World Football Transfer Rumours: The Top 20 Transfer Gossip Stories

The summer transfer window is one of the most important periods for many clubs as they look to strengthen their team in this period, so that they can achieve whatever their aspirations are for the next season. The clubs prepare various strategies to pursue in the window and with less than two weeks to go for the start of the season, a number of deals will be expected to go through.

Most of the clubs have various targets lined up in the summer and it is difficult to conclude a deal considering that there are many factors which decides whether or not the signing can be completed. Some of the biggest names in the world of football have been linked with a move away from their clubs. It is expected that there will be plenty of activity in the remainder of the transfer window, as many clubs will look to push through deals.

Also, some clubs like Manchester United and Liverpool have signed most of their major signings before this period, while others could be active in the last few weeks of the window. This article is on the top 20 transfer rumours that have emerged recently in the media and some of them could yet happen in the near future.

1. Cesc Fabregas

According to the Daily Mail, Barcelona are preparing another offer for Cesc Fabregas, which is reportedly worth around £36 million with as much as £10 million of that being from add-ons based on appearances and various other factors. Arsenal value the Spanish international at  £40 million considering that he is among the best midfielders in the world and is the best player of this current Arsenal side.

However, Barcelona are still falling short of Arsenal's valuation of the midfielder and are only ready to pay the money in installments, which will not be preferred by the Gunners. Fabregas has not played a single preseason game because of a combination of injury and Arsene Wenger believing that the Spaniard is not in the right frame of mind due to this prolonged transfer saga.

Either way, Wenger would like to sort out Fabregas' future before their last preseason friendly against Benfica, which is important because of Gunners' weak performances in the Emirates Cup. Valencia's Juan Mata has been targeted by Arsenal as a replacement for Fabregas if the latter leaves the club. The talented 23-year-old is valued at around £22 million, though Tottenham are also interested though Arsenal can offer Champions League football compared to their North London rivals. 

2. Samir Nasri

According to this report on the Mirror, Manchester City are interested in Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri, who has only one year left on his contract and are set to make a bid of around £22 million within the next two days. It is certain to test Arsenal's resolve to hang on to the France international considering that the Gunners will get nothing if Nasri runs down his contract. He is yet to sign a new deal, which will keep him at the Emirates, which is why there has been speculation regarding his future.

Though Nasri has not signed a new deal, Arsene Wenger is hopeful he can persuade the midfielder to a new deal. Even if that does not happen, Arsenal seem determined to hold on to the Frenchman even if it means going on a free transfer because with the uncertainty surrounding Fabregas, Gunners want to hold on to Nasri even if it is for just one more season.

Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas could depart the club in the coming days and Nasri is a player who can be immense in the future. He can play in a central role and can be used as a replacement for the Spanish international in the next season. He has played in that role in many preseason games. Though he has not been impressive so far, he has the talent and flair to be a very important player in the next season, as the Gunners look to end their long trophy drought. 

3. Luka Modric

According to the Daily Mail, Chelsea are interested in signing Tottenham midfielder Luka Modric, who could move because he could get Champions League football with a strong side in the next season. The Blues have had two bids rejected, with the last one worth around £27 million for the Croatian playmaker. Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has insisted that the club would like to hold on to him because he could be vital to Spurs' chances of finishing in the top four in the next season.

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas will have to consider his options in midfield and decide whether or not he needs to prepare another bid for the 25-year-old. The Blues have a strong squad for the next season but a player like Modric could help them unlock tight defences and importantly, help bring out the best from Fernando Torres.

The new Chelsea manager is most likely to utilize a 4-3-3 formation in the next season and if so, it will be interesting to see how Villas-Boas can accommodate both Frank Lampard and Modric in the starting eleven. Modric would indeed be an excellent signing for the Blues but it is yet to be seen whether an offer of around £30 million could force the Spurs to sell their midfielder.

