The January transfer period is fast approaching and many teams are looking to offload and cash in on some dead weight in their squads or purchase like mad (see Manchester City for all these inquiries). At any rate, some extremely intriguing players will be on the market for teams to bid on, such as :
Emmanuel Adebayor: The Togolese international has been limited to mostly Europa League appearances for Manchester City and Roberto Mancini has said himself if Adebayor sees fit, he can leave the club in the January transfer period. The 26-year-old striker has not played particularly bad, notching 15 goals in 32 appearances for the Citizens. However, the influx of money and strikers coupled with Mancini’s preference of playing Tevez as a long striker and implementing two speedy wingers will see Adebayor fit into a target striker system well. Juventus are looking likely to offer a value bid for the out-of-favor striker, but many other teams would be wise to look into the still talented striker’s services.
Gareth Bale: The most exciting player in all of Europe in the past several weeks, the Tottenham winger has been coveted by the top clubs in Europe. Youth, absurd pace, and virtually limitless stamina, Bale has all the tools to terrorize outside backs for years and years. Many are already calling him the new Ryan Giggs and honestly, it is hard to argue. His transfer value will be at an all time high come January and in reality, Tottenham should cash in now while they can. Just make sure not to sell him to an English team and they’ll be fine without him.
Javier Pastore: The little Argentinean playmaker has put together a good string of performances lately and is once again linked to Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Barcelona. Palermo has slapped an absurd €70 million price tag on the 21-year-old, which amazingly hasn’t deterred clubs from showing interest in the player. I wouldn’t ever pay that much for Pastore, but he definitely will be making one team much better off with his creative play. Palermo can and will cash in on the starlet at some point soon.
Pepe Reina: The talented Spanish international keeper’s days at Anfield look to be more numbered by the week, as Liverpool begin to show promise and then throw all the hope away (see 2-0 win over Chelsea, then 2-0 loss to Stoke City). Reina deserves to be at a top club (Liverpool no longer is a top club) and the Reds need to secure their financial future soon. Cashing in on Reina is a quick way to balance the books and build for the future, especially if Torres and Gerrard head out this summer like many rumors claim they will.
Karim Benzema: Jose Mourinho has tried hard to encourage the French international into inspiring form, but his performances have just not been great since transferring from Lyon. Real Madrid may look to offload the 22-year-old hitman as a loan deal, since they paid a ludicrous sum for the striker (€35 Million upwards with incentives). English clubs with a lack of striker depth (see Aston Villa, Manchester United, Chelsea, or Arsenal) will be looking to take advantage of Benzema’s poor form since joining Los Blancos. Mourinho seems to be content with letting him come off the bench in substitute appearances late in the game. He could and should be a starter somewhere once he regains some confidence
Neymar: The young Brazilian starlet has been constantly linked with Chelsea and will inevitably be linked to the Blues again come January. It’s only a matter of time before the ridiculously talented striker goes overseas and clubs (Juventus, Arsenal, Manchester United) are trying to do everything they can to convince him not to go to Chelsea. However, his quote begs to differ that he is considering other clubs: “Everything they have to offer is attractive to me. They have big players, they are in big competitions, they have a strong squad and I like the way they play. Top players want to be a part of something like that. It wasn’t the right time for me in the summer but I will be much better prepared by next year”. Chelsea will be most likely very fortunate to get a young talented player.
Luis Suarez: The Uruguayan international and Ajax captain has had an amazing tenure with the Dutch giants thus far (81 goals in 108 appearances) and will be one of the hottest targets for the big European clubs. Ajax will only be able to hold onto Suarez for so long considering the likely bids of about €35 to come their way. Power, pace, and deadly finishing, Suarez has it all. He can be a legend if/when he becomes a part of one of the classic European powers, whether that be in England, Italy, or Spain. Any team would be fortunate to grab a hold of the prolific attacker’s services.
Jan Vertonghen: Many of you may be thinking, “Who is this guy and why is he on this list?”. I’ll tell you why. The 23-year-old Belgian center back leads the Ajax defense following the departure of Thomas Vermaelen from the back line and he hasn’t stumbled often. Arsenal are interested in Vertonghen for several reasons: he’s versatile (can play as a defensive midfielder and often plays up in attack from center back), he’s young and talented, and he is great friends with currently injured Arsenal center back Vermaelen. Plus, he plays a similar style to Vermaelen, who has thrived in the EPL when healthy. English clubs would be wise to take a look at him.
Romelu Lukaku: Touted as “The Next Didier Drogba”, Lukaku is surprisingly a relative unknown, but at 17 (and playing with Belgian side Anderlecht), this is understandable. Notching 48 appearances with 22 goals to his name at this ridiculously young age is incredibly impressive and top European sides will soon take notice. “The day I sign with Chelsea, that will be the only time my parents will see me cry.”, Lakaku exclaimed, suggesting that his dream move would be to London. Chelsea will be giddy to hear this, as they desperately need to decrease the age of their squad. With Drogba getting old, securing the next Didier Drogba would only make sense for the Blues.
Ronaldinho: Why would AC Milan sell the magical Brazilian? SoccerProse has reason to believe that his transfer to the LA Galaxy is imminent and really, it makes sense. Milan have stopped sellers from receiving more Ronaldinho namesets, which typically only happens when a transfer is about to occur. The 30-year-old magician is getting up there in age and the MLS retirement home mantra certainly fits him perfectly with his previously criticized lazy work ethic and party-first attitude. You may be laughing now, but Ronaldinho is gaining back a bit of the magic he had in his Barca days, so he may become a hot ticket item. Just wait.
Written by Chris Behrens, writer for SoccerProse.com
liverpool is a top club, and always will be. do you call inter not a top club because they are sitting in mid table? what about bayern, schalke, werder, and stuttgart who have all had poor starts? we finished second two seasons ago, would you not call arsenal a top club? their performances have been no better.