Ranking the Week's 25 Hottest Transfer Rumours: Mario Balotelli Leaving?

Instead of scouring the internet for the latest football transfer gossip, Bleacher Report makes your life easier by providing you a weekly power ranking of the 25 hottest transfer rumours in one slideshow.

Whether it is the Bundesliga, Eredivisie, La Liga, Ligue 1, Premier League, Serie A, alternative European leagues, or non-European leagues, this slideshow will be inclusive.

These 25 players will be subjectively ranked via a combination of several standards:

• Career accomplishments.
• Name recognition.
• Transfer interest.

25. Martin Odegaard

Stromsgodset's Norwegian central attacking midfielder Martin Odegaard, 15, has visited many top European clubs, one being Real Madrid.

"I like the set-up Real Madrid have in place for young players," Odegaard said, per TV2 (h/t Marca). "My development is what matters most at this stage of my career."

If Odegaard stays true to his word, then he should play another three years at Stromsgodset.

He is guaranteed week in, week out football and provided he continues to develop, Europe's major clubs will still be there when he is 18 years old. 

24. Allan Saint-Maximin

Claude Paris/Associated Press

Arsenal are scouting Saint-Etienne's French central attacking midfielder Allan Saint-Maximin, 17, per talkSPORT.

In a 2-1 defeat to Marseille, Saint-Maximin started centrally in a midfield triumvirate comprising Kevin Monnet-Paquet on the right and Yohan Mollo on the left. 

Saint-Maximin is in the same situation as Bastia's Francois Kamano, Lille's Manchester City loanee Marcos Lopes and Monaco's Anthony Martial: The teenagers receive credit for playing in Ligue 1, but that is it.

They are still learning every week, hence Arsenal are scouting Saint-Maximin as opposed to making a bid (would be a high-risk career choice for the 17 year old to move away from Saint-Etienne).

23. Breel Embolo

Andres Kudacki/Associated Press

Basel's Swiss centre-forward Breel Embolo, 17, is a transfer target for Everton, per Alan Nixon at The Sun.

Embolo has been electric in spurts during the UEFA Champions League, but he would not be guaranteed a spot in Everton's starting XI.

Why? 

Everton's long-term front two are Romelu Lukaku as the No. 9 and Ross Barkley as the No. 10. 

22. Marcelo Brozovic

EuroFootball/Getty Images

Besiktas could beat out Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur to signing Dinamo Zagreb's Croatian central midfielder Marcelo Brozovic, 22, per Chisanga Malata at the Daily Star.

In 2008, Besiktas signed Gordon Schildenfeld, so there is a precedent of scouting players from Dinamo.

If Brozovic moved to Besiktas, he would be competing against Atiba Hutchinson and Veli Kavlak for a starting spot.

21. Jesus Corona

Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

Southampton are looking into signing Twente's Mexican right-forward Jesus Corona, 21, per John Cross at the Mirror.

Shane Long signed a four-year contract at Southampton, so why would Saints buy Corona?

Having been an impact sub last season (three starts from 15 games), Corona has now transitioned into a starter.

It would be more beneficial for Corona to stay at Twente.

20. Andrew Robertson

Gareth Copley/Getty Images

Arsenal and Manchester United are monitoring the progress of Hull City's Scottish left-back Andy Robertson, 20, per the Evening Telegraph.

Robertson can operate as a wing-back in a back three or as a full-back in a conventional back four.

Solid in the tackle and swift in covering the field, Robertson has been superb in the Premier League thus far.

Given the fitness problems of Luke Shaw and Kieran Gibbs, Robertson may be seen as a luxury backup by Arsenal and United. 

19. Paulo Dybala

Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images

Palermo's Argentinian centre-forward Paulo Dybala, 21, is being tracked by Benfica, per David Amoyal at GianlucaDiMarzio.com.

It has taken Dybala almost three seasons to string several good games together. 

In spite of his immense talent, he is so inconsistent.

He has never scored 15 league goals or more in a campaign since moving to Palermo.

18. Tomas Kalas

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Chelsea could recall Czech centre-back/right-back Tomas Kalas, 21, from Cologne and loan him to Queens Park Rangers, per Dean Jones in the Sunday People, via the Mirror.

Kalas is the fourth-choice centre-back at Cologne: 1. Kevin Wimmer 2. Dominic Maroh 3. Mergim Mavraj.

