World Football: 10 Soccer Transfer Rumors To Watch for in January

With many interesting transfer rumors to be announced, I will not quibble upon introducing the name of the game, or try to make witty statements about certain players.

All I will say is that the past several weeks have been filled with controversial rumors and upset fans.

If you do feel that I have missed something, or that you disagree with what's written, do not hesitate to comment below with your opinion. 

Jefferson Farfan

Current Club: Schalke 

Linked to: Malaga

The Peruvian international has been on Malaga radar, who are hoping to tighten their attacking powers.

La Opinion de Malaga reported that Malaga are hoping to close the gap on La Liga rivals Barcelona and Real Madrid. Head coach, Manuel Pellegrini, has named Farfan the perfect addition to the squad. 

During the summer transfer window, he was heavily linked to a Juventus move, yet the deal never went down.

Brek Shea

Current Club: FC Dallas

Linked to: Liverpool and Manchester City

FC Dallas playmaker Shea has confirmed rumors that he is interested in a move to Europe. During USA 1-0 victory over Honduras, there were scouts from Manchester City and Liverpool attending the game, as Shea set up the only goal of the match.

Shea's agent Barry MacLean confirmed the rumors last week in an interview with skysports.com. 

"I do know people are asking me about Brek as he is the premier talent in America. There is a real buzz around Brek as he is a real quality player."

While it would be great to have another American football player join the EPL, he still has a three year contract with FC Dallas and the MLS. 

Josip Ilicic

Current Club: Palermo

Linked to: Inter

According to Il Sussidiario (goal.com), the Palermo star has been said to have had interest in a move to a bigger club. Reports say that a move to Inter would leave Ilicic very happy. His agent, Amir Ruznic, admitted that he is very open to talks with bigger name clubs for a January move. 

"Every player dreams of wearing the jersey of a top club, and Inter are definitely a big team," Ruznic was quoted.

"I have read about their interest in the newspapers, but they haven't approached me yet. I can tell you that Josip has a buyout clause in his contract, but I can't reveal the amount. I don't know whether [Palermo president Maurizio] Zamparini is willing to negotiate the transfer fee, you'd have to ask him about that."

Theo Walcott

Current Club: Arsenal

Linked to: Juventus

The Arsenal winger was said to have connections to the Italian giants, yet rumors were put to rest by his agent. Walcott joined the Gunners squad in 2006, after a move from Southampton. Since his arrival, Walcott has made 184 appearances, and has netted 34 goals.

While Walcott's move to Juventus was denied, his future with England soccer is still in the balance, after an interview with England international's agent, Colin Gordon, who, when asked about Walcott's long-term future, said (according to ESPN):

"We'll see, I don't know what will happen."

Not very convincing.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Current Club: AC Milan

Linked to: Real Madrid

Ibrahimovic has been linked to Real Madrid, yet his super agent, Ernesto Bronzetti, claims that Madrid does not sign players over 30, no matter how good the are. He was linked with a move to the Spanish capital, after his controversial statement in which he said he can't wait to retire.

"I am a friend of Perez and he does not buy players who are already 30," Bronzetti told Radio Sportiva, when asked about Ibrahimovic (h/t goal.com).

Real Madrid has only once bought a player over 30 and that was Ricardo Carvalho, yet that was only because Mourinho wanted him.

Neymar

Current Club: Santos

Linked to: Barcelona, Real Madrid and Anzhi Makhachkala

Neymar, possibly the best young prospect the world has seen in the past couple years, has been linked to multiple Spanish giants. The Santos attacker has been very open to an overseas move to Europe. 

While Barcelona and Real Madrid are the front-runners for Neymar, Anzhi Makhachkala, the big name buying club that recently acquired Eto'o, also have interest in the young forward, according to ESPN.

Whoever wins the auction, will have a prominent young starlet in their team.

Gary Cahill

Current Club: Bolton

Linked to: Tottenham

According to The Sunday Mirror (goal.com), Tottenham manager, Harry Redknapp, has still shown interest in signing the Bolton center back. Cahill has shown signs of leaving Bolton, yet deals, including a move to White Hart Lane, have failed to materialize. 

The England international has been on Redknapp's radar for quite some time now. Being an Arsenal fan myself, having Cahill as the center back for Tottenham would just mean bad news.

David Beckham

Current Club: LA Galaxy

Linked to: Queens Park Rangers, Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain

Beckham, who made one of the weirdest decisions of his career by making a move from England, to the MLS, might be coming back from across the pond. Beckham was reported to have been making deals with Paris Saint-Germain, yet is on some EPL teams' radar. 

While QPR and the Spurs have set their sights on the former English star, PSG has been reported, according to the AFP, to have begun talks with LA Galaxy to hopefully seal the deal on the midfielder. 

Mario Gotze

Current Club: Borussia Dortmund

Linked to: Real Madrid, Arsenal and Bayern Munich

According to goal.com, the wonderkid continues to be linked away from the German champions with moves to La Liga giants Real Madrid. Arsenal made a weak attempt to sign him on the last day of the summer transfer window, yet their bid was easily knocked back by Dortmund.

If Gotze were to choose Madrid as his new home, he would be the fifth German to have been signed by Mourinho, after Ozil, Khedira, Altintop and Sahin. 

Robin Van Persie

Current Club: Arsenal

Linked to: Manchester United and Manchester City

Van Persie has been just one of the major problems that Arsenal has had to deal with. While he is performing very well, there have been numerous rumors surrounding him and a move to one of the Manchester teams. While he is still under contract, and Wenger has no intention of selling the attacker until his contract expires, it is still worrisome to fans and players alike.

According to goal.com, the Holland international hinted earlier this week that if he does leave the Gunners, he wishes to stay in the EPL. It is very strange to see City interested in Van Persie. While they say they need a replacement for Tevez, they already have Dzeko and Aguero. Manchester United have Rooney and Nani.

Van Persie would be better off if he stayed with Arsenal. The main reason behind Arsenal's slow start is their injury list. Many of their starting XI are currently on this list, and have not been able to play. If RVP waits until the squad recovers and sees what Wenger does in January, it might change his mind about a decision to move.