Ranking the Week's 25 Hottest Transfer Rumours: Mats Hummels 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/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.

What's the latest with Andrea Pirlo, Kevin De Bruyne, Mats Hummels, et al.?

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. Damien Dussaut (Standard Liege)

Chelsea view Standard Liege's French right/left-back Damien Dussaut, 20, as a viable cash cow, per L'Equipe (h/t Ben Jefferson at the Daily Express).

Perhaps Chelsea believe Dussaut can exponentially enhance his transfer stock at a different club, a la Abdul Rahman Baba.

Having moved from Greuther Furth to Augsburg, Baba is now arguably the best 20-year-old left-back in the Bundesliga.

How about promising European-based right-backs?

Chelsea have been monitoring Vitesse due to the three Blues loanees: Bertrand Traore, Josh McEachran and Wallace Oliveira.

You presume Chelsea would have noted Kevin Diks, who has been impressive for Vitesse as an 18-year-old right-back.

You would surmise Baba and Diks, two full-backs who are playing in stronger leagues, are more likely to make a bigger transfer profit than Dussaut for Chelsea.

24. Massimo Luongo (Swindon Town)

Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood wants to buy Swindon Town's Australian central midfielder Massimo Luongo, 22, per Neil Ashton at the Daily Mail.

Luongo is the future of Australian football and was the Most Valuable Player when the Socceroos won the Asian Cup.

A box-to-box midfielder with precise passing and scoring potential, Luongo's transfer stock is on the rise.

If Swindon Town sell Luongo, his ex-club Tottenham Hotspur will receive 50 per cent of the transfer fee, per Swindon Link Sport.

23. Demarai Gray (Birmingham City)

Liverpool are hopeful of signing Birmingham City's English left attacking midfielder Demarai Gray, 18, per Graeme Bailey at Goal. 

Gray has scored six goals in 38 Championship games this season.

His statistics are sub-affected having started 68.4 per cent of Championship games he has been involved in.

Birmingham City manager Gary Rowett is unworried amid mounting interest in Gray from potential suitors.

"It's going to take a sizeable bid from anyone to prise [Gray], one of our best young players, from the club," Rowett said, per Brian Dick at the Birmingham Mail. "You are talking about the speculation involving some very big clubs, which is a compliment to the ability [Gray] has shown."

22. Domagoj Vida (Dynamo Kyiv)

Inter Milan are in negotiations with Dynamo Kyiv over signing Croatian right/left-back Domagoj Vida, 25, per David Amoyal for Gianluca Di Marzio's website:

• Inter Milan have offered €6/£4.3 million.
• Dynamo Kyiv want €9/£6.4 million.

Dynamo Kyiv want to make a bigger transfer profit having signed Vida from Dinamo Zagreb for €5/£4.1 million in 2013.

Vida has been unimpressive during the UEFA Europa League, often giving away possession too easily and committing daft fouls this season.

21. Guilherme Siqueira (Atletico Madrid)

Inter Milan are set on signing Atletico Madrid's Brazilian left-back Guilherme Siqueira, 28, per Tuttosport (h/t Football Italia).

Considering that Chievo Verona have conceded less goals (32) than Inter Milan (37), it is imperative that the Nerazzurri sign quality defenders.

How about Siqueira? No.

He is just going to add another circus element to a disorganised and mediocre back line.

He is a squad player at best.

20. Danny (FC Zenit)

Al Ahli will offer a lucrative two-year contract to FC Zenit's Portuguese central/left attacking midfielder Danny, 31, per Matt Monaghan at Sport 360.

Danny is a technically flawless footballer who possessed the talent to thrive in Europe's elite leagues during his prime, but he was content in Russia. 

Scoring three goals and providing seven assists in 23 Russian Premier League games suggests Danny can still play at a high level. 

If Danny signs with Al Ahli, the UAE Arabian Gulf League club will expect production on par with the likes of Asamoah Gyan and Mirko Vucinic.

19. Yaya Toure (Manchester City)

Manchester City need to address the future of Ivorian central midfielder Yaya Toure, 31, according to his agent Dimitri Seluk.

