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 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 various standards:

• Current playing ability.
• Upside.
• Projected transfer value.
• Projected transfer resell value.
• Social media buzz.

25. Jack Duncan

Will Russell/Getty Images

Perth Glory goalkeeper Jack Duncan, 21, is expected to sign with Randers FC after a successful trial at the Danish Superliga club, per Dale Miller at The West Australian. 

Duncan has failed to displace Perth Glory No. 1 Danny Vukovic, who is one of the best goalkeepers in the A-League.

Vukovic pointed out Duncan's upside as a big plus for Randers.

"[Duncan is] the current under-23 goalkeeper for Australia, a great prospect," Vukovic said, per Miller. "From all reports, he had a great time in Denmark and looks likely to leave at the end of this season. Hopefully it all works out for him."

Aside from being Vukovic's deputy, Duncan was a reserve goalkeeper for Australia at the 2013 FIFA U20 World Cup, backing up Paul Izzo.

It appears Duncan's thought process behind his proposed transfer to Randers is: "I have nothing to lose and everything to gain."

If Duncan leaves for Denmark, Jordan Thurtell—an 18-year-old Australia youth international—is likely to become Perth Glory's full-time backup to Vukovic.

24. Kwabena Appiah

Masashi Hara/Getty Images

New Zealand-born Australian free agent right-winger Kwabena Appiah, 22, is in talks to sign with the Wellington Phoenix, per Sam Worthington at The Dominion Post.

Appiah, a former Western Sydney Wanderers player, has previously won the A-League and an Asian Champions League title.

"I don't know what has gone wrong, to be honest. Maybe some of it is my own fault," Appiah said, per Ray Gatt at The Australian. "[Tony Popovic] hasn't really said anything to me, so I just try to make the best of things."

Despite being able to get past opposing defenders, Appiah lacks a regular end product.

Appiah's modus operandi is receive the ball, run as fast as possible and figure out what to do later.

If he adds more guile to his game, he has the ability to follow the lead of Ben Halloran and play in Europe.

Western Sydney Wanderers and Appiah mutually agreed a contract termination on January 31.

It is alleged that Appiah was one of four players the Western Sydney Wanderers ostracised from the main squad, per Dominic Bossi at The Sydney Morning Herald.

Appiah's Kofi Danning-like fall from grace is sad, given how talented the 22-year-old is.

23. Luis Antonio Jimenez

Enrico Locci/Associated Press

Al-Ahli Dubai have told Chilean-Palestinian [1] attacking midfielder Luis Antonio Jimenez, 30, that he needs to find a new club, per Matt Monaghan at Sport 360.

Having played for Fiorentina, Lazio and Inter Milan, Jimenez had the talent to become an elite footballer but never made that next step up. 

It appeared he had found a home in the Arabian Gulf League, but Al-Ahli abruptly ending his stint reminds you how precarious employment in professional football can be.

---

 [1] Al-Ahli Dubai registered Jimenez as a Palestinian to enable him to fill an "Asian" player slot for the Asian Champions League, per Ahmed Rizvi at The National.

22. Gilberto Oliveira

Toronto FC signing Jozy Altidore and Sebastian Giovinco has all but ended the tenure of Brazilian centre-forward Gilberto Oliveira, 25, at the Major League Soccer franchise.

However, Gilberto's future remains unclear, according to Toronto FC manager Greg Vanney.

"I know there [are] several clubs, including clubs in the league, who have inquired about [Gilberto]. I don't know exactly where things stand," Vanney said, per Armen Bedakian at MLSsoccer.com.

"We also have to see where the [Collective Bargaining Agreement] stuff lands [1], but in all likelihood, we'll find a place for him. I'm just not sure exactly where that will be."

Gilberto scored seven goals and registered five assists in 28 MLS games last season.

---

[1] Geoff Cameron, who played in MLS for five seasons, explained to Joe Prince-Wright at NBCSports.com why players feel strongly about negotiating a better deal (free agency, higher salaries, increase in minimum wage, et al.).

Seattle Sounders players' union representative Brad Evans believes a "strike is imminent," per the Associated Press (h/t USA Today).

21. Kevin Doyle

Clive Rose/Getty Images

Wolverhampton Wanderers centre-forward Kevin Doyle, 31, was seen with Colorado Rapids brass at a "downtown Denver seafood restaurant," per Daniel Boniface at The Denver Post.

