Ranking the Week's 25 Hottest Transfer Rumours: Angel Di Maria Bust Up
Instead of scouring the Internet for the latest football transfer gossip involving Kevin De Bruyne, Angel Di Maria, Paul Pogba et al., Bleacher Report makes your life easier by providing you with a weekly power ranking of the 25 hottest transfer rumours/deals 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. Rostyn Griffiths (Perth Glory)
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Perth Glory defensive midfielder Rostyn Griffiths, 27, wants to give European football another shot.
"My biggest regret was leaving England [as a 20-year-old]," Griffiths said, per David Davutovic at the Herald Sun (h/t Perth Now). "I'm pushing pretty hard for Europe. ... I'll take a chance as a free agent and see what's out there."
Money won't be a major factor in Griffiths' decision-making after a lucrative stint with Guangzhou R&F.
"Before the opportunity arose I said I wouldn't go [to China] at that age, but when the contract was put in front of me, it was hard to turn down," Griffiths said, per Davutovic (h/t Perth Now). "One advantage is that after being in China is that I don't need the money as much."
Griffiths, a physically imposing player with good technique, has the quality to make it in one of Europe's second-tier leagues.
He should consider signing for a club in the 2. Bundesliga, Allsvenskan, Austrian Bundesliga or the Swiss Super League.
24. Fahid Ben Khalfallah (Melbourne Victory)
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Melbourne Victory's Tunisian left-forward Fahid Ben Khalfallah, 32, is being targeted by Melbourne City and the Western Sydney Wanderers, per Ray Gatt at The Australian.
Khalfallah is currently earning around $250,000 annually and is seeking to double that to $500,000, according to Gatt.
Once valued at €4.50/£3.68 million by Transfermarkt when he was at Bordeaux in 2010, Ben Khalfallah has been a quality footballer in the A-League.
Scoring five goals and registering seven assists, Ben Khalfallah is putting on a show in the A-League like Dimitri Payet in Ligue 1 this season.
Yes, it is in the past, but when he was playing for Valenciennes during the 2009-10, Ben Khalfallah was the joint-top provider in Ligue 1 (12 assists).
Khalfallah is the type of import the A-League must keep and continue to recruit.
He increases the standard of play in the A-League and helps promote football, a growing sport in Australia.
23. Mustafa Amini (Borussia Dortmund)
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Borussia Dortmund central midfielder Mustafa Amini, 21, has revealed he is set for a summer transfer.
"I was lucky enough to get a contract at Borussia Dortmund for three years and when you train with players like Marco Reus and Ilkay Gundogan, you learn a lot," Amini said, per David Lewis at SBS. "My next move has to be about playing first-team football in Europe at a club where I can stamp my mark."
You surmise Amini came to this despondent conclusion on his Borussia Dortmund future after he failed to receive an extended starting run this season.
Amini has been languishing in the Borussia Dortmund II team.
According to Kicker, the Australian is the 168th best player in the 3. Liga.
Blessed with high football IQ, excellent technique and expansive passing range, Amini could thrive if he played in the Belgian Pro League or the Eredivisie.
22. Erik Palmer-Brown (Sporting Kansas) & 21. Rafael van Der Vaart (Hamburg)
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Sporting Kansas City centre-back Erik Palmer-Brown's, 17, transfer to Juventus is up in the air, according to Sporting manager Peter Vermes.
"We're still waiting on [Juventus] to make a decision on [Palmer-Brown regarding] the last offer we've provided," Vermes said, per Sam McDowell at the Kansas City Star. "It's just at a bit of a standstill at the moment."
Palmer-Brown started two Major League Soccer games for Sporting Kansas City last season.
Meanwhile, Sporting Kansas City are still interested in Hamburg attacking midfielder Rafael van der Vaart, 32, should he choose to call time on his European career.
"[Van der Vaart is] definitely someone who is on our radar, for sure," Vermes said, per Sam McDowell at the Kansas City Star. "But I would say there's nothing happening at the moment."
Van der Vaart is ranked joint 204th out of 209 in Kicker's current Bundesliga player rankings, so perhaps a fresh start can reignite his passion for the game.
