Ranking the Week's 25 Hottest Transfer Rumours: Koke, Iker Casillas, Nani

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.

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 Koke, Iker Casillas and Nani, 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. Jamie Maclaren (Perth Glory)

Perth Glory's Australian centre-forward Jamie Maclaren, 21, has requested the club grant him a release from his contract, per Greg Prichard at SBS.

Maclaren, a former Blackburn Rovers prospect, has shown how resilient he is.

He is Andy Keogh's understudy, but when given a chance, Maclaren has starred in the A-League, scoring nine goals despite only starting 35 per cent of A-League games he was involved in for Perth Glory. 

His drastic improvement suggests he could emulate Adam Taggart if given a regular starting position at another A-League club.

Maclaren was named Perth Glory's Supporters' Player of the Year and was a nominee for the A-League Young Footballer of the Year.

24. Michael Eberwein (Borussia Dortmund)

Borussia Dortmund have confirmed the signing of German centre-forward Michael Eberwein, 19, from Bayern Munich, per BVB's website (h/t Stephan Uersfeld at ESPN FC).

Eberwein looked mediocre for Bayern Munich in the UEFA Youth League, failing to score in 401 minutes over six games.

He was nowhere near the quality of Dominic Solanke, Aaron Leya Iseka, or Borja Mayoral, who were top attacking talents in the UEFA Youth League.

Perhaps, Borussia Dortmund are projecting Eberwein to be a diamond in the rough like Mats Hummels.

23. Perry Kitchen (DC United)

Belgian, Danish and German clubs are scouting DC United's United States central midfielder Perry Kitchen, 23, according to his agent Lyle Yorks, per Grant Wahl at Sports Illustrated.

Kitchen is in his fifth Major League Soccer season.

He wins back the ball 3.9 times (2.0 tackles, 1.9 interceptions) per game this season.

22. Yoshinori Muto (FC Tokyo)

FC Tokyo's Japanese left/right-winger Yoshinori Muto, 22, will reject an approach from Chelsea in order to sign for Mainz, per The Japan Times.

It is an admirable decision from Muto, who is unfazed by money having postponed his pro career to study finance at Keio University.

Muto is in the form of his life seemingly scoring at will (eight goals in nine league games). Not only is he a top footballer at J1 level, but he will be the face of Mainz's Japanese marketing campaign.

21. Mustafa Amini (Borussia Dortmund)

Randers and Westerlo are interested in signing Borussia Dortmund's Australian central midfielder Mustafa Amini, 22, per David Lewis at SBS.

Playing in either the Danish Superliga or the Belgian Pro League will represent a fresh start for Amini, who has grafted at Borussia Dortmund II but was never given a chance to play in the Bundesliga.

Kicker rate players on a scale of 1-6: the lower, the better. 

Amini tied his highest rating this season (2.5) during Borussia Dortmund II's 3-0 win over Energie Cottbus in the 3. Liga.

He is putting himself into contention for a move to another European club.

A technically gifted ball-playing midfielder, Amini will be an invaluable addition to teams willing to structure their lineup around him.

20. Ali Mabkhout (Al Jazira)

Al Jazira's United Arab Emirates centre-forward Ali Mabkhout, 24, is contemplating about transferring to either the Premier League or La Liga.

"Premier League clubs have spoken [to me] before, and two weeks ago two teams from La Liga, but until now there is nothing [concrete]," Mabkhout said, per John McAuley at The National. "I don't know, but I’m ready for my next step."

Mabkhout could have played out the rest of his career dominating in the UAE, so he deserves credit daring to venture outside his comfort zone.

19. Nathan (Chelsea)

Chelsea have confirmed the signing of Brazilian central attacking midfielder Nathan Allan de Souza, 19, from Atletico Paranaense.

"I am very happy to be joining Chelsea, the champions of England," Nathan said, per Chelsea's website. "I hope I will be able to learn a lot and develop my game."

Nathan cost Chelsea €6.3/£4.5 million.

He endured a frustrating season at Atletico Paranaense, starting just 27.3 per cent of Brasileirao games he was involved in.

