15 Bold Predictions for World Football's Transfer Deadline Day

It's the most wonderful time of the year.

Well, for some of us.

Football is back, the European leagues are up and running (except for Italy) and teams are scrambling to sign players before the transfer window closes.

They'll have to hurry, though, because the deadline to sign players passes at 11 p.m. British Summer Time on Wednesday. For us in America, that means a nice, convenient 6 p.m. Eastern Time deadline.

Almost every European club will look to do something, though some will undoubtedly stand firm with what they have. One club that figures to be especially active is Arsenal, which suffered perhaps the most humiliating loss in its modern history, 8-2 at Manchester United on Sunday.

The Gunners won't be the only ones looking to boost their roster. With the transfer window closing until January, managers will want to strengthen their squads to help deal with potential injuries, suspensions and whatever else the season may throw at them.

It's going to be an exciting day.

Before we get there, here are 15 bold predictions about what will happen on some world soccer fans' favorite day of the season.

Manchester United Won't Do Anything

True, I just said that almost every European club will be active Wednesday in the transfer market, but one almost surely won't do anything major.

Count on it: Manchester United won't dip into the transfer market on Wednesday.

United had been linked to Netherlands and Inter Milan midfielder Wesley Sneijder all summer, but Sneijder on Tuesday announced he'll stay in Italy a while longer. So don't expect United to do anything Wednesday.

In fact, the Red Devils haven't done anything major since June when Sir Alex Ferguson made three excellent signings in midfielder Ashley Young (pictured), goalkeeper David De Gea and defender Phil Jones. All three joined the team in the summer and quickly acclimated themselves in the United locker room.

It's already showed, too. All three have posted strong starts to the season.

This is one area where Ferguson usually shines. He knows which players he wants to sign, when he wants to sign them and how much he wants to pay. Unlike his counterpart at Arsenal, Arsene Wenger, he rarely shows indecision in the transfer market nor does he often hesitate to make a big, important signing.

As Tuesday's flurry of transfer rumors showed, Wenger might have changed his ways. But it's no stretch to say the difference between Wenger's and Ferguson's transfer market strategies explains at least some of the six-goal difference between the teams on Sunday.

Per Mertesacker Will Sign with Arsenal and Become a Success

By now everyone knows about the Gunners' 8-2 loss at Manchester United on Sunday. Most people also know that Arsenal and their manager Arsene Wenger must change their thrifty transfer policies if they want to have any hope of being competitive this season.

These policies might actually change, too, as Tuesday showed.

Tuesday, the Gunners signed South Korean striker Chu Young Park and were reportedly close to signing defenders Per Mertesacker (Germany and Werder Bremen) for about £10 million and Andre Santos (Brazil and Fenerbahce) for about £6 million.

Once Mertesacker joins—and he will—expect him to help Arsenal immediately. The Gunners need a more physical approach and the 6' 6" German should provide just that.

Andre Santos Will Also Sign with Arsenal and Will Also Become a Success

Andre Santos will reportedly join Arsenal from Turkish club Fenerbahce in a £6 million deal.

If he joins, expect him to contribute immediately. Defense has been one of Arsenal's weaknesses in recent years and Santos' experience and physicality will help the Gunners right away.

His signing will also mean that Arsene Wenger can leave the kids in the reserves.

Arsenal Will Get Back into Contention

If Arsenal does stay as busy Wednesday as reports suggest, the Gunners will be back into contention in the Barclays Premier League.

That's not to say the Gunners will win the league—they won't. Even if their potential signings go through, the squad still has too many holes to come out on top after a grueling 38-match fixture list.

But...

Per Mertesacker would be a great addition to the Arsenal defense. If signed, he would conceivably form one of the league's top central-defense partnerships with Thomas Vermaelen. With his size and aerial ability, Arsenal would shore up its set-piece defense—perhaps its biggest flaw last season.

Andre Santos could also be great for Arsenal, if only so Arsene Wenger doesn't have to select inexperienced players like Carl Jenkinson to start at fullback. Until he's ready, Jenkinson needs to stay on the bench or get some games in the reserves.

Chu-Young Park is more of a question mark. Though he is a talented striker with plenty of experience as South Korea's captain, what Arsenal's attack really needs is a more physical presence to play off Robin van Persie.

Park isn't that player. Of course, Wenger might not be done dealing.

Peter Crouch Will Be on the Move

Tottenham Hotspur is willing to deal Peter Crouch, the lanky 6' 7" English striker with a goofy goal dance. That's not speculation.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp was referring to Crouch when he said, "There's a few clubs want him. It's up to him. It's an area we are overloaded in."

In the world football transfer market, few statements are more definitive than that. What's less certain, though, is where Crouch will end up. The Internet lit up Tuesday with rumors about his possible destination, with ideas ranging from Queens Park Rangers to Sunderland.

First there were reports that Sunderland had made a bid. Then suddenly they hadn't. QPR supposedly offered £11 million for Crouch's signature, but it's hard to tell what's true at this point.

We'll know more Wednesday, but it's unlikely Crouch will stay with Spurs.