4. Wesley Sneijder

According to the Mirror, Manchester United's move for Wesley Sneijder is still possible with Inter Milan set to give permission to the Red Devils to discuss terms with the Dutch international, after the clubs agreed a deal worth more than £30 million in principle. If Inter Milan do give the permission to talk to Sneijder, it certainly would mean that United are a step closer to the signing of the playmaker who could be targeted as the replacement for Paul Scholes.

The 27-year-old would have to agree with Manchester United's restructured pay deal for the midfielder, which is around £190,000-per-week at Inter Milan. However, Manchester United might not be prepared to pay such high wages for the midfielder. Sir Alex would probably offer him a contract, which includes plenty of incentives, where he could earn somewhere close to his current wages at Inter.

Inter Milan had also considered a possible swap deal with out-of-favour striker Dimitar Berbatov, but the Italian club has decided that straight cash would suit them better and they also want to have the option to negotiate regarding the Bulgarian striker.

5. Carlos Tevez

According to Goal.com, Manchester City are interested only in a straight cash deal and are not interested in any swap or loan deals for the Argentinean, who wants to leave the club in the summer. However, it will be difficult to find clubs, which will match his wages of around £220,000-per-week. Manchester City are in no necessity to sell the striker, though they have signed another excellent striker in Sergio Aguero.

Inter Milan have held discussions with Manchester City representatives regarding the possible transfer of Tevez and also discussed a potential swap deal concerning Samuel Eto'o and Tevez, but City are apparently not interested. A source close to City revealed that their evaluation of Tevez still remains the same and that they were uninterested in any deals other than straight cash.

Since the Argentina international's move to Corinthians fell through, it has been difficult for the striker to find clubs which will match City's valuation and also meet the wage demands.

6. Juan Mata

According to the Mirror, Arsenal are still interested in Valencia midfielder Juan Mata, despite the fixed price clause of £18 million ending on July 31. Arsene Wenger has been involved in negotiations both with Valencia and Mata' father, who is also his agent. The Spanish international is amongst the most talented youngsters and Arsenal are interested in signing the Valencia youngster who could improve the quality of the team.

Wenger is still confident of signing the midfielder, who is apparently interested in joining the Gunners, where he can play Champions League football. A signing like Mata would undoubtedly improve the quality of the team, which would be a huge boost with the possibility of Cesc Fabregas leaving the club. The Valencia midfielder can play in a central role or as a left winger.

If Samir Nasri does stay at the club, there is a possibility that he could be used in a central role and, Mata could be employed in the role of a winger. Mata's versatility could provide good depth to the side especially as the Gunners have suffered many injuries in the previous seasons. 

7. Neymar

According to Goal.com, Santos are keen to hold on to their star striker Neymar, who has attracted the interest of several top clubs in Europe including the likes of Chelsea and Real Madrid. However, the Brazilian club want the striker to stay and participate in the prestigious Club World Cup competition, in which FC Barcelona are also involved following their win in the Champions League.

Santos president Luis Alvaro de Oliveira Ribeiro has expressed his dismay over Real Madrid's ongoing attempts to lure the striker to the Bernabeu and threatened to report the club to FIFA for illegally approaching the player. The striker has a release clause of around £39.5 million and Real Madrid are allegedly prepared to meet the clause and convince the striker to join Madrid.

Santos president Ribeiro said to Terra.

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"If Real Madrid or any other club [that has approached Neymar] decides to meet his buy-out clause, we have no other option but to report them to Fifa for approaching the player without our permission. Negotiations have been stalled and won't be re-opened. Real Madrid spoke with Neymar's management in Paris and made an interesting offer. I've told him that we won't let go of him though and he wants to stay with us, too." 

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8. Dimitar Berbatov

According to the Mirror, French club Paris St. Germain are interested in a big money move, worth around £18 million for Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov, who was the top scorer for the Red Devils in the last season. Berbatov has only one more year left on his current contract and has not signed a new deal yet that will keep him at United.