At times, he seems to be going through the motions, which is understandable, given that Hamburg are currently third-worst team in the Bundesliga.
20. Jak Alnwick (Newcastle United)
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Newcastle United goalkeeper Jak Alnwick, 21, on loan at Bradford City, wants to leave England and play in the Eredivisie.
"I've spoken with Siem de Jong and Tim Krul about a possible transfer [to the Netherlands]," Alnwick said, per Floris Koekenbier at Goal. "I don't know which clubs are interested, but my agent is sorting things out so I can focus on Bradford City."
Alnwick accumulated 10 saves in six Premier League games this season.
Transferring to the Eredivisie increases the likelihood of Alnwick playing top-flight football.
There are five goalkeepers 23 years old or younger who have played 10 games or more this season in the Eredivisie.
- Kostas Lamprou, 23, Willem II, on loan from Feyenoord: 27 games, 74 saves, 1.70 saves per game.
- Filip Kurto, 23, Dordrecht: 26 games, 112 saves, 4.30 saves per game.
- Warner Hahn, 22, PEC Zwolle, on loan from Feyenoord: 24 games, 76 saves, 3.20 saves per game.
- Mickey van der Hart, 20, Go Ahead Eagles, on loan from Ajax: 18 games, 86 saves, 4.80 saves per game.
- Sonny Stevens, 22, Twente: 12 games, 40 saves, 3.30 saves per game.
Whereas there is only one goalkeeper in the Premier League who is 23 years or younger and played 10 games or more.
- Thibaut Courtois, 22, Chelsea: 25 games, 60 saves, 2.40 saves per game.
19. James Troisi (Juventus)
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Juventus' Australian forward James Troisi, 26, on loan at Zulte Waregem, will seek a summer transfer.
"There is a bit of interest around elsewhere in Europe now for next season but I am still a Juventus player," Troisi said, per David Lewis at SBS. "For me, it's about playing regularly, wherever I go. That's what's most important for my career."
Troisi seems to be a holding player for Juventus because they signed him not for the first team but to make a profit on him, projecting his transfer stock would rise.
At the right club with an understanding manager, Troisi could be a productive footballer in one of Europe's top leagues.
He is determined, technically proficient and a big-match player.
This is evident with his winning goal in a 2-1 win over South Korea in the 2015 Asian Cup final and scoring in a 2-2 draw against reigning world champions Germany during a recent friendly.
18. Charlie Adam (Stoke City)
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Stoke City midfielder Charlie Adam, 29, has outright denied a proposed transfer to Real Sociedad.
"There is always going to be links because my agent [Kenny] is David Moyes' brother," Adam said, per talkSPORT's Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast. "I'm happy at Stoke and I've got another year on my contract."
Adam has been a bit-part player for Stoke this season, playing more games as a substitute (13) than as a starter (eight) in the Premier League.
17. Bruno Peres (Torino)
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Torino wing-back Bruno Peres, 25, is being monitored by Roma, per Marco Macca at GianlucaDiMarzio.com.
Roma scouting Bruno is not great news for Maicon or Vasilis Torosidis.
It could perhaps be music to the ears Alessandro Florenzi, who is so desperate to make it at Roma that he is willing to play as a makeshift right-back despite not looking like a defender.
Florenzi is too talented to be a utility player spending time plugging holes.
Bruno is averaging more dribbles (2.20) than tackles (1.80) in Serie A this season, so this is a problem if Roma are looking for a more defensive-minded right-back.
16. Sami Khedira (Real Madrid)
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Real Madrid central midfielder Sami Khedira, 27, has confirmed he will exercise his right to a free transfer in the summer.
"I will give everything for [the Real Madrid] shirt until the last day of my contract, there should be no doubt about that," Khedira said, per Juan Ignacio Garcia-Ochoa at Marca. "I love Real Madrid, [so] it will be hard to leave this club."
Winning the ball back, surging forward and leading counter-attacks, Khedira is one of the best midfielders in the world when fit.
However, his body has taken a beating lately, so there are red flags over his durability.
If a major club decides to take a punt on Khedira, they must protect themselves with injury clauses.
