Transfer Rumours: Top 10 Eastern Europeans Ready for a Move to the Big Time

With the January transfer window merely six weeks away, many of Europe’s elite sides will already be scattering hordes of scouts all across the world, poised for a new year assault on some fresh product.

Having had since September to decipher exactly which areas of their squad needs boosting, many teams will have had countless potential recruits analysed and assessed in order to establish the best targets to pursue in January.

Some sides use this window to fine-tune a couple of areas of their squad. Some, perhaps slightly off the pace, seek a blockbuster buy to keep up with their league's pace-setters, whilst others use the winter window as a time to identify and draft in youngsters, investing in the club's future.

Those sides not quite around the summit of European football, or just not as financially blessed as others, will be bracing themselves as top clubs begin to hover ominously over their optimum performers. 

Here is a look at some Eastern European talent, primed and ready to step up.

1. Alan Dzagoev

Since bursting onto the scene as a teenager, Dzagoev has become frequent fodder for gossip hungry transfer columns. A speedy, attacking midfielder, with an eye for goal, he is capable of sublime dead-ball delivery and has already become an integral part of CSKA Moscow’s offensive strategies.

Capped by Russia at just 18, his obvious potential is likely to make him a target for many top clubs seeking fresh attacking impetus in January. His form has recently seen him linked to Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham and, having been at CSKA Moscow since 2008, he may soon benefit from a fresh challenge to enable him to advance his career and realise his undoubted potential.

Arsenal's supposed interest even caused Dzagoev's international captain, Andrei Arshavin, to publicly urge his side to sign him up, eager to see his compatriot arrive at the Emirates. 

2. Mateo Kovacic

Perhaps an unknown commodity for some, Kovacic is one of the hottest properties in Croatia. Still just 17, he has been fast-tracked right through to the Croatian Under-21 side, with Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Juventus and Arsenal already rumoured to be admirers of his talent

Best deployed as a playmaker, his game is augmented by a lavish first touch that buys him that crucial extra yard in the heart of midfield. He also has the attributes to develop into a dangerous dribbler, and once his body develops, he would become a valuable addition to many top European squads.

Seen by many to be Croatia’s best prospect since Robert Prosinecki, he has drawn lofty comparisons with Diego Maradona and had many label him as the Croatian Messi. Drawing such high praise and major plaudits already, it will surely not be long before he is seriously pursued by some of Europe's finest.

3. Stevan Jovetic

Two years ago, Stevan Jovetic was roundly accepted as one of Europe's premier young talents, set to flourish as Fiorentina looked to take the Champions League by storm. As big a contribution as he made in 2009-10, last season saw him cruelly sidelined, suffering cruciate ligament damage to his right knee.

Missing the entire campaign, his reputation has stagnated somewhat, although he has finally returned to action and has been the Viola's outstanding performer in an underachieving team. He is currently the joint fourth top-scorer in Serie A, having registered five strikes. 

Best deployed off a front man, Montenegro's star export has maintained a healthy scoring rate at every level he has played at. Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Real Madrid were all said to be interested in the 22-year-old before his lull of action, and despite recently extending his contract in Florence, his name is likely to be high up on many clubs' potential wish lists in January.

In order to fully reestablish his name around Europe, a move away from Fiorentina may soon become high on his own agenda.

4. Neven Subotic

Throughout last year’s January window, Subotic was chased by a number of top sides, with Chelsea committing the most heavy courting. Viewed as one of the most talented young defenders in Europe, there were rumours of a late £17.5 million bid stemming from Stamford Bridge, quickly rejected by Borussia Dortmund.

Subotic honed his skills in America, representing the States at several youth team levels before pledging his allegiance to Serbia. A mainstay in the Serbian squad, he had often formed a strong partnership with Nemanja Vidic in the heart of defence, before the Manchester United man's recent retirement. 

A physically imposing presence in games, his lofty stature allows few to beat him in the air, whilst his game also includes impressive technical abilities enabling him to comfortably take the ball into midfield.

Since last year's window, there has been no end of interest in the talented young Serb. Manchester United supposedly head a long queue, with Sir Alex Ferguson reportedly seeing him as the ideal replacement for Rio Ferdinand. With Subotic going on record saying he sees himself playing in the Premier League one day, it is unlikely the rumours will disappear any time soon.

5. Marek Hamsik

Hardly an unknown quantity, Hamsik is already considered by many to be one of Europe's finest talents and has already performed numerous times in front of the world stage. Playing at Napoli, for an exciting young side already in the Champions League, he must be pretty near the perceived heights of the game.

