Ranking the Week's 25 Hottest Transfer Rumours

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 Dutch Eredivisie, English Premier League, French Ligue 1, German Bundesliga, Italian Serie A, Spanish La Liga, 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:

• Current playing ability.
• Potential playing ability.
• Footballer's name recognition.
• Newsworthiness.
• Social media buzz.
• Potential transfer value.

25. Nathan Burns

Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

Football agent Ante Alilovic is attempting to broker a landmark multimillion deal (by Australian and New Zealand standards), which would see Wellington Phoenix's Australian deep-lying forward Nathan Burns, 26, join Chinese Super League club Shanghai Greenland Shenhua.  

However, Wellington Phoenix manager Ernie Merrick sardonically dismissed the numbers involved in the deal.

"I've tried to phone [Alilovic], because if he's offering us $1.5 million, I'm taking it," Merrick said, per Cathy Walshe at 3 News. "We'll give [Alilovic] Nathan. We'll give him a couple of academy players for that amount, and maybe steak knives as well."

According to Merrick:

• A Chinese club is interested in Burns, but Merrick opted not to confirm or deny if it is Shanghai Greenland Shenhua. 
• Various articles written about Burns' contract are "totally inaccurate."
• Burns' agent is not Alilovic.

Burns is too good for the A-League, yet is a notch below European level, hence his bleak spell at AEK Athens.

Therefore, playing in the Chinese Super League could work out for Burns.

24. Georgios Samaras

Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

West Bromwich Albion will allow Greek centre-forward Georgios Samaras, 29, to leave for Al-Hilal on loan, per the Press Association (h/t The Guardian).

The sojourn to Saudi Arabia could help boost Samaras' confidence.

He has been a substitute for West Bromwich Albion this season, and playing in a lesser environment might reignite his goal scoring. 

If Saudi Arabia does not work out, Samaras should consider playing in Melbourne, Australia.

He has a connection down under as his late grandfather "was a prominent member of the Victorian Greek community," per John Kyrou at SMFC.com.au.

In addition, Samaras' father is Australian-born.

23. Shola Ameobi

Stu Forster/Getty Images

West Bromwich Albion have made an offer to Nigerian centre-forward Shola Ameobi, 33, who is a free agent, per Laurie Whitwell at the Daily Mail.

Ameobi last played for Gaziantep, scoring four times in 11 league games.

He would be a squad signing for West Bromwich Albion.

22. Anderson

Michael Regan/Getty Images

Manchester United are struggling to find a club for Brazilian central/central attacking midfielder Anderson, 26, per Ian Ladyman at the Daily Mail.

Put yourself in Anderson's shoes: run down your current contract, or take a pay cut to be a squad player somewhere else? 

Given that Anderson hasn't done much in eight seasons at Manchester United, he will continue to keep getting them checks!

21. Darren Fletcher

Chris Trotman/Getty Images

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal did not rule out the likelihood of Scottish central midfielder Darren Fletcher, 30, leaving.

"[Fletcher is] a player of Manchester United, that's the update," Van Gaal said, per James Robson at the Manchester Evening News. "Because it's the transfer month, so you never know."

Fletcher has been a dedicated member of Manchester United, and he has shown resilience bouncing back from a debilitating illness.

Though, Manchester United need to bring in fresh talent.

20. Pablo Osvaldo

Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

Queens Park Rangers are considering signing Italian centre-forward Pablo Osvaldo, 29, per Simon Jones at the Daily Mail.

What a desperate ploy from Queens Park Rangers given drama seemingly follows Osvaldo wherever he goes, especially involving teammates.

• Allegedly punched Erik Lamela at Roma.
• Allegedly assaulted Jose Fonte at Southampton.
• Allegedly abandoned Inter Milan's training sessions.

Too much trouble, so Queens Park Rangers should avoid signing Osvaldo.

19. Lee Chung-yong

Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

Crystal Palace are close to signing Bolton Wanderers' South Korean central/left attacking midfielder Lee Chung-yong, 26, per Laurie Whitwell at the Daily Mail.

When Lee is in form, he can take over a game and become a match-winner.

Though, he needs to be more consistent if he wants to raise his game.

18. Tyrone Mings

Stu Forster/Getty Images

Newcastle United are monitoring Ipswich Town's English left-back Tyrone Mings, 21, per Matt Law at The Telegraph.

