Ranking the Week's 20 Hottest Transfer Rumours: Mario Balotelli, Pedro and More
Another week closer to the end of the transfer window, teams are scurrying trying to add the final pieces to their puzzles to achieve seasonal objectives in 2014-15.
Collating this week's rumours featuring the biggest players and clubs in Europe, we assess which are the biggest and most enticing potential transfers yet to happen in the closing days. Most major league campaigns are up and running now for 2015-16, so late additions can make all the difference.
Again we iterate that the ranking of these rumours is subjective and open to change based on the changing reports of any impending transfers; we order them based on each player's reputation in the game, the rumoured price tag and the size or recent success of the potential buying club.
20. Alex Buttner to Everton
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Everton's season started with the bad news that they have lost key performer and starting left-back Leighton Baines through injury for around three months.
As such, it's no surprise to see them linked with a new face for the position, with former Manchester United man Alexander Buttner the reported target, per Mail Online.
The suggested loan move would give Everton temporary cover as Baines recovers.
19. Fabio Borini to Sunderland
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Liverpool striker Fabio Borini spent a year on loan at Sunderland in 2013-14, turned down a permanent deal to the same club last year—and now may be headed back to the Stadium of Light in another loan move.
The Sunderland Echo reports the Black Cats ready to bring Borini back for another season after letting Connor Wickham move on to Crystal Palace.
It also mentions Borini having been in contact with Serie A clubs over a move to his home nation—Fiorentina have previously been mentioned.
18. Adnan Januzaj to Sunderland
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Sunderland's search for attacking options has also led them to Manchester United man Adnan Januzaj, who could be allowed to leave on loan.
The Sunderland Echo have also noted the interest in this target, though they suggest it is dependent on another deal going through—with Manchester United first looking to secure one of their own late transfers.
More on that later.
17. Cristian Zapata to Everton
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Roberto Martinez has categorically denied any chance of Everton defender John Stones moving on in this window, which is why you won't find him listed in this week's rumours—but Everton's own transfer activity is another matter.
AC Milan centre-back Cristian Zapata is one of Everton's primary targets according to the Daily Mail, with Milan having strengthened their own squad considerably this summer.
No specific fee is mentioned for the deal.
16. Virgil Van Dijk to Southampton
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Southampton are still after another central defender and Celtic's Virgil van Dijk is a key target.
The Daily Record is reporting a £10 million bid is close to being secured, even with Celtic facing a Champions League qualifying match against Malmo.
Boss Ronaldo Koeman confirmed he is in the market for such a player:
"We would like to bring in another defender and if we bring in another defender then I am very happy for this season. We are still working to bring in one defender but are a little bit unlucky to have two centre-backs with injuries and Ryan [Bertrand] injured as well."
15. Emmanuel Adebayor to West Ham United
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The Evening Standard report West Ham United are simply looking to sign just about any human masquerading as a striker—they claim no less than a dozen players are on their hit-list.
Emmanuel Adebayor is the primary name on the shortlist, with Spurs considering both a loan deal or a £5 million bid.
He is well out of favour at White Hart Lane, with Harry Kane the undisputed first choice, and it seems unlikely he will see out the window at the north London club.
14. Javier Hernandez to Torino
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Manchester United's Javier Hernandez is currently only second choice at best for his team's strike line, and he is another who seems likely to make a move before the window shuts.
The Mirror reports that while West Ham and Spurs are still interested, the leading side at present could be Serie A club Torino, from whom United signed Matteo Darmian earlier in the summer.
A loan move with a view to buy seems the most likely outcome if Torino make their interest firm.
13. Lucas Leiva to Inter Milan
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Lucas Leiva is one of Liverpool's longest serving players but may be on his way out of the club, according to the Liverpool Echo.
The central midfielder was not included on the opening day of the season and seems down the order of favour after the arrival of James Milner, leading the player to consider his future.
Inter Milan are noted as one of the sides who were previously interested in January.
12. Fabio Coentrao to Inter Milan
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Real Madrid's squad has been boosted by right-back Danilo this summer, with Alvaro Arbeloa switching to feature mainly at left-back in pre-season as a result.
That seems to leave Fabio Coentrao out of favour—and insidefutbol.com quotes Corriere dello Sport as believing Inter Milan have an agreement with his agent to transfer the Portuguese full-back this summer.
Rafa Benitez looks like being the one to give the final go-ahead to the deal, according to the report.
11. Mario Balotelli to Stay at Liverpool
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Liverpool forward Mario Balotelli had been linked with likely moves to either Sampdoria or Lazio, but now Mirror Football reports that instead he has opted to stay at his current club in the Premier League.
