Ranking the Week's 25 Hottest Transfer Rumours: Angel Di Maria, David De Gea

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.

These 25 players including Angel Di Maria, David De Gea and Hugo Lloris et al. 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. Charlie Patino (Luton Town)

Luton Town will receive around €13,814/£10,000 in compensation if they lose 11-year-old Charlie Patino (Yes, 11 years old!) to Arsenal, Chelsea or Tottenham Hotspur.

His father, Julio, says his son is not just technically phenomenal but also has a high football IQ.

"Charlie doesn't [just] watch Spanish football, he analyses it. His mind is ticking away, watching the player movements and asking why they made certain decisions," Julio said, per Neil Ashton at the Daily Mail. "He is a dedicated boy, he works hard at school, gets good grades and is committed to playing football."

Julio has implied that moving away from Luton Town is a matter of when, not if.

"We just want what's best for Charlie, to give him the best chance of being a professional footballer if that is what he wants to do," Julio said, per Neil Ashton at the Daily Mail. "He knows that this is a big opportunity to train with a top club, even though there are no guarantees."

Arsenal have poached prospects from Luton Town in the past: Jack Wilshere, John Hartson and Matthew Upson.

24. Peter Oduro Kwarteng (Petrojet)

Ajax are in talks to sign Petrojet centre-back Peter Oduro Kwarteng, 19, according to his agent, Nana Kwarteng.

"Ajax have expressed serious interest [in Kwarteng]," Nana said, per Ghana Soccernet. "I will travel to Holland on Monday to start negotiations [with Ajax]."

Given the Froylan Ledezma fiasco, you assume Kwarteng, an unknown talent playing in a non-European league, would be a cheap investment. 

Ajax have gambled on Ghanaian prospects in the past, such as Abubakari Yakubu, Anthony Obodai and Kwame Quansah.

23. Kerem Bulut (Western Sydney Wanderers)

Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Australian centre-forward Kerem Bulut, 23, will consider leaving Western Sydney Wanderers after being lowballed in negotiations to renew his expiring contract, per Dominic Bossi at The Sydney Morning Herald.

Western Sydney Wanderers chief executive officer John Tsatsimas recently granted Bulut leave for personal reasons, per Ray Gatt at The Australian.

Bulut has character problems.

In 2010, he had alleged gang links after being charged with the following offences, per Mark Morri at The Daily Telegraph:

• Affray.
• Assisting criminal activity.
• Intimidation. 
• Malicious wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
• Participant in criminal group.
• Robbery in company.

The case was dropped when the victim was unwilling to give evidence, per Katherine Danks at The Daily Telegraph.

In early April, Bulut was charged with intimidation by police, but the offence was later withdrawn, per Karl Hoerr at the ABC.

Football is Bulut's sanctuary, and he has been quality in the A-League, scoring five goals in nine games.

Bulut is a European-standard footballer, but it did not work out for him in the Czech Republic or Turkey, hence he is back in Australia.

If a club is willing to pamper Bulut, he will thrive, especially in the A-League or a top Asian league.

He is physically gifted, technically solid and a natural goalscorer. 

22. Ivan Franjic (Free Agent)

Epsilon/Getty Images

Australian right-back Ivan Franjic, 27, is a free agent, having left Torpedo Moscow over unpaid wages, per David Davutovic at the Herald Sun.

Franjic only played four Russian Premier League games and was forced to line up at left-back.

When Franjic was 21 years old, he was working from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. as a carpenter, then training with semi-professional club Oakleigh Cannons.

On some days, he was leaving home at 5:30 a.m. and returning at 10 p.m., per Marco Monteverde at The Courier-Mail.

Franjic's journey from the bottom to the pros was completed when he signed for Brisbane Roar in 2009.

Having battled adversity before, expect Franjic to bounce back, whether that is by making a successful return to the A-League or playing out five meaningful seasons in a second-tier European league.

21. Ryan Edwards (Reading)

Reading have chosen not to renew the expiring contract of Australian attacking midfielder Ryan Edwards, 21, who will be a free agent in the summer.

When Simon Cox scored in a 1-0 win over Middlesbrough, he was set up by Edwards' smart reverse pass.

The turning point in Edwards' career at Reading was the hiring of Steve Clarke, who seemingly does not rate the Australian.