If Newcastle United sign Mings, it won't be good news for Davide Santon, who is competing with Paul Dummett and Massadio Haidara for the left-back slot.

Mings has started 22 games in the English Championship this season.

17. Demarai Gray

Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Bournemouth's €4/£3 million bid for Birmingham City's English left attacking midfielder Demarai Gray, 18, has been rejected, per Brian Dick at the Birmingham Mail.

It is the third time Bournemouth have failed to sign Gray.

Having scored a hat-trick in a 6-1 win over Reading last December, Gray has increased his transfer stock and is a player clubs are monitoring.

Moving to Bournemouth would be more alluring once they have secured promotion to the English Premier League.

16. Callum McManaman

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

West Bromwich Albion will lodge another bid for Wigan Athletic's English right-forward Callum McManaman, 23, per the Express and Star.

McManaman is slick and fiery.

Able to run past opposing defenders, he also plays on the edge, trying to pressure opposing players to turnover the ball. 

He is tied with James McClean (five) as Wigan Athletic's leading scorer in the English Championship this season.

15. Jordan Rhodes

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Swansea City have identified Blackburn Rover's Scottish centre-forward Jordan Rhodes, 24, as a viable replacement for Wilfried Bony, per Matt Law at The Telegraph.

Rhodes is a proven No. 9, but can he transition his scoring to the English Premier League?

He has only scored nine goals in the English Championship this season.

14. Samuel Eto'o

Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Cameroonian centre-forward Samuel Eto'o, 33, is close to moving from Everton to Sampdoria, per Sky Italia (h/t Sky Sports). 

Eto'o has been a handy option for Everton, but he is a step behind play in the English Premier League.

The Italian Serie A could suit Eto'o, especially when he has played there before with Inter Milan (2009-11).

13. Douglas Costa

David Ramos/Getty Images

Chelsea have made a €21.1/£16 million bid for Shakhtar Donetsk's Brazilian right attacking midfielder Douglas Costa, 24, per James Dickenson at the Daily Express. 

Really?

Douglas has been mediocre in the UEFA Champions League this season.

Aside from gliding past opposing players, Douglas is inefficient on the ball, scoring once and assisting once in 440 minutes.

12. Mohamed Salah

Clive Mason/Getty Images

Chelsea will allow Egyptian right/left attacking midfielder Mohamed Salah, 22, to join Roma on loan, per Dominic Fifield and Ed Aarons at The Guardian.

Salah's development has stagnated at Chelsea.

He has only played 30 minutes of Premier League action this season.

11. Divock Origi

Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has definitively ruled out the possibility of Belgian centre/right-forward Divock Origi, 19, being recalled from his loan at Lille in the January transfer window.

"There were a few discussions in January [with Lille]," Rodgers said, per talkSPORT's Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast show. "[But] the likelihood is that he will stay at Lille. He just needs to finish the season at Lille and we'll have him for next season."

Origi has been very inconsistent at Lille. Sometimes, he flashes brilliance; other times, he looks like Mario Balotelli in front of goal. 

10. Lucas Leiva

Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Liverpool's Brazilian central midfielder Lucas Leiva, 28, could join Inter Milan, per David Amoyal at GianlucaDiMarzio.com.

Lucas has effectively been playing for a new contract. As a result, he has enjoyed a resurgence at Liverpool.

If he can carry that form at Inter Milan, he would be a success in the Italian Serie A.

9. Gabriel Paulista

Andres Kudacki/Associated Press

Villarreal manager Marcelino revealed he will not discipline Brazilian centre/left-back Gabriel Paulista, 24, for confirming Arsenal's transfer interest in him.

"I was not upset at what Gabriel said," Marcelino said, per Dermot Corrigan at ESPN FC. "On a sporting level I would prefer him to stay, but you must look at what [Gabriel] thinks and what is the possible offer, which might be impossible for [Villarreal] to turn down."

The possible offer being Arsenal submitting a €20/£15.3 million bid, which is the valuation of Gabriel's buyout clause, per Miguel Angel Rodriguez and Victor Franch at Marca.

What about Gabriel encountering potential work permit issues since he is not a Brazilian international?

He would need to qualify under the exceptional talent clause, which was how Chelsea signed Willian, per Dominic Fifield at The Guardian.  

What defines an exceptional talent?

It is subjective and can go either way (being 24 years of age without an international cap is a worry).

