EPL Transfers: The Biggest Rumours of the Week

With just one more week to go in the Premier League campaign, managers and fans alike can be forgiven for diverting their eyes to the summer transfer window.

This slideshow contains the biggest transfer stories of the week that come from professional sources.

As has become the norm, the futures of Luka Modric, Eden Hazard, Jan Vertonghen and Emmanuel Adebayor are all the subjects of intense speculation, but who else has made the list?

Arsenal Look Set to Lose out on Vertonghen to Their North London Rivals

Tottenham have reportedly opened talks  with Ajax regarding a £7 million transfer bid for long term Arsenal target Jan Vertonghen. The 25-year-old holding midfielder has one year left on his deal, and The Daily Mail reports that his agent is trying to line up a move to the Premier League, with Arsenal, Tottenham, Newcastle and Chelsea all potential suitors.

‘Jan has some dream clubs, which are special for him’, Mustapha Nakli, Vertonghen’s agent, told De Telegraaf. 'Playing football in the top of the Premier League is something he has always hoped for,' he added.

With so much interest, it looks like whoever secures that fateful third spot on the table will land the Belgian’s signature.

Meanwhile, the Chase Is Heating Up Between the Two Clubs for Junior Hoilett

It’s been a terrible season for Blackburn Rovers. In the entire squad, there are two stand out performers: Steve Kean for his staggering amount of resilience and Canadian midfielder Junior Hoilett.

Hoilett has previously been linked with Bayern Munich but, according to The Telegraph, a future in the Premier League with either Arsenal or Tottenham looks certain.

Gylfi Sigurdsson Does Not Want to Leave Swansea

Papiss Cissé and Paul Scholes may be dominating the headlines for the best piece of January business, but the humble Icelander has been in fine form for Swansea. Since signing on loan from Hoffenheim, the attacking midfielder has scored seven goals and contributed three assists in 16 Premier League appearances.

The Daily Mail reports that the in-form midfielder is not keen on a return to the Bundesliga. The talented midfielder, who is also chairman of Lotna Ehf, has told his parent club that he wants to stay in the Premier League.

‘It’s difficult to say I miss the club. I wasn’t playing, was hardly ever really happy. I just want to play football,’ he said.

Manchester City Are Keen to Secure the Services of Eden Hazard

According to The Daily Mail, members of staff at Manchester City have given Lille play-maker Eden Hazard a guided tour of property hotspots in the northwest of England.

The Belgian international has strongly been linked with Tottenham in the past few months, but Manchester United and Manchester City are emerging as the lead candidates to match the former Ligue 1 Champion’s valuation of the 21-year-old.

Manchester United Are Close to Finalising a Deal for Shinji Kagawa

Michael Zorc, president of Borussia Dortmund, is resigned to losing Japanese international Shinji Kagawa to Manchester United following the player’s refusal to agree to a new deal with the Bundesliga champions.

talkSPORT reports that Zorc said to the press, "Shinji is going to play in England because he has officially rejected our offer of a new contract.”

The Japanese international will cost United £7 million and is expected to sign a three year deal.

Manchester City to Offer £40 Million for Gareth Bale?

Having broken their transfer record with the £38 million arrival of Sergio Aguero last season, it looks as if the Citizens are once again prepared to go for broke to secure the services of big name talent. The Daily Mirror reports that Manchester City are prepared to offer Tottenham £40 million for the services of the Wales international, who in turn will have his wages trebled if he joins the league leaders.

Bale is reported to have said in a recent interview that “if we don’t [qualify for the Champions League], I have to discuss what’s best for myself.”

Is Raul Destined for the Premier League?

According to talkSPORT, Spanish striker Gonzalez Raul is attracting keen interest from two Premier League outfits. Newcastle and Fulham are reported to be keeping tabs on the 34-year-old Schalke striker, who is destined to leave the club in the summer.

The clubs may, however, be disheartened to hear that Raul has publicly declared he will not play in another top European league. Instead, a move to Qatar looks the most likely option for the Real Madrid legend.

Sir Alex Wants Gerard Pique Back

A report in the Daily Star has acknowledged that Sir Alex Ferguson plans to go on an extensive spending spree this summer and, apparently, Gerard Pique has been shortlisted as a leading candidate to bolster United’s injury prone central defence.

There is however no real substance behind the story.

Arjen Robben Could Be the Subject of a Major Bidding War

Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben has reportedly pulled out of contract negotiations with the Champions League finalists, and the drama has not gone unnoticed by numerous Premier League clubs.

According to talkSPORT, Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham, the winger has been left infuriated by the club following their handling of an on-pitch row he had with team mate Franck Ribéry.

Chelsea Are in the Hunt for Marouane Fellaini

According to the Daily Mirror, Chelsea are close to launching a £22 million bid to lure Marouane Fellaini to Stamford Bridge. Everton’s midfield enforcer has been in impressive form this season and an offer in excess of £20 million could be difficult for the cash-strapped Toffees to turn down.

Asamoah Gyan Will Not Be Returning to the Stadium of Light

According to the Daily Mail, the 26-year-old Ghanaian striker is considered surplus to requirements by Martin O’Neil. His loan move to Al Ain at the peak of his career suggests that the hitman would rather play in the Qatari Pro League than test himself in the Premier League. That says enough really.