15. Alex Song (Barcelona)
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West Ham United are unsure whether to extend the loan of Cameroonian defensive midfielder Alex Song, 27, whose playing rights are owned by Barcelona, per Neil Ashton at the Daily Mail.
Song earns around €108,587/£80,000 a week, according to Ashton.
This presents a stumbling block for West Ham, whose scouting system will identify footballers who can either match Song—or are better—yet are substantially cheaper.
For example, one hypothetical alternative to Song for West Ham United is N'Golo Kante.
He has been one of the most improved midfielders in Europe for Caen this season.
Kante is four years younger than Song, a significantly more proficient ball-winner and better in attack than Song, whose only point of difference is a nominal advantage in distribution.
You assume Kante wouldn't demand €108,587/£80,000-a-week wages too.
14. Andres Guardado (Valencia)
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Mexican central midfielder Andres Guardado, 28, wants Valencia to sell him to PSV Eindhoven because he is enjoying playing in the Netherlands on loan.
"From the moment I arrived in Eindhoven, I notice that the people love me," Guardado said, per Voetbal International (h/t Michael Bell at Football Oranje). "I hope Valencia sells me to PSV Eindhoven. ... I want to live in Eindhoven, be a champion and become a better player."
Guardado is like a chameleon in that he is constantly changing his playing style to suit his team's tactics.
Once one of the most dangerous wingers in Europe, he took a step back to be a left-back and is now orchestrating PSV's play from midfield.
Guardado leads PSV in passes per game in the Eredivisie this season (49.40).
13. Robert Green (Queens Park Rangers)
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Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper Robert Green, 35, will be Chelsea's Petr Cech replacement should the Czech Republic shot-stopper leave in the summer transfer window, per Matt Hughes at The Times.
Green has accumulated 109 saves in 29 Premier League games at 3.80 saves per game this season.
He is an experienced veteran who could fill the hole in Chelsea's goalkeeping stock.
12. Marco Sportiello (Atalanta)
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Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Sportiello, 22, has shrugged off a rumoured summer transfer to Liverpool.
"Joining Liverpool? Forget about it," Sportiello said, per La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t David Amoyal at GianlucaDiMarzio.com). "I think it's already very significant that I'm a starter at Atalanta."
Sportiello has enjoyed a breakout campaign for Atalanta this season, leading Serie A in saves (102).
11. Lars Stindl (Hannover 96)
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Hannover 96 central midfielder Lars Stindl, 26, has agreed to join Borussia Monchengladbach in the summer transfer window, according to Gladbach sporting director Max Eberl.
"[Stindl] can play in several midfield positions and has shown as Hannover captain that he has the experience to assume responsibility," Eberl said, per Monchengladbach's official site. "We faced some tough competition to secure the signing of Lars Stindl and are delighted that he's chosen to move here."
Stindl is a threat going forward, but there are question marks over his defending.
He commits more fouls (2.5) than tackles (1.8), and his tackle-success percentage (56.82) needs to improve.
10. Mohamed Salah (Chelsea)
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Chelsea's Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah, 22, on loan at Fiorentina, is a viable summer transfer window target for Wolfsburg, per Tutto Mercato Web (h/t Anthony Chapman at the Daily Express).
Given that Salah has been a revelation at Fiorentina, you would presume he wants to stay at the Viola long term.
However, it may not be his decision, since Chelsea will likely sell him to the highest bidder.
Salah has proved that when he is playing with confidence, he can be one of the most dangerous players in Europe.
9. Morgan Schneiderlin (Southampton)
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Southampton central midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin, 25, will only stay at the Saints if they qualify for the UEFA Champions League.
"I don't want to be in front of the TV on Tuesday and Wednesday," Schneiderlin said, per L'Equipe (h/t Bruce Archer at the Daily Express). "[But] Southampton could qualify for the Champions League and I could also stay."
Schneiderlin has gone from a rough diamond to one of the top midfielders in Europe.
Averaging 3.90 tackles and 2.80 interceptions per 90 minutes in the Premier League this season, Schneiderlin would bolster the midfield of most major European clubs.
8. Petr Cech (Chelsea)
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Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech, 32, is unhappy and will be open to leaving the Blues in the summer transfer window.