"I want someone [from Manchester City] to say that they want Yaya to stay. Yaya is a legend at the club," Seluk said, per Sky Sports. "We have had different offers for Yaya but we must speak to Manchester City."

Given Toure is a liability without the ball, he has no leverage and Manchester City should consider parting ways with him:

• 1.1 tackles and 0.6 interceptions per 90 minutes is abysmal.
• Commits more fouls (30) than tackles (27).

Another possibility is to play Toure up front as his defending is at times non-existent, which is a reflection on his unwillingness to put it all on the line for Manchester City.

18. Ciro Immobile (Borussia Dortmund)

Liverpool believe a potential replacement for Mario Balotelli is Borussia Dortmund's Italian centre-forward Ciro Immobile, 25, per David Amoyal for Gianluca Di Marzio's website.

It appears Liverpool have an infatuation with struggling Italian No. 9s.

Ciro Immobile (2014/15): 3 goals/19 Bundesliga games, 12.3 shots per goal, 43.2 shooting accuracy per cent.

Mario Balotelli (2014/15): 1 goal/14 Premier League games, 49 shots per goal, 38.8 shooting accuracy per cent.

Statistically, Immobile is a marginal upgrade over Balotelli.

Subjectively, both have been substantial failures and routinely choke in front of goal. 

Immobile does not qualify for Kicker's Bundesliga player rankings, but his current rating would in theory place him at No. 196 out of 207 footballers.

17. Colin Kazim-Richards (Bursaspor)

Feyenoord are hopeful of extending the loan of Turkish centre-forward Colin Kazim-Richards, 28, into a permanent deal, per De Telegraaf (h/t Michael Bell at Football Oranje).

On loan from Bursaspor, Kazim-Richards is Feyenoord's top scorer in the Eredivisie this season (11 goals).

Should Kazim-Richards stay at Feyenoord, it leaves an unclear future for Mitchell te Vrede.

The 23-year-old is physically imposing and a talent, but he is so inconsistent, which has resulted in Kazim-Richards being granted an extended starting run. 

16. Quincy Promes (Spartak Moscow)

Juventus are monitoring Spartak Moscow's Dutch right attacking midfielder Quincy Promes, 23, per Algemeen Dagblad (h/t Michael Bell at Football Oranje).

If Juventus revert to a 4-3-3, you can envision Promes as a right-forward, but he is not a perfect fit in a 4-3-2-1 or a 3-5-2.

Promes has scored nine goals and provided three assists in 22 Russian Premier League games this season.

15. Marco van Ginkel (Chelsea)

Chelsea's Dutch central midfielder Marco van Ginkel, 22, on loan at AC Milan, has doubts over his future.

"I don't know what will happen with Chelsea, we will have to see," Van Ginkel said, per Milan Channel (h/t Football Italia). "My first season [at AC Milan] was hit by injury, but now I have played four or five matches in a row."

Van Ginkel looks a different player for the worse.

When you watch him, you wonder what happened to the box-to-box midfielder who was once one of the best prospects in Europe.

If he fails to make the grade at Chelsea, injuries will be the reason.

14. Nathan Ake (Chelsea)

Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka will push to sign Chelsea's Dutch utility player Nathan Ake, 20, for next season, per Alan Nixon at The Sun. 

Able to play in central midfield, centre-back and left-back, Ake is doing everything in his capability to make the grade as a top-flight footballer. 

Reading manager Steve Clarke revealed Ake's loan was cut-short due to Chelsea's intervention.

"Chelsea have asked for Nathan back so he goes back to Chelsea," Clarke said, per Reading's official website. "We thank them for allowing Nathan to come and I think everyone has seen in the five games that he has played that he's a top player."

13. Karim Rekik (Manchester City)

Manchester City have informed PSV Eindhoven that Dutch centre-back Karim Rekik, 20, will not return for a third-straight loan.

Rekik has been on loan at PSV Eindhoven since the 2013-14 season.

"Manchester City has a plan to loan me to a different league," Rekik said, per James Robson at the Manchester Evening News. "Now I just enjoy the moment and we will see what happens next season."

Rekik and Jeffrey Bruma were integral to PSV Eindhoven winning the Eredivisie title this season. 

