World Transfer Rumours: Top 50 Transfer Targets in European Football
With the 2010-2011 football season in the books, the transfer window has finally opened. Europe's top clubs are preparing to shell out money in hopes of increasing their chances of reaching the football promised land.
With rumours and speculation quickly arising amongst Europe's finest, several players look to change their scenery and head to bigger stages.
Some players, such as Jordan Henderson and Phil Jones, have already made lucrative moves to the top clubs of England, while others look to do the same in hopes of better opportunities and securing championships.
This slideshow covers the 50 most targeted players, in order of the player's value in all of Europe and abroad. Also discussed is the scouting report of each player, the transfer fee and a list of suitors that have expressed interest in the target.
Scott Parker, West Ham United
1 of 50
Midfielder
Age: 30
Fee: £8 million
With West Ham headed for relegation, their star players are on the outs in hopes of remaining in the top flight. The Football Writer's Player of the Year and Hammers' captain is surely to remain in the Premiership.
His never-say-die attitude, tough tackling style, precision passing and driving midfield play coupled with his versatility will certainly force many clubs to bid for his services.
Charlie Adam, Blackpool
2 of 50
Midfielder
Age: 25
Fee: £10 million
Despite the fact that the Seasiders failed to impress in the Premier League, their captain has raised eyebrows with his play and is surely to leave Bloomfield Road in the summer.
Adam played magnificently during the year, through his record of 12 goals and nine assists. The set-piece magician and Scottish regular has shown that he can be a great central midfielder and has shown the ability to create scoring opportunities easily.
Possible Suitors: Manchester United, Liverpool, Tottenham
Didier Drogba, Chelsea
3 of 50
Striker
Age: 33
Fee: £10 million
After an injury plagued season at Stamford Bridge, and with a surplus of attacking options and the need to get young, Chelsea may seem content to sell the Ivorian striker.
Undoubtedly still one of the most formidable strikers in the world with amazing strength that allows him to be a menace aerially, and his robust, scrambling style allows him to easily harass and challenge defenders. A
n underrated distributor of the ball, he finished second in the Premier League with 15 assists and also has shown the ability to be an able defender.
Although he has been a key player and an icon for Chelsea for the past few years, an exit seems likely with the Blues drastically needing to formulate a younger roster.
Possible Suitors: Tottenham Hotspur, AC Milan, Galatasaray S.K., Real Madrid, Málaga , Seattle Sounders FC
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Charles N'Zogbia, Wigan Athletic
4 of 50
Winger
Age: 25
Fee: £11 million
N'Zogbia was a major reason that the Latics were able to stay in the Premier League throughout the last stretch of the season. The speedy Frenchman has plenty of skill as can be witnessed by his nine goals and five assists in the Premiership this year.
He has underrated set-piece ability and can deliver deadly passes on occasion. However, his best attribute is his pace and agility which is crucial for a solid winger.
N'Zogbia seems likely to leave Wigan for a "bigger club" in England and could be a solid addition to several clubs.
Possible Suitors: Newcastle United, Everton, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, Sunderland
Gervinho, Lille OSC
5 of 50
Striker
Age: 23
Fee: £11 million
After a terrific season in Ligue 1, scoring 14 goals and bagging 10 assists in 34 appearances, the Ivorian striker is looking for a move in hopes of playing Champions League football. His pace, acceleration and agility allow him to become a menace inside the box.
Furthermore, his dribbles, and strikes will be highly pursued by top-tier clubs as he can make an immediate impact.
Gervinho has announced his intentions to leave France in favor for England, as he nears a deal with the Gunners.
Possible Suitors: Arsenal, Newcastle United, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Everton
Jérémy Menez, Roma
6 of 50
Winger
Age: 24
Fee: £11 million
The French playmaker has had a quiet season in Rome after recording only two goals and two assists, and has failed to impress in his tenure. The technically skilled and speedy winger does possess qualities that would make him a valuable commodity on the transfer market.
His agility and speed of dribble is mesmerizing, while his runs leave defenders in his dust. His outside play and underrated passing make him a quality player on the flanks.
Menez has recently become angered with his lack of playing time and has even confronted Roma officials. Menez looks to be intrigued by a move back to France.
Possible Suitors: Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal, AC Milan, Lille OSC
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Southampton
7 of 50
Winger
Age: 17
Fee: £12 million
The youngster from League One has been under the eyes of leading clubs for months, and it seems that Chamberlain may finally be on his way to greener pastures. Chamberlain has revealed to be electrifying from the wing and has drawn comparisons to possible teammate Theo Walcott.
He has a great combination of speed and technique and can deliver a consistent through ball, as evidenced by his eight assists. His versatility could also be vital in his development as a second striker and/or central midfielder. However, he remains largely inexperienced and should be given time to fully develop.
