Ranking the Week's 25 Hottest Transfer Rumours: Depay Joins Manchester United

Instead of scouring the internet for the latest football transfer gossip, Bleacher Report makes your life easier by providing you a weekly power ranking of the 25 hottest transfer rumours/deals in one slideshow.

Where will Memphis Depay, Paul Pogba and Paulo Dybala be ranked? 

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. Gavin Whyte (Crusaders FC)

Everton have granted a trial to Crusaders FC's Northern Irish right-winger Gavin Whyte, 19, per Graham Luney at the Belfast Telegraph.

Whyte was named the Northern Ireland Football Writers' Association Young Player of the Year.

Despite garnering interest from several clubs, Everton will be Whyte's only trial, according to Crusaders FC manager Stephen Baxter.

"There are a number of clubs interested in Gavin, but Everton have shown the most interest and made the most effort," Baxter said, per Gareth Fullerton at the News Letter. "Everton will be his only trial and then he will rest up."

In 2009, Everton scouted Sligo Rovers and signed Seamus Coleman.

He developed into an elite right-back for Everton.

Whyte should be aiming to emulate Coleman's success.

24. Jamie Maclaren (Perth Glory)

Perth Glory's Australian centre-forward Jamie Maclaren, 21, will consider leaving the club, according to his agent Paddy Dominguez.

"We would need to discuss with Perth Glory the possibility of Jamie pursuing any other opportunities should he be interested in doing so," Dominguez said, per Greg Prichard at SBS. "Traditionally, Perth Glory have never stood in the way of players moving on and I would hope that would remain the case for Jamie if it were required."

Maclaren has gone from A-League struggler to one of the most promising No. 9 prospects in Australia's top-flight in one season. 

When he dropped down a tier, Maclaren looked world-class in the National Premier League, single-handedly taking Armadale apart with four goals in a 6-0 win, and then scoring a 39-minute hat-trick against Floreat Athena in a 5-0 win.

After six games against semi-professional teams, Maclaren scored 11 goals.

Back in the pros, Maclaren started and ended the season well, but what will probably concern him is being underutilised for a chunk of the campaign. 

Scoring nine goals despite only averaging 42.4 minutes per game this season suggests Maclaren could score 12-20 goals if he received the same leeway as Andy Keogh, Perth Glory's primary centre-forward.

What Perth Glory will fear is Maclaren becoming another Adam Taggart—frustrated talent leaves, stars for rival A-League club, then moves to Europe. 

23. Paulinho (Sanjoanense)

Barring a transfer collapse, Liverpool have secured the signature of Sanjoanense's Portuguese central attacking midfielder Paulo Alves, 17, who goes by the nickname Paulinho.

Sanjoanense announced on their website (h/t ESPN FC) that Paulinho needs to "finalise his contract" and pass a medical at Liverpool.

The sports expression: "It's not about where you start, it's about where you finish" comes to mind. 

In recent memory, Liverpool have green-lit low-risk, high-reward transfers from obscure clubs.

Conor Masterson: Lucan United → Liverpool (2013; 14 years old).

Jordon Ibe: Wycombe Wanderers → Liverpool (2012; 16 years old).

Armin Hodzic: Zeljeznicar → Liverpool (2011; 16 years old).

Suso: Cadiz → Liverpool (2010; 16 years old).

Jakub Sokolik: Banik Ostrava → Liverpool (2009; 15 years old).

22. Michael Zullo (FC Utrecht)

FC Utrecht's Australian left-back/left-forward Michael Zullo, 26, is prepared if his expiring contract is not renewed.

"I don't have a contract for next season, so if I was to get reinjured it'd be disastrous," Zullo said, per Ben Somerford at FourFourTwo. "I'm making arrangements as if I'm not going to be [at Utrecht]."

Coachable, an incisive passer and a versatile footballer, Zullo would be an invaluable player for a second-tier European club.

However, there are concerns over his durability. 

21. Genero Zeefuik (Groningen)

Groningen's Dutch centre-forward Genero Zeefuik, 25, enjoyed his loan spell at Heart of Midlothian, but is unsure what the future holds for him.

"I don't think Groningen want me," Zeefuik said, per Barry Anderson at the Edinburgh Evening News. "They want to sell me so we will see where I am going to play."

Zeefuik was so desperate to get away from Groningen that he sacrificed his earning potential, Hearts manager Robbie Neilson revealed.

