Summer Transfer Rumors: 25 Best Players Still Expected to Make a Move

The 2012 summer transfer window is in full swing, and so is the rumor mill.

This summer is shaping up to see many more potentially massive moves be made between the biggest clubs and leagues in the world.

Stars such as Arsenal's Robin van Persie and Tottenham's Luka Modric are thought to be on their way out of London, while France's Ligue 1 has several more of the brightest stars thought to be making a move.

From youth to experience, players from every stage of a footballer's career have made it into this list of the biggest players left to move as we highlight some potential summer blockbusters.

Robin Van Persie

Arsenal's back and forth saga with star striker and skipper Robin Van Persie looks set to end in heartbreak but also relief for the club and its followers.

The talented 28-year-old is expected to leave London this summer despite being set for further contract talks with Arsenal, according to Metro.

The Dutchman's fellow players appear to be in the dark over his future as much as the fans are, as teammate Aaron Ramsey had this to say according to Goal.com:

"

There is no need for me to get involved in that.

I don't know and we as players don't know what is happening so we will just have to wait to see what happens.

"

Rafael Van Der Vaart

ESPN reports that Tottenham attacking midfielder, Rafael Van Der Vaart, continues to be linked with a move to former club Hamburger SV in the German Bundesliga.

The player is reported to be considering the move in order to be closer to his wife who works for a local news station.

Klass-Jan Huntelaar

Late in June of 2012, Metro announced that Dutch international and Shalke 04 striker, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, was a believed target of Liverpool Football Club should they lose Luis Suarez.

Since then the rumor mill has been a bit quiet on the player that scored a massive 44 goals and added 10 assists for the club in 2011-12.

The poor performance of Holland in the UEFA European Championship could be blamed for the loss of interest, but the 28-year-old could still make a switch.

Luka Modric

Tottenham's Luka Modric has been set to take his leave from Spurs since August of 2011 when he was linked with a much publicized move to Chelsea.

However, that never happened last season, but this summer looks a different story.

The Daily Mirror announced that Real Madrid had agreed to a fee for his move to the Spanish capital on July 7, 2012, but there is still a chance that Chelsea could squeeze back into the deal, according to the Daily Mail.

Dimitar Berbatov

It was thought that Dimitar Berbatov could be clinging to a lifeline with a move to Turkish side Galatasaray, however, according to Goal.com, that has been rubbished by the club.

Several days ago it was brought to the attention of the media by ESPN and Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United that there was yet to be a deal in place to see the Bulgarian talent finally get away from the club where he was the 2010-11 English Premier League golden boot winner.

Daniel Sturridge

The Daily Mail and Goal.com both have Tottenham and Liverpool in a battle to sign Chelsea youngster Daniel Sturridge.

Although the player featured prominently under Andre Villas-Boas at Chelsea, he fell off the radar of new manager Roberto Di Matteo.

A move to Spurs would see him reunite with AVB, but his move to Liverpool could see him have a more attractive strike partner in Luis Suarez than Tottenham can offer at the moment.

Clint Dempsey

Liverpool once again appear ready to take a stab at signing Fulham's American hero, Clint Dempsey, with both People and the Daily Mirror having linked the player to an Anfield switch.

The failure to sign Gylfi Sigurdsson appears to be prompting the return to the club's interest in the 29-year-old that has sprung to life in the English Premier League in the last season.

Javi Martinez

ESPN and the Guardian both have tipped Manchester City and Barcelona as the primary interested parties in the Javi Martinez sweepstakes.

The young Athletic Bilbao defensive midfielder and makeshift center-half is believed to be a major necessity for both clubs as they search for youth and talent in the back half of the midfield and defense.

Nicolas Gaitan

Manchester United have been the most-linked club to Benfica's talented 24-year-old Argentine midfielder, Nicolas Gaitan.

According to TalkSport back in April of 2012, he was thought to be signed, sealed and delivered to Sir Alex Ferguson before hitting a snag over the inclusion of Anderson going the other way.

The Daily Mail has since stated that Benfica could be willing to listen to Anderson joining them, but over a separate target than Gaitan.

James Rodriguez

James Rodriguez is arguably the hottest prospect in Colombian football at the moment. The 20-year-old FC Porto winger has been a rumored target of Manchester United all summer long and continues to be in the press.

The Daily Mail suggested at the end of June that the English Premier League club was set to offer a massive bid to the Portuguese club to acquire his services.

However, quotes from the player by Goal.com have made it appear as though Rodriguez is content to remain at Porto:

"

I want to stay with Porto. I am happy and very pleased to be able to continue with the club.

I am looking ahead to next season and have a lot of expectations. I will also have more duties and responsibilities next season.

When the news came out about Manchester United, I knew nothing about it. I want to win more titles here.

"

Oscar

The Daily Mirror has confirmed that Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas hopes to bring in young Brazilian midfielder, Oscar, from Internacional as the long term replacement for believed soon-to-be-departed Luka Modric.

Yann M'Vila

Rennes and French international midfielder, Yann M'Vila, was thought to be headed to London and English Premier League club Arsenal earlier in the summer, but it seems that has taken a step back.

ESPN confirm that Rennes Chairman, Pierre Dreossi, is ready to sell the player but that there are no offers at this time:

"

He is ready to leave. For the time being, there have been a few expressions of interest, but no concrete offers that would be sufficient for M'Vila to leave.

The transfer window has only just started, so we will wait for the offers to arrive. He has real value, even if he had an average European Championship.

"

Leandro Damiao

Leandro Damiao is another young Brazilian player based with Internacional that has been turning heads and pulling in much interest.

The Daily Mirror has him linked with a move to Tottenham just as they have with his club mate, Oscar.