Doyle travelling from England to the United States suggests he is in talks to sign with the Colorado Rapids to play in Major League Soccer.

Doyle spent the first half of this season on loan at Crystal Palace, playing 34 minutes over three Premier League games.

20. Lassana Diarra

Andres Kudacki/Associated Press

Free-agent French defensive midfielder Lassana Diarra, 29, is set to sign a contract with West Ham United, according to Hammers manager Sam Allardyce.

"I certainly hope that [Diarra] would be close [to playing] after training for seven to 10 days with the lads if he finally signs the contract," Allardyce said, per Mike Collett at Reuters. "As soon as we get him fit he will be a very good addition to our squad."

Allardyce has since revealed FIFA regulations have blocked Diarra from signing immediately, but he could still be available at the end of the season, per BBC Sport.

Diarra went from being one of the biggest midfield prospects in the world—playing for Chelsea, Arsenal and Real Madrid in the span of four years—to being a discard.

The problem with Diarra is his injury issues, his tendency to rush into risky tackles and attitude.

Excluding Real Madrid, Diarra is generally done within two seasons, so loyalty is not a word you associate with him.

West Ham United would be signing Diarra based on his CV, since he has not played a competitive league game since May 15, 2014.

19. Hatem Ben Arfa

Gareth Copley/Getty Images

Free-agent French attacking midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa, 27, is an option for New York City FC, per L'Equipe (h/t MLSsoccer.com).

While not exactly the "North Pole," New York would be a lovely destination for Ben Arfa, especially after he sabotaged his own career with his wayward attitude and lack of commitment.

He was going down a slippery slope, compounded by FIFA blocking his move to Nice, which forced him to consider retirement, per RMC (h/t Craig Hope at the Daily Mail).

While Ben Arfa's top-flight European career is effectively over, he is still an immensely gifted footballer.

He can be to Major League Soccer what Stephon Marbury is to the Chinese Basketball Association.

18. Lasse Vibe

Goteborg centre-forward/right-winger Lasse Vibe, 27, is seen by Swansea City as a viable replacement for Wilfried Bony, per Matthew Southcombe at Wales Online.

Swansea City sold Bony to Manchester City for €37.7/£28 million, so the Premier League club have the resources to sign a top-notch No. 9. 

Vibe is in career-best form, having scored 24 goals in the Allsvenskan last season.

One suggested alternative to Vibe is Heerenveen's Mark Uth, who has a higher upside than Vibe and is playing in a stronger competition.

17. Cristian Ledesma

Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images

Lazio central midfielder Cristian Ledesma, 32, is being targeted by Major League Soccer franchises Montreal Impact and New York Red Bulls, per Luca Pessina at La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t MLSsoccer.com).

Ledesma has played his entire professional career in Italy, featuring for Lecce (2001-06) and Lazio.

When Ledesma has played, he is a passing outlet and regularly makes interceptions.

The rise of Danilo Cataldi (when he is not scoring own goals, he is class on the ball) could factor into Ledesma's exit from Lazio.

16. Luiz Adriano

Sergei Grits/Associated Press

Roma still want to sign Shakhtar Donetsk centre-forward Luiz Adriano, 27, per David Amoyal at GianlucaDiMarzio.com. 

Seydou Doumbia will be Roma's starting No. 9, so it would be better for Adriano to consider alternative options if he wants to leave Shakhtar Donetsk.

Yes, Adriano has scored nine goals in five UEFA Champions League games this season, but eight of those goals came against BATE Borisov.

15. Papiss Cisse

Stu Forster/Getty Images

Newcastle United centre-forward Papiss Cisse, 29, is being targeted by Al-Ahli Dubai, per Matt Monaghan at Sport 360. 

Cisse is a streaky No. 9 who has scored five goals each as a substitute and a starter. 

There are periods when Cisse revives his 2011-12 form, but in hindsight, it seems he was just in a purple patch, as opposed to the goals foreshadowing his imminent ascension to world-class status.

14. Thorgan Hazard

Frank Augstein/Associated Press

Chelsea are willing to sell loanee Thorgan Hazard, 21, to Borussia Monchengladbach, according to sporting director Max Eberl.

"We are still in discussion with Chelsea," Eberl said, per the club's website. "The fact of the matter is that Thorgan would like to stay here, Chelsea can see a transfer happening and we want to sign him.

