Ranking the Week's 25 Hottest Transfer Rumours
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 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 David De Gea, Mats Hummels and Raheem Sterling, will be subjectively ranked via a combination of various standards:
- Current playing ability.
- Upside.
- Projected transfer value.
- Projected transfer resell value.
- Social media buzz.
When not specified, statistics via WhoScored.
25. Tomi Juric (Free Agent)
1 of 25
Standard Liege are in talks to sign free-agent Australian centre-forward Tomi Juric, 23, per La Meuse (h/t Sebastian Hassett at the Sydney Morning Herald).
Juric made the brave decision to reject a multimillion-dollar deal from Shanghai Shenhua in January, only to be released by the Western Sydney Wanderers in May, reported by ABC.
At his best, Juric can be as dominant as Mark Viduka. Yet when Juric is out of form, he is missing in action.
If he's surrounded by a positive environment and given a fair chance, Juric could succeed at Standard Liege.
24. Dom Dwyer (Sporting Kansas City)
2 of 25Orlando City manager Adrian Heath has apologised for tapping up Sporting Kansas City's English centre-forward Dom Dwyer, 24, who played at the Florida club on loan during its USL Pro days.
"In hindsight, looking back at the quotes, they could be misconstrued a different way," Heath said, per Paul Tenorio at the Orlando Sentinel. "I just answered an honest question with an honest answer. But hey, I will reach out to [Sporting Kansas City], and as I say, if I offended anybody I apologise."
Dwyer is married to United States women's national soccer team star Sydney Leroux, and the couple see a future in Kansas.
"We just bought a house in Kansas City and are planning on celebrating our marriage with close friends and family," the couple said, per People. "We couldn't be happier and can't wait to start our lives together."
Major League Soccer has fined Heath and Orlando City "an undisclosed amount for violating the tampering policy," reported by the league's official site.
If Dwyer can make a quantum leap in development, he wouldn't be a realistic target for Orlando City, as he would be fielding offers from Europe.
23. Patrick Roberts (Fulham)
3 of 25Fulham have turned down Manchester City's €11.2 million/£8 million offer to sign English winger Patrick Roberts, 18, per the Daily Express.
Roberts was primarily a super-sub for Fulham this past season, only starting 11.8 per cent of Championship games in which he was involved.
Playing at the 2014 UEFA European Under-17 Championship, Roberts was highlighted by the technical observers as one of the tournament's best players: "Roberts, the electric left-footer hitherto deployed Messi-style on the right, switched to his natural left-wing berth."
Unless Manchester City are projecting Roberts to become a first-team regular, it is pricey to be buying him just to fill up a slot.
It would be more economically efficient for Manchester City to promote Brandon Barker to the bench.
22. Seydou Doumbia (Roma)
4 of 25
Beijing Guoan have made an ambitious play to sign Roma centre-forward Seydou Doumbia, 27, per David Amoyal of Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio's website.
- Roma will loan Doumbia to Beijing Guoan.
- If Doumbia impresses, Beijing Guoan have the option to extend the loan into a permanent deal for €14 million/£10.1 million.
Having played in Japan, Switzerland, Russia and Italy, Doumbia is adaptable.
Providing he is fully fit, he would dominate the Chinese Super League.
Doumbia scored two goals in 544 minutes over 13 Serie A games after joining Roma from CSKA Moscow in January, and the Giallorossi perhaps want to move him on before his transfer stock crashes.
21. Troy Deeney (Watford)
5 of 25
Newcastle United are trying to sign Watford centre-forward Troy Deeney, 26, per Peter O'Rourke at ESPN FC.
Deeney is a scorer and provider at Championship level. He notched 21 goals and registered nine assists in 42 league games this past campaign.
It remains to be seen if he can replicate such numbers in the Premier League.
Given Newcastle United's problems, transferring there would be a sideways move for Deeney. It would make more sense if he stayed at Watford and tried to help them stay in the Premier League.
20. Ragnar Klavan (Augsburg)
6 of 25Everton have looked into signing Augsburg centre-back Ragnar Klavan, 29, according to his agent, Maikel Stevens.