"That's 12 goals in four months and it shows what a quality player [Zeefuik] is," Neilson said, per Barry Anderson at the Edinburgh Evening News. "I'd like to keep hold of him but I don't think I will because he's still got a year left at Groningen and he's on good wages ... he took a pay cut to come here."

About eight years ago, Zeefuik made his Eredivisie debut for PSV Eindhoven as a 16-year-old back when Patrick Kluivert and Phillip Cocu were still playing.

Never living up to the wonderkid tag, Zeefuik had attitude problems and struggled with maintaining the body of a professional athlete. 

After years of being the punchline of jokes, it is heartwarming to see Zeefuik finally relishing glory.

He contributed to Hearts winning the Scottish Championship en route to being promoted to the Scottish Premiership.

20. Lukas Hradecky (Brondby)

Swansea City have identified Brondby's Finnish goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky, 25, as a summer transfer window target, per the South Wales Evening Post.

If Swansea City sign Hradecky, it could mark the end of Gerhard Tremmel's tenure with the Swans.

Tremmel has been at Swansea City since 2011.

Hradecky would be competing with Lukasz Fabianski for the No. 1 role.

19. Mitchell Dijks (Willem II)

Celtic are in the running to sign Willem II's Dutch left-back Mitchell Dijks, 22, per The Scotsman.

Why are Celtic interested in Dijks? Possibly due to his pedigree and his physique. 

A former Ajax prospect, Dijks is 6'4" and 198 pounds. He averages 2.7 tackles and 2.5 interceptions per 90 minutes from 26 Eredivisie games this season. 

Willem II have had diamonds in the rough before, such as Kew Jaliens, Jaap Stam, Marc Overmars, Mousa Dembele and Sami Hyypia.

18. Jonathan Calleri (Boca Juniors)

When Palermo sell Paulo Dybala, his replacement will be Boca Juniors' Argentinian centre-forward Jonathan Calleri, 21, per Nima Tavallaey Roodsari at Gianluca Di Marzio's website.

Calleri has scored 13 goals in 35 games for Boca Juniors this season.

This proposed transfer is odd given Palermo already have Dybala's replacement—Andrea Belotti.

The only reason why Dybala turned it around was being afforded chances despite being on course to be a bust. 

Yes, Belotti has struggled this season, but let's see how he performs when he is a week in, week out starter.

17. Demarai Gray (Birmingham City)

Birmingham City's English left attacking midfielder Demarai Gray, 18, is content with his current situation.

"I am happy at Birmingham City. I am at home, I am playing for my local team, I can't really complain," Gray said, per Brian Dick at the Birmingham Mail. "I will be 19 years old by the time next season comes round but listen, playing first team football at any age, especially being a youngster, is good."

Gray has played 41 Championship games this season, starting 28 times. 

He has scored six league goals, three of which came in a 6-1 win over Reading.

16. Pepe Reina (Bayern Munich)

Napoli are in talks to sign Bayern Munich's Spanish goalkeeper Pepe Reina, 32, per Simon Jones at the Daily Mail.

A backup to Manuel Neuer, Reina has started just two Bundesliga games this season.

Reina spent last season on loan at Napoli and would be re-uniting with compatriot Rafael Benitez.

Napoli have interchanged between Mariano Andujar and Rafael Cabral as No. 1, so the interest in Reina makes sense.

15. Aaron Lennon (Tottenham Hotspur)

Everton manager Roberto Martinez has refuted reports of extending the loan of Tottenham Hotspur's English right attacking midfielder Aaron Lennon, 28, into a permanent deal.

"We haven't had any sort of conversations with Tottenham Hotspur," Martinez said, per Mike Whalley at ESPN FC. "We'll see first of all where Aaron wants to be and what his thoughts are."

On loan from Tottenham Hotspur, Lennon has scored two goals and is yet to provide an assist in 908 minutes over 12 Premier League games.

14. Nicklas Bendtner and 13. Bas Dost

Wolfsburg's Danish centre-forward Nicklas Bendtner, 27, and Dutch centre-forward Bas Dost, 25, are expected to stay, according to the club's director of sport Klaus Allofs.

"Both of them have contracts with us," Allofs said, per Bild (h/t Press Association Sport via FIFA's website). "There is no reason for us to sell them."