With a possible deal with Arsenal in the works, look for Chamberlain to head to the Emirates immediately.
Possible Suitors: Arsenal
Keisuke Honda, CSKA Moscow
8 of 50
Attacking Midfielder
Age: 25
Fee: £12 million
The Japanese attacker was magnificent in his display in South Africa with his booming free kicks. After securing a move to Russia in 2010, the Japanese Footballer of the Year has remained dominant with his play for Moscow.
He possesses a very powerful shot and beautifully manipulates the ball through his play. He has underrated dribbling ability and technique which allows him to effectively create opportunities in the box for his teammates.
His finishing and ability to curve the ball make him even more deadlier in set-pieces, and the MVP of the 2011 Asian Cup has already scored four goals in the young Russian season. Honda has opened eyes with his play, and several clubs have inquired about his availability.
Possible Suitors: Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool
Gregory Van Der Wiel, Ajax
9 of 50
Right Back
Age: 23
Fee: £12 million
The Dutch "Young Player of the Year" has been a crucial part of the Ajax side that won the 2010-11 Eredivisie league. His impressive performance with the Dutch during their World Cup campaign has allowed him to emerge as one of the finest emerging Right Backs in the world.
With incredible pace and drive, he makes endless runs down the right side and his crosses have been noted for their precision and movement. His hard-working style, marauding attitude and underrated defense have helped him become a hot commodity among European powers.
However, van der Wiel possesses questionable temperament, and his Twitter incident showed that he still hasn't fully matured.
Possible Suitors: Chelsea, Manchester City, FC Barcelona, Arsenal, Bayern Munich
Samuel Eto'o, Inter Milan
10 of 50
Striker
Age: 30
Fee: £12 million
Eto'o remains a potent force in Italy after scoring 21 goals and bagging nine assists for the Nerzzurri and ultimately finishing with 37 goals in all competitions. Still an intimidating presence, the Cameroonian captain helped Inter finish second in the table, after helping them win the Champions League in 2010.
The forward has exhibited speedy pace and a deadly eye for the goal through his phenomenal finishing ability. His composure in one-on-one situations and ability to push past the wall of defenders make him increasingly dangerous.
As the African Player of the Year heads towards the final stages of his career, he has expressed his feelings of playing in the Premier League.
Possible Suitors: Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur
Michel Bastos, Olympique Lyonnais
11 of 50
Left Winger/Back
Age: 27
Fee: £14 million
The Brazilian has been a longtime star in France with both Lille and Lyon and has become a goal scoring and brilliant passing Left Back. After scoring and recording a career best 14 goals and 11 assists for Lille in 2008, Bastos has become a potent and important starlet for the French giants.
The versatile footballer possesses tremendous speed down the left flank, and has shown the ability to trick opponents with his Brazilian flair. He is also quite dangerous on free kicks, and his powerful boot also helps him drill beautiful crosses into the box.
With interest coming predominantly from Serie A and Bastos hinting his preference to play in Italy, look for the capped Brazilian to head off to either Turin or Milan.
Possible Suitors: Juventus, Inter Milan
Leandro Damião, Internacional
12 of 50
Striker
Age: 21
Fee: £14 million
The young Brazilian emerged with an impressive record of 22 goals in 24 appearances playing for Internacional in the Brazilian first division. The 6'1" striker has the attributes to be a quality striker and can make an immediate impact in the top flight.
His deadly instinct in front of the goal helped him earn a cap for the Brazilian national team and helped Internacional win the Copa Libertadores. He doesn't have the fastest speed, nor the greatest flair, but his quickness and agility has made him a very durable and solid forward.
With Inter Chairman Giovanni Luigi hinting that it would be impossible to keep Damião in Porto Alegre, and with Tottenham inching closer to an agreement, it seems likely that the 21-year-old is on his way out.
Possible Suitors: Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, S.L. Benfica, FC Barcelona, AS Roma
Shinji Kagawa, Borussia Dortmund
13 of 50
Attacking Midfielder
Age: 22
Fee: £15 million
The Japanese starlet was headed for big things, before breaking his foot, after scoring eight goals in 18 games for Borussia Dortmund. Kagawa however has shown incredible dribbling, and his tricky passing made him a fan favorite for the Black Yellows.
His quick pace and agility and technical ability catapulted him into the starlight in Germany and has earned him 22 caps for Japan as well. He has a great eye, and his shot is quite underrated making him a very durable threat for Dortmund.
He has stated his dream of playing for a big club like Manchester United, but that may have to wait as he is looking into an extension with Dortmund after successfully winning the Bundesliga.