"[Everton] inquired. It is clear that I'd deal with it, if there is such a request, but it is also a fact that [Klavan] still has a two-year contract in Augsburg," Stevens said, per Kicker (h/t Joe Ridge at the Daily Mail). "You must also know that it is his dream to transfer to the Premier League."
Augsburg's willingness to let Klavan leave is dependent on their coaching staff's projection of Hong Jeong-ho.
If Augsburg believe Hong is ready to take his game to the next level, then the likelihood of deal to move Klavan to Everton increases.
The issue with Hong is not his ability but rather his mental fragility, which he is open about, per Yoon Tae-Seok at the Korea Joongang Daily:
"[Then-South Korean national team manager Hong Myung-bo] trusted me and gave me the opportunity to play, but I felt so sorry that I couldn't meet his expectations. I wanted to call him, but I just had no courage to do it.
... I just prayed that the first half would end quickly, but as I looked at the clock, time wasn't running fast enough ... [At Augsburg] I was struggling mentally because of my injured foot, but it's fortunate that I wrapped up the season well.
"
Klavan is a solid Bundesliga-standard starter, but he is not in the class of Martin Stranzl or Naldo.
19. Demba Ba (Besiktas)
7 of 25
West Bromwich Albion and West Ham United are vying to sign Besiktas centre-forward Demba Ba, 30, per Gary Jacob at the Times.
According to Jacob, Ba "wants to leave Besiktas over a disagreement about money."
If money is Ba's primary objective, he is in luck because he is on Al Ahli's long-list of potential transfer signings, per Matt Monaghan at Sport 360.
Ba is still a prolific scorer at European level, so he would be Pele-esque in the Arabian Gulf League.
18. Pablo Sarabia (Getafe)
8 of 25Watford manager Quique Sanchez Flores is closing in on Getafe attacking midfielder Pablo Sarabia, 23, per Jose Antonio de la Rosa at AS.
Quique coached Sarabia for half a season at Getafe this past campaign.
That is the reason why Watford have flagged a player from Getafe instead of Granada [1].
Sarabia, a former Real Madrid prospect, will add pedigree to Watford's squad. He is a nifty player but has yet to be a star at top-flight level.
[1] Udinese, Granada and Watford are under the control of the Pozzo family.
17. Joe Gomez (Charlton Athletic)
9 of 25Liverpool are preparing a €4.9 million/£3.5 million bid to sign Charlton Athletic defender Joe Gomez, 18, per the Press Association (h/t the Guardian).
Charlton Athletic extended Gomez's contract until 2017 with an option of a further year in October last year, so it is a low-ball offer from Liverpool.
The technical observers went out of their way to emphasise how influential Gomez was for England at the 2014 UEFA European Under-17 Championship, per UEFA's website:
"Gomez and Taylor Moore manned [England's defence] with efficiency and aplomb.
... Gomez was willing to indulge in powerful upfield runs, notably the high-speed incursion as far as the Turkish byline, when he produced the cutback that allowed Dominic Solanke to tap in the equaliser.
... Power runs by centre-back Joe Gomez and midfielder Joshua Onomah = dangerous counters [for England].
"
Gomez produced a positive outcome 90 per cent of the time he dribbled in one-on-one situations last season, per Wyscout.
Subjectively and statistically, Gomez is one of England's up-and-coming stars, so it would be a calculated gamble worth taking from Liverpool if Charlton Athletic are willing to sell him for €4.9 million/£3.5 million.
16. Radamel Falcao (Monaco)
10 of 25
Chelsea have almost agreed a season-loan deal to sign Monaco centre-forward Radamel Falcao, 29, per Dan Roan at BBC Sport.
There are many implications of this deal, but here are three.
Pay Cut?
It is possible Falcao renegotiated his salary at Monaco to ensure he would be loaned to Chelsea, with director Marina Granovskaia becoming more prudent when it comes to spending owner Roman Abramovich's money, per Jason Burt at the Telegraph.
Unless Falcao goes on the record, it is hard to understand why a player who tore his anterior cruciate ligament last year and is likely on his final big-money contract at a top club would decrease his wages.