The on-loan striker has amassed 17 goals in 13 appearances for Al Ain, Qatar’s most successful domestic club.

Everton Want to Re-Sign Steven Pienaar Permanently

Steven Pienaar is so talismanic for Everton, it is a mystery why he has been unable to break into Tottenham’s starting line-up. According to The Daily Mail, re-signing Pienaar is a top priority for David Moyes.

Chelsea Are on Red Alert over Gonzalo Higuain

According to the Metro, Real Madrid’s Argentine superstar has grown frustrated by his lack of first team opportunities. The 24-year-old striker has only started 16 games in this season’s La Liga campaign and Noberto Cacho, Higuain’s agent,  travelled to Madrid earlier this week to discuss the player’s future.

Doubts over Modric’s Future, Again

Luka Modric’s future at Tottenham has once again come under the spotlight, but Harry Redknapp is insistent that he is not prepared to let go of one of the club’s biggest assets.

He is reported to have told Sky Sports News that 'you can sell him but you can't replace him with someone as good,' he said, before adding 'Once you start selling your best players you are finished. He's one of the better players in world football. He's an amazing footballer.'

Despite speculation amongst fans, the papers have yet to print a major story that casts legitimate doubts on the Croatian's future.

David Luiz to Barcelona

Chelsea’s Brazilian full back David Luiz seems to have attracted little more than criticism from Premier League fans, yet he has managed to attract the attention of Barcelona. It seems Mourinho’s poke in Tito Vilanova’s eye has altered the future Barcelona manager’s judgement. According to the Guardian, that is.

Michael Owen to Shanghai Shenua

The Same story in the Guardian reports that Nicolas Anelka, player and assistant coach for Shanghai Shenua, is attempting to recruit former England ace Michael Owen. With so much firepower in the Manchester United squad, it seems unlikely that Sir Alex will renew Owen’s deal when his contract expires at the end of the season.

Ezequiel Lavezzi Will Leave Napoli, but Who For?

The Guardian has reported that the man who helped eliminate Manchester City from the Champions League and contrived to knock out Chelsea too, is wanted by both cash rich clubs.

The Argentine striker has reportedly had a dispute with owner Aurelio de Laurentiis, which has opened the possibility of a £26 million to Chelsea or Manchester City.

Nicolas Gaitan Is Trying to Line Up a Move to Manchester United

Manchester United’s need to bolster their midfield has been long documented in recent seasons. It seems that Sir Alex has now turned his eye upon Benfica’s 24-year-playmaker Nicolas Gaitan.

Goal.com reports that Gaitan’s agent, Joe Ibarren, has said 'Nicolas likes Manchester United a lot – he would like to play for Manchester United.'

'If there is an offer for him Nicolas would be happy to listen and negotiate.'

While United have denied interest in securing Gaitan’s signature, if the club were to sign the player, it is believed Fabio da Silva could move the other way on loan.

The Metro has recently reported the same story.

Redknapp Wants to Hold on to Adebayor

Emmanuel Adebayor has just two games left in his loan spell with Tottenham, but Harry Redknapp has expressed his desire to keep the Togolese striker.

The Manchester City striker has scored 16 goals this season. The Spurs coach commented: 'I love Adebayor. We'll have to see what happens. I would like him, he has done very well. I haven’t spoken to the chairman yet.' (Source: goal.com)

But Spurs May Face Competition from Carlo Ancelotti’s PSG

The Daily Star reports that Harry Redknapp may face disappointment in his bid to land Adebayor, with free spending Paris St. Germaine reportedly interested in the Togolese striker.

The French club may pay Adebayor’s £170,000 a week wages, on the condition that Manchester City accepts a £12 million offer.

Juventus and AC Milan have also expressed an interest in the striker.

Chelsea Are Interested in Newcastle’s Danny Simpson

Chelsea are reported to be monitoring the situation surrounding Danny Simpson after it emerged that he had refused to sign a new contract with the Magpies.

The 25-year-old’s contract talks have been deadlocked for most of the campaign, with the club seeking to extend a deal that expires next summer.

According to MirrorSport, Chelsea believe the ­Manchester-born defender is someone who could fill their problematic right-back slot.

Well, anything’s better than Bosingwa right?

Wenger Planning Arsenal Clear out

The Metro has reported that Arsene Wenger is considering selling on Marouane Chamakh and Ju-Young Park following the arrival of Lukas Podolski.

The arrival of Podolski, combined with the return of Carlos Vela and Nicolas Bendtner from their loan spells, means that Arsenal’s attack will become congested.

Wenger conceded that ‘they need opportunities to play and some players didn't get enough opportunities here during the season. We will try to give them an opportunity to play if they get the chance somewhere else.'

Luuk De Jong Is Wanted by a Wealth of Leading Premier League Clubs

FC Twente strike Luuk de Jong, who scored 32 goals this season for Steve McLaren’s side, is wanted by a wealth of Premier League clubs.

The Sunday Mirror has reported that Chelsea, Liverpool, Newcastle, Manchester United and Tottenham are all interested in the 21-year-old striker.

McLaren is reported to have said, by the same paper, that: ‘Luuk is an ‘English style’ striker, made for English football. I am just ­desperate to keep him one more year in Holland. But I ­realise that will be difficult.

'Luuk is big, strong, and brilliant in the air and scores goals so easily. He has every quality a top class striker needs to have for a big club.'