Possible Suitors: Manchester United
Dimitar Berbatov, Manchester United
14 of 50
Forward
Age:30
Fee: £15 million
The deadly Bulgarian shared the Premier League Golden Boot honors after scoring 21 goals and was also elected to the PFA Team of the Year. The tall hitman has become renowned for his intelligence, technical ability and composure with the ball at his feet.
He possesses excellent vision and accuracy with both his passes and powerful shot. The balanced attacker has received comparisons to Red Devil great Eric Cantona for his beautiful touch and elegance.
He is also one of the best at ball control and can easily move around tight positions making him a dangerous threat to defenders. However, he is known to easily fade in games, and his slow play has helped him gain the reputation of being lazy and arrogant.
He has reportedly fallen out of favor at Old Trafford as evidenced by his withdrawal from the Champions League final in favor of Chicharito Hernández and has been denied an extension with the club.
Possible Suitors: Paris Saint-Germain, Tottenham Hotspur, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund
Ashley Young, (Manchester United)
15 of 50
Winger/Forward
Age: 25
Fee: £16 million
The Aston Villa winger has impressed with his tenure at Villa Park and has been a premier talent for the Lions throughout his four years of service. During the Premier League season, Young displayed great balance of skill with seven goals, and 10 assists.
The former PFA Young Player of the Year, has shown tremendous pace, dribbling ability, as well as a phenomenal cross. His versatility, and great skill as a winger can also be shown by his excellent delivery and his set-piece play has made him the finest Villa player.
He had received obvious interest from many clubs, but he signed with Manchester United Thursday.
Pablo Osvaldo, RCD Espanyol
16 of 50
Striker
Age: 25
Fee: £17 million (Buyout Clause)
The Italian has impressed in the Primera Liga this year scoring 13 goals in 24 appearances. The crafty striker has shown creativity in creating opportunities for himself and possesses a great killer instinct.
However, his career has been lined with injuries, and it is fair to dispute whether he is a one-year wonder, after only scoring 35 goals in 133 appearances with weaker clubs in his career.
Osvaldo seems destined for a mid-tier team in the EPL or may opt to stay in Spain in order to fully develop and achieve his peak skill.
Possible Suitors: Tottenham Hotspur, Fulham, Villarreal, Sevilla, Atlético Madrid, Inter Milan, Juventus
Eljero Elia, Hamburg SV
17 of 50
Forward
Age: 24
Fee: £17 million
The speedy Dutchman's performances have gotten better as he further matures, and he was a capable substitute during Holland's World Cup run. The winger has tremendous speed and acceleration, coupled with his agility which makes him nearly unstoppable when he is in full stride.
His technical ability on the dribble is incredible while he is making his darting runs. He also has a very powerful shot, despite the fact that he rarely ever scores. Elia's turn of direction is also phenomenal, as is his incisive running while controlling the ball allows him to easily create opportunities in the box.
Elia has fallen out of favor in Hamburg, and may want to explore more lucrative and better opportunities elsewhere after only finishing eighth in the Bundesliga.
Possible Suitors: Liverpool, Juventus, Chelsea
Gary Cahill, Bolton Wanderers
18 of 50
Center Back
Age: 25
Fee: £17 million
Cahill after a strong year, has shown that he is an emerging and promising center back in the Premier League. He has shown a committed and strong stance in the back line, while playing a no-nonsense defense in terms of tackles and aerial ability.
Cahill has also shown a decent capability to attack and has scored 11 goals for the Wanderers over the course of 111 appearances. However, Cahill needs to work on his consistency and his positioning has caused him to be exposed by speedy strikers.
Cahill was long rumored throughout the winter transfer market to the likes of Chelsea and has now emerged as a top defensive target for several EPL clubs.
Possible Suitors: Manchester City, Arsenal, Everton, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur
Jan Vertonghen, Ajax
19 of 50
Center Back/Defensive Midfielder
Age: 24
Fee: £17 million
The Belgian defender helped Ajax win the Eredivisie, while conceding the least amount of goals in the table. The 6'2" vice captain and capped Belgian international has become a hulking figure in the Amsterdammers back four.
The left-footed versatile defender has been known to play both as a center back and defensive midfielder, while also contributing on the offense. His aerial ability is excellent, and his intelligence is of the utmost value.
His tackling strength and powerful shot on set pieces make him a very complete player and almost perfect for the style of play in the Premier League.
With Ajax in debt and the need for defensive depth for several English clubs, look for him to head to England during the summer.
Possible Suitors: Arsenal, Manchester City, Everton
David De Gea, Atlético Madrid
20 of 50
Goalkeeper
Age: 20
Fee: £17 million
The young Spaniard has been working up the ranks for the Rojiblancos and established himself as the club No. 1 after helping the team win the Europa League and kept 11 clean sheets, with 154 saves during the Primera Liga season.
