10 Big South American Players Who Will Be on the Move in January

Europe's top-flight clubs will be looking across the Atlantic this January to bring on their teams' next big things. Up-and-coming players (and a few veterans) from Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Peru and other football powerhouses in South America are topping the transfer rumor mill headlines and should make some serious impacts wherever they end up.

Here are 10 South American players that are expected to make a splash in the January window. Most still play in South America, but a few have already started making waves in Europe. If there are any other South American aces we should be watching for, please tell us in the comments. 

Neymar (Santos)

What left is there to say about Neymar that hasn't been said already? The goals, the hype, the hair.

Linked to a number of top-flight European clubs, including Real Madrid, Barcelona and Chelsea, the 19-year-old striker has become one of the most sought-after young talents in the world. Rumors surfaced last month after he was seen at Hospital Sao Luiz that he had passed a medical to join Real Madrid, but Neymar says the hospital visit was for another medical issue and that he has "been sold like 30 times." 

The starlet denies that a move to Europe is in the works, but his countryman Ronaldo has encouraged him to test the waters across the Atlantic and continue to develop his career. We'll see if Neymar takes his advice.

Gaston Ramírez (Bologna)

Liverpool has had a lot of luck recently with Uruguayan players given the impact of Luis Suárez and the promise of Sebastián Coates, not to mention their recently-forged partnership with Club Nacional. Now, they're hoping their lucky streak will continue as they pursue buzzy Bologna winger Gastón Ramírez. Neighboring North West clubs Manchester City and Manchester United have also reportedly been monitoring the 20-year-old.

With Ramírez performing well so far this season, the Rossoblu may be less inclined to give up their starlet, and both coach Pierpaolo Bisoli and the player himself has denied the possibility of a move to Anfield:

"I have never spoken, and if I did, it would have fed what they said. I want to be here in Bologna - I'm fine and they are nice to me."

Leandro Damiäo (Internacional)

Damião has been linked to several Premier League clubs, including Tottenham Hotspur, who offered Internacional £15 million for the talented striker over the summer, and Liverpool, whose interest he piqued after an impressive performance and match-winning goal in Brazil's friendly win over Ghana. Barcelona and Real Madrid have been linked to potential bids for him as well.

Damião's stock has risen exponentially as of late, with Internacional now estimating his value to be around €50 million, which is reportedly the amount in his buyout clause. So if the big clubs want a piece of Brazil's rising star, they'll have to cough up some serious cash.

Lucas Rodrigues Moura Da Silva (São Paulo)

Liverpool may be looking to increase the number of Brazilian players named Lucas on its roster. The Reds join Inter Milan and Tottenham Hotspur in the chase for the rising star midfielder, with a £15 million price tag being mentioned.

The São Paulo playmaker has emerged as one of the most exciting prospects in international football and has earned comparisons to national-team predecessors like Kaká. At 19, he already has a number of appearances for the national team under his belt and 11 goals for his Campeonato side, not to mention the speed, skill and promise that will make the club who can snag him in January the envy of international football.

Edinson Cavani (SSC Napoli)

The Napoli star has started to deliver on the promise of his breakout performances last season, scoring a hat-trick against AC Milan and giving Napoli the first strike of their hot Champions League campaign in their 1-1 draw with Manchester City.

Now, the Champions League side he scored on may want a piece of him. With Carlos Tévez likely on his way out, Manchester City will be in the market for a striker, and Roberto Mancini may be eyeing the £40 million-rated Uruguayan international as his replacement. But Cavani has transfer ambitions of his own and has said he would consider a transfer to Real Madrid. Regardless of where he ends up, Cavani is one to watch this season.

Paulo Henrique Ganso (Santos)

Neymar's Santos teammate Paulo Henrique Ganso has also made transfer rumor headlines, having been previously linked to AC Milan and Manchester United. The 21-year-old playmaker has expressed some desire to play in Italy, and the Rossoneri could reciprocate to bring some new blood to their midfield.

Horacio Benincasa (Esther Grande De Bentín)

The 17-year-old Peruvian wünderkind, who plays for Esther Grande de Bentín, reportedly caught the eye of Tottenham Hotspur scouts during the South American U17 Championship. Benincasa, a left-back, has yet to break into senior play but has impressed at the U17 level. Rumors surfaced in mid-September about Benincasa even having a "secret trial match" for Spurs.

Rhodolfo (São Paulo) and Lisandro López (Arsenal De Sarandí)

The Brazilian defender has emerged as a target for an on-fire Juventus as the Campeonato season draws to a close, and Bianconeri boss Giuseppe Marotta is looking to bring him on before the January transfer window.

Rhodolfo, who gave a solid performance against Botafogo in the Campeonato last week, also recently earned his first cap for the national team. Joining him on the Bianconeri's defensive target radar is Lisandro López, centre-back for Argentine side Arsenal de Sarandí, who impressed in the Copa Súdamericana back in May.

Carlos Tévez (Manchester City)

After recent difficulties breaking into the first team and a strained relationship with Roberto Mancini and the fans, reaching the boiling point with his refusal to come off the bench as a sub in City's Champions League loss to Bayern Munich, Argentine striker Carlos Tévez's days at the Etihad Stadium appear to be numbered.

Great when he performs but marred with attitude problems, Tévez will undoubtedly cause a lot of speculation and anticipation in terms of his January destination, although Inter Milan has emerged as a real possibility, along with some murmurs about Juventus and Real Madrid. There's a long way to go until January, but Tévez's move may make some serious impact.