At least Clarke's predecessor, Nigel Adkins, was willing to give Edwards opportunities. 

"I'm in England now, so I may as well stay here and stick it out," Edwards said, per Mitchell Grima at The Roar. "[But] if I went back to the A-League, it wouldn't be with Perth Glory, not for the time being anyway. It was a difficult time for me and the family."

When Edwards was on loan at Perth Glory, he was burdened with expectations that tested his character:

• He was on loan from a Championship club, so many presumed he would be a superior A-League player—he wasn't.
• Being coached by his father, Alistair, meant nepotism became a go-to criticism whenever Edwards did not perform.

Edwards put in goods shifts for Perth Glory, but he was nowhere near as productive as Adam Taggart or James Troisi, both European-standard players who were a class above the rest of the competition during the 2013/14 A-League season.

Adding to Edwards' discontent was that his father was sacked after a dressing-room revolt, per Shayne Hope at The West Australian.

From a technical perspective, Edwards belongs in Europe.

However, he needs to be more involved in play and monopolise possession like his team-mate Oliver Norwood.

20. Liam Henderson (Celtic)

Celtic central midfielder Liam Henderson, 19, has made a positive first impression on loan at Rosenborg.

Despite Henderson having only played in the Tippeligaen for a month, Rosenborg manager Kare Ingebrigtsen is hopeful of extending the loan into next season.

"It's not so much what what we and Liam says [because] it depends on what [Celtic manager] Ronny Deila wants," Ingebrigtsen said, per The Herald. "It's early yet, but [Henderson's] start has been very good."

Ronny Deila has previously stated that Henderson is the best Scottish footballer aged 19 years or younger, per Gordon Waddell at the Daily Record. 

Having lost Harald Brattbakk and Mikael Lustig to the Bhoys in the past, Rosenborg are now benefiting from a Celtic player, albeit temporarily.

19. Nadir Ciftci (Dundee United)

Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

Dundee United centre-forward Nadir Ciftci, 23, is not in talks to join Celtic, according to his agent, Pierre van Hooijdonk.

"Everyone knows Celtic are the biggest club in Scotland," Van Hooijdonk said, per Jim Spence at BBC Sport Scotland. "I can imagine that they are looking at [Ciftci], but I have had no calls from Celtic."

In the limited minutes Ciftci played for NAC Breda, he did not look Eredivisie quality—midfielder Nemanja Gudelj was more of a goal threat.

Ciftci is a late bloomer, having been on the books of Portsmouth, Kayserispor and NAC Breda before finding his comfort zone at Dundee United.

18. Filip Helander (Malmo)

Malmo centre-back Filip Helander, 22, has been monitored by Panathinaikos and Olympiakos, but has yet to enter into formal negotiations, according to his agent, Martin Dahlin.

"Panathinaikos have expressed an interest in Helander but nothing more than that. [Olympiakos also] showed an interest in him but that was last autumn," Dahlin said, per Nima Tavallaey Roodsari at Gianluca Di Marzio's website. "We aren't negotiating with them or anyone else at the minute."

Helander struggled in a 5-0 UEFA Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid. Malmo conceded 15 goals in the six UEFA Champions League games in which Helander played.

In the past year, Malmo have watched their players poached by clubs from stronger leagues:

Emil Forsberg: Malmo → RB Leipzig.

Isaac Thelin: Malmo → Bordeaux.

Miiko Albornoz: Malmo → Hannover 96.

Pontus Jansson: Malmo → Torino.

Simon Thern: Malmo → Heerenveen.

17. Carles Gil (Aston Villa)

Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Aston Villa winger Carles Gil, 22, wants to clear the air with manager Tim Sherwood, per John Percy at The Telegraph. 

Gil brings trickery, flair and skill, but so too does Jack Grealish.

Sherwood is banking on Grealish, which means Gil could be on his way out in the summer transfer window.

Gil has only played 359 minutes over four Premier League games this season.

16. Didier Drogba (Chelsea)

Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has revealed that owner Roman Abramovich will decide if Ivorian centre-forward Didier Drogba, 37, receives a contract extension.

"Mr Abramovich wants [Drogba] to do what he wants in the club," Mourinho said, per Anthony Chapman at the Daily Express. "It's something Mr Abramovich has to tell him."