Hazard, a Belgian winger, has been rotated in and out of the Borussia Monchengladbach starting XI this season.

Borussia Monchengladbach would be signing him because of his high upside. 

13. Keylor Navas

Andres Kudacki/Associated Press

Real Madrid's Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas, 28, has no intentions of giving up on his dream to make it at Los Blancos, according to his father, Freddy Navas.

"In the press, some people are claiming that [Navas] is not good enough, but he is very strong [mentally]," Freddy said, per La Nacion (h/t Marca). "Keylor told me he is not leaving Real Madrid. He is a fighter." 

Football is a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately business. If Navas, a world-class goalkeeper, is not good enough for Real Madrid, what about Iker Casillas?

It is time to drop Casillas (again) and give Navas an extended starting run to see if he can replicate his Levante performances in a more pressurised environment. 

12. Radamel Falcao

Michael Regan/Getty Images

Monaco's Manchester United loanee Radamel Falcao, 29, has options if the Red Devils don't want him, according to his agent, Jorge Mendes, who wishes Sir Alex Ferguson was coaching the Colombia centre-forward instead of Louis van Gaal.

"I miss Ferguson at Manchester United. With him and this squad the situation would be different [for Falcao]," Mendes said, per ESPN Deportes (h/t AS). "If Falcao does not stay in Manchester, he will be at one of the other five or six best teams in the world."

Falcao has been to Manchester United what Fernando Torres was to Chelsea.

Fortunately for Manchester United, they can cut ties with Falcao, whereas Chelsea persisted with Torres for 110 Premier League games.

Scoring four goals from 938 minutes of Premier League play was not what Manchester United expected from Falcao, who is being paid around €356,648/£265,000 per week on top of the €8.1/£6 million loan fee to Monaco. 

11. Saido Berahino

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

West Bromwich Albion centre-forward Saido Berahino, 21, needs to be more cognisant of his actions, according to manager Tony Pulis.

"There have been certain occasions when [Berahino] has stepped out of line," Pulis said, per Sky Sports. "But because he is such a talent the club have looked after him. God's given him a gift and he's got to concentrate on that and nothing else."

Pulis' comments reinforce the perception of Berahino being a disruptive presence in the dressing room due to his self-centred attitude, which may have an impact on his transfer stock.

To West Brom, Berahino is worth the trouble; if he keeps scoring, the Baggies will stay in the Premier League. 

10. Paulo Dybala

Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images

Palermo centre-forward Paulo Dybala, 21, has revealed the two clubs he would ideally like to join.

"When I play [FIFA 15], I always choose Barcelona or Manchester City," Dybala said, per Guerin Sportivo (h/t Simon Jones at the Daily Mail). "I dream to play one day with one of those clubs."

Dybala flopped in his first two seasons, and when he finally lives up to his hype, he wants out.

Understandably, Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini is fuming.

"I had treated [Dybala] like a son. I will not speak to Dybala again," Zamparini said, per Tuttosport (h/t Sky Sports). "This is the fault of those that surround him. They have made him lose all sense of reality."

Talent-wise, Dybala is extraordinary, but prior to this season, he was on course to being a failure.

If he can sustain the scoring and assisting streaks he has been on this season, he will become one of the best footballers in the world. 

9. Casemiro and 8. Denis Cheryshev

Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images

Real Madrid are leaning toward bringing loanees Casemiro (Porto) and Denis Cheryshev (Villarreal) back into the first team next season, per Carlos Forjanes at AS.

Brazilian central midfielder Casemiro, 22, has been an indomitable presence and is becoming a goal threat for Porto.

Russia winger Cheryshev, 24, is statistically excellent: four goals and nine assists from 20 La Liga games this season.

Yet, when you watch Cheryshev, you see a player who is sometimes out of control.

It is almost as if he needs to take several shots before he starts completing incisive passes to his team-mates. He seems to always play on the edge: attacking and defending. 

He is a ferocious tackler, and he risks getting red carded because he is so passionate and can momentarily switch into a Sergio Ramos-like mode.

If Cheryshev can iron out the glaring flaws in his game, he has the potential to be a world-class footballer. 

7. Stevan Jovetic

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Manchester City forward Stevan Jovetic, 25, is being monitored by Atletico Madrid, per Juan Casanez at AS.

