Ranking the Week's 25 Hottest Transfer Rumours: Gareth Bale to Manchester United
Instead of scouring the Internet for the latest football transfer gossip, Bleacher Report makes your life easier by providing you with 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 two standards:
- Career accomplishments.
- Name recognition.
25. Jack Duncan
1 of 25
Australian Perth Glory goalkeeper Jack Duncan, 21, will soon be trialling with Randers FC, per David Lewis at SBS.
Duncan—a talented shot-stopper—is showing ambition trying to make the Danish Superliga club's squad list.
It will be tough for Duncan because he has been a backup at Perth Glory and the Newcastle Jets.
He is essentially jumping into the deep end.
Should he leave, it clears the path for Jordan Thurtell—one of Perth Glory's up-and-coming prospects—to mount a serious challenge for Danny Vukovic's No. 1 position next season.
24. Daniel De Silva
2 of 25
Arsenal and Manchester City are seeking to hijack the deal Roma has in place for Perth Glory attacking midfielder Daniel De Silva, 17, per Pete O'Rourke at ESPN FC.
Channel Seven's Today Tonight reported that De Silva will receive $2.5 million over five years at Roma, so you presume the contract is watertight.
The West Australian, the daily newspaper in Perth, have yet to verify O'Rourke's report.
De Silva is Perth Glory's biggest prospect since Ivan Ergic, who left for Juventus in 2000.
23. Stoppila Sunzu
3 of 25
Sochaux centre-back/defensive midfielder Stoppila Sunzu, 25, is torn between moving to China to play for Shanghai Shenhua or stay in France by signing for Reims, per L'Equipe (h/t Darren Allan at Africa Football Shop).
The Zambian is playing in Ligue 2 this season, but he averaged 6.2 clearances per game in Ligue 1 last season.
He has the ability to continue playing in Europe, but if Shanghai Shenhua are offering him a deal that will financially set his family up for life, you cannot begrudge him abandoning his European career.
22. Georgi Terziev
4 of 25
Ludogorets Razgrad centre-back Georgi Terziev, 22, is a €1.5 million transfer target for Lazio, per David Amoyal at GianlucaDiMarzio.com.
Terziev made a positive impression in a 2-2 Champions League draw against Liverpool earlier in the season.
He scored a goal, blocked two shots, made two tackles and cleared the ball four times.
However, Bulgarian Terziev looked below average up against Basel forward Breel Embolo, who was the star when he scored one and set up another in his side's 4-0 win over Ludogorets in November.
Terziev will only leave on Ludogorets Razgrad's terms, with the club's management wanting Lazio to increase their €1.5 million bid to €5 million.
21. Nemanja Gudelj
5 of 25
Burnley are looking into bolstering their midfield by signing Serbian central midfielder Nemanja Gudelj, 23, from AZ, per talkSPORT.
Gudelj is a set-piece specialist, a robust tackler and a key component of AZ's midfield.
It would be a risk for him to leave the Eredivisie to play half a season in the Premier League and potentially get relegated to the Championship.
20. Brad Jones
6 of 25
Liverpool's Australian goalkeeper Brad Jones, 32, is fighting to earn a new contract.
"I signed my first contract [to try and win another one] and I have been playing that way since," Jones said," per the Australian Associated Press (h/t The West Australian). "We will get linked with another 20 goalkeepers now, but I won't let it affect me."
At one point in Jones' career, there was a belief he could be Australia's No. 1, but accepting the role of a career backup has hindered his development.
So far this season, Jones has averaged 0.5 less saves (2.0) than Simon Mignolet (2.5) in the Premier League.
19. Danny Ings
7 of 25
Tottenham Hotspur will need to seek alternative options to Burnley forward Danny Ings, 22, who has no intentions of leaving for White Hart Lane, per Gary Jacob at The Times.
Sure, Ings has only scored four times in the Premier League, but he looks like a player who belongs at that level.
He is a lively goalscoring threat, he has good technique and can make incisive passes to create opportunities for his teammates.
18. John Guidetti
8 of 25
Celtic manager Ronny Deila is hopeful the club can turn the loan of Sweden centre-forward John Guidetti, 22, into a permanent signing.
"The negotiations [with Manchester City] are going on. There is progress all the time," Deila said, per Scott Mullen at the Glasgow Evening Times. "We want to try and get Guidetti to go through."
