Top 10 EPL Transfer Deadline Day Rumours to Watch

The Premier League's summer transfer window is coming to a close. Two weeks into the new season, clubs have just a few days to make their final signings.

As ever, rumours continue to circulate.

Deadline Day often throws up a surprise or two, and with business still open, expect to see plenty of personnel changes across the board. When the clock strikes 11pm (GMT) on August 31, the chatter can finally stop.

Here, I take a look at the top 10 rumours to watch (in no particular order) as we enter the home stretch. Will your club secure a big name signing before the bell tolls?

Clint Dempsey to Liverpool or Sunderland

Clint Dempsey has backed himself into a corner over the past few weeks.

His refusal to play for Fulham wasn't met with the flurry of transfer activity the American perhaps expected (via ESPN).

Instead, his future is far from sorted.

Liverpool have been linked with Dempsey all summer, but the failure to strike a deal has forced Brendan Rodgers to look elsewhere.

The loan signing of Nuri Sahin fills the role Dempsey would have at Anfield. Rodgers is still keen to land Fulham's star player (via The Daily Mirror), but the longer the saga rolls on, the less likely we'll see him run out in Liverpool's famous red.

Sunderland have stepped up their interest in Dempsey (via The Daily Mail) and are keen to continue strengthening in attacking areas.

For a player who admitted he wants Champions League football, a move to The Stadium of Light would undoubtedly be a backwards step.

Dempsey will have expected this one to be wrapped up by now. His decision to act like a child in a bid to secure a move may backfire if a deal isn't sorted soon.

Yohan Cabaye to Arsenal

It's going to be a long week for Newcastle fans.

Alan Pardew knows many of his players will interest other clubs (via The Sun), and that any sales will be difficult to replace at this late stage.

Across the past couple of days, reports surfaced indicating Arsenal were lining up a bid for midfield stalwart Cheik Tiote. Arsene Wenger has refuted these claims (via Goal.com), but another Newcastle star is being linked with the Gunners.

After Alex Song ditched North London for Barcelona, the Arsenal manager will certainly be looking to bring in a battering ram to dominate the centre of the pitch.

When Song departed, any major interest in Sahin cooled as Wenger shifted his focus to finding a physical specimen instead.

Cabaye is often linked with a move away, and this transfer window is no different. Pardew should be flattered that his players attract such interest, but he must keep hold of them if Newcastle are to challenge for a Champions League spot this season.

Yann M'Vila to Arsenal or Tottenham Hotspur

Yann M'Vila has many potential suitors.

If reports are to be believed, the 22-year-old Rennes midfielder will be the subject of a bidding war between North London's top sides (via BBC Sport).

With Luka Modric's transfer to Real Madrid complete (via The Telegraph), both sides have lost a key midfielder over the course of the summer.

Although Song and Modric performed slightly different roles for their former clubs, the versatility of M'Vila is an attractive prospect for both.

Spurs have offered £12.7 million for the player, but Rennes won't accept anything lower than £15 million (via The Daily Mirror). If either club is to tie up the deal before the end of the week, purse strings need to be loosened quickly.

Willian to Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas doesn't mince his words, but often misleads reporters during interviews.

Although he stated Joao Moutinho is unlikely to sign for the club (via The Telegraph), reports continue to link him with a switch to White Hart Lane.

Villas-Boas is desperate to bulk up his squad with quality players, and Shakhtar Donetsk have already rejected the club's £11.8 million bid for Brazilian forward Willian (via Sky Sports).

Even with Emmanuel Adebayor returning on a permanent basis, Spurs are in need of more attacking options.

Both Willian and Moutinho would provide a much-needed creative spark to a side that has started the Premier League season slowly. Spurs have taken one point from a possible six, meaning Villas-Boas must round up reinforcements within the next few days.

Willian is the most likely to be a Tottenham player by the end of the window. While Moutinho is a possibility, Porto has previously stated the Portuguese midfielder will cost at least £30 million (via Metro).

Charlie Adam to Everton

Charlie Adam could risk the wrath of Liverpool fans by joining city rivals Everton.

Toffees manager David Moyes is looking to replace Jack Rodwell, who completed a £15 million transfer to Manchester City a couple of weeks back.

Adam has emerged as a potential target. Everton are said to be considering a £5 million bid for the Scot who has failed to make an impact since joining in the summer of 2011 (via The Daily Mirror).

A year is a long time, especially when your form dips. Adam hasn't looked anything like the player who scored 12 goals and provided 8 assists in his debut Premier League season for Blackpool. This year, he's yet to feature in the Premier League at all.