Jovetic has started 60 percent of the Premier League games he has been involved in this season, scoring five times and creating two goals.

He has been decent for Manchester City—just not world class.

From Atletico Madrid's perspective, Jovetic is a step below Antoine Griezmann, who has the potential to be a 25-30 goals-per-season scorer for the Colchoneros.

6. Alvaro Morata

Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

Real Madrid are open to re-signing Juventus centre-forward Alvaro Morata, 22, for €30/£22.3 million, per Javier Silles at AS.

• Real Madrid have two buyback clauses: one for €30/£22.3 million during the 2015 summer transfer window and another for €35/£26 million in the 2016 summer transfer window.
• Real Madrid reserve the right of refusal should clubs lodge an offer to Juventus for Morata.

Talk about ironclad contract stipulations and excellent negotiations from Real Madrid. 

When Karim Benzema starts showing signs of decline (he has been solid, considering he is a third option) then re-signing Morata will become a possibility.

5. Raheem Sterling

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Liverpool forward Raheem Sterling, 20, has been offered an exceptional new deal by the club, according to the Reds manager Brendan Rodgers.

"In terms of Raheem, I'm just saying what I think the club are offering—it's an incredible deal for a young player," Rodgers said, per Andy Kelly at the Liverpool Echo. "What he has had here is an opportunity to play."

The key phrase is "for a young player," which suggests Liverpool still want to see more from him before they make a monumental financial commitment. 

Presumably, Sterling's handlers are seeking more money, hence the current impasse.

4. Harry Kane

Paul Gilham/Getty Images

Real Madrid are following the progress of Tottenham Hotspur centre-forward Harry Kane, 21, per Tom Collomosse at the London Evening Standard.

Kane's technical excellence and complete playing style would see him thrive in La Liga.

However, Karim Benzema is a valued contributor to Real Madrid.

Yes, Benzema is no Hugo Sanchez. However, what makes Benzema special is he is willing to be the third and sometimes fourth option.

It would be better for Kane's development if he stayed at Tottenham.

3. David de Gea

Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea, 24, is in the process of committing his long-term future to the Red Devils, according to his agent, Jorge Mendes.

"It is not true that De Gea has found a deal with Real Madrid," Mendes said, per Cadena Ser (h/t ESPN FC). "I am negotiating with Manchester United about De Gea's renewal."

Early in De Gea's Manchester United career, his trajectory was trending in the direction of Tim Howard rather than Peter Schmeichel.

Howard, whose mistake was a pivotal turning point in Jose Mourinho's career, was later let go by Manchester United.

Amid De Gea's errors, his positional mistakes and inconsistency, Manchester United persisted with him.

Now, it is time for De Gea to show his loyalty by signing a long-term contract with the club. 

2. Marco Reus

Attacking midfielder Marco Reus, 25, has extended his Borussia Dortmund contract until 2019.

"Dortmund is my home town and Borussia Dortmund is my club," Reus said, per the club's website. "I am looking forward to a successful future with our team and our fantastic fans behind us."

If Reus can maintain his form and not get injured, he will salvage Borussia Dortmund's season and help them avoid relegation.

Borussia Dortmund chief executive officer Hans-Joachim Watzke rebuked the media for constantly speculating that Reus would leave the club.

"We refused to believe all the transfer rumours," Watzke told the club's website. "The fact that Marco made this decision in the midst of a sporting crisis at Borussia Dortmund shows how much he identifies with the club and that makes us very proud."

To Reus, loyalty is important.

1. Eden Hazard

Scott Heavey/Getty Images

Chelsea attacking midfielder Eden Hazard, 24, will sign a contract extension with the club, according to Blues manager Jose Mourinho.

"I am buying a nice pen [to sign Hazard's contract]. I need a bit of time to go to Sloane Street and buy a proper pen," Mourinho said, per the club's website. "I just need time to buy the pen and after that I think there is not a long time to go."

Hazard is vital as Mourinho attempts to build a dynasty at Chelsea and become the Blues' answer to Sir Alex Ferguson.

From a skill level, Hazard is equal to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

Production-wise, there is a colossal gap.

Once Hazard becomes more efficient in front of goal, he will seriously contend for the FIFA Ballon d'Or.

+allanjiang.

When not specified, statistics via WhoScored.com.