner to take some of the pressure off of Robin van Persie.

If Giroud wants to make the move to a bigger club this summer, Arsenal would likely be at the top of the queue.

Robin van Persie

Rumors of Robin van Persie's departure will just not go away until he signs a new contract at Arsenal to ensure that he will not be leaving the club this summer.

Van Persie continues to score and score for Arsenal, and he is the very lifeblood of the side; the Gunners just cannot afford to lose him this summer.

But if he decides that he wants a new challenge in his career, Barcelona—whose best forward at the moment, David Villa, is injured and aging quickly—would be an ideal destination.

His movement, finishing and technical ability would be perfectly suited to the Catalans' style of play.

Plus, the chance to reunite with friend Cesc Fabregas would certainly be tantalizing.

Adil Rami

Adil Rami is not the most technically gifted player who might be available this summer, but he is one of the best at his trade.

The powerful Rami is an imposing center-back who uses grit and brute force to exercise his authority over the back line and prevent opponents from getting past him.

If any team wants an uncompromising, no-nonsense leader to instantly solidify their defence, Adil Rami would be the man to turn to.

But Valencia will certainly not let their star man and key player go without a fight.

David Luiz

If a team is looking for an entirely different type of defender than Adil Rami, it may find him in David Luiz.

The Brazilian is extremely technically proficient for a center-back, frequently getting forward and helping his team's attack by giving an extra push.

If Chelsea fail to qualify for next season's Champions League, he may feel a strong sense of wanderlust and start to doubt his future in London, as players often do when Europe's top tournament is taken away from them.

But Luiz, who has been linked with an obscenely high bid from Barcelona, is a defender who can't, you know, defend. 

He may need to sort out his significant problems in this most important of areas before any club is willing to make a hefty financial commitment to him.

Edin Dzeko

Frustrated by a lack of first-team opportunities due to an overcrowded front line at Manchester City (caused by the return of Carol Tevez), striker Edin Dzeko might seek a move away from the Etihad Stadium this summer.

Reportedly, Madid are willing to offer the Bosnian an outlet. In a swap deal, the equally underused Gonzalo Higuain could be heading in the other direction to give both teams a different look up front.

Higuain would fit well with City's flowing style of play, and Dzeko would be a great stationary striker who would net tons of goals off of incisive through balls from Kaka and Mesut Ozil.

City would have to take a net loss on the Bosnian's transfer, but no club can handle that financial burden better than the Citizens.

Fernando Llorente

Reportedly, Barcelona are interested in acquiring Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente, which just shows how well the big 27-year-old striker has performed recently.

Llorente has had a fantastic season for both club and country, impressing in wins over Manchester United and during the entire La Liga season.

An extremely large and powerful man, Llorente is an imposing player for defenders to contend with.

Neither does he bring with him any character issues that could disrupt the harmony of a locker room.

Yann M'Vila

Yann M'Vila of Rennes has been linked with both Arsenal and Real Madrid for what seems like forever—and the speculation is certainly not stopping now.

The Frenchman is the type of player who would fit in quite well in the squads of Madrid or Arsenal. He is a defensive midfielder who has great technical skill and can push forward with versatility in the Patrick Vieira mold.

A young player of his talent would certainly not come cheap, but that is of no importance to Real. If the only other club they are competing with for M'Vila's signature is Arsenal, they will have no trouble outbidding Arsene Wenger if they truly want the player.

However, we all know how much Arsene Wenger loves young French talent. 

Javi Martinez

Another Athletic Bilbao man who has greatly impressed this season, Javi Martinez has been linked with both Real Madrid and Barcelona in recent weeks.

Martinez, a U21 World Cup champion with Spain, has shined for his club this season in a deep-lying midfield role, acting as Bilbao's metronome and gluing defence and attack.

He would be able to fit in with both Madrid or Baca's fluid, dynamic style of play due to his impressive passing range and technical ability, so if either team ends up with him this summer, the buyer will not be disappointed.

His reported price tag of €40 million might be a significant stumbling block for both sides though, if they truly wish to acquire Martinez.

Neymar

Thankfully, there have not been any new chapters in the Neymar transfer saga for a while, but many still believe that the Brazilian superstar will be playing for either Real Madrid or Barcelona next season.

Yes, Santos extended his contract until the conclusion of the 2014 World Cup but few believe that this is anything more than a desperate, symbolic gesture.

The fact is that Neymar's talents are too great for Brazil, and he deserves to be playing under the bright lights of either the Bernabeu or the Camp Nou. And for months, there have been numerous stories indicating that the player will choose the Catalonia over the capital.

While the Brazilian may not be better than Lionel Messi, he is definitely one of the best young players in the world and can shine alongside the Argentine or Cristiano Ronaldo.

Eden Hazard

With all the talking that Eden Hazard has done about a move away from current club Lille this summer, a transfer is a virtual inevitability at this point.

The big question is where the Belgian wunderkind will go. Arsenal, with their fluid, technical attacking style would be a good fit, as would Real Madrid and Chelsea.

Hazard has stated that he would prefer a move to the Premier League over Spain, so it looks as though the big-money clubs north of the English Channel will have the inside track to a deal.

The big key will be negotiating a reasonable fee, though. A player of Hazard's talent and youth will command a massive amount of money, and Lille president Michel Seydoux will not let his best player go without a fight—no matter how badly he may want to leave.

If he avoids the trap of becoming a legend in his own mind once he finally secures his transfer, Hazard could become one of the best in football for whichever club he signs for.