"I don't want another [season] like this," Cech said, per Idnes (h/t Sky Sports). "When a specific offer comes I will consider it. There are offers one cannot turn down."
Cech has played five Premier League games this season as the backup to Thibaut Courtois.
Instead of taking advantage of Cech's professionalism, Chelsea should grant him his wish to seek greener pastures.
7. Romelu Lukaku (Everton)
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Everton centre-forward Romelu Lukaku, 21, should join Juventus, according to his agent, Mino Raiola.
"In order to win the UEFA Champions League," Raiola said, per Tuttosport (h/t Greg O'Keeffe at the Liverpool Echo). "Juventus should keep Paul Pogba, then sign Ricardo Kishna from Ajax, Romelu Lukaku from Everton and Jonathas from Elche."
You presume there would be several million euros in agent fees for Raiola if his suggestion came to fruition.
Lukaku possesses world-class potential. What he needs to do is improve his consistency, because he is better than the 0.27-goals-per-game striker he has been in the Premier League this season (eight goals from 30 games).
6. Raheem Sterling (Liverpool)
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Contract negotiations between Liverpool attacker Raheem Sterling, 20, and the club are at a standstill, according to Reds manager Brendan Rodgers.
"It has been made clear by Raheem's representative and the boy himself he just wants to concentrate on his football and see what can be resolved in the summer," Rodgers said, per Nick Rostron-Pike at talkSPORT. "I am sure it will be resolved."
Sterling has scored six goals and provided seven assists in 28 Premier League games this season.
Yes, his talent is massive, but he should look at the bigger picture and be grateful Liverpool have given him the platform.
5. Karim Bellarabi (Bayer Leverkusen)
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Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder Karim Bellarabi, 24, is being monitored by Arsenal, per Jamie Sanderson at Metro.
Bellarabi moving to Arsenal would only make sense if Theo Walcott is offloaded in the summer transfer window.
This season, Bellarabi has been one of the best footballers in the Bundesliga, scoring 11 times in 26 games.
4. Miralem Pjanic (Roma)
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Roma's Bosnia and Herzegovina central midfielder Miralem Pjanic, 24, is set for a summer transfer to Liverpool, per Corriere dello Sport (h/t Joe Ridge at the Daily Mail).
Pjanic is a world-class midfielder capable of exceptional moments.
He has completed 91.10 percent of his 71.80 passes per 90 minutes in Serie A this season.
3. Paul Pogba (Juventus)
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Manchester United are preparing a €82.9/£60 million summer transfer bid to sign Juventus central midfielder Paul Pogba, 22, per Jason Burt at The Telegraph.
It would be a monumental fee for Manchester United to pay for a footballer who is morphing away from being what they want: a complete central midfielder.
Does Pogba have an all-round playing style? Yes.
However, Pogba could transition into a deep-lying forward.
He can beat opposing players off the dribble, possesses world-class technique, is a constant goal threat and has excellent shooting form.
Pogba is currently rehabilitating from a torn hamstring.
2. Angel Di Maria (Manchester United)
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Manchester United playmaker Angel Di Maria, 27, has fallen out with Red Devils manager Louis van Gaal, per Samuel Luckhurst at the Manchester Evening News.
The implication being Di Maria will attempt to force a summer transfer window move. You presume Manchester United will only sell Di Maria if they can break even or make a nominal profit.
Despite being inconsistent, making bizarre decisions and being shifted around the field, Di Maria is second in the Premier League in assists (nine).
What Van Gaal needs to do is sit Di Maria down, clear the air and, as Ari Gold says, "hug it out!"
1. Kevin De Bruyne (Wolfsburg)
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Wolfsburg attacking midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, 23, is valued at a minimum of €50/£36.84 million, according to his agent Patrick De Koster.
"Clubs who are ready to bid €30/£22.10 million for Kevin have no sense of reality," De Koster said, per Bild (h/t Stephan Uersfeld at ESPN FC). "A player like Kevin has a market value of some €50/£36.84 million, €55/£40.52 million or even €60/44.20 million by now."
It is not an outlandish valuation because De Bruyne leads the Bundesliga in assists (16)—no other footballer in that league has 10.
When not specified, statistics via WhoScored.com.
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