The Top 10 Players In Brazil Who Earned a January European Transfer (With Video)

Year in and year out those who follow the Brazilian domestic league get a sneak preview of what the potential stars of the future in Europe are capable of.

Over the last few years we have even seen a major addition of non native players using Brazil as a stepping stone towards the old continent.

The following, in no order whatsoever, are the ten best candidates currently still in Brazil who have a great chance of hoping across the ocean during January's transfer window.

Conca

Conca
Fluminense
Attacking Midfielder
27-years-old

A bit of a surprise to make this list, Conca is the only non Brazilian in the top 20. Argentinian-born Conca landed at Fluminense at the start of the 2008 season. He was an integral part of the 2008 squad that reached the Copa Libertadores Final.

Conca is small but extremely quick and gifted on the ball, sort of a poor man's Messi. In 2009, he was elected the player of the year by the fans for the Brazilian domestic league.

Not impressed? Conca is an Argentinian wearing the No. 10 jersey on a Brazilian team, perhaps the purists out there understand what that means.

Conca has played a key role in Fluminense's year, they currently sit in first in the Brazilian First Division with just six games to go. His six goals this season have helped the team, but not as much as his ability to find his team mates in the most dire moments of the game.

Jucilei

Jucilei
Corinthians
Defensive Midfielder
22-years-old

Jucilei came on strong with Corinthians, the club he joined in 2009. He has created a guaranteed spot in the starting eleven, either as a defensive midfielder, which is his best position, or as a right back if needed.

Big and strong, he is one of the best defensive midfielders Brazil currently has. It is very clear when you watch him play just a few games that he will be on the roster for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

As of June of 2010, he has already received offers to join Dynamo Kiev, PSG, Fiorentina, Lille, and Sevilla, among others.

Jucilei has gained international fame the last few months due to Mano Menezes calling him up for the Brazilian national side.

Elias

Elias
Corinthians
Midfielder
25-years-old

Elias is the most important player in the Corinthians midfield, and the team will only go as far as he goes.

Elias is a key component for a potent attack, being one of the very best in Brazil who can bring the ball up from the defensive midfielders up to the strikers.

He joins attacks constantly and usually comes as a surprise to the defenders. He is extremely quick and agile.

Elected the best player of the 2009, Elias has been called the flat out best player in Brazil by his teammate Ronaldo. Dunga is an absolute idiot for leaving him off the roster.

Elias has gained international fame the last few months due to Mano Menezes calling him up for the Brazilian national side.

Neymar

Neymar
Forward
Santos
18-years-old

Neymar is the current “hot name” in Brazilian transfers and has already been offered several contracts by top level clubs. Last week, for example, West Ham made a £16 million offer that was quickly shut down by Santos.

Very fast and extremely talented on the ball, Neymar has been called the new Robinho by many due to his playing style and the club he currently defends as well.

Despite being such a promise for the future, I am very hesitant to accept Neymar on the national team, especially because he is clearly not matured to that point.

His on the field and off the field antics are too much, ranging from causing several players to be late to practice because of late night parties to popping his collar during games.

Too bad he misses over 50% of his penalty attempts.

Ganso

Ganso
Santos
Midfielder
20-years-old

Paulo Henrique Ganso was the most coveted name that Dunga left off his 23 man roster for South Africa. He has a unique ability to see the field and deliver the exact pass needed for the offense to move forward.

Much in the way a No. 10 would, Ganso distributes the ball to his teammates with laser precision.

He is already a well known name around Europe, and it won't be long before he finds and secures a spot on one of the world's best clubs.

His current price tag for any team who wants to take him from Santos is sitting at $68 million dollars, a record sum for Brazil, if anyone dares to pay

Ganso has had to sit out the last few months due to an ACL tear, hopefully he will be ready by mid January for the start of the 2011 Campeonato Paulista.

Bruno Cesar

Bruno Cesar

Corinthians

Midfielder

21 years old

After coming to the attention of the major São Paulo clubs during the first half of the year, Bruno Cesar landed a spot in the cities largest team Corinthians, earning the coveted number 10 jersey.

A left footed attacking midfielder, Bruno Cesar is just waiting his turn to join Brazil's national side. He became the most important player on a side which contains world super stars such as Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos.

One of the most willing to pull the trigger on a shot in Brazil, Bruno Cesar was the leading scorer for the Brasileirão for a good part of the year until he was injured. Despite missing a few games he is still the second leading scorer in Brazil with 12 this season.

He has already drawn interest from such clubs as Benfica however Corinthians is planning on keeping the player, along with Elias and Jucilei, at least until the end of the 2011 Copa Libertadores.

It also doesn't hurt he looks like the Brazilian Tevez.

Walter Montillo

Walter Montillo

Cruzeiro

Midfielder

26 years old

After bouncing around some of South America's largest clubs, Montillo as he is known in Brazil, landed in the Belo Horizonte club side of Cruzeiro.

Despite only joining up with them in July of 2010, Montillo has scored seven goals in his 16 matches but is clearly the most important reason why Cruzeiro currently sits in second place only due to goal differential.

Perhaps, along with Conca, Montillo is the best play maker currently in any Brazilian team midfield (keep in mind Ganso is injured). Too bad they are both from Argentina.

Jonas

Jonas

Gremio

Forward

26 years old

Despite a bad season back in 2009, Jonas has rebounded and placed his name on top of the goal scorer list for the 2010 Brasileirão.

Jonas was also the leading scorer for the 2010 Campeonato Gaucho, leading him to renew his contract until the end of 2011.

In just 27 matches in the 2010 Brasileirão, Jonas has scored 20 goals, eight more than the second placed player.

Jefferson

Jefferson

Botafogo

Keeper

27 years old

Jefferson returned to Brazil to join Botafogo in 2009 and played a huge role in Botafogo winning the 2010 Campeonato Carioca.

During the first part of the tournament he had a miraculous save against Vagner Love and during the final of the second part of the tournament he saved a penalty by Adriano after the 76^th minute of the match, securing the title for Botafogo.

His efforts have not gone un-noticed as new Brazilian national side manager Mano Menezes has included him in his last three call ups.

Elias

Elias

Atletico-GO

Attacking Midfielder

27 years old

Although having played for some of Brazil's largest clubs, Elias landed in the tiny side of Atletico in the state of Goias in 2009. After a slow start he quickly became the most important player for the team.

In the sides first participation of the top division in Brazil, they were quickly at the bottom of the relegation zone.

However thanks to Elias they have climbed to two points clear of relegation with just six matches to go. He also sits in third place on the goal scoring list with 10 goals so far in the 2010 Campeonato Brasileirão.