FC Barcelona Transfer Rumors: 10 Players Linked to Barca

World Football today is full of transfer rumors, and there are no shortage of players being linked to Barcelona.

Barcelona is the best club team in the World at the moment. They confirmed that this past Saturday against Real Madrid and they have a chance to re-claim that title officially—not that they haven't had it—with their participation in the Club World Cup.

Some of the players on this list are linked through pure speculation and there is absolutely no chance they will join the team. Others may actually be targets for the Catalans, but a move may be more likely in the summer of 2012 than this upcoming January window.

With less than a month to go before the transfer window reopens, the rumors and the number of players linked to Barcelona may increase in number and audacity.

So far, though, here is a list of some players that have been linked to Barcelona.

Wojciech Szczesny

Arsenal fans were no doubt annoyed hearing about this—even though there really should be no doubt that it's not true—but since this is a list only for players who have been linked to the club, Wojciech Szczesny is part of that group.

Obviously, this counts as one of the more ridiculous rumors on this list, but according to CaughtOffside.com there is some interest from Barcelona.

Barcelona does need a goalkeeper to eventually take over for Victor Valdes, but there is still time remaining where such a transfer is concerned.

Gary Cahill

Gary Cahill is on the transfer lists for a lot of Premier League teams, and it is more likely that he will stay there than move to La Liga. Cahill has been linked with the Catalan giants a few times during the first half of this season and with good reason.

As much as a Premier League move is the most likely option for Cahill, the chance to join the best team in club football and be a successor to Carles Puyol in the near future could entice Cahill.

Bolton's asking price will not be too ridiculous, considering the English defender will only be a few months away from the end of his contract; and that could work well for Barcelona.

Barcelona snatched Ibrahim Afellay away from PSV in similar circumstances last January, and Cahill would fill a need and be able to slot in to European play if necessary.

Jordi Alba

Jordi Alba is one of two players on this list who previously played for Barcelona's youth setup. While it is likely that Eric Abidal will finally sign his extension, there is an issue of age where Barcelona left-back options are concerned.

Alba has been playing himself into the Spain team on a more regular basis and— according to Goal.com —his solid start to the season has seen him join Pep Guardiola's wish list.

Alba would be a nice long term addition to the Barcelona team, and only time will tell whether he really is an option for the Catalans.

Joao Pereira

According to Goal.com, Barcelona has added a right-back to its list of transfer targets. Joao Pereira may be a unknown quantity to some Barcelona fans and could be considered a late-bloomer when you take into account his age, 27.

He has only recently become a fixture for the Portuguese National team, and one has to wonder why he could be considered a suitable replacement for Dani Alves.

Barcelona already has Martin Montoya waiting in the wings and he—along with all the other La Masia products—showed his class in the Champions League win against Bate Borisov.

Whether real or not, Pereira has been linked with Barcelona and like any other rumor, only time will tell.

Alberto Botia

Alberto Botia is the other former Barcelona youth product who could make his way back to the Camp Nou.

Again, Goal.com reports that Botia could rejoin Barcelona at some point, with a summer move more likely. Botia would be a safer option than Gary Cahill as he is more accustomed to the Barcelona way of life and life in La Liga in general.

The current Sporting Gijon defender performed well for the Spain U21 squad in the European Championships and could be a future fixture in the center of Spain's defense.

For now, just as with all the others on this list, Botia has only been linked with his old team.

Thiago Silva

Thiago Silva is the most glamorous defensive player linked to Barcelona at the moment. If Barcelona were to gain the services of the Brazilian defender it would be quite a coup.

Milan would be very unlikely to let him go at all, but if they were to change their mind, the transfer price fee would be quite substantial. Add that to the fact that Silva has time and again restated his love for Milan and his desire to become the club captain in the near future.

A partnership of Silva and Gerard Pique would make Barcelona a more formidable side, but the football world will have to wait until the summer of 2012 to see if that will happen.

Gareth Bale

Gareth Bale was very, very hot property throughout last season. Many big European clubs were linked with the Welshman.

Some of that interest carried over to this year, and Barcelona is one of the clubs still linked with an interest in the Tottenham player.

It is all very good that Bale has been linked with a club of Barcelona's stature, but the deal wouldn't work for two reasons. Bale would most likely have to revert back to left-back and become a bit-part player, and Barcelona president Sandro Rosell is not willing to pay what he thinks is an unreasonable price.

Neymar

Neymar has been linked with virtually all of Europe's big teams, but it seems more than likely that either Barcelona or Real Madrid will be his final destination.

Reports concerning a Neymar move to Real Madrid claimed a deal might be finished and, of course, Barcelona was soon linked to the Brazilian in a similar fashion.

With his new contract, it seems any deal to sign Neymar will have to wait until 2014. Barcelona will then hopefully be able to pair Neymar with Lionel Messi in what could be a very dominant forward line.

Theo Walcott

Theo Walcott is another Arsenal player who joins this list having been linked to Barcelona at various times, including this report by the Daily Star.

There isn't even the slightest chance that this deal could become a reality. Walcott has shown some more skill and consistency so far this season and hopefully that will continue as the season progresses.

Barcelona has already picked up their item from the Arsenal store, though, and they really will have no need to return.

Wilfried Zaha

This slide may just signify the absurdity of the rumors that fly around throughout the season. Or it could surprisingly end up to be very real.

Crystal Palace's very own Wilfried Zaha has been linked with Barcelona. For those of you who have never heard his name before—I shall put myself in that category, too—here are some YouTube highlights.

Zaha did very well against Manchester United in the Carling Cup and received a solid 7.5 match rating. Considering all the talent coming through the Barcelona system, this transfer looks unlikely.

The youngster may just be one to watch for the future, however, and in that regard it is somewhat understandable that he has been linked to Barcelona.