Transfer Deadline Rumours: 25 Big Deals That Could Still Happen

All the top leagues in European football are underway, except for Serie A, but the real action will happen over the next couple days as the World Football Transfer Window comes to a close.

The window closes at 11 p.m. GMT Wednesday Aug. 31, so that gives clubs mere hours to cling desperately to their players and the rest of the clubs just enough time to pry them away. 

Here are 25 transfers that could still go down before the deadline.

Luka Modric to Chelsea

Luka Modric told his manager Harry Redknapp that he didn't want to play for Tottenham Sunday, and that's not a good sign for Spurs.

He did play, but he wasn't much of a factor, and even though Spurs can ill-afford to lose the playmaker, they may just have to. 

Modric has made it pretty clear he wants to go to Chelsea, and there's no point carrying around dead weight Redknapp. The real question is how much can Tottenham get for the Croatian.

Raul Meireles to Chelsea

If Chelsea can't get Luka Modric they may look to Liverpool's Raul Meireles. 

It's much less likely however.

For one, Meireles is happy at his club. Liverpool are also unlikely to sell one of their key playmakers to a rival.

Chelsea reportedly offered £8 million plus former Liverpool man Yossi Benayoun, but that isn't a like-for-like trade.

Chelsea should focus on Modric, but if Harry Redknapp refuses to budge, they could get desperate in a bid for Meireles. 

Giovani Dos Santos to Wigan

Giovani dos Santos lit up the football world with Mexico in this summer's CONCACAF Gold Cup, but the winger is very much out of favor at Tottenham.

Wigan, meanwhile, is looking to replace Charles N'Zogbia, who left for Aston Villa.

Roberto Martinez could get through to dos Santos and get him to fix his work ethic, and the Mexican would be encouraged by more opportunities at Wigan. 

I don't know why Harry Redknapp is so put off by him, but this deal could work for all parties. 

Eljero Elia to Arsenal

Arsenal need to be the busiest club before the deadline, plain and simple. 

Hamburg winger Eljero Elia is wanted by Juventus and Galatasarray, but he wants to ply his trade in England's top flight.

Andrei Arshavin isn't cutting it any more, and a player with Elia's skill and pace could turn the Gunners' season around very quickly.  

Eden Hazard to Arsenal

Arsene Wenger may be a bit more focused on Lille's Eden Hazard however.

Wenger brought in Gervinho last month, and reuniting him with Hazard could solve a lot of problems for Arsenal.

The attacking midfielder is one of the brightest young stars in the game, and he will come at a steep price, but after selling Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, Wenger has plenty to spend. 

Owen Hargreaves to Tottenham

At some point, Tottenham have to bring someone in, not counting Brad Friedel.

Owen Hargreaves is a big risk considering he was released from Manchester United after a series of injuries, but Harry Redknapp made the deal of the season last August with Rafael van der Vaart, and he could be looking to repeat.

Spurs' midfield was overrun by Manchester City, and it looks to get thinner by Wednesday night, so Redknapp may just give it a shot with Hargreaves. 

Clint Dempsey to Sevilla

Clint Dempsey made it to the Europa League final with Fulham in 2010, but things aren't looking good right now for the Cottagers, and the American may opt for a change.

Spanish club Sevilla is reportedly interested in the midfielder/striker, though it will come at a price.

New Fulham boss Martin Jol would be dumb to sell one of his key players, but maybe Fulham and Dempsey have gone as far as they can together.

If Jol wants money in return for the playmaker, Paris Saint-Germain may be the way to go. The newly wealthy French side are interested in Dempsey as well, and though the competition wouldn't be as fierce for Dempsey, Fulham could likely name their price. 

Scott Parker to Tottenham

It's pretty surprising that Scott Parker is still with West Ham, but it's unlikely last year's FWA Footballer of the Year will be in the Championship come Thursday morning.

Tottenham are the most likely destination though terms are still being debated, as Spurs are renegotiating which player they want to exchange as part of the deal.