His agent, Jorge Mendes, is one of the most powerful men in football. He has enough leverage as another client of his, Jose Mourinho, is the manager Chelsea, which could ensure Falcao receives the same remuneration he would if he was playing for Monaco.
Mendes Factor
One admirable trait about Mendes is his loyalty.
When Nuno agreed to be represented by Mendes, an unknown football tragic who quit the game to be a nightclub owner, it irreparably change both their lives.
"Jorge never took a cent from me, although we'd agreed he'd get a bonus," Mendes said, per Peter Wise and Simon Kuper at the Financial Times. "He tore up the cheque under my eyes, saying he'd never cash it."
Nuno, a modest pro who was on the books of Deportivo La Coruna and a squad-filler in the Portugal national team, gave Mendes credibility.
Post-playing career, Mendes ensured Nuno, whose only coaching experience was at Rio Ave, received a golden chance to manage a cashed-up Valencia.
Falcao chose Mendes to represent him and provided the agent with another easy revenue stream.
With Falcao's career now in decline after a disastrous loan spell at Manchester United, Mendes is pulling the strings to give his client one last shot at redemption at Chelsea.
Youth
Should Falcao join Chelsea? What about Bertrand Traore, Patrick Bamford and Dominic Solanke?
- Traore is a once-in-a-generation talent, so his playing time could be diminished by a deteriorating Falcao.
- Do Chelsea view Bamford as an asset rather than a future first-teamer?
- Is Solanke Chelsea's version of Javier Portillo?
Falcao's signing would be detrimental to the development of three promising No. 9 prospects.
15. Nani (Manchester United)
11 of 25
Manchester United winger Nani, 28, has not contemplated moving to Benfica after spending a season on loan at Sporting Lisbon.
"I don't think about possibly signing for Benfica and I don't want to talk about it as I said before," Nani said, per James Andrew at the Daily Mail. "My focus is with Portugal right now and I just think about our next game and my holiday afterwards."
If Nani wants to showcase his dazzling skills, he would need to accept a substantial pay cut to play in the Primeira Liga.
Should he want to protect his income, then he will remain on the books of Manchester United, which is likely his last big pay day at a top club.
Manchester United owe Nani £110,000 a week until the expiration of his contract, per Mark Ogden at the Telegraph.
When does his deal end?
"Manchester United is delighted to announce that Nani has signed a new five-year contract to June 2018," per Mark Froggatt at Manchester United's website.
14. Asmir Begovic (Stoke City)
12 of 25
Bosnia and Herzegovina goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, 27, is playing the field, according to Stoke City chief executive officer Tony Scholes.
"[Begovic is] keeping his options open," Scholes said, per BBC Radio Stoke (h/t BBC Sport). "He's away on holiday at the moment but we hope to sit down with him and his representatives again in the near future."
Chelsea have Begovic on a long list of potential Petr Cech replacements for their backup goalkeeper position, per Kieran Gill at the Daily Mail.
Begovic accumulated 84 saves in 35 Premier League games this past season, his fifth successive campaign in England's top flight.
If Begovic departs, it could provide the opening that launches Jack Butland's Stoke City career.
13. Ricardo Kishna (Ajax)
13 of 25
Juventus and PSV Eindhoven will have a clear path to Dutch forward Ricardo Kishna, 20, if his relationship with Ajax has irreconcilably deteriorated.
Having had problems with Ajax manager Frank de Boer, Kishna's future is up in the air.
"I do not deny that there was some hassles last season between [De Boer] and me. But our relationship is [now] good," Kishna said, per Voetbal International (h/t Michael Bell at Football Oranje). "I have had no offer from Ajax and I am wondering if [the extension is] going to happen."
Kishna is a gifted but inconsistent winger who scored five goals and provided five assists in 26 Eredivisie games this past season.
Not only did Kishna interchange between being a starter and super-sub, his agent, Mino Raiola, feuded with De Boer, per AT5 and Voetbal International (h/t the Dutch News).
12. Karim Rekik (Manchester City)
14 of 25
PSV Eindhoven are in pole position to sign Manchester City centre-back Karim Rekik, 20, per the Eindhovens Dagblad (h/t Stuart Brennan at the Manchester Evening News).
