Top 5 Premier League Transfer Rumors of the Day

Another day, another round of Premier League transfer rumors. January is less than two months away, so now it's crunch time for the big clubs to start preparing their bids.

As always, these are mere speculations and should be taken with a grain of salt or two. So make of them what you will, and if you have anyone in particular you'd like to see at your favorite Premier League club, or you think this whole thing is just ridiculous, have at it in the comments.

Carlos Tévez to Liverpool?

Here's a rather surprising one.

A move for Manchester City's want-away striker Carlos Tévez, following his lack of first team appearances and mounting tension with manager Roberto Mancini, has been labeled as pretty much a certainty; it's just a matter of where he'll go. Cash-flush Málaga and Paris Saint-Germain have been discussed as possibilities, as have his old clubs Corinthians and Boca Juniors.

But according to a report from the International Business Times, Tévez's agent Kia Joorabchian has said that now that the striker is settled in England, he could very well stay in the Premiership. Harry Redknapp has reportedly expressed a desire to see him at Tottenham, if an affordable deal could be worked out. 

Kenny Dalglish is also looking into bringing him on to Liverpool to ramp up the Reds' struggling attack. With Andy Carroll disappointing and the Reds, they need another goal-scorer to play alongside Luis Suárez. Tévez may appear to be a viable option. 

Arsenal, Manchester City in the Race for Marco Reus

First it was Mario, now it's Marco.

As Europe's top-flight clubs continue to chase teenage Borussia Dortmund playmaker, Mario Götze, another young German star is raising eyebrows in the Premiership. He is 22-year-old Borussia Mönchengladbach attacker Marco Reus. 

Reus, who is rated at £15 million and can play as an attacking midfielder or a striker, has been a hot talent in the Bundesliga so far this season; he's scored five doubles in the league, two in back-to-back matches these past two weeks against Hertha Berlin and Hannover 96, and his efforts have helped put Gladbach, who last year flirted with relegation, at a solid fourth in the league.

Arsenal are reportedly interested, hoping to beef up their attacking options, as are Manchester City and Bayern Munich. A move to the Premiership seems more likely, but with Reus contracted with Die Fohlen until 2015, whoever comes for him will have to drop some serious cash. 

Chelsea May Find Its Future at La Masia

Chelsea is one of several Premier League clubs looking to the famed FC Barcelona academy, La Masia and its Segunda División side, Barcelona B, to bring some up-and-coming talent to Stamford Bridge and follow up on the promise of Oriol Romeu.

According to this report, sports director Michael Emenalo had a visit to the academy to look at prospects, and among the names that have piqued the Blues' interest are 20-year-old defender Marc Batra. Also being looked at are right midfielder Martin Montoya and 18-year-old Rafinha Alcântara, the younger brother of Barça rising star Thiago. Manchester United have expressed interest in bringing on Thiago, and Spurs have also been linked to several names on this list. 

Another name from La Masia is 19-year-old midfielder Roberto Sergi, but with a €12 million release clause, he may be tougher to come by. 

Gunners to Drop Mad Cash for Alexandre Pato?

A rumor reported on in the International Business Times says the latest big name to be on Arsenal's radar is AC Milan's highly-rated young striker, Alexandre Pato. At only 22, the Brazilian international has still scored 50 goals for Massimiliano Allegri's side, but with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Robinho to compete with, he sometimes has trouble seeing first-team action. With Robinho back to fitness and returning to form, Pato will lose his place in the AC Milan first team and may seek a side where he can make more of an impact. 

With Marouane Chamakh rumored to be leaving the Emirates in January and Park Chu-Young still untested, it's looking as though Arsenal could use another striker to complement the on-fire but injury-prone Robin Van Persie. According to the IBT, the Gunners may be preparing a record-breaking £35 million to bring Pato, also a rumored transfer target for Chelsea, away from San Siro. 

Seydou Doumbia Looking for a Move to North London

Ivorian international Seydou Doumbia has impressed at CSKA Moscow, scoring 22 goals in 27 games along with eight assists and attracting the interest of Tottenham Hotspur.

Doumbia, too, is interested in a move to North London:

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”I am very interested in playing in the English league. Harry Redknapp is a coach African players love, so who knows? It is only paper talk at the moment. I want to make a name for myself in the Russian league and in the Champions League as well, the rest will come once I am playing very well. My dream is to play in the Premier League, everyone knows that,” he said.

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But Spurs' North London rivals may also be interested in a move for the striker, who is contracted at CSKA until 2015 and may come with a price tag at £35 million, although it's difficult to imagine a club actually shelling that much out for Doumbia. But Arsenal may be investigating bringing him on to ramp up their striking options, and Doumbia has said to the Gunners, "if you want me, you can have me":

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"From childhood I've dreamed of England, but CSKA plays at a very high level. I'm very happy here," he said. "If Arsenal want to buy me, they must first talk to CSKA, then perhaps I'll be allowed to go."

 

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