Ranking the Week's 25 Hottest Transfer Rumours: Dani Alves Leaving Barcelona
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. Freddy Adu (Free Agent)
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Free agent United States forward Freddy Adu, 25, is in talks with Swedish clubs, according to his representative, Denis Celebic.
"I am speaking to a couple of clubs," Celebic said, per Greg Seltzer at MLSsoccer.com. "I would rather not disclose, out of respect to the teams."
Seltzer speculates that GIF Sundsvall and Helsingborgs are among the teams considering giving Adu his umpteenth chance to make it in Europe.
Last October, Celebic said that he wanted to arrange preliminary talks between Allsvenskan teams and Adu.
24. Abou Diaby (Arsenal)
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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will finally let go of French central midfielder Abou Diaby, 28, who is seemingly chronically injured, per Mark Irwin at The Sun.
For Diaby to have survived this long in professional football is an anomaly.
For whatever reason, presumably moralistic, Wenger has allowed Diaby to earn an easy living.
23. Rostyn Griffiths (Perth Glory)
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Perth Glory defensive midfielder Rostyn Griffiths, 26, has not made a definitive decision on his future.
"I've had a few offers in Asia and places like that. I'm just sort of really weighing up what I want to do," Griffiths said, per Dale Miller at The West Australian. "It'd have to be really right [to go] in the sense that it's not just about money, it's really about a footballing decision."
Formerly of Blackburn Rovers, Griffiths is a class above in the A-League and has been crucial to Perth Glory becoming title contenders.
Griffiths, a commanding midfielder, has the qualities to play in a second-tier European league—such as the Belgian Pro League, Danish Superliga or Eredivisie—but his salary probably wouldn't be anywhere near to what he could earn if he went to the Middle East.
22. Osama Malik (Adelaide United)
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Adelaide United chief executive officer Michael Petrillo is unsure if Australian centre-back Osama Malik, 24, will re-sign with the club.
"We have made an offer to Osama, and he's considering it," Petrillo said, per Val Migliaccio at The Advertiser. "The ball is with him. He needs to give us an answer."
According to Migliaccio, it is believed Malik is also entertaining offers from Belgian and Swiss clubs.
Malik, who has had some injury issues, is a ball-playing defender with the versatility to operate as a midfielder.
21. Terry Antonis (Sydney FC)
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Sydney FC central midfielder Terry Antonis, 21, is not getting distracted by talk of a potential exit at the end of the season.
"There was of course the interest from Italy in the past and if anything cropped up again then you'd have to look at it, but it's not something I am giving any real thought to right now," Antonis said, per David Lewis at SBS. "I'm not looking too far ahead but of course every player wants to test themselves at the highest level they can reach and I am no different."
Antonis is a crafty midfielder who is coachable, can play in multiple formations and technically excellent.
Sure, he hasn't become Australia's Lionel Messi, but Antonis possesses a reliable playing style, which will help him have an impact in Europe a la Mark Bresciano's run in Italy from 1999 to 2011.
20. Cristian Rodriguez (Atletico Madrid)
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Atletico Madrid's Parma loanee Cristian Rodriguez, 29, is already looking ahead to a potential move to the Brasileiro or Major League Soccer.
The Uruguayan left-winger is not needed at Atletico Madrid and Parma could be dissolved.
"What is happening here [at Parma] is a shame [since] the employees haven't been paid in seven months. Some players abandoned the team because of the situation," Rodriguez said, per El Larguero (h/t David Amoyal at GianlucaDiMarzio.com). "I could find a team in the United States or Brazil for the next three or four months."
Rodriguez has not scored a goal or registered an assist in 455 minutes of combined play for Atletico Madrid and Parma this season.
19. Rafael van der Vaart
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Sporting Kansas City chief executive officer Robb Heineman has revealed that the club is in talks to sign Hamburg midfielder Rafael van der Vaart, 32, who could be the latest marquee name to play in Major League Soccer.
"I think [Van der Vaart] has a strong interest [in us]," Heineman said, per Sam McDowell at the Kansas City Star. "But I think there are a number of factors involved. ... It's going to take a little bit of time."
Van der Vaart has generally operated in a deep-lying midfield role for Hamburg this season, but expect him to play a more advanced role if he signs for Sporting Kansas City.
18. Lamine Sane (Bordeaux)
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Bordeaux centre-back/defensive midfielder Lamine Sane, 27, has highlighted Liverpool as his ideal club.