Though Berbatov was United's top scorer in the season, he was not even on the bench for the Champions League final against Barcelona with former Liverpool striker Michael Owen preferred to him for a spot on the bench. The Bulgarian striker was undoubtedly frustrated and he apparently watched the game on TV as opposed to the stands.

PSG have shown plenty of ambition in the transfer market this season because of their new rich owners and are also poised to beat Chelsea to the signing of Javier Pastore, worth around £35 million. They have also signed several other players including the likes of Kevin Gameiro and Blaise Matuidi and are looking to add quality to the team. It would be a good deal for United to sell the striker at that price, but the question is if Berbatov fancies a move to France at this stage of his career. 

9. Ricardo Kaka

According to the Metro, Chelsea are interested in a move for Brazil international Ricardo Kaka with the Real Madrid midfielder apparently not a part of Jose Mourinho's plans for the next season. Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas wants to add a creative player to his squad before the start of the season. One of their important targets Javier Pastore chose to join PSG over the Blues, which means they have to consider other options.

Tottenham are determined to hold on to their midfielder Luka Modric and Chelsea are pondering whether or not to make an improved bid for the Croatian international. However, it has emerged recently that Kaka could also be an option Chelsea could consider. Kaka has struggled with injuries in the last two seasons but he has the quality to make the difference for a club in the next season.

With the addition of Nuri Sahin and Mesut Ozil establishing himself as a regular in the team, Kaka's role in the Real Madrid team could be restricted and the Spanish club could cash in on the Brazilian midfielder. However, it is doubtful whether Chelsea will be interested in the 29-year-old considering they already have a number of players over 30 and need to inject some youth into the side. 

10. Gonzalo Higuain

According to the Daily Mail, Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester City are interested in a move for striker Gonzalo Higuain, who could be sold by Real Madrid in the summer on a cut-price deal. The striker was injured for around four months in the last seasons and in that time, Karim Benzema was impressive and could be favored over Higuain for the next season.

However, Higuain is one of the most popular players in Madrid and it is doubtful they will sell the Argentina International. Tottenham's strikers did not perform well in the last season which is why they could be interested in the striker. Arsenal's Robin van Persie is a quality striker but he has missed a number of games in the past due to various injuries which is why Arsenal could target a consistent striker.

Manchester City could be interested in the striker because of the uncertainty regarding the future of captain Carlos Tevez and according to the Goal.com, Higuain could be offered as part of a swap deal to sign Tevez. If that is the case, City would certainly consider the offer considering that Higuain has a bright future ahead of him.

11. Romelu Lukaku

According to the Sun, Romelu Lukaku has put the Gunners manager Arsene Wenger on alert by revealing that he will move to a club where he has a good chance of getting good playing time. Chelsea have opened talks with Anderlecht regarding the potential transfer of Belgian starlet Romelu Lukaku, who has already made over 70 league appearances for his club. 

Lukaku insists that he needs to get good playing opportunities and it could be difficult at Chelsea where they have strikers Fernando Torres, Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka, who will be ahead of him while Daniel Sturridge is also certain to get opportunities to prove himself at Chelsea following his impressive loan spell at Bolton. The Belgian international could get regular opportunities at Arsenal which is why there exists the possibility of Arsenal signing the striker.

Lukaku said.

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"I want to go to a club where I can develop further. It's not that I just want to be transferred to Chelsea. At the moment, I am patient. I remain at Anderlecht and I am not thinking of a transfer. When I do leave, it will not be to be loaned out as (Thibaut) Courtois has been."

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12. Andrei Arshavin

According to talkSPORT, Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala are interested in a move for Arsenal midfielder Andrei Arshavin, whose contract apparently ends in 2012. The Russian International has not had a good season with the club and for the first time since he joined the Gunners in 2009, he will have to consider the prospect of starting the season on the bench.

Anzhi was taken over by a billionaire Suleyman Kerimov and has since signed Brazilian legend Roberto Carlos. Arsenal are apparently bracing themselves for a £15 million bid for the 30-year-old midfielder, who has also been linked with a move to Galatasaray in the past. The Gunners manager Arsene Wenger could look to hold on to Arshavin in the summer because they face uncertainty regarding the futures of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri.

