January Transfer Rumors: Top 20 Midfielders on the Transfer Market

Multiple clubs around the world will be looking for new midfield talent when the January transfer window opens up in just over a month from now.

One of the highest profile players that will be on the radar is David Beckham. The Los Angeles Galaxy lifted the Major League Soccer Cup on November 20th, 2011 with a 1-0 victory over the Houston Dynamo to become the second most successful club in MLS history on Championships.

The 36-year-old Englishman is only one of multiple players both young and seasoned that will be looking for a new home, or could be in line for switch whether they desire it or not.

There is no doubt that this will be a busy winter transfer window in England, throughout the European continental clubs, as well as around the globe.

Albert Riera

Although he was under utilized at Liverpool, the Reds former wide midfielder Albert Riera could be eying a return to the EPL with Sunderland, according to the Daily Mail.

Steve Bruce has made wholesale changes to his side in the last six months, but with a frustrating start to the season drawing increased scrutiny he could once again be dipping into the clubs coffers.

The Spanish international is currently playing the Turkey with Galatasaray, but could be available for the right price in January.

Paul Pogba

Manchester United midfield starlet Paul Pogba has been the source of rumor for multiple stories this fall of 2011. More recently he has began to highlight the transfer speculation for January of 2012.

The player is out of contract in the summer and is considering suitors with both Arsenal and Manchester City lining up to try and lure him in.

Kevin Strootman

Liverpool are thought to be on the trail of PSV Eindhoven youngster, Kevin Strootman.

The 21-year-old midfielder and Netherlands international could be the next Dutch signing for the club if all goes well.

Reds fans will hope is at least half of the Dutch hard worker that Dirk Kuyt is if he makes the move.

Philippe Coutinho

Liverpool look to continue to add talented youth as there is rumor of a possible transfer move for Inter Milan's 19-year-old Philippe Coutinho.

Coutinho is also rumored to be a target of Real Madrid, AC Milan and Manchester United.

Lucho Gonzalez

Arsenal have been linked with a move for Marseille holding midfielder, Lucho Gonzalez in January. Arsene Wenger's relationship with the French based clubs remains decent and could aid him in bringing in the 30-year-old Argentine.

However, it would once again represent a departure from his youth focus is the French manager makes a move.

Steven Nzonzi

Russian side Spartak Moscow are believed to be chasing Blackburn midfielder, Steven Nzonzi.

There is thought to be an $8 million offer in the balance as Rovers will be weighing up the repercussions of whether to sell or not to sell in order to provide a transfer kitty for January.

Seamus Coleman

Liverpool could be in line for a shock move to bring local rival, Seamus Coleman of Everton, to Anfield for a fee in the region of $3 million.

The Irish midfielder would be an ideal prospect for the Reds current recruiting policy, and could be more easily acquired due to continued financial troubles for the Toffees.

David Beckham

Out of contract midfielder, David Beckham is expected to be joining Paris Saint Germain in January.

His dream to continue his England international career at the Olympics next summer looks to be his key motivation for signing with a top club in the winter window.

Becks and his wife Victoria have been reportedly house hunting in Paris ahead of their move in just over a month.

Patrick Herrmann

Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder, Patrick Herrmann, is attracting heavy interest from both Arsenal and Napoli according to givemefootball.com.

The 23-year-old German midfielder is likely to be the subject of a January raid from either the English Premier League or the Italian Serie A.

He currently has two goals and two assists and has been of great importance to the clubs current opening run, which sees them in third place in the German Bundesliga behind Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.

Shinji Kagawa

Borussia Dortmund and Japanese International midfielder, Shinji Kagawa has been linked all around the Italian Serie A and also to Liverpool FC in England.

It could take upwards of £18 million to pry the player away from Dortmund, as he is under contract until 2013 in Germany.

Adel Taarabt

Paris Saint Germain were rumored admirers of Queens Park Rangers midfielder Adel Taarabt over the summer.

The Moroccan play maker was key to the English Premier League promotion campaign for the Rangers, but since the season has started, new signings have seen him be pushed from the spotlight to the shadows.

Rangers manager Neil Warnock stated in a recent Daily Mirror article that he, "would drive him over if they offered us £20million" in reference to the possibility of the player moving to Paris.

Ismael Cheick Tiote

Newcastle United midfield enforcer, Ismael Chieck Tiote looks to be on the radar for Chelsea in the winter window.

The Ivory Coast international is believed to be the subject of a £20 million plot from Andrea Villas-Boas and Chelsea.

Chelsea midfield John Obi Mikel's lapse in judgement cost the Blues their first goal to Liverpool's Maxi Rodriguez on Sunday Nov. 19, 2011.

Tiote could be the believe replacement for Michael Essien's stand in, as the later continues to recover from another of a slew of injuries that have stopped him from being Chelsea's ever present muscle that saw them build great campaigns in the mid to late 2000s.

Javi Martinez

The 23-year-old Athletic Bilbao midfielder, Javi Martinez, has been ranked with a host of clubs over the past few weeks.

Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United have all been tied to the Spanish midfielder that has been attracting interest for some time.

Martinez is the captain of the Spanish U-21 side and is likely to play a role in the Olympics this coming summer for his nation.

Currently it will take £34 Million to prize him away from the Basque club.

Milos Krasic

Manchester United have been linked with a move for Juventus midfielder Milos Krasic for quite some time.

Although the player only moved to the Serie A just this past year, he could be on the move once more in January.

Gabriel Torje

Udinese midfielder Gabriel Torje is another player that has been compared as the Lionel Messi of his home country. In Torje's case, that would be Romania.

The midfielder has also been nicknamed, the Pocket Rocket, as his 5'5" stature makes him minuscule on the field to the eye, but he has been a giant for his club.

His play throughout the season has been one of the primary reasons why Udinese have been sitting at the top or hovering close for the entire season.

Arsenal seems to be the most keen on the player for the time being if he is to attract serious interest from England.

Josep Ilicic

In March of this year I eluded to the ever growing value of a trio of Palermo players. One of which was Javier Pastore, now of Paris Saint Germain, who sparked a major transfer story over the summer of 2011.

However, alongside of Pastore was the mention of Slovenian attacking midfielder Josip Ilicic. The conclusion that I came to in March has only been given more life by the current rumors mentioned by Metro.

The player now looks to have a major price on his head of upward to £25 million with Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea, all thought to be keeping an eye on him.

Mario Goetze

The Lionel Messi of Germany, as Borussia Dortmund's attacking midfielder Mario Goetze has been dubbed, continues to be the subject of increased speculation in the English Premier League leading up to the transfer window.

Manchester United are the most recent club suspected of interest in the young starlet, as he continues to be watched closely by a number of the world's biggest clubs.

Marek Hamsik

Napoli midfield star, Marek Hamsik is one of several Neapolitan's that are on the radar for Manchester City.

The play maker is thought to be a possible candidate for their already potent midfield. However, it is difficult to imagine where he will fit in between the plethora of options already in the Sky Blue.

Luke Modric

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder, Luka Modric looks to once again be the subject of rumor this winter.

The Croatian is believed to be subject of possible Manchester United interest.

Gareth Bale

Tottenham's wide midfielder Gareth Bale has been a Barcelona rumored target for some time now.

This week Spurs have issued a hands off warning to the Catalan club, but it is still not known where they would be able to fit the Welshman into their plans until they freed up some room in the wide ranks.