"It is true that I have always been drawn to England," Sane said, per beIN SPORTS (h/t Hannah Duncan at Metro). "I have always said Liverpool, since my first ever interview, is a club that I really like."
Fortunately for Sane, Liverpool scout Bordeaux games to follow the progress of loanee Tiago Ilori.
Sane is a passing outlet from the back, but what he lacks is upside.
If he were five years younger, he would probably be a legitimate target for Liverpool.
While Ilori has struggled at Bordeaux, it makes more sense for Liverpool to give the 22-year-old a chance than sign Sane.
17. Radamel Falcao (Monaco)
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Monaco centre-forward Radamel Falcao, 29, is still in limbo because Manchester United are opting to wait until May before deciding his long-term future, per Jamie Jackson at The Guardian.
Having scored four goals from 17 Premier League games this season, Falcao is a bust, and Manchester United are fortunate they did not sign him permanently.
If that was the case, he would be to Manchester United what Fernando Torres was to Chelsea.
16. Dani Alves (Barcelona)
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Barcelona right-back Dani Alves, 31, is keen to renew his expiring contract, but is close to signing for another club, according to his agent, Dinorah Santana.
"Dani is still available [for Barcelona], but he won't be able to wait much longer," Santana said, per Rac1 (h/t AS). "We're close to reaching an agreement to sign for another club. Negotiations are at an advanced stage."
Alves leaving Barcelona would finally give Martin Montoya an extended starting run and allow him the opportunity to make a name for himself.
The Brazilian has been throwing himself into tackles, his positioning can be suspect, and he is no longer a creative outlet (two assists from 19 La Liga games this season).
Barcelona probably view Alves being past by his sell-by date.
15. John Terry (Chelsea)
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Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has guaranteed that English centre-back John Terry, 34, will not leave the club in the summer transfer window.
"What I can guarantee is [Terry] will be a Chelsea player next season," Mourinho said, per Sky Sports. "No doubts he's going to get his contract."
Yes, it is ideal to give a younger and more athletic centre-back than Terry a chance, but experience and leadership matter.
Terry is vital to Chelsea's defence and deserves another season.
14. Alberto Bueno (Rayo Vallecano)
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Southampton manager Ronald Koeman is looking into signing Rayo Vallecano deep-lying forward Alberto Bueno, 26, per the Daily Mirror.
Bueno is capable of producing match-winning moments, and he occasionally reminds you that he was on the books of Real Madrid.
But he is a streaky player, he is neither a No. 9 or No. 10, and his shooting accuracy is subpar (41.5 percent).
13. Petr Cech (Chelsea)
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Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech, 32, won't leave the club unless a huge transfer fee is tabled, according to manager Jose Mourinho.
"I will just wait. I would like [Cech] very much to stay. I don't waste my time trying to persuade him, because I know nobody can persuade him," Mourinho said, per Sky Sports. "If he tells me he wants to leave, I will tell him my opinion [that he] is one of the three best goalkeepers in the world [so he will cost] huge money."
Cech has lost his regular starting position to Thibaut Courtois, who is just as good as the Czech.
The key difference is Courtois has a higher upside.
12. James Milner (Manchester City)
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Manchester City utility player James Milner, 29, is open to a move to Roma, per La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Football Italia).
Milner is versatile, and he has the intelligence and work ethic to succeed in Serie A.
He would essentially be an insurance signing to fill the gaping hole left by Kevin Strootman, who is plagued by injuries.
11. Leander Dendoncker (Anderlecht) and 10. Youri Tielemans (Anderlecht)
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Chelsea are scouting Anderlecht central-midfield pair Leander Dendoncker, 19, and Youri Tielemans, 17, per Simon Jones at the Daily Mail.
There are still question marks over Dendoncker, who is adjusting to European football, but Tielemans is a pearl.
He is an outrageously advanced passer for a 17-year-old, he has excellent positioning and high football IQ.
Presuming he does not have attitude issues like Romelu Lukaku, Tielemans should ascend to world-class status in several years' time.
9. Jose Mauri (Parma)
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Parma central midfielder Jose Mauri, 18, does not want to cause further dissent by speculating on his future while his club are on the brink of collapse.
"I thought I'd stay at Parma for many years, but now I see what's going on. It's bad that Parma has gotten into such a bad situation," Mauri said, per Goal.com (h/t Football Italia). "For the moment, I'm grateful to Parma, and not thinking about other clubs."