He has shown excellant nerve under center, and remains composed in pressure-cooking situations. De Gea is tall with a height of over 6'3", and possesses a commanding posture with quick feet and reflex. His agile and solid presence makes him the future of the Spanish national football team, but his communication and distribution needs development so that he may achieve his full potential.
With Edwin van der Sar retiring from Old Trafford, a capable replacement is necessary, and Sir Alex Ferguson has reportedly chosen De Gea as his future keeper.
Possible Suitors: Manchester United, Arsenal
Mirko Vučinić, Roma
21 of 50
Striker
Age: 27
Fee: £18 million
The Montenegrin striker has been a solid offensive option for Roma after scoring 10 goals in Serie A this year. However, Vučinić saw a dip in form during the latter part of the year and was known to have lost confidence and missed easy opportunities.
However, when the hitman is in form, his quality dribbling and pace make him a very durable striker. His technique with the ball and his control coupled with his strength and size, allow him to trick opposing defenders while pushing into the box.
His darting and incisive runs allow him to score the spectacular, and thus he has become vital to the Roma attack.
Vučinić has been seeking a move out to Rome and has received interest from a varied amount of suitors.
Possible Suitors: Blackburn Rovers, Juventus, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, Arsenal
Lassana Diarra, Real Madrid
22 of 50
Defensive Midfielder
Age: 26
Fee: £18 million
Diarra has had a tumultuous tenure with Real, and with the addition of Sami Khedira, he has had increasing competition to find playing time. However, Diarra has proven to be a solid defensive midfielder, and could possibly help several mid-tier English teams.
He has a nice, strong tackle, endless stamina and has strong positioning on defense. His physical strength and ball control have helped him earn 28 international caps, and his versatility has allowed him to be a valuable substitute.
However, he has been known to be deficient in the air and has been known to fade over the long stretch.
With a quiet season at Madrid and tagged as surplus to Mourinho's team, Diarra may find himself heading back to England.
Possible Suitors: Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, Liverpool, Juventus
Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid
23 of 50
Central Midfielder
Age: 29
Fee: £18 million
The experienced Spaniard was a key reason to Spain winning the 2010 FIFA World Cup and was detrimental to Liverpool's former success. The fan favorite and mainstay in the heart of the Spanish and Madrid midfield has shown the ability to beautifully dictate pace and the flow of the game.
The deep-lying midfielder has delighted fans with his long-range passing and his vision for the extraordinary. His capability to cleverly manipulate the game and intelligence make him vital to Mourinho's game-plan. However, Alonso isn't known for his pace and speed and rarely scores goals.
Alonso has long been known as a diehard supporter of Liverpool and has stated that he dreams of again one day playing for the Reds.
Possible Suitors: Liverpool, Manchester United.
Moussa Sow, Lille OSC
24 of 50Striker
Age: 25
Fee: £20 million
The leading goalscorer in Ligue 1 after scoring 25 goals for Lille, has emerged as a solid striker in France. He has a very powerful shot and makes speedy runs into the box. His positioning and balanced feet in behind the back four allow him to move around easily and score when needed.
His potent partnership with the likes of Eden Hazard and Gervinho allowed for Lille to win the French title and qualify for the Champions League.
Sow has obviously opened eyes and may be quietly acquired by a number of European clubs needing a powerful central striker.
Possible Suitors: Arsenal, Manchester City
Maicon, Inter Milan
25 of 50
Right Back
Age: 29
Fee: £20 million
The marauding Brazilian has been touted as the best right back in the world. He has shown marvelous stamina while prowling down the right wing and possesses a fast and powerful running style.
His strength and skill on the ball make him essential while playing on the flanks, and he has shown the ability to score magnificent goals. Maicon also has an underrated crossing ability and has bagged eight assists in Serie A this year.
His weakness may seem to be his ability to get exposed on the defense by speedy wingers (i.e. Gareth Bale), and his age may finally be catching up to him.
He is rumored to be tired of his time at Inter and may want to reunite with former coach José Mourinho at the Bernebéu.
Possible Suitors: Real Madrid, Chelsea
Yoann Gourcuff, Olympique Lyonnais
26 of 50
Attacking Midfielder
Age: 24
Fee: £20 million
Gourcuff has struggled the past year with Lyon and has been criticized for his play and form with the OL after only scoring three goals and recording five assists. Gourcuff posted his best numbers after scoring 18 goals and bagging 18 assists with Bordeaux in 2008-10 but failed to post similar numbers with Olympique.
He still is a remarkable player, often compared to the likes of fellow Frenchman Zinedine Zidane due to his ability to operate behind the forward and showing the quality technique of the former French great. His playmaking ability and accomplished passing has been renowned throughout his young career.