The reason given is that Balotelli is due a "six-figure sum" from the club under the terms of his contract if he remains at the club beyond the closure of the current transfer window.
Liverpool were prepared to pay more than half his wages if the Italian moved elsewhere on loan.
10. Roberto Soldado to Villarreal
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Another striker who is close to moving on is Tottenham's Roberto Soldado.
The Spurs man has struggled in the Premier League and has, according to the Evening Standard, already passed a medical to head back to la Liga with Villarreal.
The Yellow Submarine finished sixth last season and are in the Europa League this term but needed a new forward after offloading Luciano Vietto, Ikechukwu Uche and Giovani dos Santos over the summer.
9. Clinton N'Jie to Spurs
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With Adebayor and Soldado heading out of White Hart Lane, it's unsurprising that Spurs are being linked with incoming attackers to take their place.
The first name on the list is Clinton N'Jie, whom the Telegraph claim could be done and signed within a short time frame.
Pace and positional versatility make N'Jie an attractive prospect to Mauricio Pochettino, and he would provide much-needed support and back-up to Harry Kane.
8. Lucas Digne to Roma
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Lucas Digne is linked with a move away from Paris Saint-Germain after failing to make it as first choice for the Ligue 1 champions.
ESPNFC report that Liverpool had been keen on a deal but that AS Roma are instead close to sealing the transfer.
The link between Digne and his former boss Rudi Garcia at Lille, now head coach at Roma, is seen as a key selling point for the left-back to choose the Serie A club.
7. Lucas Biglia to Manchester United
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Manchester United have already signed a number of midfielders this summer, but another could be at Old Trafford very shortly.
That's according to Metro, who cite Belgian rumours claiming Lazio's Lucas Biglia is a top target for Louis van Gaal.
A move for between £21 million and £29 million is rumoured, though there is no concrete agreement between the two clubs. Personal terms are, however, agreed with the player.
6. Ramires to Juventus
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Chelsea's summer hasn't been their busiest ever by a long stretch, but a potential outgoing deal is midfielder Ramires who is wanted by Serie A champions Juventus.
The Evening Standard report that Juve want him to cover for injuries to Sami Khedira and Kwadwo Asamoah. Either a permanent or loan deal would work for Juventus, though the report indicates that Jose Mourinho may not want to let his athletic and versatile performer leave.
Ramires is not a regular starter for Chelsea but is still likely to command a large fee.
5. Nicolas Otamendi to Manchester City
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Nicolas Otamendi has been left out of Valencia's Champions League squad to face AS Monaco in the play-offs, as reported by Goal.com, with mounting speculation over the defender's future.
Otamendi is a major target for Manchester City, and he has a £35 million release clause, having been the standout defender in la Liga last term as he helped his side return to the top four in Spain.
Otamendi will be a big miss for Los Che as they try to make the group stages.
4. Grzegorz Krychowiak to Arsenal
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Sevilla's impressive Polish central midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak has won plenty of plaudits since making the move from France to Spain last summer, and now he could be in line for another move.
The Telegraph reports that Arsenal are among the front-runners for his signature, having watched him feature for his side in the UEFA Super Cup against Barcelona in Georgia earlier this week—Barcelona ran out 5-4 winners after extra time.
Despite those reports surrounding a £22 million, Arsene Wenger has stated, per ESPNFC, that he is not currently interested in the player.
3. William Carvalho to Real Madrid
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William Carvalho has long been linked with a big-money move away from Sporting CP in Portugal, and AS, via talkSPORT, now report that Real Madrid are the team in the front to sign him.
A £32 million bid is in the offing from the Spanish side who have not made big strides in the transfer market as yet this summer.
Chelsea and Arsenal have also been linked with Carvalho but have not made a bid.
2. Pedro to Manchester United
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Still ongoing and still unresolved, the summer saga of the Premier League is that of Manchester United's chase of Barcelona forward Pedro.
The Times have the latest report of Pedro's potential move, quoting Barcelona's technical secretary Robert Fernandez saying the player "wanted to go" and that a £20 million deal could be ready to move through.
Pedro played and scored in the UEFA Super Cup win over Sevilla and is in the squad to face Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish Supercopa.
1. Kevin De Bruyne to Manchester City
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Our top transfer rumour this week is that of Kevin De Bruyne to Manchester City.
The Wolfsburg attacking midfielder is said to be available for £46 million if City push for the deal to go through—but the Manchester Evening News report that City want the player to declare his interest in leaving and effectively force Wolfsburg to accept a sale.
De Bruyne was Germany's player of the season last year and one of the top players in all of Europe; his signature would would significantly boost City's hopes of regaining a league title and progressing in the Champions League this term—but Wolfsburg will be thinking exactly the same after finishing runners-up in the Bundesliga last term.
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