Rekik improved greatly helping PSV Eindhoven to the Eredivisie title this past campaign.
Manchester City are going all in on Eliaquim Mangala, who has so far been unconvincing.
This means Rekik needs to find a club that appreciates him.
He is wanted at PSV Eindhoven, and he can use the Eredivisie platform to potentially move back to one of Europe's top leagues in the next few years.
11. Alex Song (Barcelona)
15 of 25
West Ham United are prepared to give a three-year contract to Cameroonian midfielder Alex Song, 27, who has no future at Barcelona, per Graeme Bailey at Goal.
Song needs to be more expansive as a passer.
He has to function as a creative outlet, given that is what secured his transfer from Arsenal to Barcelona in 2012.
10. Axel Witsel (FC Zenit)
16 of 25
Chelsea and Manchester United are exploring the possibility of signing FC Zenit central midfielder Axel Witsel, 26, per Alex Richards at the Daily Mirror.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Richards), Juventus are also in the running.
Juventus need to persist with Stefano Sturaro, who has shown he not only belongs in a Bianconeri shirt but can be an invaluable part of the midfield.
Witsel would not be guaranteed a starting position at any of the three clubs. While he has the attributes to be a world-class footballer, he doesn't dominate week in, week out.
He would adapt to a top league, but he could disappoint if clubs are expecting a Paul Pogba-like X-Factor.
If there is a mercurial FC Zenit footballer to gamble on, Witsel is not the guy.
Take a risk on Salomon Rondon, who at times looks like a top No. 9 but inexplicably fades in and out of games.
9. Fabian Delph (Aston Villa)
17 of 25
Manchester City want to bolster their squad by adding Aston Villa central midfielder Fabian Delph, 25, per Ian Ladyman at the Daily Mail.
Having signed a four-and-a-half year contract extension in January, Delph is content at Aston Villa, where he is a leader and a Premier League starter.
At Manchester City, he is likely going to be a squad-filler.
Unless Manchester City offer him ludicrous wages approaching £150,000 a week, Delph should say: "No, thank you."
If he sits out a season or two, it could hamper his career progression a la Jack Rodwell and Scott Sinclair.
8. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal)
18 of 25
Chelsea will test Arsenal's resolve by bidding €28 million/£20 million for English attacking midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, 21, per the Sun (h/t James Dickenson at the Daily Express).
Signing Oxlade-Chamberlain would only make sense if Juan Cuadrado is let go.
Are Chelsea willing to cut bait on Cuadrado after he made a bad first impression?
From Arsenal's perspective, it is too early to sell Oxlade-Chamberlain, given his immense upside if he can stay fit and regain his form.
How could Arsenal explain giving up on Oxlade-Chamberlain if Abou Diaby was given nine years to come good?
7. Giannelli Imbula (Marseille)
19 of 25
Inter Milan have submitted a €18 million/£12.9 million bid for Marseille defensive midfielder Giannelli Imbula, 22, per RMC Sport (h/t Football Italia).
According to RMC Sport, Marseille want Inter Milan to up their offer to €25 million/£18 million with Valencia hesitant to meet Imbula's asking price.
In the defensive-midfield role, Imbula has concentration problems and commits rash tackles.
That said, he is in the zone when allowed to carry the ball forward and operate as a quasi-attacking midfielder.
Caen's N'Golo Kante would be a cheaper alternative for Inter Milan.
6. Marc Bartra (Barcelona)
20 of 25
Barcelona centre-back Marc Bartra, 24, is a summer transfer window target for several clubs, according to his agent, Javier Diaz, per Aidan Magee and Lyall Thomas at Sky Sports:
- Bartra "is happy at Barcelona."
- But he wants to be a week in, week out starter and "will look at the options" available to him.
- Clubs from "England and other countries in Europe" are interested in signing Bartra.
- There is a €12 million/£8.6 million buyout clause in Bartra's contract which can be triggered.
Diaz opted against disclosing the clubs that have contacted him about Bartra. However, Sky Sports believes one English club is Tottenham Hotspur.