Guidetti has the talent to emulate Henrik Larsson at Celtic.
17. Ravel Morrison
9 of 25
If West Ham United release English attacking midfielder Ravel Morrison, 21, he will be given a lifeline by Queens Park Rangers manager Harry Redknapp.
"[Morrison] is one that someone has mentioned to me and he is one we could be interested in, if West Ham want to release him," Redknapp said, per talkSPORT's Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast. "He needs to sort himself out, but he is a real talent and when he was with me he was as good as gold."
Morrison has already worked with Redknapp on loan at QPR, which was more successful than his recent temporary stint at Cardiff City, during which he failed to score or create a goal in 210 minutes of Championship football.
16. Mohamed Salah
10 of 25
Besiktas are making a move to sign Chelsea's Egyptian attacking midfielder Mohamed Salah, 22, per Jack Pitt-Brooke at The Independent.
Salah recently started on the left wing in a 3-1 win over Sporting Lisbon. He had decent moments in that game but should have done more and lacked end product.
He is primed for a loan in the January transfer window because he needs playing time.
He has only played 12 minutes in the Premier League this season.
15. Charlie Austin
11 of 25
Queens Park Rangers centre-forward Charlie Austin, 25, will not be sold, according to manager Harry Redknapp.
"Well, he's got 18 months left, Charlie. He's not going anywhere in January," Redknapp said, per Sky Sports. "Once he gets into the last year of his contract then it’s a different proposition, but I think we’ve all got to wait and see."
Austin's rise from non-league club Poole Town to scoring game-winners for Queens Park Rangers in the Premier League is a feel-good story.
He has scored 11 times in 15 Premier League games this season.
14. Saido Berahino
12 of 25
West Bromwich Albion manager Alan Irvine revealed the transfer buzz surrounding centre-forward Saido Berahino, 21, is just speculation.
"We've had no enquiries [for Berahino]," Irvine said, per Sky Sports. "The chairman has already said he does not want to sell Saido in January."
Berahino is one of England's brightest prospects, having scored seven times in the Premier League this season—a goal more than Wayne Rooney's output.
13. Hatem Ben Arfa
13 of 25
Nice will give Newcastle United attacking midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa, 27, a chance at redemption, per Simon Jones at the Daily Mail.
From a talent point of view, Ben Arfa should be playing at a major Premier League club, but his wayward attitude is why he may never maximise his potential.
Hull City manager Steve Bruce prematurely ended Ben Arfa's loan, frustrated with the Frenchman's me-first persona.
12. Tom Cleverley
14 of 25
Manchester United's Aston Villa loanee Tom Cleverley, 25, will test free agency in the summer, per Brendan McLoughlin at The Times.
Cleverley is careful in possession, a diligent worker without the ball and has a team-first approach to playing football.
While not a world-class central midfielder, the Englishman's biggest problem at Manchester United was trying desperately not to make a mistake.
His conservativeness in midfield created the impression that he was a passenger.
At Aston Villa, he has expanded his passing and has flashed moments of class.
11. Chris Kirkland
15 of 25
Sheffield Wednesday manager Stuart Gray revealed goalkeeper Chris Kirkland, 33, might leave on a short-term loan in order to receive more playing time.
"I would be disappointed if [Kirkland] was just happy being sat on the bench and picking up his wages," Gray said, per Richard Hercock at The Yorkshire Post. "We may consider letting Chris go out for 28 days to get some football."
Kirkland, once the most expensive goalkeeper in England, is now a backup to Keiren Westwood.
10. Radja Nainggolan
16 of 25
Liverpool want to sign Roma central midfielder Radja Nainggolan, 26, per La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Football Italia).
Nainggolan is a competitive and tough midfielder who charges into tackles.
Money aside, he is a starter for the second-best Serie A team this season, so why sign for Liverpool? It makes no sense from a footballing point of view.
9. Paulinho
17 of 25
Tottenham Hotspur central midfielder Paulinho, 26, has been offered an exit route by Cruzeiro, per Radio Itatiaia (h/t beIN SPORTS).
From one of Brazil's stars at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup to a squad player at Tottenham Hotspur, 2014 was not a great year for Paulinho.
He has the ability to continue playing in one of Europe's top leagues, so he should consider options other than a return to Brazil.