Though, the pair are still prone to positional errors, which are covered up by PSV Eindhoven's high-powered attack.

12. Martin Skrtel (Liverpool)

Slovakian centre-back Martin Skrtel, 30, won't be leaving Liverpool, according to his agent Karol Csonto.

"The only offer which is lying on Martin Skrtel's table right now is the extension of his contract from Liverpool," Csonto said, per David Prentice at the Liverpool Echo. "It is not true that he has an offer from [Wolfsburg]. I don't know anything about their interest."

Given how commited and loyal Skrtel is to Liverpool, it would be a surprise if he wanted out.

Hypothetically speaking, even if Skrtel was interested in joining Wolfsburg, he risks being a backup, because he is not an upgrade over Naldo or Robin Knoche.

11. Aaron Cresswell (West Ham United)

English left-back Aaron Cresswell, 25, has not received a formal bid from a suitor, according to West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce.

"As far as I'm concerned nobody has bid for Aaron Cresswell, so it's pure rumours that has to fill the media space," Allardyce said, per FourFourTwo. "It's for me to make sure that Aaron continues to do what he has done all season, which is perform on a consistent basis."

Cresswell's rise from playing for Tranmere Rovers in League One to being an important part of West Ham United in the Premier League is a testament to his fortitude.

His former team-mate Dale Jennings is substantially more talented, but lacks Cresswell's intangibles.

Another factor why Cresswell is having a better career than Jennings is genetics.

Jennings is injury-prone, whereas Cresswell just keeps on running.

"When I talk about injuries, the game record of Cresswell is better than anyone at the club. He played three seasons for Ipswich Town at 40-plus games," Allardyce said, per Jacob Steinberg at the Guardian. "Mr Dependable, not only in terms of his performances but his reliability. I hope I'm not jinxing him."

This is why Cresswell is in the Premier League and Jennings is playing in League One for Barnsley having once been on the books of Bayern Munich.

10. Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea)

Bayern Munich are prepared to lodge a bid for Chelsea's Serbian right-back Branislav Ivanovic, 31, per Tony Banks at the Daily Express.

Ivanovic's success in the attacking half (four goals and four assists in the Premier League this season) mask his at times inadequate defensive positioning.

A more logical transfer alternative for Bayern Munich is Tony Jantschke, a defender who interchanges from centre to right-back for Borussia Monchengladbach, and is well-seasoned in the Bundesliga.

9. John Obi Mikel (Chelsea) and 8. Morgan Schneiderlin (Southampton)

Chelsea are trying to trade Nigerian defensive midfielder John Obi Mikel, 28, to Southampton in return for French central midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin, 25, per The Sun (h/t James Cambridge at the Daily Express).

This deal is so one-sided in Chelsea's favour that you ponder if the story is fake.

Not only are player swaps very rare, Schneiderlin's transfer stock is on the rise, while Mikel is a backup footballer with limited upside. 

You hope when Mikel does leave Chelsea, he changes his position back to No. 10, which was the reason why the Blues and Manchester United tussled over his signature in 2006.

Should this rumoured deal shockingly happen, then Chelsea's board, specifically director Marina Granovskaia, deserve big bonuses. 

7. Jordy Clasie (Feyenoord)

Southampton's "priority target" will be Feyenoord's Dutch central midfielder Jordy Clasie, 23, per Rory Smith at The Times.

This reported transfer will only occur if Morgan Schneiderlin leaves Southampton.

Clasie has functioned cohesively with Karim El Ahmadi and Lex Immers in Feyenoord's midfield three.

Should Clasie leave, it opens up a guaranteed starting slot for Tonny Vilhena, who will look to rectify what has been a disappointing season.

6. Victor Wanyama (Southampton)

Southampton's Kenyan central midfielder Victor Wanyama, 23, has revealed he is being targeted by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, per Justin Allen at The Sun.

In response to Allen's story, Wanyama tweeted: "To cut the story short have never spoken to Wenger."

Hypothetically speaking, let's say Wanyama leaves.

Southampton should consider replacing Wanyama with AZ's Nemanja Gudelj.

A super-fit box-to-box midfielder, Gudelj has been elite in the Eredivisie and has high resell value.