Bendtner has no significant transfer value having scored once from 18 Bundesliga games this season. 

Although inconsistent, Dost has flashed world-class moments, which will sway Wolfsburg to persist with him for another season.

If Bendtner and Dost are not offloaded in the summer transfer window, it indicates that management are not ready to propel Oskar Zawada, who has scored 36 goals in 45 games for the Wolfsburg U19s, into the Bundesliga.

12. Eder (Sampdoria)

Crystal Palace are looking into signing Sampdoria's Italian left/centre-forward Eder, 28, per La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t talkSPORT).

The estimated transfer fee is €10.8/£8 million.

Given that Eder switched his nationality from Brazil to Italy and has appeared for the Azzurri, you presume he would continue playing in Serie A. 

11. Yaya Toure (Manchester City)

Ivorian central midfielder Yaya Toure, 31, is set to leave Manchester City, according to his agent Dimitri Seluk.

"It's 90 per cent certain [Toure will] leave Manchester City this summer," Seluk said, per Amy Lewis at Sky Sports. "Nothing has been decided. We are waiting until the end of the season."

About time Seluk said something sensible.

Toure was a great player for Manchester City—the imperative word being was.

Should a major club sign Toure, he needs to be played as a deep-lying forward or a centre-forward.

Why? He is a below-average tackler, and his defensive positioning is not top-flight standard.

In the UEFA Champions League this season, he averaged 2.6 fouls per game while completing 0.4 tackles per game.

10. Jeff Hendrick (Derby County)

Aston Villa are interested in Derby County's Irish central midfielder Jeff Hendrick, 23, per Chris Watson at the Derby Telegraph.

Hendrick is rated highly by his compatriot Robbie Keane.

"Jeff Hendrick's really one for the future," Keane said, per Ciaran O'Raghallaigh at the Irish Daily Mirror. "Just seeing him in training I can tell he's going to be a top player."

Hendrick has scored seven goals and provided nine assists from 41 Championship games this season.

9. Stefan Reinartz (Bayer Leverkusen)

Everton and West Ham United are targeting Bayer Leverkusen's German defensive midfielder Stefan Reinartz, 26, per Simon Jones at the Daily Mail.

Christoph Kramer finishing his two season loan at Borussia Monchengladbach to return to Bayer Leverkusen means Reinartz faces an uncertain future.

Reinartz has had an injury-interrupted season, and he has spent portions of the campaign on the bench.

When fit, he is a quality footballer. 

He does not qualify for Kicker's Bundesliga player rankings, but his current rating would in theory place him at No. 62 out of 204 footballers.

8. Max Kruse (Borussia Monchengladbach)

Tottenham Hotspur are in the running to sign Borussia Monchengladbach's German deep-lying forward Max Kruse, 27, per Richard Parry at the London Evening Standard.

Kruse is technically outstanding, consistently zips past opposing defenders and is an incisive passer.

However, Kruse struggles to score from open play, and his goals-scored record is generally padded up by penalties.

He is placed at No. 25 out of 203 footballers in Kicker's Bundesliga player rankings.

7. Nemanja Gudelj (Ajax)

Ajax have announced the signing of Serbian central midfielder Nemanja Gudelj, 23, from AZ.

Gudelj is a physically blessed box-to-box midfielder with high intangibles who is a natural leader, as pointed out by Ajax manager Frank de Boer.

"We've been looking for another player who can take our young [players] under his wing. With Nemanja's arrival, we now have someone on the team who has those qualities, as well as a winner's mentality," De Boer said, per Ajax's website. "The new season starts early for us."

Gudelj has scored 11 goals, accumulated 73 tackles and intercepted 56 passes from 31 Eredivisie games this season.

In order to seal the Gudelj deal, Ajax have signed his 17-year-old brother Dragisa, a left-back, and given his father, Nebojsa, a coaching job.

"This is a very important step for me," Dragisa said, per Ajax's website. "The fact that I can play here with my brother Nemanja is very special. We have a very close relationship."

When Nebojsa managed NAC Breda, he was willing to give prospects a chance.

Gudelj, Adnane Tighadouini, Isak Ssewankambo, Kingsley Boateng and Stipe Perica all made gains under Nebojsa. 

