50 Best Players on the Move in the Transfer Window and Where They'll End Up

The winter transfer window is nearly upon us and the rumors continue to pile up. As usual a vast majority of the worlds best and brightest talents are thought to be going this way and that once the calendar flips to 2012 in a matter of days.

While some leagues are on winter breaks other leagues are in full tilt with even extra games added into the holiday period.

These resulting fixtures and post match events are only going to increase the rumors and the possible outcomes in January and with that in mind here are the current 50 best players rumored to be moving around when the clock strikes 12:01 AM January 1, 2012.

Gary Cahill

Gary Cahill has been confirmed as a Chelsea target for the January transfer window according to ESPNsoccernet.com.

Manager Andre Villas-Boas along with representatives of both Chelsea and Bolton Wanderers are believed to be hashing out plans for a £7 million move for the England international.

Lucas Biglia

Arsenal look to have a green light to pursue the signature of Anderlecht's Argentine midfielder Lucas Biglia.

TalkSPORT confirmed that Biglia's agent has claimed the player is open to the move and it could cost Arsene Wenger up to an estimated £9 million to land him.

Fernando Torres

For a few weeks now Fernando Torres has been linked with a return to Liverpool, but statements released by the player and posted by the Daily Mail look to be in complete contrast to any such idea.

Torres claims that the Anfield ownership lied to him:

"

‘They made promises that they didn’t keep and I left because I realized I didn’t have time to be part of a project that would take years.’

‘I have nothing against the Liverpool fans,’ he said. ‘I didn’t want to leave Liverpool the way I did but the club lied. I was let down and I don’t understand why the fans hate me.’

‘It’s true that Vicente Del Bosque is worried about me and my form for Chelsea. It’s up to me to go back to being the striker I was before.

‘If I go back to how I was a few years ago, I will again play an important role in the Spanish national team.’

‘I am going to try to be very humble and get back into the Chelsea starting line-up,' said Torres, who has seen chances limited thanks to the resurgence of Didier Drogba.

"

While many sources still believe that Torres could return to Liverpool in January, it looks as though no such thing will be happening.

Josh McEachran

Chelsea's young starlet midfielder Josh McEachran is believed to be heading out on loan in the January window.

The close relationship that Andre Villas-Boas has with Bolton Wanderers Owen Coyle could see the player move to the Reebok, but the Telegraph has suggested that he will be Aston Villa bound in the new year.

Tim Ream

New York Red Bulls centerback Tim Ream is a believed transfer target of Bolton Wanderers according the Daily Mail. Ream could be the replacement for Gary Cahill if he indeed does leave in January.

Ream has been training with Arsenal in the off season, and with the noted success of American midfielder Stuart Holden, despite his expended long term injury, it could be a great move for the 24-year-old.

Eden Hazard

While Real Madrid and Arsenal have been the most believed possible destination for Lille winger Eden Hazard, TalkSPORT has revealed that Manchester City is set to launch a £30 million raid for the player in January.

Jan Vertonghen

Newcastle United could be set to make a move to beat Arsenal, Tottenham and other potential suitors to Ajax Amsterdam's Jan Vertonghen.

Sportsvibe believes that a promise of first team action at Newcastle will perhaps persuade the Ajax captain away from a Champions League club.

Patricio Rodriguez

The Daily Mail believes that Independiente's £15million rated attacking midfielder Patricio Rodriguez is a target of Manchester United.

With such injury issues as Old Trafford as are being seen this season, Sir Alex Ferguson could be in need of additional midfield support.

Brek Shea

FC Dallas star Brek Shea looks like he could be heading overseas to Norwich City.

Caughtoffside has broken news that the Canaries are keen to have the young American in their wide areas to provide additional width, creativity and height to their line-up.

Junior Hoilett

Blackburn Rovers 21-year-old starlet Junior Hoilett is believed to be the target of Stoke City as the Potters look set to make an £8 million offer for the player as Blackburn look closer and closer to be circling the drain and dropping back to the Championship.

The Daily Mirror reports that Stoke could face competition from both Tottenham and Queens Park Rangers for the players signature.