If Abramovich was only judging Drogba on Chelsea's 3-1 win over Leicester City, expect another one-season extension.

Dominic Solanke deserves a chance to prove he can translate his prolific scoring at youth level to top-flight football. Should Drogba eke out his Chelsea career, then Solanke will continue to be hindered.

15. Andreas Pereira (Manchester United)

Manchester United attacking midfielder Andreas Pereira, 19, will snub Paris Saint-Germain's advances and sign a new deal at Old Trafford, per Simon Jones at the Daily Mail.

However, if Pereira does join PSG, then you can assume his issues with Manchester United are financial.

Should Pereira sign with an Eredivisie club—he spent parts of his youth on the books of PSV Eindhoven—it means Manchester United could not guarantee him first-team football.

Manchester United need to decide if Pereira is closer to Paul Pogba (go the extra mile to not let him leave) or Bojan Djordjic (shrug shoulders and part ways).

14. James Wilson (Manchester United)

Clive Mason/Getty Images

Manchester United will welcome loan offers from Premier League clubs next season for English centre-forward James Wilson, 19, per Simon Jones at the Daily Mail.

Assuming Radamel Falcao leaves in the summer transfer window, Manchester United should keep Wilson in the first-team squad and use him as an impact sub while occasionally interchanging him into the starting XI.

He has the talent to make the grade in the Premier League, and Manchester United need to give him a fair chance.

13. Patrick Bamford (Chelsea)

Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Newcastle United will ask Chelsea about the loan availability of English centre-forward Patrick Bamford, 21, per Mark Douglas at the Evening Chronicle.

Bamford has scored 17 goals in 38 Championship games on loan at Middlesbrough this season.

The next step up is the Premier League, so playing for Newcastle United would be a logical move from Chelsea in order to develop Bamford, as it would either ready him for the first team or increase his transfer stock.

12. Callum Wilson (Bournemouth)

Ten Premier League clubs are looking to sign Bournemouth centre-forward Callum Wilson, 23, per Adrian Kajumba at the Daily Mirror.

Wilson has scored 20 goals in 44 Championship games this season.

There are only two players who have outscored him: Daryl Murphy (25 goals) and Troy Deeney (21 goals).

From a team chemistry point of view, it makes more sense for Wilson to stay at Bournemouth and help the club survive in the Premier League next season.

11. Kolbeinn Sigthorsson (Ajax)

Ajax have fielded enquiries from suitors for centre-forward Kolbeinn Sigthorsson, 25, per De Telegraaf (h/t Michael Bell at Football Oranje).

Sigthorsson has scored seven goals in 20 Eredivisie games this season.

He might not have a future at Ajax after Arkadiusz Milik's loan was made into a permanent deal. 

10. Gerard Moreno (Villarreal)

A "leading Premier League club" is in pole position to sign Villarreal centre-forward Gerard Moreno, 23, per Marca (h/t Sky Sports' Transfer Centre).

Gerard has been overshadowed by team-mate Luciano Vietto, who looks like Villarreal's answer to Sergio Aguero.

Given the intense focus on Vietto, some clubs might not have noticed Gerard making impactful plays.

As the second or third option, Gerard has reached double digits in goals (14) in all competitions this season.

He is currently on a 10-game run without a goal in La Liga/UEFA Europa League competition.

Perhaps the "leading Premier League club" is Liverpool, since Gerard would be a logical backup option if a marquee No. 9 doesn't arrive at Anfield in the summer transfer window.

9. Filipe Luis (Chelsea)

Clive Mason/Getty Images

Inter Milan are pursuing Chelsea left-back Filipe Luis, 29, per Sportmediaset (h/t Anthony Chapman at the Daily Express).

Luis is a world-class left-back, but Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has preferred Cesar Azpilicueta, who has adapted from the right to left flank.

If Luis does sign for Inter Milan, it would disrupt Davide Santon's redemption.

8. Dani Alves (Barcelona)

Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

Barcelona right-back Dani Alves, 31, wants to keep his family in Catalonia, so he will end up extending his expiring contract, per Cadena Cope (h/t AS).

Early this month, his agent, Dinorah Santa Ana, revealed "the [contract] negotiations are over," per Moises Llorens at AS (h/t ESPN FC).