His ability to secure goals have shown his style to be inventive, stylish and perceptive. However, Gourcuff has been known to fade over long periods of stretches and was known to have mental lapses during his period in Milan.
He was highly sought after last summer before he signed a five-year deal with Lyon, but his name hasn't been mentioned as much due to his less than desirable play.
Possible Suitors: Arsenal, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur
Juan Manuel Mata, Valencia CF
27 of 50
Winger
Age: 23
Fee: £22 million
The Spanish winger has emerged as a focal player for Valencia, and his importance can be evidenced by his 12 assists and eight goals. The 23-year-old has tremendous pace and quickness, allowing him to easily separate from defenders, and his work rate and discipline allows him to easily manage in tight spaces.
He also can score when he has to when running into the box, and Mata has shown great dribbling with a soft touch on the ball. The capped Spanish international is also known for his versatility and can even play as an attacking midfielder.
Mata may look for more competition, and English clubs have expressed the desire in acquiring the winger.
Possible Suitors: Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea
Fábio Coentrão, S.L. Benfica
28 of 50
Wingback
Age: 23
Fee: £22 million
The incumbent Portugease Breakthrough Player of the Year has raised eyes with his performances at Benfica as a left back and winger. The highly versatile back, who can easily switch positions on the left side all the while combining his pace, skill and technique to deliver a very dangerous cross and punishing shot.
His style of explosiveness with stylish grace has helped him garner 12 caps with the Portugease side and guided Benfica to the league double in 2010.
It has been rumored that he is headed to Real Madrid, with a €25 million transfer on the horizon.
Possible Suitors: Real Madrid, Manchester City, Liverpool, AC Milan, Bayern Munich
Romelu Lukaku, R.S.C. Anderlecht
29 of 50Striker
Age: 18
Fee: £23 million
The Belgian, coined as the "next Didier Drogba" has quickly been touted as one of the best young footballers in the world. He has an imposing physical structure with a 6'3" frame and is both strong and quick with the ball at his feet.
He has fantastic positional awareness, and his quality of finishing is superb, as can be seen by his 16 goals in the Pro League. His mentality is stunning and has shown remarkable poise and determination in only a short amount of time.
His dominant, explosive and creative style certainly needs more competition, and he is reportedly near an agreement with Chelsea.
Possible Suitors: Chelsea, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur
Giuseppe Rossi, Villarreal
30 of 50
Striker
Age: 24
Fee: £25m
The American-born Italian, has silenced his critics with a strong performance in La Liga, after scoring 32 goals in all competitions. Possessing excellent pace and technical ability and coupled with a great killer instinct and shot, Rossi has emerged as a solid young striker.
Rossi also possesses a low center of gravity with a strong control of the ball, which has helped him became a regular for the Azzurri and was the leading goal scorer during the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.
Rossi may opt to join a larger club in hopes of racking up more medals and may be poised to be one of the largest transfers in the summer.
Possible Suitors: FC Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur, Juventus
Samir Nasri, Arsenal FC
31 of 50
Attacking Midfielder/Winger
Age: 23
Fee: £25 million
The Frenchman has clearly emerged as a leading talent in the Premier League and is regarded as one of the best players in the world. The “new Zinedine Zidane” has shown a great and formidable technique, while his vision and cleverness make him hard to stop for defenders.
His movement and passing is outstanding, and his versatility on the attack has been crucial for Wenger’s offense. His pace is underrated, while his ability to read the game has made him integral to the Gunners’ attack. His close contact with the ball, dribbling, crossing, balanced feet and ability to deliver on set-pieces have made him the complete player in the EPL.
However, Nasri needs to assist more on defense, and become prolific on strike.
Nasri has one year left on his contract, and his ludicrous wage demands may force Wenger to sell his vital piece for a very minuscule price.
Possible Suitors: Manchester United, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, AC Milan
Marek Hamšík, Napoli
32 of 50
Attacking Midfielder
Age: 23
Fee: £26 million
The Slovak has impressed at Napoli this year, helping the Blues qualify for a spot in the Champions League after finishing third in Serie A. His attacking play has helped him score 11 goals for Napoli, and along with assisting Edinson Cavani, he has given the Partenopei a prolific scoring attack.
He has tremendous physical strength and his anticipation, knack for scoring and ability to control the game has helped him garner comparisons to Paul Scholes. His attacking and physicality helped him captain Slovakia into the Round of 16 during the World Cup and has helped him become a hot commodity on the transfer market.
Possible Suitors: AC Milan, Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United
Radamel Falcao, FC Porto
33 of 50
Striker
Age:25
Fee: £26 million
After setting the world record for most goals scored in the Europa League and leading Porto to an undefeated campaign in the Primeira Liga, several clubs have taken notice of the Colombian hitman.