5. Andrea Pirlo (Juventus)

El Jaish are trying to sign Juventus' Italian deep-lying playmaker Andrea Pirlo, 35, per David Amoyal for Gianluca Di Marzio's website.

Pirlo is earning €3.8/£2.7 million a year at Juventus, per Carlo Laudisa at La Gazzetta dello Sport.

El Jaish will more than double Pirlo's salary and are willing to pay upwards of €8/£5.7 million a year.

In terms of performance and financial efficiency, Mirko Valdifiori, a 29-year-old standout at Empoli who has played for the Italian national team, would be a cheaper and younger alternative to Pirlo.

However, if El Jaish are looking to expand their brand, then you can understand them pursuing Pirlo.

4. Paulo Dybala (Palermo)

Palermo's Argentinian centre-forward Paulo Dybala, 21, has talked up the pros of hypothetically playing for Juventus.

"It's a lot easier for a striker when you have a playmaker like Andrea Pirlo behind you," Dybala said, per La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Sky Sports). "I love Italy. This is the country that made me famous and I would love to stay in Serie A."

Dybala has scored 13 goals and provided 10 assists in 30 Serie A games this season.

Staying in Italy would be purely a footballing move from Dybala, because his transfer stock is at its highest right now, and he can ride the hype to an inflated contract at a Premier League club.

Dybala moving to Juventus makes sense, because he will be Carlos Tevez's heir apparent.

3. Memphis Depay (PSV Eindhoven)

Liverpool and Manchester United are competing for the signature of PSV Eindhoven's Dutch left-forward Memphis Depay, 21, per ESPN FC.

Evolving from a highlight reel footballer to a quasi-No. 9 wired to score goals, Depay is as driven as Cristiano Ronaldo. 

Depay leads the Eredivisie in goals (20), shots per game (5.4), total shots (147) and is second in long-range shots (80).

There are 54 Eredivisie footballers who have provided more assists (four plus) than Depay (three).

The only clear problem you see with Depay is his inability to link up proficiently. 

Jetro Willems plays on the same flank, yet is more inclined to pass the ball to Luuk de Jong, who acts as a scorer and facilitator.

De Jong is selfless, hence passers are likely to receive the ball again, whereas Depay's mentality is: "Pass me the ball and get out of my way!"

The selfish tag is a stigma which has also dogged Ronaldo, but he is now second in La Liga in assists (14) this season.

Who provided the final pass to Javier Hernandez in Real Madrid's 1-0 UEFA Champions League quarter-final second-leg victory over Atletico Madrid? 

Ronaldo.

If Depay can slightly tweak his playing style and make more game-changing passes, it will increase his chances of succeeding in the Premier League.

2. Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund)

Borussia Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc has opted not to confirm reports of German centre-back Mats Hummels, 26, joining Manchester United for €30/£21.5 million.

"I can't confirm that [bid]," Zorc said, per Bild (h/t Stephan Uersfeld at ESPN FC). "I don't want to comment on [Hummels' future] all the time."

Judging by Zorc's response, it appears Borussia Dortmund are negotiating a fee with Manchester United, hence he chose not to confirm the report, as opposed to refuting it.

Manchester United would be buying Hummels on his class and reputation, rather than his form.

He is placed at No. 81 in Kicker's Bundesliga player rankings out of 206 footballers.

1. Kevin De Bruyne (Wolfsburg)

Belgian central/left attacking midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, 23, won't be tempted by Bayern Munich, according to Wolfsburg manager Dieter Hecking.

"I think that he realises it will be good for him to play UEFA Champions League football with Wolfsburg and to show that he can also deliver the goods at this level," Hecking said, per Bild (h/t Stefan Coerts at Goal). "Bayern Munich can make an approach for De Bruyne if they want."

De Bruyne risks being a luxury substitute at Bayern Munich, whereas he is the star at Wolfsburg.

Since leaving Chelsea, De Bruyne has turned into one of the best footballers in the world, scoring 10 goals and providing 17 assists in 29 Bundesliga games this season.

He is placed at No. 3 in Kicker's Bundesliga player rankings out of 206 footballers.

+allanjiang.

When not specified, statistics via WhoScored.com.