World Football Transfer Speculation: 5 Top Defenders Available

As the summer transfer window gears up, it's becoming clear that we're in for a big one.

Plenty of high-profile moves seem to be on the cards, and with millions of dollars set to be spent once again, we look through five top defenders who could be available for transfer.

Who joins the beleaguered Thomas Vermaelen on our list?

Ezequiel Garay

When the rumours just don't go away, you know there's at least partial interest in a mooted deal.

The Express have recently reinforced the position many media outlets have suggested in the last few months—Ezequiel Garay could well leave Benfica, and Manchester United are in pole position to sign him.

The Argentine is a classy, calm central defender with good ball-playing skills and decent ability in the air.

Thomas Vermaelen

As The Sun so unceremoniously put it, Arsenal are willing to "dump" Thomas Vermaelen for a lowly £5 million fee.

Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker have emerged as Arsene Wenger's best defensive pairing, and captain Vermaelen now regularly takes to the bench.

He lost form this season, but he's still a quality player. At £5 million, he's a steal waiting to happen.

Marquinhos

Roma's star central defensive teenager Marquinhos is a wanted man, and despite professing his love for playing in Italy's capital on Twitter, via Football-Italia.net, the big clubs are circling.

Italian sports paper Gazzetta dello Sport, via Sambafoot.com, have suggested a €20 million offer for the Brazilian from Real Madrid has been rejected by the Giallorossi, while Barcelona's interest has been reported by Football-Espana.net in the past.

Roma remain desperate to hold onto him, but general manager Franco Baldini has told Sky Sports there will be no new contract talks as yet.

Fabio Coentrao

Fabio Coentrao seems destined to leave Real Madrid this summer, but where will he end up?

Spanish daily AS (in English) believe Portuguese super agent Jorge Mendes has brokered a deal worth €18 million for the left-back to go to Monaco, while The Mirror believe Coentrao is actually Tottenham-bound, with Benoit Assou-Ekotto moving to France.

Left-back is a notoriously difficult spot to fill, so whoever takes this man on is very, very lucky.

David Luiz

Chelsea fans may not like it, but there's a distinct chance Jose Mourinho moves David Luiz on from Stamford Bridge this summer.

"Bob" has endeared himself to the fans in blue thanks to his hair, his erratic play style and his penchant for a wonder strike, but in all honesty he's not a Mourino-type player.

The Daily Star believe Barcelona hold an interest in the centre-back, and that Chelsea are willing to sell for £30 million—a £9 million profit on the £21 million used to acquire him from Benfica.

Follow @stighefootball