Falcao scored 38 goals in 42 appearances, making him the leading scorer in the Portugal. His aerial prowess, intelligence and pace have made him a very dangerous striker. His balanced footwork, movement, anticipation and his work rate have allowed him to be a prolific scorer and a formidable threat in the box.
With his coach André Villas-Boas heading to Stamford Bridge, Falcao may become his first signing.
Possible Suitors: Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Real Madrid
Fernando Llorente, Athletic Bilbao
34 of 50
Striker
Age: 26
Fee: £30 million
The tall, lanky striker kept pace with the best of La Liga after finishing with 18 goals and helping Bilbao secure a Europe League berth. He's your typical lengthy striker with good positioning, a very good header, and has also shown tremendous ball control for a a person that is 6'5".
He is potent on crosses, and his agility allows him to have a perfect first touch and he exhibits tremendous control on his shots. He is also and underrated passer, and his one-two game is phenomenal for his build.
Llorente transfer rumors went crazy during the winter transfer period, but the buzz around his name has lately died due to the other strikers on the market. However, the Spaniard is definitely in the plans of several clubs in Europe.
Possible Suitors: Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United
Eden Hazard, Lille OSC
35 of 50
Attacking Midfielder/Winger
Age: 20
Fee: £30 million
The Belgian, after winning the Ligue 1 Player of the Year Award and guiding Lille to its first title in 57 years, has taken Europe by storm. With phenomenal dribbling ability and a low center of gravity, Hazard has shown the ability to speed past defenders and score memorably.
He has great creativity and technical ability and is capable enough to change the game with one touch of the ball. His finishing and pace have given him comparisons to Lionel Messi, and his flair and vision have also lauded him contrasts with Cristiano Ronaldo.
Several clubs have been lining up offers for his services, and his young age and talent may certainly cause a bidding war.
Possible Suitors: Arsenal, Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, AC Milan, FC Barcelona, Manchester United, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain
Michael Essien, Chelsea FC
36 of 50
Central/Defensive Midfielder
Age: 28
Fee: £30 million
The Bison, as he is called by Chelsea faithful, has been a vital piece for Chelsea's dominance in the Premiership and in the Champions League. Known for his endless stamina, and his box-to-box play, which makes him a player that is constantly involved with the flow of the game.
His physical presence, and tough tackling have helped Chelsea dominate both possession and the number of goals conceded. His strong power and consistent pace have helped him to become nominated for the prestigious FIFA World Player of the Year Award in 2007.
He also has a powerful shot, as can be attested by his brilliant long-distance goals against Arsenal and Barcelona. Essien has however, been known to be beaten in the air due to his short height and has had significant injury scares.
With Chelsea hoping to ignite the attack, they have dangled Essien in talks with Tottenham, despite Essien's insistence of his wanting to stay at Stamford Bridge.
Possible Suitors:Tottenham Hotspur, Real Madrid
Luka Modrić, Tottenham Hotspur
37 of 50
Central Midfielder
Age: 25
Fee: £30 million
The little Croatian has been hailed as one of the best midfielders in all of the Premier League. After playing a crucial role in Tottenham’s Cinderella run in the Champions League and playing solidly throughout the year, Modrić was voted as Tottenham’s Player of the Year.
The prodigious young talent has shown tremendous quickness, and his passing is a thrill to watch. The skilful playmaker who can easily play with both feet, has shown the ability to be in great offensive position at all times, as well as being quick to stop plays defensively, tracking the ball and making counter-attacks.
Despite signing a six-year contract last year, Modrić has hinted that he may leave White Hart Lane in the near future. possibly to replace Paul Scholes at Old Trafford.
Possible Suitors: Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City
Hulk, FC Porto
38 of 50
Striker
Age: 24
Fee: £35 million
The prolific Porto striker, who led the Primeira Liga in goals with 23, has emerged as the finest striker in all of Portugal. As can be attested by his name, he is known for his powerful strength and stocky build. His speed, acceleration and booming kick allowed Porto to win the treble and helped him secure 36 goals in all competitions.
His presence is undeniable, and he is an absolute force to be reckoned with. He has the skill to trick opponents, and his strength is playing one-on-one against defenders.
The Brazilian has been an absolute menace in Portugal, but after the departure of coach André Villas-Boas, he has quietly issued a "come and get me plea." With several clubs from the top leagues in pursuit of his services, it seems as if the 24-year-old will make a brilliant exit from the Portistas.
Possible Suitors: Chelsea, Liverpool, AC Milan, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur
Edinson Cavani, Napoli
39 of 50
Striker
Age: 24
Fee: £35 million
The leading goal scorer in Serie A put on a show with 26 goals in 35 matches and helped Napoli secure a Champions League spot after finishing third. The mauling and commanding figure has a great killer instinct and a shot to boot.