Harry Redknapp won't let this one slip by him though. Expect Parker to be moved right around the time Luka Modric scoots over to Chelsea. 

Yossi Benayoun to Anywhere ( Except Liverpool)

An ankle injury pretty much ruled out Yossi Benayoun's entire debut season with Chelsea, and he's out of favor with new manager Andes Villas-Boas. 

Now he's being linked to numerous clubs. Chelsea may offer him in a bid for Tottenham's Luka Modric.

Or they may offer him a return to Liverpool in exchange for Raul Meireles (not going to happen).

French club Lille are also interested in the Israeli winger, but his most likely destination doesn't require a big move.

Arsenal need a creative winger to replace the completely inept Andrei Arshavin, and they have the most need for Benayoun. 

Scott Dann to Blackburn

Another Championship player who shouldn't be there, Scott Dann is likely on his way out. 

Blackburn, who have lost their opening three Premier League fixtures, look set to sign Dann as a replacement for Phil Jones, but this deal won't (or shouldn't) happen without Arsenal interfering a bit. 

Stoke have already had a bid turned down for the centre-back, but they would be wise to inquire again. 

Alex to Arsenal

Speaking of Arsenal needing to sign a centre-back, Chelsea's Alex would be a good one.

The big, physical Brazilian would be a good partner for Thomas Vermaelen and would give Arsenal fans some encouragement for the season.

Hugo Rodallega to Tottenham/Liverpool

Roberto Martinez certainly doesn't want Hugo Rodallega to leave Wigan, but the striker may force the issue so that he can stop fighting for survival and start fighting for trophies.

Both Tottenham and Liverpool are in the hunt, and Tottenham probably has the edge.

Harry Redknapp could try to get Rodallega as part of a deal that sees Giovani dos Santos go the other way.

Meanwhile, at Liverpool, Kenny Dalglish could throw in David N'Gog, or he could offer more cash, but Dalglish certainly can't offer more playing time than Spurs. 

Leighton Baines to Arsenal

Everton must sell some players if they hope to buy anyone, and fortunately (depending how you look at it), some of their best players are in demand.

Arsenal (sensing a theme yet) need a replacement for left-back Gael Clichy, and Leighton Baines has been on their list all summer.

He's even more needed now, and David Moyes may just have to suck it up and sell the Englishman because Everton are going nowhere fast. However, unlike Arsenal, they don't have any money to spend on their way. 

Wesley Sneijder to Chelsea

Wesley Sneijder was wanted by Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea this summer, and Chelsea are really the only ones left in the running. 

City got Samir Nasri, and United look plenty satisfied with Tom Cleverly, Ashley Young and more. 

Chelsea are more focused on Luka Modric, but if they get tired of Tottenham causing trouble for them, they could nab Sneijder with the kind of bid only Roman Abramovich could defend. 

Gary Cahill to Arsenal/Tottenham

Owen Coyle cannot really afford to lose Gary Cahill, but he may want to do so before Wednesday night, when he can get the highest price.

Cahill is wanted by Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham, though Liverpool have fallen out a bit now. 

Arsenal have plenty of cash to offer Bolton, while Tottenham are hoping cash plus players will soften Coyle's stance a bit. 

Carlos Tevez to Anywhere

With the way Manchester City have started the season, Carlos Tevez, doesn't have much hope to get off the bench.

Unfortunately, he also doesn't have much chance to be sold because City's valuation of him is so high.

However, with the window closing, City may want to get rid of an unhappy player and some expensive wages, so they could lower their price.

It would clear space for another big-money signing in January and would be far less sticky if it was dealt with now.  

A deal with Corinthians could come back up.

Kaka to London

Kaka himself said rumours that he was headed to Tottenham or Arsenal were rubbish, but he is not exactly needed at Real Madrid. 

Persistent injuries in the last two years have hurt him, and he looks more likely to be a bench player for Los Blancos.