Paulinho has only played 105 minutes in the Premier League this season.
8. Jermain Defoe
18 of 25
Toronto FC have acknowledged English centre-forward Jermain Defoe, 32, is contemplating leaving, according to general manager Tim Bezbatchenko.
"We need a healthy Jermain, a motivated Jermain. We like that guy," Bezbatchenko said, per Josh Rubin at the Toronto Star. "When he got frustrated...he just wasn't as present as he was before. ... Yes, we're taking calls and emails [for Defoe's transfer away]."
Queens Park Rangers are leading the race to sign Defoe in the January transfer window, per Sami Mokbel at the Daily Mail.
Defoe scored 11 goals in 19 Major League Soccer games for Toronto FC last season.
7. Mario Mandzukic
19 of 25
Manchester City are open to signing Atletico Madrid centre-forward Mario Mandzukic, 28, for £25 million, per Adrian Kajumba and Jeremy Cross at the Daily Star.
When Mandzukic is in top form, he can rip apart opposing defences, as evident with a hat-trick in a 4-0 win over Olympiakos.
But £25 million is an excessive fee to pay for the Croatian when there are 10 players who have outscored his six goals in La Liga this season.
6. Juan Roman Riquelme
20 of 25
Argentinian attacking midfielder Juan Roman Riquelme, 36, will continue playing if another team is willing to offer him a contract following his sojourn at Argentinos Juniors.
"I've done my duty with Argentinos," Riquelme said, per ESPN (h/t AS). "I'll see if an offer comes along from a team which interests me. If that happens, I’ll try to continue playing for a little while longer. If not, I'll enjoy spending my time with my family."
In Riquelme's heyday, he was one of the most lethal set-piece takers in the world and a passing genius.
5. Sami Khedira
21 of 25
Real Madrid central midfielder Sami Khedira, 27, is hopeful the club will extend his contract.
"There are other players in my position but that competition is healthy," Khedira said, per the Stuttgarter Nachrichten (h/t the Guardian). "If we can reach a solution [for a new contract], I'll be very happy."
Khedira's fitness woes, which have limited him to 47 minutes of La Liga action this season, are a big reason for Real Madrid not to extend his contract.
4. Lukas Podolski
22 of 25
Inter Milan have a tentative agreement with German forward Lukas Podolski, 29, but they have yet to start negotiations with Arsenal, per David Amoyal at GianlucaDiMarzio.com.
Podolski scoring against Anderlecht and netting a brace against Galatasaray in the UEFA Champions League shows he can still perform at the highest level.
He would theoretically be a replacement for Rodrigo Palacio, who has struggled this season, scoring once in 1,079 minutes of Serie A play.
3. Petr Cech
23 of 25
Chelsea and Czech Republic goalkeeper Petr Cech, 32, has options to leave the Blues, according to his agent, Viktor Kolar.
"It's unlikely Petr will leave Chelsea in the January transfer window," Kolar said, per Darren Lewis at the Daily Mirror. "I think Arsenal should have made an offer to him...Liverpool need to strengthen their position in goal and they know Petr will be available in the summer."
Kolar is attempting to coax Chelsea into giving Cech an extended starting run.
It won't work; Thibaut Courtois is the future.
2. Gareth Bale
24 of 25
Manchester United are preparing a historic £120 million bid for Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale, 25, per Guillem Balague at AS.
Paying £120 million for the Welshman, who has only scored seven times this season, is ridiculous.
If the transfer occurs and Manchester United somehow comply with UEFA Financial Fair Play regulations, then it would forever tarnish UEFA president Michel Platini's legacy.
1. Ronaldinho
25 of 25
Brazilian attacking midfielder Ronaldinho, 34, needs to be more committed to Queretaro, according to sporting director Joaquin Beltran.
"The truth, without question, is that this is not something that makes us particularly happy," Beltran said, per Cesar Huerta at El Universal (h/t ESPN). "It's something we have to talk about and we must, above all else, find a solution so that everyone is happy."
Ronaldinho being late to pre-season is a problem for Queretaro because you presume they are trying to build his stamina to a level at which he can produce more for the Liga MX club.
Ronaldinho is just as talented as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, but he lacks their professionalism.
That is why Ronaldinho has not played in Europe since 2010.
When not specified, statistics via WhoScored.com
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