As we saw with the signing of Darron Gibson, Moyes isn't afraid to lure under-performing talents to the club. Adam may be a decent investment, but the move across Stanley Park is likely to cause quite a stir if it goes ahead.

Julio Cesar to Queens Park Rangers

It's been quite a summer for QPR fans.

The club has worked the transfer market well, signing exciting players such as Park Ji-Sung, Jose Bosingwa, Junior Hoilett and Fabio Da Silva.

Rob Green also made his way to Loftus Road, but the early signs aren't good for the former England number one. Only two games into the Premier League season, Green has already made vital mistakes.

After Inter Milan brought in Samir Handanovic, Julio Cesar has been granted permission to speak with other clubs. He's a goalkeeper whose talents need no introduction across the world.

The Brazilian played a huge role in the Italian side's 2010 Champions League win. If he signs for QPR, Green will surely be relegated to a role on the bench.

Talks between the two clubs continue to progress (via The Telegraph). QPR have already hit a snag in their bid to sign Michael Dawson and Ricardo Carvalho (via Goal.com), but the acquisition of Julio Cesar would speak volumes about where the club aims to be come the end of the season.

Michael Owen to Stoke or Everton

Michael Owen's career has progressed slowly over the past few years, so it's no surprise his future is taking longer than expected to wrap up.

The former Manchester United man has confirmed he'll have a new club within a week. Stoke and Everton remain the favourites to land his signature (via BBC Sport), but this one could go right down to the wire.

Owen has confirmed he has spoken to a number of clubs and must take time to make the correct decision (via ESPN).

When fit, the England international offers a goal-scoring touch that few possess. After battling years of injury, the 32-year-old is unlikely to start many games regardless of his destination.

Both Stoke and Everton currently suffer from a lack of senior forwards, and could well use someone of Owen's ability to knock in a few goals.

If he can remain fit, Owen should be a welcome addition to either side. With that said, just six starts in three years of Premier League football could argue otherwise.

Dimitar Berbatov to Sunderland or Fiorentina

Robin van Persie's Old Trafford arrival has pretty much sealed Dimitar Berbatov's fate.

Even after Wayne Rooney's gruesome injury in Manchester United's 3-2 weekend win over Fulham, the Bulgarian is unlikely to overcome Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez for playing time.

Rooney could be out for up to eight weeks (via The Daily Mail), but the chance to make an impact is too little too late for the Premier League's top goalscorer in 2010-11.

Sir Alex Ferguson selected one striker in United's win over Fulham and is likely to favour this formation moving forward. Shinji Kagawa and Robin van Persie played excellently together, so Fergie is unlikely to change things too drastically.

A number of clubs are interested in Berbatov. Sunderland are currently the forerunners for his signature, as Martin O'Neill is thought to be the only Premier League manager interested in meeting United's £5 million evaluation of the striker (via The Daily Mirror).

The 31-year-old would provide the Black Cats with a renowned finishing touch, especially with the newly-acquired Adam Johnson and James McClean on the wings.

Further afield, Berbatov could join Nicklas Bendtner in a complete shake-up at Fiorentina (via Metro).

Marvin Emnes to Swansea

Swansea City's success last year meant it was always going to be a summer of change at The Liberty Stadium.

Brendan Rodgers headed into the manager's hot seat at Liverpool, and Scott Sinclair is set to complete his transfer to champions Manchester City in the next couple of days (via BBC Sport).

New manager Michael Laudrup has worked wonders so far. His signing of Miguel Michu has inspired the Swans to victories in their first two Premier League games of the season, as the team are yet to concede a goal.

Scott Sinclair has only played 14 minutes across the two fixtures, but his influence will be sorely missed. Laudrup is looking to replace him immediately, with Middlesbrough's Marvin Emnes the main target (via The Daily Mail).

Swansea have also expressed interest in Valencia's Pablo Hernandez. Negotiations have slowed down, but this impressive target remains a possibility. Laudrup is seeking signings as soon as possible, so expect to see movement imminently.

Gaston Ramirez to Southampton

Southampton's pursuit of Gaston Ramirez has taken many twists and turns. If the Saints land the dynamic Uruguayan midfielder, it'll be one of the summer's biggest coups.

Right now, this is a back-and-forth story. Nigel Adkins thought he had landed the playmaker, until Bologna claimed the deal was far from done (via The Daily Mail).

Ramirez was a rare bright spark amongst a Uruguay side that performed badly at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Liverpool have also been linked with the 21-year-old (via The Evening Standard), who is expected to head to the Premier League one way or another.

Southampton remain in pole position for this one. Despite the transfer looking dead, Sky Sports has indicated the player's agent is flying to England to commence negotiations this week.