6. Abdul Rahman Baba (Augsburg)

Chelsea are preparing a €14.8/£11 million bid to sign Augsburg's Ghanaian left-back Abdul Rahman Baba, 20, according to L'Equipe (h/t talkSPORT).

If Filipe Luis, who has gone from world-class left-back at Atletico Madrid to a rotation player at Chelsea, leaves, then Baba becomes an option for the Blues.

Baba has world-class potential, but he is raw, tends to give away the ball easily and sometimes gets caught up field.

He is placed at No. 72 out of 203 footballers in Kicker's Bundesliga player rankings.

5. Paul-Georges Ntep (Rennes)

Liverpool are in contact with Rennes' French left-winger Paul-Georges Ntep, 22, per L'Equipe (h/t Get French Football via Jamie Sanderson at the Metro).

Ntep routinely takes the ball past opposing defenders and has the X-Factor.

The issue is not if Liverpool want Ntep, it should be if he feels comfortable being coached by Brendan Rodgers.

Playing under Rodgers might diminish Ntep's career—just look at Lazar Markovic.

If Ntep stays at Rennes for another season, he can improve upon his performances, thus increasing his transfer stock, which means more leverage for him to negotiate a higher salary when the wealthy suitors want him. 

Right now, he is just another prospect with high potential, which explains why Liverpool reportedly want to sign him, presumably before he becomes too pricey for the Reds.

4. Gareth Bale (Real Madrid)

Welsh right-forward Gareth Bale, 25, will not leave Real Madrid in the summer transfer window, according to his agent Jonathan Barnett.

"Why would [Bale] look to go elsewhere?" Barnett said, per Amy Lewis at Sky Sports. "There's always interest in him, but as far as we are concerned he'll be at Real Madrid next summer."

Bale is a massive waste of money, and he is a misfit at Real Madrid.

Why? This is Cristiano Ronaldo's team, not Bale's.

When Alberto Bueno scores more goals for Rayo Vallecano (16 goals) than Bale does for Real Madrid (13 goals), you know he is not living up to expectations.

3. Paulo Dybala (Palermo)

Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini has revealed he will shut down Argentinian centre-forward Paulo Dybala, 21, to avoid the possibility of him suffering a long-term injury.

"It's possible that in the next [fortnight] we'll sell [Dybala]," Zamparini said, per La Repubblica (h/t David Amoyal at Gianluca Di Marzio's website). "I would like to avoid injuries in this delicate phase."

Zamparini outlined the six clubs vying to sign Dybala: 

1. AC Milan.
2. Arsenal.
3. Inter Milan.
4. Juventus.
5. Manchester City.
6. Paris Saint-Germain.

Twelve months in football can irreparably change a career.

From transfer bust to one of the most sought-after Serie A footballers, Dybala is a dual-threat to score and create.

However, there are concerns over his consistency.

2. Memphis Depay (Manchester United)

PSV Eindhoven have sold Dutch left-forward Memphis Depay, 21, to Manchester United.

Per Manchester United's website: "[An] agreement with PSV Eindhoven and Memphis for the player's transfer [has been reached], subject to a medical, once the transfer window opens in June."

Memphis cost Manchester United around €30/£22.4 million, per Ian McCourt at the Guardian.

A once-in-a-generation talent, Memphis is a risk worth taking for Manchester United, especially under the tutelage of compatriot Louis van Gaal.

The transfer of Memphis to Manchester United continues a trend of top PSV Eindhoven players calling Old Trafford home.

Ruud van Nistelrooy | PSV Eindhoven → Manchester United: €30.4/£19 million (2001; 25 years old).

Jaap Stam | PSV Eindhoven → Manchester United: €17/£11.1 million (1998; 25 years old).

Park Ji Sung | PSV Eindhoven → Manchester United: €6/£4.1 million (2005; 24 years old).

1. Paul Pogba (Juventus)

Juventus' French central midfielder Paul Pogba, 22, is not leaving in the summer transfer window, according to general manager Giuseppe Marotta.

"Our goal is not to weaken the team, but to strengthen it," Marotta said, per Mediaset (h/t Football Italia). "Pogba is someone we want to keep, not sell."

Pogba's long shooting, his athleticism and his extraordinary potential for greatness is why he is one of the most valuable young players in the world. 

Once Pogba scores 20 goals in a season, that is when Juventus should sell him to the highest bidder.

+allanjiang.

When not specified, statistics via WhoScored.com.