When it comes to right-back, Kalas is third-choice: 1. Miso Brecko 2. Pawel Olkowski.

17. Jonas Olsson

Stu Forster/Getty Images

West Bromwich Albion's Swedish centre-back Jonas Olsson, 31, will consider the option of leaving the club, per Brendan McLoughlin at The Times.

A Craig Dawson-Joleon Lescott centre-back partnership at West Brom has left Olsson worrying about his long-term future.

This is further exacerbated by his Achilles injury.

16. Fabian Schar

Clive Rose/Getty Images

Arsenal are negotiating with Basel to sign Swiss centre-back Fabian Schar, 22, per Fichajes.net (h/t Metro).

Schar is cool-headed in possession, averaging 48 passes per UEFA Champions League game.

Though, he needs to be more astute when it comes to tackling, because he averages more fouls (1.8) than tackles per game (1.5).

15. Lucas Leiva

Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

Liverpool's Brazilian defensive midfielder Lucas Leiva, 27, is keen to link up with former Reds manager Rafa Benitez at Napoli, per CalcioMercato.com (h/t Football Italia).

Injuries have impeded Lucas, who is often a step or two behind the action when he plays for Liverpool.

Napoli are loaded in midfield: David Lopez, Gokhan Inler, Jorginho and Walter Gargano, so it will be tough for Lucas to establish himself as a week in, week out starter.

14. Seamus Coleman

Alastair Grant/Associated Press

Chelsea are making moves to sign Everton's Irish right-back Seamus Coleman, 26, per Chris Butler at the Irish Independent. 

Coleman has gone from unheralded defender to an elite right-back, but it would be a wasteful transfer from Chelsea.

If Chelsea wanted to replace Branislav Ivanovic, then Cesar Azpilicueta would be moved from left-back to right-back. 

Azpilicueta is effectively the backup right-back while holding the starting left-back spot.

13. Mauro Icardi

Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images

Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur are all in the running to sign Inter Milan's Argentinian centre-forward Mauro Icardi, 21, per Jamie Anderson at the Express.

With Inter centre-forward Rodrigo Palacio goalless in 723 minutes of Serie A action and Dani Osvaldo on loan from Southampton, selling Icardi is not an option. 

It would be an ill-advised public relations move from Inter owner Erick Thohir to sell Icardi, who is the future of the Nerazzurri's attack.

12. Aaron Lennon

Jan Kruger/Getty Images

Tottenham Hotspur's English right-winger Aaron Lennon, 27, is a January transfer target for Hull City, per Dave Kidd at the Mirror.

There is a transfer theme of Hull manager Steve Bruce signing Spurs players:

• Jake Livermore (2014).
• Michael Dawson (2014).
• Tom Huddlestone (2013).

Lennon has only played 150 minutes in the Premier League this season, so he is on the outside looking in.

11. Xherdan Shaqiri

Matthias Schrader/Associated Press

Bayern Munich's Swiss right/left/deep-lying forward Xherdan Shaqiri, 23, will be allowed to leave in the January transfer window, according to Bayern legend Franz Beckenbauer.

"For me if a player [like Shaqiri] doesn't want to be here [at Bayern] then it's right he go to another club," Beckenbauer said, per Bruce Archer at the Daily Star. "He can leave Bayern Munich during the winter transfer window."

Shaqiri has only started 37.5 percent of the Bundesliga games he has been involved in this season.

10. Joao Moutinho

Claude Paris/Associated Press

Monaco's Portuguese central attacking midfielder/central midfielder Joao Moutinho, 28, has handed in a transfer request to force a move away from the club, per David Wright at the Express.

Bizarre timing given Monaco are on a six-game unbeaten run in Ligue 1.

Moutinho is a classy midfielder, who dictates the pace of play for his team, and would be an invaluable addition to most clubs in Europe.

9. Ilkay Gundogan

Lars Baron/Getty Images

Borussia Dortmund's German central midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, 24, has speculated about post-Bundesliga life.

"Playing outside Germany is one of my big goals," Gundogan said, per the London Evening Standard. "I'd like to play in Spain or for one of the big teams in England."

Gundogan is still trying to reacclimatise to football after a 14 month injury lay-off. 

His back problems will be the primary concern of potential suitors from major European leagues outside the Bundesliga. 

8. Emile Heskey

Tony Feder/Getty Images

English centre-forward Emile Heskey, 36, is keen on playing for Leicester City again.