Xherdan Shaqiri

FC Basel attacking midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri is believed to a major target of Manchester United according to the Daily Star.

The Switzerland international is part of the Basel side that knocked the Red Devils out of the UEFA Champions League earlier this month.

Jack Rodwell

Everton's Jack Rodwell is believed to be a transfer target of Chelsea and Manchester United according to ESPNsoccernet.com.

However, conflicting reports also from ESPN confirm with Everton boss David Moyes stating that:

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"I have had no offers, no contact from Chelsea - there would not be any other words I could add to that."

"There is nothing from me. We've had no phone call."

"

The estimated jackpot of money to prise Rodwell away is around £20 million.

Kenwyne Jones

Since the heightened form of Jonathan Walters and the arrival of both Peter Crouch and Cameron Jerome, Stoke City striker Kenwyne Jones could be feeling a little out of favor.

EatSleepSport has Jones linked with a move to Wolverhampton Wanderers and it could be a move that would help Jones to reignite his career.

Gary Hooper

Celtic striker Gary Hooper is believe to have been targeted by both Newcastle United and Sunderland and could spark another reason for the Tynewear rivalry to brew about.

FootyBunker claims that the 23-year-old that has scored 31 goals in 44 appearances for the Bhoys could be on his way back to England only a short time since arriving from Scunthorpe United.

Wayne Bridge

Arsenal's back line has been ruthlessly abashed by injury so far this season and with more defenders on the treatment table than healthy manager Arsene Wenger is looking be possibly resorting to the theme of desperate times require desperate measures.

That most certainly has to be the thinking behind a possible move for Wayne Bridge of Manchester City on loan. The Daily Mirror reports that a move is possibly if City can stomach loaning a player out to a rival, however, it may be the only way to take the weight of his £90,000 per week wages off the books for six months.

Carlos Tevez

AC Milan have been pushing for a loan deal to take Carlos Tevez to the San Siro until the summer based on reports from the Telegraph.

The Milan giants are preferring to take the outcast on loan before a full purchase, but Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has called for an all or nothing bid from Milan.

Mancini is most likely of the mind that Milan my back out on the purchase of the player leaving City with their problem child once again.

David Beckham

After finally helping the LA Galaxy to another MLS Championship, David Beckham has finally completed the task he came to Los Angeles to achieve and now looks set to make another quest for what could be the last major deal of his career.

Paris Saint Germain are believed to be on the verge of finalizing a deal for the England midfielder, but the Telegraph reports that their is yet to be a final decision from Beckham.

Lukas Podolski

Arsenal are believed to be making plans for a serious move to prise German international Lukas Podolski from FC Koln.

The player could be on the move for an estimated £15 million according to the Daily Mail.

Nico Gaitan

Manchester United reportedly are set on the purchase of Nico Gaitan from Benfica.

Metro believes that Gaitan would be a £25 million signing if it indeed did go through.

Vedran Corluka

Tottenham defender Vedran Corluka looks like he could be headed to AS Roma in the January transfer period as his time at White Hart Lane looks to be waning.

TalkSPORT claim that the 25-year-old is keen to restart his career in order to get back to a full time place in the Croatian national side.

Milos Krasic

It is no secret that Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United have major injury issues, but the possible loan move of Milos Krasic to the club from Juventus could help alleviate the strain.

However, it is a complete toss up of whether it will happen but the Daily Mirror believes it possible none the less.

Nicolas Anelka

Chelsea has already agreed to the sale of Nicolas Anelka to China's Shanghai Shenhua. ESPN is one of many sports news outlets that broke the story over a week ago as the Blues prepared for the departure of one of their senior forwards.

Antonio Valencia

In a weird twist of fate while Manchester United have been linked with a loan move for Milos Krasic from Juventus, the Old Lady has been linked with a move for United's Antonio Valencia by the Daily Mirror.

The Krasic rumor sounds much more likely considering the additional amount of cover that United would like to have considering all their current injury issues.

Didier Drogba

Chelsea are looking to lose not just Nicolas Anelka in the January transfer window, but they very well could be without Didier Drogba as the Ivorian is ready to pack his bags for whichever club offers him the fattest paycheck, according to the Telegraph.