For a teenager to be one of Parma's best players and to still play games as if it is a final bodes well for Mauri's future.
There is a bit of Javier Mascherano in Mauri.
Most of Europe's major clubs should wait until Parma implode, which would presumably lead to the release of all their players, and then attempt to sign Mauri on a free transfer.
8. John Guidetti (Manchester City)
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Manchester City centre-forward loanee John Guidetti, 22, wants to return to Feyenoord, per Ronnie Cully at The Evening Times.
Guidetti scored 20 goals in 23 Eredivisie games for Feyenoord during the 2011-12 season, and he was one of the best young No. 9s in the world at the time.
Returning to Feyenoord could reignite Guidetti's career.
7. Danilo (Porto)
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Porto right-back Danilo, 23, is trying to force a move to Real Madrid, per Jose Felix Diaz and Hugo Cerezo at Marca.
Danilo is an attack-minded right-back who is heavily involved in Porto's build-up play, averaging 66.8 passes per game in the UEFA Champions League this season.
Signing Danilo would essentially mean Real Madrid ending their association with Alvaro Arbeloa.
A Daniel Carvajal-Danilo right-back pairing would further bolster Real Madrid's squad depth.
6. Matija Nastasic (Manchester City)
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thatSchalke general manager Horst Heldt has confirmed that the club are likely to turn the loan of Manchester City centre-back Matija Nastasic, 21, into a permanent deal.
"We have an option to buy [Nastasic], but this option is conditioned on several situations which must arise," Heldt said, per David Lynch at the Manchester Evening News. [The clauses] comes into force after a certain amount of minutes he's played."
It is going to be a frustrating realisation for Manchester City if Nastasic ends up becoming a better footballer than Eliaquim Mangala in the long run.
5. Samuel Umtiti (Lyon)
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Lyon centre-back Samuel Umtiti, 21, is an Arsenal transfer target, per Khaled Karouri at Foot Mercato (h/t Will Giles at Metro).
Unless Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger wants to sell Per Mertesacker and only play Calum Chambers as a midfielder (which seems unlikely, given he is handy as a utility player), signing Umtiti would be a luxury purchase—especially after buying Gabriel Paulista in January.
You presume Umtiti's teammates Corentin Tolisso—a solid midfielder who can interchange to left-back—and Alexandre Lacazette—one of the best No. 9s in Europe with 21 goals in 24 Ligue 1 games this season—would be more obvious Lyon targets for Wenger.
4. Felipe Anderson (Lazio)
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Lazio forward Felipe Anderson, 21, is being tracked by several clubs, according to his agent, Stefano Castagna.
"Felipe has to remain concentrated on doing well for Lazio," Castagna said, per Nino Caracciolo at GianlucaDiMarzio.com. "It's normal that many teams like Atletico Madrid like him and that he is being looked at by many, but nothing concrete has arrived."
Anderson has been scintillating in getting past opposing defenders at times.
He is a big talent, who has scored six goals and registered six assists in 19 Serie A games this season.
3. William Carvalho (Sporting Lisbon) and 2. Miralem Pjanic (Roma)
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Having failed to sign Roma central midfielder Miralem Pjanic, 24, Liverpool will now focus their attentions on Sporting Lisbon central midfielder William Carvalho, 22, per Adrian Kajumba at the Daily Mirror.
Pjanic would be the midfield orchestrator, whereas William would break up play and be an enforcer in midfield.
The issue is Liverpool already have a player that can do both jobs at potentially a world-class level: Emre Can.
1. Luciano Vietto (Villarreal)
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Villarreal centre-forward Luciano Vietto, 21, is a hot commodity, according to his agent, Jorge Cyterszpiler.
"[Vietto] could sign for Liverpool because I know they really like him, along with Real Madrid and two Bundesliga clubs," Cyterszpiler said, per AS (h/t Sam Marsden at Sport). "I think he could leave Villarreal at the end of the season."
If Villarreal sell Vietto, then there is no way they can allow Gerard Moreno to leave. While not as talented as Vietto, who flashes Sergio Aguero-like moments, Moreno has impressed in limited minutes.
Vietto being offloaded could be the turning point in Moreno's career because he would then be a regular starter at Villarreal.
When not specified, statistics via WhoScored.com.
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