His versatility allows him to move all around inside the box, and his quickness and sudden movement are top notch attributes. His pace may not be the quickest, but his superb finishing makes up for it.
Cavani did sign a five-year extension in May, but that won't stop European powerhouses to offer lucrative sums of money to usher the Uruguayan away from the Partenopei.
Possible Suitors: Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea
Wesley Sneijder, Inter Milan
40 of 50
Attacking Midfielder
Age: 26
Fee: £35 million
Wesley Sneijder has won it all at Inter, in both club and individual honors. A player with quick, strong and powerful shooting ability who can balance it on both feet. His attacking ability on set-pieces is magical and has great placement on the pitch.
His passing is extraordinary both with his short flicks, and his long-range bombs. His dribbling allows him to control the tempo of the game and become the focal facilitator of the attack, a role which he excels in.
He has been crucial to the Nerazurri in winning the quadruple and winning the Silver Ball after helping the Netherlands reach the final.
It may be time for him to finally move on into the reaches of the Premier League.
Possible Suitors: Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur
Kaká, Real Madrid
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Attacking Midfielder
Age: 29
Fee: £35 million
Kaká has endured a disappointing and injury-ridden campaign at the Bernabéu after his lucrative transfer. He has been stuck in the depth chart behind the likes of Mesut Özil and Cristiano Ronaldo and has failed to display the brilliance he exemplified at AC Milan and with Brazil.
He is a highly skilled passer with a great shot and has shown tremendous vision when creating opportunity for teammates. He has shown himself to be massively composed and balanced, while playing a intuitively as a team player.
He may choose to leave Los Blancos in hopes of receiving better opportunities somewhere else, as he may only have a handful years left as an effective attacker.
Possible Suitors: Chelsea, Manchester City, AC Milan, Inter Milan
Cesc Fàbregas, Arsenal FC
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Attacking MidfielderF
Age: 24
Fee: £35 million
After a disappointing year as a Gunner, Fàbregas once again enters the summer transfer window as a hot commodity. A superb passer of the ball with 11 assists in the Premiership and one who possesses phenomenal vision and the ability to control the tempo and pace of the game has helped him captain the Arsenal attack for years.
His creativity coupled with strong character and mentality allow him to achieve technical superiority, which makes him invaluable to the Spanish and Gunner offense.
However, with possible homesickness and the deprecating standing of Arsenal in the Premier League, Fàbregas may be on the outs from the Emirates.
Possible Suitors: FC Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Manchester City, Chelsea
Sergio Agüero, Atlético Madrid
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Striker
Age: 23
Fee: £39 million
Agüero didn't fail to impress this year with the Rojiblancos and scored a career high 20 goals in 32 appearances. He has formed a prolific tandem with Diego Forlán over the past few years, and his skills allowed Madrid to win the Europa League in 2010.
Agüero's ball control and bursts inside the box give defenders huge problems, and his finishing allows him to score with difficult opportunities. His direct and strong style of striking has helped him score over 74 goals in Spain, and he has certainly built a formidable reputation.
Despite the vice-captain signing a new deal in the winter, he has repeatedly hinted that he wants to leave Atlético.
Possible Suitors: Chelsea, Real Madrid, Manchester City, FC Barcelona, Juventus, Inter Milan
Nani, Manchester United
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Winger
Age: 24
Fee: £40 million
A winner of the Players' Player of the Year and also appointed to the PFA Team of the Year, Nani has become a fan favorite at Old Trafford. The winger has played lights out for the Red Devil's this year, after scoring nine goals and leading the Premier League with 18 assists.
Nani has translated his ability into one of a classical winger with his ability to play on either side of the field. His streaking pace, ball control and fancy flair to create space allow him to make marauding runs on the flanks and deliver deadly crosses to the likes of Berbatov and Wayne Rooney.
He has also shown the ability to score spectacularly, which makes him an even deadly winger due to his incisive play. However, Nani is terrible in defense and often wastes possessions by erroneous plays.
With the impending transfer of Ashley Young, and possibly Wesley Sneijder, United may have to clear up space and purse, and a lucrative selling of the Portuguese machine may be the answer.
Possible Suitors: Inter Milan, Bayern Munich, Juventus
Gareth Bale, Tottenham Hotspur
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Left Winger/Left Back, Tottenham Hotspur
Age: 21
Fee: £40 million
The reigning PFA Players' Player of the Year, has emerged as one of the finest talents in Europe, after his exhilarating performances marauding down the flanks on the left wing. He has shown to be excellent going forward, and has the ability to score memorable goals as witnessed by his hat trick against Inter Milan in the Champions League.