He didn't score a goal and only registered one assist in 380 minutes spread over 11 games.

Chelsea are signing Nathan based on his elite upside, having been one of the stars at the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup, where he was the Silver Ball recipient.

Scoring five goals and providing four assists in the tournament, the FIFA technical study group highlighted him as a key player: "Creative, dangerous playmaker, quick off the mark, excellent technique."

18. Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes)

Nantes' United States central/right attacking midfielder Alejandro Bedoya, 28, is being monitored by clubs in the Bundesliga and Premier League, according to his agent Lyle Yorks, per Grant Wahl at Sports Illustrated.

While not as influential as Jordan Veretout, Bedoya is a workhorse.

He is willing to sacrifice individual gain for the benefit of the team.

17. Oscar Hiljemark (PSV Eindhoven)

PSV Eindhoven's Swedish central midfielder Oscar Hiljemark, 22, is thinking about leaving the club due to his limited role.

"The city is great fun...[and] I get on really well with everyone. But I am here to play football, to become a better player," Hiljemark said, per Voetbal International (h/t Michael Bell at Football Oranje). "We will see how things develop, but it is clear that I am in a difficult situation."

Hiljemark is a ball-playing midfielder who can function as a passing outlet if he is afforded more chances.

He has only started 18.2 per cent of Eredivisie games he has been involved in this season.

16. Mitchell Dijks (Willem II)

Celtic and Feyenoord are competing to sign Willem II's Dutch left-back Mitchell Dijks, 22, per De Telegraaf (h/t Football Oranje).

Dijks is a physically imposing defender.

He averages 2.7 tackles and 2.4 interceptions per Eredivisie game this season.

15. Sebastian Prodl (Werder Bremen)

Werder Bremen and Austria centre/left-back Sebastian Prodl, 27, have agreed to part ways once the season ends.

"I have had a fantastic time at Bremen and would like to thank the team from the bottom of my heart," Prodl said, per Werder Bremen's website. "But I would like a new challenge next season."

Prodl will exercise his Bosman right to a free transfer in the summer window.

14. Nani (Manchester United)

Manchester United cannot find a buyer for Portuguese left-forward Nani, 28, because he earns around €152,048/£110,000-a-week, per Mark Ogden at the Telegraph.

If Manchester United fail to sell Nani and he refuses to renegotiate his contract, he is still owed €23.5/£17 million in wages.

On loan at Sporting Lisbon, Nani has found joy again in playing football, because he was an outcast at Manchester United.

You can't begrudge Nani if he elects to run down his current contract given the amount of cash he will receive.

13. Shinji Okazaki (Mainz)

Leicester City will lodge a €11.1/£8 million bid hoping to sign Mainz's Japanese centre-forward Shinji Okazaki, 29, per John Percy at the Telegraph.

The fee is a bit high for Okazaki, who has no re-sell value.

It would be better for him to stay at Mainz, a club that rescued his career after he struggled to score consistently at Stuttgart.

Okazaki has scored 12 goals in 30 Bundesliga games this season.

12. Iker Casillas (Real Madrid)

Real Madrid's Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas, 33, is so determined to stay at the club that he will even sit out the rest of his contract, per Guillem Balague at Sky Sports.

Palming Alvaro Morata's shot into the back of the net yet making a clutch save to deny Claudio Marchisio in Real Madrid's 1-1 draw against Juventus is a typical Casillas performance.

Casillas, once a world-class goalkeeper, is decent—nothing more, nothing less.

11. Aleksandar Mitrovic (Anderlecht)

Newcastle United are set to spend €20.8/£15 million on Anderlecht's Serbian centre-forward Aleksandar Mitrovic, 20, per Lee Ryder at the Evening Chronicle.

Mitrovic would be a substantial investment, which is the antithesis of what Mike Ashley usually does. 

The transfer of Mitrovic will only be resolved if Newcastle United survive relegation.

10. Max Kruse (Wolfsburg)

Wolfsburg sporting director Klaus Allofs confirmed the signing of German deep-lying forward Max Kruse, 27, from Borussia Monchengladbach. 