Sure, Diaz was diplomatic, but he is essentially issuing an ultimatum to Barcelona.
Bartra's upside, his relatively cheap buyout clause and Barcelona's transfer ban [1] is why Diaz has leverage.
[1] Barcelona are able to sign players this summer, such as Aleix Vidal, but they cannot register t em until January 2016, rendering any summer transfer window purchases inactive for half a season.
5. Raheem Sterling (Liverpool)
21 of 25
Manchester City have continued their pursuit of Liverpool forward Raheem Sterling, 20, tabling a €49.6 million/£35.5 million offer, per Ben Smith at BBC Sport.
The longer Liverpool drag this transfer saga out toward deadline day, the more likely Manchester City will submit an outrageously inflated transfer bid.
The Fernando Torres precedent is an example of Liverpool waiting patiently.
From Liverpool's perspective, they learned about too much emphasis being placed on potential rather than productivity from the Andy Carroll deal.
Manchester City are already overboard because Sterling is not a €49.6 million/£35.5 million-valued player right now.
Yes, projection will always be a part of a deal, but when the large majority of a big investment is based on upside, that is a red flag.
Manchester City are playing right into Liverpool's hands.
4. Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund)
22 of 25Manchester United remain insistent on targeting Borussia Dortmund centre-back Mats Hummels, 26, per Miguel Delaney at ESPN FC.
It is a win-win situation for Borussia Dortmund.
Hummels has no intention of leaving, per Sky Sports, therefore Manchester United need to show the money. Let's say Manchester United, hypothetically speaking, lodge a €70 million/£50.4 million bid [1] and Hummels receives £250,000-a-week wages for five years at Old Trafford—it works out for all parties.
In theory, this deal heavily favours Borussia Dortmund, as they can replenish their squad and start the Thomas Tuchel era with aplomb.
Financially speaking, Hummels would be set for life, and Manchester United would have got their man.
However, it is risky for Manchester United to sign Hummels, considering his injury issues and his form ebbing and flowing.
[1] Hummels has refuted reports of a release clause, per Spox (h/t Transfermarkt via Stephan Uersfeld at ESPN FC).
3. Roberto Firmino (Hoffenheim)
23 of 25
Liverpool are "strong contenders" to sign Hoffenheim attacking midfielder Roberto Firmino, 23, per Marcelo Hazan and Richard Souza at Globoesporte (h/t Will Giles at Metro).
Firmino will be moving to the Premier League, but "it may take a while before a deal is announced," according to his agent, Roger Wittmann, per Bild (h/t Press Association via the Guardian).
Wittmann opted against disclosing the club for whom Firmino is set to sign.
Firmino is a complete footballer and one of the most gifted players in the world.
The problem with Firmino is his inconsistency. He can be world class for a month and then anonymous the following five games.
If Firmino continues his up and down trajectory, he will be another unfulfilled talent like Denilson.
2. Kevin Trapp (Eintracht Frankfurt)
24 of 25
Paris Saint-Germain are in negotiations with goalkeeper Kevin Trapp, 24, according to Eintracht Frankfurt chief executive officer Heribert Bruchhagen, per SPORT1 (h/t Jens Weber at ESPN FC).
According to Weber, Trapp has a €9 million/£6.5 million release clause in his Eintracht contract, which explains why Paris Saint-Germain are already in talks with the German stopper.
Trapp is a world-class goalkeeper and has the talent to be Paris Saint-Germain's No. 1.
Eintracht Frankfurt are powerless to stop Paris Saint-Germain signing Trapp if he wants to leave.
1. David De Gea (Manchester United)
25 of 25
Real Madrid have submitted a €18 million/£13 million bid to sign Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea, 24, per Ian Ladyman at the Daily Mail.
What a derisive offer from Real Madrid.
If Manchester United are OK with not gaining an extra €18 million/£13 million, they should just keep De Gea and do everything to ensure he has a change of heart.
The way Real Madrid fans treat their players when they are under pressure should be a red flag for De Gea, who would have been a flop in the Premier League if Manchester United didn't support him.
Yes, Iker Casillas no longer has an influential aura, but being his successor is still a monumental task.
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