Transfer Rumours: Top 15 Youngsters Euro Clubs Are Lusting After This January

With emphasis now on clubs to build a foundation of youth, there will be a number of big bids this January for the world’s most exciting young talent.

The majority of European clubs seem to be catching on to the transitional phase of moving on from aging veterans towards a more dynamic, youthful squad.

Borussia Dortmund and Lille have found success domestically by building on their impressive young talents, and giants Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, among others, have also been seen to adapt to the changes made by other clubs on the continent.

Here are 15 youngsters who European clubs will target during the January transfer window...

Mario Gotze

Germany’s latest young star has taken Europe by storm over the past 12 months. Coming through the ranks at Borussia Dortmund, Mario Gotze became an integral figure in Jurgen Klopp’s title-winning side of last year.

With a host of top European clubs chasing his signature, he was the subject of a deadline day £35 million bid from Arsenal as a replacement for their departing skipper, Cesc Fabregas.

After an impressive display at international level for Germany against Brazil last month, there is certain to be a flurry of bids to prise Germany’s great asset from Signal Iduna Park in January.

Eden Hazard

Eden Hazard continues to be hot property in Europe. Lille’s star player has been courted for a number of years by clubs in Spain and England, with the player continuing to resist the overtures of a big money move away from France.

The praise and admiration for Hazard has been justified by the consistently high performances he has delivered over the past 12 months, whilst at the time helping Lille to a domestic cup double.

The hope from other European suitors will be that Lille fail to negotiate their way out of the Champions League group phase and into the last sixteen, meaning a possible January bid will seem all the more tempting due to the financial loss.

Yann M’Vila

A powerful, influential force in the Rennes midfield, Yann M’Vila was courted by Arsenal towards the end of the 2011 summer transfer window, suggesting Arsene Wenger had finally found the man to replace the presence lost following Patrick Vieira’s departure a number of years ago.

M’Vila, however, will not come cheap: the player recently signed a contract extension which will keep him at the French club until 2014. The Gunners’ bid of £25 million during the summer was swiftly rebuffed, and Rennes will be in no hurry to sell while they continue to be without financial trouble.

Rafa Alcantara

The younger brother of Barcelona player Thiago, Rafael Alcantara may be on the brink of a call-up to the senior squad, but the quality ahead of him in the Barca midfield means he will find it incredibly difficult to establish himself at this stage at the Nou Camp.

“Rafinha” shows similar traits to that of his brother, a spectacular talent with an eye for a pass, there will be a number of clubs both domestically and around Europe who would love to take the young Brazilian away from the Nou Camp.

A stumbling block may be Barcelona’s insistence on keeping the brothers together, but Rafa may have to look elsewhere if he is to progress and realise his talent and ability.

Mateo Kovacic

One of Dinamo Zagreb’s two most prized assets, Mateo Kovacic operates in the midfield role, often taking up a position just behind the striker.

He has drawn comparisons to Lionel Messi and Wayne Rooney from the local media and again is a player who will not come on the cheap, with Dinamo continuing to reject bids from Europe's elite.

Sime Vrsaljko

The other half of Dinamo Zagreb’s prized duo, right-back Sime Vrsaljko has been linked with a move to Arsenal in recent months.

With the Croatian club keen to keep hold of both Mateo Kovacic and Vrsaljko, European bidders may be looking to break the bank to land one of Europe’s most talented youngsters.

Neymar

The current in a long line of Brazilian talent to catch the eye of Europe’s elite, Neymar has recently been linked with a move to Real Madrid following next years Olympics.

The Spanish club are said to have completed a medical for the young forward with a transfer fee of £50 million.

Neymar’s club Santos, however, are claiming that no such deal has been struck; opening the door for a number of club’s to continue their pursuit of the Brazil international.

Ross Barkley

Ross Barkley only recently made his impressive first team debut for Everton in their season-opening defeat to Queens Park Rangers.

The talent of the 17-year old has quickly drawn the attention of Manchester United, with the current league leaders looking to take advantage of Everton’s dire financial situation.

A bid in excess of £20 million may be put on the table come January, with Sir Alex Ferguson looking to snap up the youngster before a bidding war can begin.

Andre Schurrle

The young German striker only recently moved to Bayer Leverkusen following an £8 million bid during the summer, but the impressive display at both club and international level means Andre Schurrle will have a number of European clubs looking to take him away from the Bay Arena.

At only the age of 20, Schurrle has already scored four goals for the German National side, one of which came in their impressive victory over Brazil in August.

Bernd Leno

Stuttgart’s young goalkeeper, who is currently on loan at Bayer Leverkusen for the first half of the season, is sure to attract a host of clubs around Europe who may be looking for a long term shot stopper.

The impressive form of the young German has seen him pick up clean sheets in his first three games of the 2011/12 season.

Alan Dzagoev

Alan Dzagoev, who at the age of 21, has established himself in the CSKA Moscow first-team. A creative midfielder with an eye for goal, the Russian side have already received bids from Spain for Dzagoev, but the player insisting he is not interested in a move away at present.

With attention firmly placed on other up-and-coming talents around Europe, anyone would do well to swoop in under-the-radar and pick up Dzagoev, avoiding any potential bidding war.

Daniel Parejo

With the former Real Madrid midfielder struggling to make any kind of impact thus far at Valencia, a move away from the club, as early as January, could be on the cards.

Daniel Parejo has been the subject of intense speculation over the past few days, linking the player with a move to Arsenal as a possible replacement for the injured Jack Wilshere.

A fee in the region of £5 million may be all the Gunners need to take Parejo to the Emirates, with Valencia likely wanting to recoup the fee they paid Getafe during the summer.

Ander Herrera

Ander Herrera may only have been at new club Athletico Bilbao for a number of months, but the midfielder is already attracting attention from abroad following a string of impressive displays, a number of which came during this past summer’s U21 European Championship.

A bid for the talented youngster is likely to weigh heavy on any potential suitor, with Herrera signing a five-year contract with the Basque club in July.

Andre Ayew

Andre Ayew has seen continuous speculation linking him with a move to Arsenal over the past number of years.

The Marseille winger has been in fine form over the past 12 months for both club and country, and another bid from Arsenal is likely to come in during the winter transfer window.

Paulo Henrique

Paulo Henrique is another Santos player who is attracting attention from a host of European clubs. The Brazilian side, much like with Neymar, insist on receiving the highest possible fee for their star midfielder.

“Ganso” has received a number of glowing reports following his inclusion in the Brazil National side as of late, and while Santos maintain that the player won’t be sold, the player is continuously linked with a move to Manchester United.