The world's 10 most sought after players

3 August 2012

As the transfer window enters its final month, we take a look at the 10 players who everyone is trying to get their hands on

Andy Carroll
Club: Liverpool
Estimated Price tag: £20 million, or possible loan deal
Who’s interested: West Ham, Newcastle, AC Milan, Tottenham, Aston Villa, Sunderland
What’s happening: With the arrival of Brendan Rodgers people have been questioning how Carroll will fit in with the passing philosophy the Ulsterman is looking to impress on Liverpool. The fact that he may be sacrificed by the new regime has caught the attention of a whole host of Premier League clubs. There’s also been interest from Europe as well. AC Milan were very impressed by Carroll’s goal in the Euros and considered making a move for him to replace the PSG bound Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Most recently West Ham have had a loan offer rejected.

Robin van Persie
Club: Arsenal
Estimated Price tag: £20 million upwards
Who’s interested: Man City, Man Utd, Juventus
What’s happening: Earlier this summer Robin van Persie said that he would not be renewing his contract, which has only a year to run. This announcement shook the Gunners and invited interest from Europe’s top clubs. As a result Arsenal are now in the unenviable situation of deciding between cashing in on their star player of last season and hoping their two new signings, who are untested in the Premier League, can take his place or keeping him and seeing him leave for free next summer. As the club decide on the best course of action the striker has found himself in limbo as he waits to see who meets his asking price. Both Manchester clubs and Juventus are all now weighing up moves for the Dutchman.

Lucas Moura
Club: Sao Paulo
Estimated Price tag: £30 million
Who’s interested: Manchester United, Paris St. Germain, Inter Milan
What’s happening: Manchester United have been interested in the 19-year-old Brazilian for some time. Sao Paulo are determined to keep their talented midfielder but have said they will sell for £30 million. United’s most recent offer is thought to be about £27 million and they are reluctant to go any higher. Paris St. Germain are rumoured to be considering splashing the cash again and trying to hijack United’s deal. As well as the French club, Inter Milan are also thought to be in negotiations with Sao Paulo. This could well spur Sir Alex Ferguson to tap into more of his reported £40 million transfer kitty and tie down a deal soon rather than risk losing out.

Neymar
Club: Santos
Estimated Price tag: Unclear, maybe around £60 million
Who’s interested: Chelsea, Barcelona, Real Madrid
What’s happening: The 20-year-old Brazilian prodigy is currently lighting up the Brazilian league with Santos. Already at this early stage in his career the comparisons with Pele are flowing freely. Of course Santos will not give up their prize asset easily but it is surely only a matter of time before he does leave for Europe. Chelsea could well make a move for the forward but the real competition is between Barcelona and Real Madrid especially as his slight frame may not be well suited to the Premier League. Neymar is already considered by some to be the third best player in the world and the two Spanish sides are desperate to beat each other to his signature.

Luka Modric
Club: Tottenham
Estimated Price tag: £40 million
Who’s interested: Real Madrid
What’s happening: Although there is only one club chasing Modric, it has already become one of the sagas of the summer. The midfielder tried to leave Spurs last summer for Chelsea, but the club’s £40 million valuation put the Blues off. This summer the Spanish Champions have come calling and once again Modric has been agitating for a move. Spurs don’t want to see their star midfielder leave but in the event that he does, owner Daniel Levy is determined to maximise their profit. The Croatian didn’t travel with the squad on their preseason tour of the USA and Andre Villas-Boas is said to be holding crunch talks with the him over his future. Like Chelsea, Madrid see the £40 million valuation as too high and instead are trying to do a cash plus player deal.

Jack Butland
Club: Birmingham City
Estimated Price tag: £6 million and rising
Who’s interested: Liverpool, Southampton, Tottenham, Norwich, Man City
What’s happening: Birmingham keeper Jack Butland had several Premier League clubs keeping an eye on him last season but it wasn’t until his late call up as a reserve keeper for England at Euro 2012 that he came into the public eye. His performances at the Olympics have been superb meaning his profile and price tag are rising by the game. Clubs throughout the league are keen to get their hands on him but Birmingham will try and persuade him that staying with them for another season of first team football will be more beneficial to his development.

Javi Martinez
Club: Athletic Bilbao
Estimated Price tag: Over £30 million
Who’s interested: Barcelona, Man Utd, Bayern Munich
What’s happening: Javi Martinez is one of the hottest young talents in Spain and featured in both Euro 2012 and the Olympics. The versatile 23-year-old has great technical as well as physical ability and has been earmarked as a star of the future. Bilbao are unwilling to sell and only a large offer will convince them to let him go. This could well rule Barcelona out of the running since they are unlikely to want to spend a vast sum on a player who they see as a long term replacement for legend Carlos Puyol and as such will not be a regular starter for at least the next season. Bayern Munich are reportedly lining up a bid of £31.5 million while United are attracted by his ability to play in the centre of defence or midfield.

Edinson Cavani
Club: Napoli
Estimated Price tag: Rumoured to be £70 million
Who’s interested: Chelsea, Man City, Juventus
What’s happening: Edinson Cavani has cemented his place as one of the top strikers in European competition in the last couple of years. Last season the Uruguayan scored 33 times for Napoli in all competitions and Chelsea experienced his ability first hand in the Champions League. Napoli are particularly reluctant to sell and have said it will take a bid of £70 million get him. However, Cavani’s wife is reportedly unsettled in Italy after being mugged and that could be enough to convince the 25-year-old it is time to move on. Chelsea are keen to add a proven goalscorer to their squad in case Fernando Torres struggles again next season and Roman Abramovich has already shown he is ready to splash the cash this summer.

Daniel Agger
Club: Fulham
Estimated Price tag: £20 million
Who’s interested: Man City, Barcelona
What’s happening: Manchester City have identified the centre of defence as the one area in their squad that needs the most improvement if they are to mount a serious Champions League assault. Likewise, Barcelona are in serious need of a quality centre-back as a long term replacement for Carlos Puyol who struggled with injury last season. Daniel Agger managed to have a relatively injury free season last campaign and caught the eye of both these clubs. His ability on the ball coupled with his defensive awareness makes him one of the best centre backs in the world if he can keep himself fit. Liverpool will be very reluctant to sell and have already rejected an offer from City.

Moussa Dembele
Club: Fulham
Estimated Price tag: Around £10 million
Who’s interested: Real Madrid, Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham
What’s happening: Mousssa Dembele shot into the limelight last season after Fulham manager Martin Jol opted to move him back from his advanced second striker role into the centre of midfield. His performances attracted the attention of Europe’s top clubs and now a move away from Craven Cottage looks like a real possibility as his contract expires next year. According to the player’s agent Manchester United have recently had a bid for the midfielder rejected while Real Madrid have made enquiries about his availability.

Joe Allen
Club: Swansea
Estimated Price tag: £15 million release clause
Who’s interested: Liverpool
What’s happening: Former Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers is thought to be very keen on bringing the Welshmen to Anfield. Allen demonstrated a superb passing ability last season, finishing the campaign with one of the highest pass completion rates in Europe. Controversy surrounds the transfer though, as part of the agreement that saw Rodgers move to Liverpool was that he would not try to sign any of the Swansea players. Conversely, Allen could well argue that Rodgers’ move should have no bearing on his future and he should be allowed to move. If they do attempt to sign the Welshman Liverpool will have to show real commitment to battle through the legal issues to make this transfer a reality.

The world's 10 most sought after players

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