His crosses to the hulking Peter Crouch are a beauty, and he can deliver a powerful free-kick. His speed and pace with physique gives him the qualities of a championship runner, and he finishes his runs with masterful plays. However, he is weak in defense which makes him ill-suited as a left back.
Bale has been set with a hefty price tag due to Harry Redknapp's adamancy that Bale stay, and thus he may be only pryed away if a ludicrous sum of money is offered.
Possible Suitors: FC Barcelona, Inter Milan, Manchester City, Manchester United, AC Milan, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Juventus
David Villa, FC Barcelona
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Forward
Age: 29
Fee: £40 million
The all-time leading Spanish scorer and winner of the Silver Boot in South Africa, has become one of the most feared strikers in all of Europe. After spending a long tenure with Valencia, Villa was finally awarded for his spectacular play by signing with the world's most powerful club, Barcelona.
Villa has not failed to impress scoring 18 goals and bagging seven assists. He possesses brilliant finishing, tricky movement, great touch and brilliant precision on his shot. He is known for the spectacular and his ability to produce opportunities from the slimmest of chances.
The elusiveness and explosive style of his play has made him a valuable asset to the Spanish team and an even hotter commodity on the transfer market.
Villa however is getting older, and with the imminent transfer of Alexis Sanchez, Barcelona may be forced to sell him in order to make additional changes to the Blaugrana.
Possible Suitors: Chelsea, Manchester City
Carlos Tévez, Manchester City
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Striker
Age:26
Fee: £40 million
Despite winning the FA Cup and qualifying for a spot in the Champions League, Tévez has long been known to want out of England and be closer to his family. Tévez finished the season leading the Premier League in goals with 20 and captained the Manchester City side to a third place finish in the table.
Tévez is known for his physical style of play, and his phenomenal technical skills that allow him to be a very menacing center forward. His passionate and courageous style have allowed him to have an indispensable goal scoring rate, and he consistently exhibits great energy on the pitch.
However, whether Tévez exits the Eastlands is still in the air, but he may choose to exit home to Argentina or another destination away from England.
Possible Suitors: Juventus, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Boca Juniors
Alexis Sánchez, Udinese
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Winger/Forward
Age: 22
Fee: £41 million
The Chilean has emerged as an excellent attacking option after scoring 12 goals in Serie A and forming a potent partnership with Antonio Di Natale. The tiny attacker has shown the ability to be a prolific threat, and also has exemplified the knack for creating opportunities.
He possesses exceptional attacking ability, superb ball control, speed, marvelous crossing ability and his versatility has garnered him comparisons to the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo. His agility and technical ability make him a thrill to watch, and he has emerged as one of Europe's brightest prospects.
With such style and flair, he is one of the key transfer targets in Europe this season, but Bianconeri owner Giampaolo Pozzo has insisted that Sanchez will only leave for an "irresistible" offer, which has been seemingly been given and nearly completed with the Blaugrana.
Possible Suitors: FC Barcelona, Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United, Inter Milan, Juventus,
Neymar, Santos
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Striker
Age: 19
Fee: £41 million
After dazzling performances in Brazil, as well as internationally against Scotland and the United States, the young Brazilian looks to enter the big football leagues. Neymar has delighted fans with his masterful handling of the ball, and his quick pace, magical dribbling and expert finishing have helped him net 27 goals for Santos in a brief stint.
He is swift due to his agility, and his acceleration leaves defenders in his wake. His technique and intelligence allow him to take on versatile roles across the field, and his inventive and electric style make him a very dangerous and formidable striker.
Notably compared to Brazilian greats such as Garrincha, Pele and Romario, Neymar looks to take his game to Europe in hopes of achieving greatness. He has reportedly come to personal terms with a contract with Real Madrid.
Possible Suitors: Chelsea, Real Madrid, Manchester City
Javier Pastore, Palermo
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Attacking Midfielder
Age: 21
Fee: £44 million
"El Flaco" (the Skinny One) has impressed greatly in Italy this year netting 11 goals and several clubs have taken notice. A great visionary with the ball, and his elegant passing is a joy to watch. He easily creates opportunities for teammates, and moves easily through tight spaces with his exquisite ball control.
Pastore has become renowned for his classy one touch passes, and his accuracy on the ball provides for beautiful link up play. His agility, dribbling, and technique with the ball at his feet is breathtaking, making him a true No. 10 in football and a talisman for Palermo.
At 6'2", his languid and graceful style has been compared to the styles of Kaka and Zinedine Zidane, and his flawless first touch, creativity, movement and swift running make him truly one of the best up-and-coming players in the world.
The reigning Serie A Young Footballer of the Year will certainly land in the top-tiers of European football.
Possible Suitors: Chelsea, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, FC Barcelona, AC Milan, Manchester United
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