Talksport has already mentioned a major offer from newly rich Russian club Anzhi and a partnership with Samuel Eto'o could be an interesting proposition for Drogba to contemplate.

Landon Donovan

Landon Donovan looks to have completed all negotiations in order for him to return to Liverpool's Blue side of Merseyside, Everton, for the months of January and February.

After a successful MLS Championship winning season, Donovan is anxious to prove his worth once again in the Worlds toughest league.

Amauri

The recent off-the-bench heroics of Roman Pavlyuchenko makes ESPNsoccernet rumored move of Tottenham for Juventus outcast Amauri look unneeded.

However, the Russian is most likely to make a move away from White Hart Lane as he seeks regular football, and Harry Redknapp may go the loan route to fill the void as to hold onto a transfer move till the summer.

Roman Pavlyuchenko

Tottenham's out of favor striker Roman Pavlyuchenko is rumored to be headed to either Queens Park Rangers of Spartak Moscow according to the Daily Mail.

Recent form for the player has seen him make a few cameo performances but he needs more time on the ball is he is going to cement his place in the 2012 European Championship squad for Russia.

Mario Goetze

Arsenal have been linked with Borussia Dortmund playmaker Mario Goetze once again as TalkSport claims that the Bundesliga club is holding the Gunners to a price tag of no less than £30 million.

Given Arsene Wenger's love for chasing young signatures, it would not surprise me to see the London club break the bank for the highly sought-after youngster.

Eduardo Vargas

Universidad de Chile starlet Eduardo Vargas was believed he was set to move to either Liverpool or Chelsea over the weekend, but the Daily Mirror broke news on Sunday that he was heading to the Serie A to play for Napoli.

Sandro

Tottenham midfielder Sandro has been rumored to be on his way out of North London as Manchester United as well as Liverpool and other clubs have been tipped as possible suitors by Givemefootball.

He would most likely be filling the gap that has been left by Darren Fletcher at United or that of Lucas Leiva who is ruled out for the rest of the season at Liverpool.

Frank Lampard

Frank Lampard has been reported by The Sun as pleading with his teammate and friend Didier Drogba to remain and fight for a new contract and permanent place at Chelsea, but it seems that Drogba has made up his mind.

Super Frank could be heading out against his wishes as Andre Villas-Boas looks bent on building a completely new team rather than try and keep filling in pieces in the squad assembled years ago by fellow Portuguese, Jose Mourinho.

Daniele De Rossi

Caughtoffside have linked AS Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi with a move to Manchester United this January. This summer there were rumors of a possible move for the player but nothing came to fruition as he seemed content to remain in the Eternal City.

With Sir Alex Ferguson facing a midfield that is more depleted by injury than has been seen at Old Trafford in a long time, he could prompted to make a move.

Rasmus Elm

AZ Alkmaar player Rasmus Elm has been linked with Arsenal, Manchester United and Tottenham by Givemefootball, but it is unclear who the true front-runner is.

The Daily Mail seem to believe that Arsenal and Tottenham are more in the running for the player than Manchester United..

Scott Allan

West Bromvvich Albion look on the verge of securing the signature of Dundee United midfielder Scott Allan.

According to the Express and Star Glasgow Rangers and Celtic represent the primary opposition to the Baggies in the potential deal.

The Daily Record has also reported that Rangers are in discussions over the player.

Salomon Kalou

Salomon Kalou is one of Chelsea's players that appears to be surplus to the requirements of Andre Villas-Boas and he could be offloaded in January.

According to the Daily Mail, Kalou is wanted by Juventus and could be a late January deal because of his involvement in the African Cup of Nations for the Ivory Coast.

Dimitar Berbatov

The Sun reports that Manchester United is on the verge of losing Dimitar Berbatov to another club in the January window if they do not agree terms to extend the players contract for another season as is included in his contract options.

If the Red Devils do not agree on anything in the next coming days Berbatov is then allowed to speak with any club after January 1st, 2012.

Darren Bent

EPL new boys Queens Park Rangers have been reported as having looked into a surprise move for Aston Villa's Darren Bent according to the Daily Mirror.