But it is up to Arsenal to put forward a convincing case with points including: 

• Gabriel averages 3.5 interceptions per game, 0.5 more than Real Madrid centre-back Sergio Ramos.
• Gabriel leads the UEFA Europa League in total interceptions (32).
• In 1,607 minutes of La Liga play, Gabriel has only been dribbled past three times.

8. Lucas Silva

Cristiano Andujar/Getty Images

Cruzeiro's Brazilian defensive midfielder Lucas Silva, 21, could be joining Real Madrid for €15/£11.4 million, per Alvaro de la Rosa at AS.

You presume Real Madrid are projecting Lucas to be more Claude Makelele than Flavio Conceicao.

Lucas averaged 50.3 passes per game in the Brazilian Brasileirao this season.

7. James Milner

Scott Heavey/Getty Images

Valencia are intrigued at the idea of bringing Manchester City's English utility player James Milner, 29, to the Spanish La Liga, per John Cross at the Daily Mirror.

Milner can play across midfield, defend, attack and will value team over individual statistics.

With the exception of Javi Fuego, Valencia are stocked with emerging talents, so while Milner could transition to Spanish football, it seems doubtful Los Che would sign him.

6. Asier Illarramendi

Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images

Real Madrid's Spanish defensive midfielder Asier Illarramendi, 24, could be joining Athletic Bilbao for €25/£19 million, per Miguel Perez at Sport.

What a waste of a signing from Real Madrid, which does not bode well for Martin Odegaard.

Once the glitz and glamour is gone, even a team-first footballer like Illarramendi, one of the most promising Spanish midfielders of his generation, is not afforded a chance to get out of a rut. 

Why are Real Madrid giving up on him having signed him in 2013? 

Odegaard, you better live up to the hype. Illarramendi didn't and now he could be sold.

5. Kevin De Bruyne

Michael Sohn/Associated Press

Wolfsburg's Belgian centre/left-attacking midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, 23, will not leave, according to his agent Patrick De Koster.

"After a difficult time at Chelsea he just wanted to be playing regularly," De Koster said, per Ed Aarons at The Guardian. "Now that is happening and Kevin is totally focused on helping Wolfsburg to qualify for the Champions League."

De Bruyne is one of the best incisive passers in the German Bundesliga, registering 10 assists already.

4. Andre Schurrle

Julian Finney/Getty Images

Chelsea's German right attacking midfielder Andre Schurrle, 24, is poised to join Wolfsburg, per Anthony Chapman at the Daily Express.

Schurrle would be an upgrade over Vieirinha, who has only scored once in the German Bundesliga this season.

A hypothetical triumvirate of Schurrle, Kevin De Bruyne and Ivan Perisic would have pace, creativity and flair. 

3. Juan Cuadrado

Luca Bruno/Associated Press

Chelsea need to pay €35/£26.8 million in order to secure the signature of Fiorentina's Colombian utility player Juan Cuadrado, 26, per Sky Sports.

Cuadrado is an all-round footballer, who possesses explosive speed, is prepared to throw his body around and is a dual threat (scores and creates).

If Chelsea sign Cuadrado, it could signal the end of Willian, who is a hard worker but lacks the end product (one goal in 1,352 minutes of Premier League action this season).

2. Paul Pogba

Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images

Chelsea are prepared to spend €52.8/£40 million in order to sign Juventus' French central midfielder Paul Pogba, 21, per Tony Banks at the Daily Express.

Pogba is already a complete midfielder, which is astonishing, because you are inclined to believe he will continue to develop.

Yes, he has an all-round game, but it is getting to the point where you wonder if he could transition into a deep-lying forward. 

The way he shoots is amazing, and he could be a 30-goals-per-season scorer if he continues to work on his finishing.

1. Edinson Cavani

Francois Mori/Associated Press

Paris Saint-Germain's Uruguayan centre/left-forward Edinson Cavani, 27, is a transfer target for Arsenal and Manchester United, per talkSPORT.

Cavani has scored eight goals in 19 French Ligue 1 games, which isn't impressive if he is to get another big-money deal.

He would be another Radamel Falcao at Manchester United.

Whereas, Arsenal are more likely to sign a young gun, say hypothetically speaking Basel's 17-year-old Breel Embolo, than Cavani.

+allanjiang.

When not specified, statistics via WhoScored.com.