"I was an England international when I was with Leicester so that was a great achievement," Heskey said, per BBC Radio Leicester (h/t BBC Sport). "It goes without saying, I'd love to come [on board]."

Heskey is currently an ambassador for Leicester.

7. Mario Balotelli

Scott Heavey/Getty Images

Liverpool's Italian centre-forward Mario Balotelli, 24, will not quit the Reds in order to return to Serie A in the January transfer window, according to his agent Mino Raiola.

"[How is Balotelli's] relationship with the [Liverpool] team? It is perfect, the English journalists must not be part of his life," Raiola said, per La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Ashley Clements at the Daily Mail). "A return to Inter Milan is impossible [...] Even Napoli [is impossible]."

While Balotelli's shooting has been deplorable this season (one goal from 46 shots in combined Premier League/UEFA Champions League play), he has received an excessive amount of blame for Liverpool's slump.

The media covering Balotelli going to the Nathan Cleverly-Tony Bellew boxing fight was farcical.

Balotelli was out injured, the fight took place in Liverpool and people seem to forget: footballers are not robots.

They have lives outside of football.

Balotelli relaxing and enjoying a boxing match should not be scrutinised.

6. Marco Reus

Lars Baron/Getty Images

Borussia Dortmund's German left attacking midfielder/deep-lying forward Marco Reus, 25, will not be moving to Chelsea, according to manager Jose Mourinho.

"We don't want Marco Reus," Mourinho said, per Matt Barlow at the Daily Mail. "The player belongs to Borussia [Dortmund]. We have top players in this position."

Reus is suffering his fourth injury in five months, and rupturing ligaments in both ankles, per the Bundesliga's official website, means it is easy for Mourinho to dismiss the German. 

Alas for Reus, he could be Sebastian Deisler 2.0.

5. Miranda

Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

Atletico Madrid are open to selling Brazilian centre-back Miranda, 30, to Manchester United, per Fichajes.net (h/t Alex Harris at the Daily Star).

If Atleti did sell Miranda, then it would lead to Jose Gimenez being promoted into the starting XI. 

In that situation, it would be a monumental test for Gimenez, a 19-year-old, to replicate Miranda's world-class form. 

Though, perhaps Atleti see Gimenez as their version of Raphael Varane. Also, Gimenez would be playing alongside compatriot Diego Godin. 

4. Eidur Gudjohnsen

Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images

Icelandic centre-forward Eidur Gudjohnsen, 36, could be offered a short-term contract at Bolton Wanderers having trialled at the Championship club, per Marc Iles at The Bolton News.

Gudjohnsen scored 27 goals in 77 games for Bolton from 1998-2000.

If Gudjohnsen does not receive a contract from Bolton or any other European team, rather than retire, he should extend his career by playing for a club in obscure nations, like Rivaldo.

The FIFA World Cup winning Brazilian played for Uzbekistani club Bunyodkor and Angolan club Kabuscorp in the latter stages of his career.

3. Sami Khedira

Daniel Ochoa de Olza/Associated Press

Bayern Munich have refuted reports of signing Real Madrid's German central midfielder Sami Khedira, 27, on a pre-contract deal, per Kicker (h/t Stephan Uersfeld at ESPN FC).

Even if Khedira was to join Bayern, he would be a luxury substitute, whose fitness problems could haunt the club. 

Yes, he is a world-class player on paper, but he cannot help the club if he is always injured.

2. Wesley Sneijder

Paul Gilham/Getty Images

Dutch central attacking midfielder Wesley Sneijder, 30, will hold talks with Galatasaray management over his decreased minutes, according to his agent Guido Albers.

"I do not know why he was sitting on the bench," Albers said, per Bugun TV (h/t talkSPORT). "Sneijder wants to stay [at Galatasaray], but he continues to sit on the bench."

Sneijder has played 730 out of the 900 possible minutes (81.1 percent) in Turkish Super Lig play, so there must be an ulterior motive to Albers' outspokenness.

1. Lukas Podolski

Geert Vanden Wijngaert/Associated Press

Arsenal's German deep-lying forward/left attacking midfielder Lukas Podolski, 29, has continued to vent about his vexing situation.

"I like London, I like the club [Arsenal], but I don't like the situation," Podolski said, per Kicker (h/t the AFP and The Telegraph). "I'm not some clown who can sit out his contract in the stands."

Podolski has yet to start a game in the Premier League this season.

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