"We're very happy that Max Kruse has decided on a switch to Wolfsburg," Allofs said, per Alex Chaffer at Deutsche Welle. "He is the type of forward that was missing from our squad and he increases the quality and variety of our attack."

Kruse, an all-round forward who has scored 11 goals and provided eight assists in 30 Bundesliga games this season, cost Wolfsburg €12/£8.7 million.

His signing puts into doubt the future of misfiring, social loafing No. 9 Nicklas Bendtner.

9. Danny Ings (Burnley)

Liverpool's hopes of signing English centre-forward Danny Ings, 22, have "moved a step closer" after Burnley's relegation, per Kristian Walsh at the Liverpool Echo.

Ings is a technically gifted footballer who has been serviceable on a bad team, scoring 10 goals and providing four assists in 33 Premier League games this season.

But he is no Alexandre Lacazette, which is why signing Ings is not going to change Liverpool's fortunes.

8. Petr Cech (Chelsea)

Chelsea's Czech Republic goalkeeper Petr Cech, 32, has been given permission to enter into talks with potential suitors, according to his agent Viktor Kolar.

"Petr has confirmed his interest to play regularly at a top club. That's the task that we are now working on," Kolar said, per Saj Chowdhury at BBC Sport. "We have been permitted by Chelsea to negotiate with interested parties."

Cech is one of Chelsea's greatest ever footballers and has been an outstanding role model, so hopefully the Blues give him the leeway to leave rather than obstructing a move to a rival club.

7. Christian Benteke (Aston Villa)

Roma want a chance to persuade Aston Villa's Belgian centre-forward Christian Benteke, 24, to come to Italy, per Marco Macca of Gianluca Di Marzio's website.

Benteke has been world-class in the last month, which is not fully represented in his statistics: 12 goals in 27 Premier League games.

What should concern Benteke is how quickly Roma are willing to find a replacement for Seydou Doumbia.

If Benteke struggles, will Roma then replace him as soon as possible?

That is the question he should ask Roma if they do enter into talks.

6. Paulo Dybala (Palermo)

Palermo's Argentinian centre-forward Paulo Dybala, 21, has agreed personal terms with Juventus after accepting a five-year deal worth €2.2/£1.6 million-a-year, per David Amoyal at Gianluca Di Marzio's website.

Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini is holding out for a €40/£28.9 million transfer fee, per RAI (h/t Mediagol via Ben Gladwell at ESPN FC). 

Dybala has scored 13 goals and provided 10 assists in 33 Serie A games this season. It's good numbers for a mid-table club, but he needs to be scoring 20 goals plus at Juventus.

Life without Franco Vazquez could adversely affect Dybala's production since the duo were such a great fit together.

5. Geoffrey Kondogbia and 4. Layvin Kurzawa (Monaco)

@layvinkurzawa

Manchester City are trying to sign Monaco's French central midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia, 22, and French left-back Layvin Kurzawa, 22, per Antony Kastrinakis at the Sun.

Kondogbia is an accurate passer, can take the ball past opposing players and has a big physical presence.

His team-mate Kurzawa is one of the best young left-backs in the world. 

Both would be excellent additions to Manchester City's squad.

3. Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)

Manchester United are preparing a €62.3/£45 million bid to sign Tottenham Hotspur's English centre-forward Harry Kane, 21, per Matt Lawton and Mike Keegan at the Daily Mail.

Sure, Kane has scored 20 goals in the Premier League, but it is way too much of an investment based on one season.

If Kane can better his current form next season, then a big-money transfer away from Tottenham Hotspur becomes a reality.

2. Antoine Griezmann and 1. Koke (Atletico Madrid)

Atletico Madrid's French centre-forward Antoine Griezmann, 24, and Spanish left-winger/central midfielder Koke, 23, will be given salary raises with buy-out clauses set at €138.6/£100 million, per Dominic Fifield at the Guardian.

Selling Griezmann and Koke, two once-in-a-generation talents, would severely weaken Atletico Madrid's ability to challenge Barcelona and Real Madrid.

In the current La Liga season, Griezmann has scored 22 goals while Koke has registered 10 assists.

+allanjiang.

When not specified, statistics via WhoScored.com.