Hulk

FC Porto continue to look interested in making a deal to sell Brazilian striker Hulk. However, they are also continuing to price out even the highest of bidders with his massive signing fee.

According to an unnamed source from ESPN, the Portuguese club have been urged to lower their expectations:

"

Porto's asking price of €70 million is simply unrealistic. They might take €60 million, although again that is far, far too high.

There are many clubs interested, but none at that price, and there will not be a move this summer unless Porto are more realistic.

It is clear the player wants a move, and Porto are willing to sell but they have refused to be flexible and won't as yet negotiate the transfer valuation.

"

Stevan Jovetic

The Daily Star has suggested that Tottenham and Arsenal are both targeting the signature of 22-year-old Montenegrin international striker Stevan Jovetic from Serie A side Fiorentina.

The player has been posturing for a move from Florence over the last season and hopes to get his wish this summer.

Edin Dzeko

Although Metro recently captured Manchester City's Edin Dzeko at a Bosnian film festival next to Angelina Jolie, he has been thought to be set to leave the Eastlands club this summer.

According to the Daily Mail, he could still remain with the club unless he is used to try and help lure Robin van Persie to Manchester from Arsenal.

Fernando Llorente

Although he did not feature prominently at the UEFA European Championship with Spain, Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente is a massive transfer target this summer.

His 6'5" frame is a huge target, but he has the foot skills to be potent in the box on the ground as well.

ESPN claims that he will not likely leave Spain for less than £30 million, according to Bilbao President Josu Urrutia:

"

He is a key player and we would not accept less, the supporters would not accept this.

"

Luuk De Jong

Although it is not to the liking of manager Steve McClaren, FC Twente star striker Luuk de Jong is a highly sought after target this summer.

English Premier League side Newcastle United and Borussia Monchengladbach are currently the most interested clubs at the moment, according to Goal.com, as the clubs continue to haggle over the asking price for the young Dutch international.

The player has indicated his frustration in comments quoted by Goal:

"

I have already indicated that I will drop my claim to 20% of the transfer fee, if a move to Borussia Monchengladbach is possible. I am not concerned just about the money. But for FC Twente, this is no longer sufficient for them to agree to a transfer.

The president said that players should get a fair chance, but the reality is different. I had heard from other players that the board of Twente negotiates in an indecent manner, and I never believed it. Now, unfortunately I have experienced this myself.

Gladbach will be a new level for me and it's where I want to develop further, in view of the Dutch national team. All my competitors for the striker position in Oranje play in foreign clubs in strong leagues.

"

Axel Witsel

Manchester United have been linked with a host of Benfica's players this summer. The most recent having been Belgian starlet Axel Witsel.

According to the Daily Mail, the Portuguese club could be willing to listen to an offer of cash plus Brazilian midfielder Anderson in exchange for Witsel.

Hugo Lloris

FOXsports and the Daily Mail both have Olympique Lyon keeper, Hugo Lloris, linked with a move to Arsenal.

The French international team captain may only be in his mid-twenties, but his skill is beyond his years and would be a huge addition for the London side that have struggled with a solid option in goal for years now.

Mathieu Debuchy

Former Arsenal playmaker, Robert Pires, has thrown his support behind Lille OSC and French international fullback Mathieu Debuchy, according to ESPN:

"

He has a game which really suits the Premier League with his speed. He also has such an attacking game, but is very aggressive in defense. If I have any advice to give him, it would be to try his luck in England.

It does not really surprise me that English clubs are interested in him. Newcastle would be a very good club for him because he would find his friends [Yohan] Cabaye and Hatem Ben Arfa. Also, they are one of the top English clubs, with a history and a beautiful stadium. For him and the rest of his career, they would be a nice stepping stone.

"

Debuchy has been under the watchful eye of Magpies manager Alan Pardew for some time, and he is hopeful of finalizing a deal to bring the talented defender to his side after seeing the great transition Yohan Cabaye made last season from Lille.

Robert Lewandowski

Polish international and Borussia Dortmund starlet, Robert Lewandowski, has been a major target for multiple big clubs this summer. During his time with Poland at the UEFA European Championship, he was consistently linked with Manchester United to no avail.

However, the more recent reports have him in a tug of war between three London clubs; Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.

The Daily Mail have the player linked with Arsenal as the potential long-term replacement for Robin Van Persie, should he take his leave from the Gunners.

Metro, on the other hand, has him stuck between Chelsea and Tottenham in a bidding war.

Whichever or any that are true, it is the truth that any of the three would be getting a major talent in the 23-year-old attacker.

Alan Dzagoev

A major display of his talent at the UEFA European Championship saw CSKA Moscow youngster, Alan Dzagoev, raise his stock even higher for the summer transfer window.

While he was expected to attract interest from abroad, his inspired displays at the Euros have him linked with a potential move to London with Arsenal, according to the Daily Mail.

The Sun also have Tottenham linked to the player as Andre Villas-Boas searches for long-term striking solutions for the Gunner's rivals.

Lucas Rodrigues Moura Da Silva

Brazilian starlet Lucas Moura of Sao Paulo has been linked with moves all over, with the Daily Mirror and Metro collectively linking him to Chelsea, Manchester United an Real Madrid most prominently.

The talented 20-year-old is expected to fetch a transfer fee in the range of at least £32 million, according to the previously linked sources.

Joao Moutinho

Portuguese international and FC Porto midfielder, Joao Moutinho, is being tipped for a potential move to either Tottenham or Manchester United before the summer is over.

The talented playmaker is being targeted by his former FC Porto manager, Andre Villas-Boas from Spurs, according to the Daily Star, which also claims that Liverpool has expressed interest in the player.

Meanwhile, Metro has Moutinho linked with a £20 million move to Manchester United.