An outlandish bid, more likely from Arsenal, could see Kaka move to England.

Chelsea could also jump into the fray if they can't get Luka Modric, Wesley Sneijder or Raul Meireles.  

Joe Cole to QPR/Tottenham

Joe Cole is very far down the pecking order at Liverpool, so if he wants to play football this season, he needs to move on. 

Newly promoted side Queen's Park Rangers are interested in the English midfielder, though Tottenham have reportedly been in for all summer.

Kenny Dalglish has said Cole will need to go elsewhere if he's to get on the pitch. All that's left is for the midfielder to swallow his pride and accept lower wages, and his transfer is only a matter of time.

God willing. 

Peter Crouch to Sunderland

Sunderland have been lacking firepower since they lost Darren Bent to Aston Villa in January, and Peter Crouch could give them the experience needed up front.

Crouch is not very high on Harry Redknapp's list, but 'Arry is crazy if he thinks he'll get Steve Bruce to send Asamoah Gyan the other way in this deal. 

(But to me, this picture epitomizes Crouchie's usefulness.)

Nicklas Bendtner to Everton

Nicklas Bendtner is one player many Arsenal fans won't lament losing, seeing as he's been trying to leave all summer long.

Now, it looks as though Arsene Wenger could even be getting someone good in exchange: Everton's Mikel Arteta.

Talk about strengthening yourself and weakening an opponent all in one swoop. 

Wenger would need to throw some cash into the mix as well, but it'd be well worth it if he could pull this deal off. Win-win for Arsenal.

Everton meanwhile, just don't have many options right now seeing as they don't have any money. 

Craig Bellamy to Tottenham

Craig Bellamy has been told he won't be playing for Manchester City this season and that he can leave for free with a year still left on his contract, but he wants to stay and collect his £95,000-a-week wages.

Someone with either talk some sense into him, or Tottenham will crack and pay him with all the money they receive from Chelsea for Luka Modric.

He also has a chance to return to Liverpool, but he's got no chance of making that money there. They made that mistake last year with Joe Cole. 

Lassana Diarra to Roma

Lassana Diarra is out of favor at Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid, but he is a target for Roma. 

Diarra was apparently wanted by Tottenham, but he quashed that rumour, and the holding midfielder could be on his way to the Italian capital after a deal for his teammate Fernando Gago fell through.

But he played for Harry Redknapp for a few months at Portsmouth, and Redknapp could be keen on a reunion.  

Ibrahim Afellay to Juventus/Liverpool

Ibrahim Afellay has been linked to Juventus, Sevilla and Liverpool this summer, but he is happy at Barcelona, and the club is not keen to sell him.

Not entirely sure why seeing as he has little hope of getting playing time, and clubs are offering a good price for him.

Juventus could up their bid late in the game and swoop for the Dutch winger who is so clearly surplus for the Spanish and European champions.  

Fernando Llorente to Tottenham

Tottenham's interest in Athletic Bilboa's Fernando Llorente has cooled in recent weeks, but if they sell Luka Modric to Chelsea for big money, look for it to heat right back up.

A striker is Tottenham's biggest need, even with losing Modric, and Llorente has proven for every team he's been in that he knows how to score. 

He has great height, 6'5", but unlike Peter Crouch, he uses it to his and his team's advantage. Llorente could turn Tottenham's season around almost instantly. 

Alvaro Pereria to Arsenal

Andres Villas-Boas was hoping to bring Alvaro Pereira to Chelsea with him to bolster his defense, but Arsenal is keeping tabs on this one as well. 

The left-sided defender is just what Arsenal needs, and Arsene Wenger has the money to bring him in. 

Pereira would most definitely start behind Ashley Cole at Chelsea, and Wenger is shrewd enough to bring him to the Gunners. It would be quite a swoop for Arsenal, and they could erase the memories of that 8-2 defeat at Old Trafford Sunday very quickly.