Scott Parker Will Sign with Spurs

Peter Crouch will probably leave, but midfielder Scott Parker will probably join Tottenham Hotspur.

According to talkative Spurs manager Harry Redknapp, "It's very close. He's a good lad, with a great attitude, he was Footballer of the Year last year. He'll be a good addition for this football team. He's a proper family man and a good pro."

Parker currently plays with Championship side West Ham United, but the club has confirmed Parker has asked for a transfer.

This one will almost surely get done. In fact, Twitter is already buzzing about the done deal.

Gary Cahill Won't Go Anywhere

The Gary Cahill to Arsenal transfer saga became almost as tiresome as the Cesc Fabregas to Barca drama this summer. The Gunners have been in the market for a defender for some time and manager Arsene Wenger seemed determined to sign the Bolton man.

Much like the teams' on-field battles over the last few years, Bolton refused to budge. First Bolton laughed off a low Arsenal bid and then Arsenal lost interest after upping the money.

Arsenal moved on and now it looks like Per Mertesacker will sign instead. Even though Tottenham Hotspur was linked to a move for Cahill, don't expect him to go anywhere—at least until the transfer window reopens in January.

Owen Hargreaves Will Join Manchester City (or He Won't)

Former Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves has been linked with a few teams in recent weeks. United allowed his contract to expire this past summer after another injury-filled season.

Hargreaves insists he's healthy and Manchester City is among the clubs reportedly interested in signing the former England international.

It remains to be seen, however, how Hargreaves would fit into City's midfield.

Hargreaves should sign somewhere and City is as likely a destination as any other.

Clint Dempsey Will Stay at Fulham

American star Clint Dempsey has been linked with a move away from Fulham, his club since 2007. Don't count on him going anywhere, though.

Dempsey has said that he wants to play Champions League football, which led to speculation that he could move during the current transfer window. Paris St. Germain, Aston Villa and Sevilla have all been linked to the 28-year-old, but none of them make a whole lot of sense for the American.

PSG has recently come into some money thanks to new investors and the club is a hot favorite to contend for the French title this season. That would mean Champions League football next year if Dempsey moves there. By that reasoning, PSG makes the most sense for Dempsey.

However, Aston Villa and Sevilla don't seem to be Champions League contenders, so a move from Fulham to Aston Villa would be a lateral one for Dempsey.

Dempsey won't end his career at Fulham, but don't expect to see him move Wednesday.

Sebastian Coates Will Sign with Liverpool

This is another easy one.

Liverpool has been chasing Sebastian Coates, a Uruguayan defender, for a while now and his countryman and future teammate Luis Suarez let the secret slip Tuesday on Twitter.

Suaraz, a forward for Liverpool and Uruguay, wrote on his Twitter page: "I want to welcome Coates, partner in the uruguayan team, friend and great player who just signed for Liverpool!"

It should be part of Liverpool's continued renaissance. With an already strong midfield, Liverpool looks to be gearing up for a sustained title run with a good young defender.

Yossi Benayoun Will Find a New Home

Chelsea's Israeli midfielder Yossi Benayoun has been linked with multiple teams this week and by the time Wednesday is over he should have a new home.

Again it's Twitter that provides a compelling argument. Here's what Benayoun posted to his account: "I thought I will know by now what my future will hold. I'm in talks with chelsea and we will make a decision very soon. I will tell you soon."

Several teams have been named as a potential new home for Benayoun, including Liverpool and Arsenal.

Here's guessing Arsenal gets the signature.

Joe Cole Will Leave the Country

Liverpool midfielder Joe Cole is reportedly on the verge of completing a season-long loan deal with French club Lille.

Expect to see the move completed Wednesday.

Cole, who has failed to impress after signing in July 2010, earns £90,000 per week. Liverpool, which signed several midfielders this past offseason, understandably wants to offload at least some of that contract.

Cole had also been linked with QPR, but Lille is more able to meet Cole's wage demands.

Kaka Will Stay at Real Madrid

Brazilian star Kaká has been linked with a move away from Real Madrid in recent weeks, but he ended speculation Monday by saying he'll stay with the club.

Of course, that doesn't always mean much in world football. However, Kaká's potential price tag will prevent him from going anywhere.

For now at least.

QPR Will Make One More Move

Queens Park Rangers has, somewhat surprisingly, been one of England's busiest clubs during the current transfer window. After moving up from the Championship last spring, QPR is looking to make its current stay in the Premiership a permanent arrangement.

Along those lines, QPR has signed Joey Barton—an extremely talented but unpredictable midfielder—from Newcastle and defender Armand Traore from Arsenal.

QPR has also been linked to a few more players, including Manchester City midfielder Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Look for QPR to land at least one more signing before the window closes.

Speaking of Barton…

Joey Barton Will Irk Somebody

Joey Barton has already made his move. He joined Queens Park Rangers from Newcastle United.

That doesn't mean he won't say or do something stupid as the transfer deadline passes.

As we've seen throughout Tuesday, players love using their Twitter accounts. Barton, who can't let anything go without throwing in his two cents, will probably say something stupid between now and the deadline.

You can count on that.