Arshavin brings in plenty of experience to the side and retains the knack of creating or scoring goals at important moments like he did in that famous Arsenal victory against Barcelona at the Emirates. He managed 17 assists and 10 goals in the season which shows that despite his lackluster performances, he can bring in a lot of quality to the side. 

13. Angel Di Maria

According to the Metro, Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas is interested in a move for Real Madrid winger Angel di Maria, who was a regular under Jose Mourinho in the last season. Di Maria joined the Los Blancos in the summer from Benfica in a deal worth around £20.3 million and the winger could consider a move to Stamford Bridge in the summer.

The Argentina International apparently demanded a new improved contract in the summer, which did not go down well with Real Madrid officials because he had only joined the club in the next season and also, Madrid did not have great success in the Champions League and the La Liga. With the speculation linking Neymar and the signing of Portugal international Fabio Coentrao, Di Maria could find it difficult to hold down a place in the starting eleven.

Chelsea have Florent Malouda on the left as the winger and use Nicolas Anelka or some other striker on the right side because they do not have a quality natural winger on the right. Di Maria will undoubtedly provide a lot of depth in that department and could be a huge signing for Chelsea.

14. Raul Meireles

According to the Mirror, Liverpool could let their midfielder Raul Meireles leave the club for Inter Milan or Juventus, if they do receive the right offer for the Portuguese International. Meireles was one of the best performers for Liverpool in the last season despite having a slow start to his Liverpool career. He was probably the most influential player, along with Luis Suarez, in the second half of the season under Kenny Dalglish.

However, with the Reds strengthening considerably in midfield with the signings of Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam, it could mean the Meireles' place in the team is under scrutiny and he could leave in the summer. Liverpool are set to allow the midfielder to talk to both Italian clubs over a £12 million deal and it could be an important signing for the club.

Liverpool have to make big decisions in this transfer market and letting Meireles go is undoubtedly going to be a tricky decision for Dalglish. However with the signings of Adam and Henderson, it is likely that Meireles does not get enough playing time and could be on his way out of Anfield.

15. Gary Cahill

According to the Telegraph, Arsenal are interested in signing Bolton defender Gary Cahill, who could be on the move considering that he has only one more year left on his current deal. However, Bolton manager Owen Coyle is determined to get the maximum possible price for the England International and wants any club to meet the defender's release clause, which stands at £17 million.

Arsene Wenger is known to be a manager who does not spend a lot of money on the transfer market, but with their defensive frailties evident, it is uncertain whether he will meet the clause in the contract of Cahill. The tall Centre-Back would undoubtedly bring in good physical strength and leadership at the heart of the defence. Cahill has shown good composure at the back for Bolton and also, is probably ready to move to a big club in the near future.

Also, Wenger could negotiate to bring down the price of the defender by offering some promising youngsters on loan to Bolton, though Bolton's interest in the youngsters will be vital in any deal in this regard. The Arsenal manager could allow either Ignasi Miquel or Henri Lansbury to move to Bolton as a part of the deal which will allow Cahill to strengthen the Arsenal defense.

16. Eden Hazard

According to ESPNSoccernet, Lille winger Eden Hazard has been linked with a move to several clubs in the summer, including the likes of Arsenal and PSG. However, following the departure of Gervinho to Arsenal, the French champions are keen to hold on to their prized asset, who is attracting the interest of various top European clubs. 

PSG are involved in an exciting new project with their new owners and have signed some excellent players like Kevin Gameiro. However, Lille manager Rudi Garcia cannot understand the reason why Hazard would move to another French club especially when Lille are the title holders and are also in the Champions League. 

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Garcia told L'Equipe: "We had a chat before his holiday and we will have another one on Sunday. Hazard has acquired a certain status in Lille. We are in the Champions League as well. He will be even more influential. I wouldn't understand a transfer to PSG. Certainly next season it would be step backwards. It seems a lot more interesting playing Champions League football with the French champions."