However, as high as he has helped Napoli rise in recent times, Hamsik would not be out of place in any of Europe's top squads. Any potential move to one of the multitude of clubs with alleged interest would be seen as a major move, and Hamsik would be viewed as a marquee signing for most of these sides. 

Playing either as a box-to-box midfielder or as the trequartista, Hamsik has played a pivotal role in Napoli's recent success over the last four years. The fact that he has remained in Naples, loyally ignoring constant hype and interest around his future, has won him many admirers over the past few seasons.

All the same, now 24, many accept Hamsik will inevitably have to move onwards and upwards at some point. Now captaining his nation, he deserves the chance to finally gauge himself alongside others at the pinnacle of their profession, and that time may well be in January.

6. Yaroslav Rakitskiy

Born in the Ukraine, Rakitskiy rose to prominence at the European Under-21 tournament this summer, where he enjoyed a productive campaign, eventually being named in the team of the tournament.

His summer feats came after he finished a strong season in central defence for a successful Shakhtar Donetsk side. Last season's stingy defence only conceded 10 goals in 25 games, with Rakitskiy a key performer.

Having broken into the Shakhtar team in 2009, the same year he gained his first full cap for his national side, he has quickly become one of the hottest properties in the Ukraine. Decisive on the pitch, he reads the game like a seasoned professional, and his versatility also permits him to slot in seamlessly at left-back if required.

Since his summer exploits, Barcelona are rumoured to be monitoring his progress, illustrating just how quickly he has progressed. Having benefited from Shakhtar's recent surge in form, a move in January may well accelerate his ascension further and quickly take him to the upper echelons of the game.

7. Milan Badelj

Badelj is another Croatian also playing at Dinamo Zagreb, who deserve recognition for the conveyor belt of young talent they have been recently churning out. At just 22, he has already been capped at international level and is now officially Dinamo's vice captain.

Badelj's natural game sees him sit deep as a playmaker, although his career record already depicts a healthy appetite for scoring. He boasts precise passing ability and exemplary vision which sees him often the architect behind his side's goals.

As the summer window progressed, the uncertainty around the future of Tottenham's Luka Modric prompted intense speculation that the Spurs would turn to his international college, Badelj, as a potential replacement if their own talisman left.

Although a summer move never transpired, come January, he is again likely to be at the centre of several protracted transfer sagas. 

8. Dejan Lovren

The third Croatian on this list, Lovren is a central defender currently playing at Lyon. Another who is already arguably nearing the top of the game, the fact that his signature is still receiving mass interest from the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham just about warrants his inclusion on this list. Any multi-million pound transfer would instantly increase his notoriety.

A perennial inclusion in various Croatian youth teams, he is now a regular in Slaven Bilic's senior squad at still only 22. The strongest facets of his game are his strength and ability in the air, components that suggest he would suit a big-time move to the Premier League.

Liverpool were keen on acquiring his services in the summer, but being new around the international stage, the Reds feared a work permit application would be turned down and temporarily cooled their interest.

As Lovren maintains his place in the Croatian national set-up, Premier League clubs may well begin to chart his progress with greater interest and plot a January raid.

9. Jano Ananidze

Originally from Georgia, Ananidze is a teenager currently plying his trade with Spartak Moscow in Russia, where he has been since 2007. He grabbed the headlines a couple of years ago after making his full international debut for Georgia at just 16. His country were desperate to secure his playing rights in order to fend off interest from his adopted Russia, for whom he was also eligible

Despite the rapid rise, Ananidze's selection was warranted, and he has continued to represent his nation since his debut. Another attacking midfielder, his game is based around pace, although he also has an astute ability to pick a pass. Some have even likened his style and talents to be similar to a young Xavi.

Manchester City are one of many clubs said to be monitoring the precociously talented Georgian, and it is certain his name will become increasingly familiar to football fans over the coming months.

10. Gabriel Torje

Torje is a 21-year-old full international, who many have quickly dubbed the Romanian Messi. After attracting a pile of attention in the summer, he eventually opted to join Italian club Udinese, who signed him as a direct replacement for Alexis Sanchez.

Diminutive in stature, Torje makes up for his lack of size with pace and trickery, and his continual movement throughout matches makes him a complex presence for defences to marshal. He is an archetypal winger and, as well as setting up his team mates, Torje has contributed to scoring charts at every club he has been at, already notching up four goals in just 15 starts for Romania.

Despite his recent transfer, interest from the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United, among others, still fester around the Romanian. If he continues to impress in Italy, an even bigger move may be just around the corner.

Which other Eastern European talent do you predict immanent bigger things for?

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