Alex McLeish lost Stewart Downing and Ashley Young in the summer and it is a doubt he would be willing to lose Bent unless it was an offer to good to refuse.

Mehdi Benatia

According to Tribalfootball, Udinese defender Mehdi Benatia has Manchester United on alert after he has reportedly turned down an approach from French side Paris Saint Germain.

PSG are not likely to quite have the pedigree that Benatia is looking for, but an offer from Manchester United might be a whole different ballgame.

Lucas Ocampos

Metro reports that Manchester United and Chelsea could be interested in a move for youngster Lucas Ocampos of Argentine side River Plate.

It is believed that it would take somewhere close to £15 million to prise the youngster away from South America and his family.

Adel Taarabt

Napoli are reportedly in the hunt for Queens Park Ranger midfielder Adel Taarabt according to The Sun.

Taarabt was a key part of QPR making their step up to the English Premier League from the Championship but has played little to no part of the clubs top flight campaign as new signings put him out of a place in the first 11.

Liam Ridgewell

One of the last remaining major names on the Birmingham City roster since their relegation and the departure of Alex McLeish is that of defender Liam Ridgewell.

According to the Daily Mirror, Ridgewell turned in a transfer request in August but was not allowed to move to West Bromwich Albion at the time.

He now looks ready to try and push through a move to Newcastle United.

Romelu Lukaku

Everton have been reported by The Sun as being set to attempt to persuade Chelsea into loaning them youngster Romelu Lukaku in January.

The 18-year-old striker could use some additional first team action in the EPL as to speed his adjustment to the English game.

Craig Gardner

Only six months after having joined Sunderland, former Birmingham City midfielder Craig Gardner is now possibly set for a swift exit from Wearside.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are believed to be the most likely of suitors according to the Daily Mirror.

Florent Malouda

Chelsea's Florent Malouda could be set to exit Stamford Bridge after reports from the Daily Mirror revealing that Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala is offering the Frenchman a contract worth £150,000-per-week.

Cheik Tiote

Newcastle United midfielder Cheik Tiote is believed to be one of the hottest prospects in the coming transfer window.

Manchester United and Arsenal are two among a group of teams from the English top flight that are keen on acquiring the 25-year-old Ivorian.

The Guardian claims that along with United any other team will have to have deep pockets to pry away the midfielder come January, as the Magpies are bracing themselves for a raid on multiple stars in addition to Tiote.

Jetro Willems

Jetro Willems of Dutch Eredivisie side PSV Eindhoven is likely to be the subject of a Manchester United raid if the rumors in both the Daily Mail and Daily Mirror prove true.

The Red Devils are interested in the defensive youngster as he is believed that he would be the future left back for United as Sir Alex Ferguson has no true future replacement in the wings for left back Patrice Evra.

Moussa Sow

Lille striker Moussa Sow issued a come and get me plea to Arsenal at the beginning of December according to the Daily Mail.

Arsene Wenger is in need of a backup striker or second striker for Robin Van Persie. Sow also would much appreciate being reunited with former teammate Gervinho.

Loic Remy

Tottenham have been rumored to be interested in the signature of Marseille forward Loic Remy according the Daily Mail.

Spurs could be willing to offer Roman Pavlyuchenko as a make weight, but that is yet to be determined.

Edinson Cavani

While highly unlikely it can be pulled off in January, Napoli star Edinson Cavani has been rumored to be on the move to Chelsea according to the Daily Mail, and to Arsenal according to Crunchsports.

Cavani has been a primary reason for Napoli's continued attacking success and the loss of the Uruguayan could severely hamper their aspirations.

Aly Cissokho

The list club that Lyon full back and midfielder Aly Cissokho was linked to was Liverpool according to the Daily Mirror.

Cissokho's versatility makes him a sought after prospect and the Reds could use a player that could back up Jose Enrique but also play a midfield road in the absence of player like Lucas Leiva or Charlie Adam.

Conclusion

Just over a week remains before the transfer market opens and movements start happening.

Fifty of the biggest players rumored to be going in different directions you have just read through, but there are many more moves that will happen and it is certain we will see some complete surprises before it is all said and done.

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