 

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17. Javier Pastore

According to the Mirror, Javier Pastore is set to be a PSG player in the future with the player revealing that he is close to a move to the French club. The deal is reportedly worth £37 million and Pastore will be undergoing a medical to confirm his move to PSG in the near future. The Argentinean midfielder is rated as one of the best youngsters in the world and though Chelsea are also interested in him, it seems like PSG have beaten competition from Chelsea.

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"You can officially say that I will be a Paris St Germain player, although I still need to do the medical and review some details," Pastore wrote on his official website, www.pastorejavier.com. "I want to be a part of Paris St Germain, which is a great club with a great history."

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Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas has plans to bring in a creative midfielder in the transfer window and with Pastore close to a move to PSG, the Blues could turn their attention to Luka Modric, for whom they have already made contact with Tottenham. Chelsea could make an improved offer closer to Tottenham's valuation and more information will be known in the next few weeks.

18. Emmanuel Adebayor / Aaron Lennon

According to the Mirror, it is possible that both Manchester City and Tottenham could consider a swap deal involving former Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor and Spurs winger Aaron Lennon. City manager Roberto Mancini is apparently interested in bringing in a striker while Harry Redknapp is looking for a striker, with Adebayor one of his many targets regarding that position.

Lennon did not have a great season with Tottenham, with a lot of inconsistent performances over the course of the season. However, the winger remains one of the most exciting youngsters in the Premiership, but the Spurs could be interested in selling the winger if Adebayor is a part of the move. With their strikers not being prolific, Adebayor could be an important addition to the Spurs. 

However, the major problem which could be faced by Spurs regarding the deal is that Adebayor commands extremely high wages which is much beyond what Tottenham can offer for the striker. City and Tottenham are apparently discussing many possibilities on how to make the move happen because they need to offload Adebayor in the summer and with Real Madrid distancing themselves from a move away, Tottenham could be an interesting destination for the former Gunner. 

19. Mario Balotelli

According to the Daily Mail, Mario Balotelli has once again made it to the headlines due to his controversial comments in an interview where he has claimed that he does not like to stay at Manchester. Balotelli has been one of the most controversial characters in the last few years and after his superb performance in City's preseason game, he made these statements in an interview.

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"I’m not happy in Manchester, I don’t like the city. With the boss and the rest of the team I’m OK but the city is not up to my taste. I miss my family, my friends. I’m looking at this experience as part of growing up on a personal level. Will I remain with City until the end of my contract? I don’t know, I’m here for the time being then we’ll see."

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Balotelli joined Manchester City in the last summer and Roberto Mancini, who had previously worked with him at Inter Milan, has helped him settle at Manchester City but the striker has the capability to attract controversy. According to the Mirror, AC Milan and Roma are interested in the striker, but with the uncertainty surrounding Carlos Tevez, it is highly unlikely that City will consider letting Balotelli leave in the summer.

20. Alexandre Pato

According to the Mirror, Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas is apparently interested in persuading owner Roman Abrahamovic to sanction a deal for AC Milan striker Alexandre Pato, who is valued at around £30 million. Pato has been linked to the Blues in the past, as well as when former Milan manager Carlo Ancelotti was the manager of the club.

However, the new manager Villas-Boas also sees the Milan forward as a player who can bring in a lot of quality to the team. If Pato does play in the attacking trio at Chelsea, he could help provide the support for Fernando Torres, which could bring out the best from the latter. Pato could be a substantial addition to the side considering that he is regarded as one of the most talented players in the world though he only recently lost his place in the Brazil team to Neymar.

Pato's quality is however undoubted and could be a great deal for Chelsea if they can convince Milan to sell one of their best players. The Blues are reportedly willing to offer around £20 million plus another player, likely to be Nicolas Anelka or Salomon Kalou. AC Milan are interested in a deal for Italian international Mario Balotelli but Milan could want more for Pato in order to spend the money to acquire the controversial Manchester City striker.