Alves has played for Barcelona since 2008 and is about to finish his seventh season at the club.

7. Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)

Manchester City will submit a €41.9/£30 million bid for Arsenal central midfielder Jack Wilshere, 23, per Adrian Kajumba at the Daily Mirror.

If Manchester City want an unreliable yet tantalising English midfielder—but at a cheaper price—they should go for Jonjo Shelvey.

Wilshere should strive to emulate Aaron Ramsey and Francis Coquelin, who were written off yet mounted sterling comebacks.

6. Ilkay Gundogan (Borussia Dortmund)

Lars Baron/Getty Images

Arsenal are in the running to sign Borussia Dortmund central midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, 24, per Bild (h/t Will Giles at Metro).

Gundogan has opted against extending his contract at Dortmund, which expires in June 2016.

It would be a risky transfer from Arsenal, considering the question marks over Gundogan's long-term health and his uninspiring performances post-back injury.

Gundogan is currently placed at No. 121 out of 208 footballers in Kicker's Bundesliga player rankings.

5. Charlie Austin (Queens Park Rangers)

Matthew Lewis/Getty Images

English centre-forward Charlie Austin, 25, has not discussed leaving Loftus Road, according to Queens Park Rangers manager Chris Ramsey.

"We haven't really spoken about [Austin] leaving the club," Ramsey said, per Sky Sports. "As far as we're concerned Charlie's a Queens Park Rangers player at the moment."

Austin has been one of the top No. 9s in the Premier League this season, scoring 17 goals in 31 games.

If Queens Park Rangers are relegated, it is imperative for Austin's career that he signs with a Premier League club.

4. Denis Cheryshev (Real Madrid)

Liverpool are preparing a €20/£14.4 million bid to sign Real Madrid winger Denis Cheryshev, 24, per Marca (h/t George Bellshaw at Metro).

On loan at Villarreal this season, Cheryshev has scored four goals and provided nine assists in 26 La Liga games.

Cheryshev is a paradox because when you see the nine assists, you think he is a pass-first footballer, but he is one of the most selfish players in Spain. 

It appears he needs to commit five unforced errors in possession before he makes an incisive pass.

Even with his passing, it is high-risk, high-reward, as he is 30.9 per cent likely to give away the ball.

That said, Cheryshev is immensely talented, and if he can improve his decision-making, he will develop into another Real Madrid-produced footballer who forges a top-flight career away from the Santiago Bernabeu, such as Borja Valero, Dani Parejo, Javi Garcia, Juan Mata, Roberto Soldado et al.

3. Hugo Lloris (Tottenham Hotspur)

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

If David De Gea leaves Manchester United, his replacement will be Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, 28, per Miguel Delaney at ESPN FC.

Lloris joined Lyon when their dynastic run ended, so he has never been a perennial winner.

Not only would Manchester United pay Lloris higher wages, he would be more likely to win a trophy at Old Trafford than at Tottenham Hotspur.

If Lloris leaves, Tottenham Hotspur should consider signing Lorient's Benjamin Lecomte.

2. Angel Di Maria (Manchester United)

Paris Saint-Germain will lodge a €62.5/£45 million bid for Manchester United's Argentinian midfielder Angel Di Maria, per David McDonnell at the Daily Mirror.

What about financial fair play regulations?

Despite Di Maria being shifted across the pitch and adjusting to life in England, he has still reached double digits in assists (10) this season.

Only two other players have 10 assists or more in the Premier League this term: Cesc Fabregas (17) and Gylfi Sigurdsson (10).

1. David De Gea (Manchester United)

Michael Regan/Getty Images

Manchester United will be granted a reprieve in attempts to convince goalkeeper David De Gea, 24, to stay at Old Trafford if Real Madrid are given a transfer ban for alleged irregularities over recruiting minors, per James Ducker at The Times.

However, Real Madrid have categorically denied the accusations and "reiterates that the club has always scrupulously adhered to the FIFA regulations."

De Gea is a natural replacement for Iker Casillas, who needs to bounce back Simon Mignolet style.

But Mignolet plays for Liverpool, who have a toothless attack, hence he has gone from scapegoat to star.

Casillas is not afforded that luxury, especially when his mistakes are stories themselves.

+allanjiang.

When not specified, statistics via WhoScored.com.