English Premier League Transfer Rumours: The Top Target for Every Team

Joe Tansey@JTansey90X.com LogoFeatured ColumnistApril 19, 2011

English Premier League Transfer Rumours: The Top Target for Every Team

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    LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 27: Neymar of Brazil celebrates scoring the opening goal during the International friendly match between Brazil and Scotland at Emirates Stadium on March 27, 2011 in London, England.  (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)
    Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

    As the end of the Premier League season approaches, the transfer rumors begin to heat up and with stars in the lower levels of English football or from other lower leagues in Europe.

    All fans know about the star players that are rumored to be going to the big clubs, but all twenty clubs in the Premier League have started to be rumored with players they are thinking of signing and have been scouting for the past few months.

    Here are some names to think about as the transfer season approaches.

Arsenal: Jose Reina

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    LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 27:  Pepe Reina goalkeeper of Liverpool fails to stop the shot of Scott Parker of West Ham during the Barclays Premier League match between West Ham United and Liverpool at the Boleyn Ground on February 27, 2011 in London, Engla
    Scott Heavey/Getty Images

    Arsenal has had trouble at the goalkeeping position all season long, they even had to call Jens Lehmann out or retirement to fill the position on their bench.

    Reina has been linked with leaving Anfield if Liverpool do not make the Champions League next season.

    The Gunners would getting a keeper with plenty of European experience and someone who will be consistent in goal.

Aston Villa: Gervinho

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    JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 20:  Gervinho of Ivory Coast in action during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Group G match between Brazil and Ivory Coast at Soccer City Stadium on June 20, 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa.  (Photo by Ian Walton/
    Ian Walton/Getty Images

    Assuming Gerard Houllier is still in charge of Villa during the summer, he may go after the Ivorian winger from Lille.

    Houllier already dipped into the Ligue 1 talent by signing Jean Makoun from Lyon in January and with his knowledge of the French league from working with the French national team before he moved to Villa Park, the Villains could be delving into the Ligue 1 talent yet again.

Birmingham: Alejandro Bedoya

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    The 23 year old American went on trial with the Blues in January but was not offered a contract.

    Alex McLeish is still considering signing the midfielder from Orebro SK in Sweden.

    Bedoya would be a good insurance policy to Jean Beausejour on the wing at St. Andrews' Stadium.

Blackburn: Ruud Van Nistelrooy

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    Ever since the takeover at Ewood Park by Venky's, they have been looking to make a big splash in the transfer market.

    van Nistelrooy has been rumored with a return to the Premier League ever since he fell out of favor at Real Madrid.

    The Dutchman is now at Hamburg in the Bundesliga but Rovers manager Steve Kean has said in the press that the club will go after the striker in the summer.

Blackpool: Jason Puncheon

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    SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 20 :   Jason Puncheon of Southampton in action during the Coca-Cola League One match between Southampton and Oldham Athletic at St. Mary's Stadium on April 20, 2010 in Southampton, England.  (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
    Jan Kruger/Getty Images

    The winger was sent on loan to the Tangerines in January from Southampton and a permanent loan to Bloomfield Road may happen in the summer.

    Holloway has been known for signing players at a low cost and having them succeed.

Bolton: Daniel Sturridge

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    NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 26: Daniel Sturridge of Bolton Wanderers in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and Bolton Wanderers at St James' Park on February 26, 2011 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.  (Pho
    Chris Brunskill/Getty Images

    Sturridge has been sensational for Bolton during his loan spell from Chelsea.

    The young Englishman has scored six goals for Bolton and Owen Coyle has been singing the praises of Sturridge.

    The only problem standing in the way for the Trotters is the striker situation at Sturridge's parent club, Chelsea who may be keen to keep him.

Chelsea: Neymar

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    LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 27:  Neymar of Brazil looks on during the International friendly match between Brazil and Scotland at Emirates Stadium on March 27, 2011 in London, England.  (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
    Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

    Neymar has been on the radar of Chelsea for the past year and will be looking to get the Brazilian's signature this summer.

    The 19 year old's resume became even stronger after his performance against Scotland at Wembley when he scored twice.

    Some critics have said that by signing Brazilians Ramires and David Luiz, Chelsea owner Roman Abromavich is trying to create an environment that Neymar would be comfortable in.

Everton: Andy King

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    LEICESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 08:  Andy King of Leicester during the npower Championship match between Leicester City and Norwich City at Walkers Stadium on March 8, 2011 in Leicester, England.  (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
    Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images

    King has been on the radar of David Moyes this season after starring for Leicester City this season in the Championship.

    The Welshman has scored 14 goals in all competitions this season and has been impressing Premier League scouts.

    King would add to the amount of scoring midfielders at Goodison Park like Leon Osman, Tim Cahill and Mikel Arteta.

Fulham: Eidur Gudjohnsen

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    STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 18:  Eidur Gudjohnsen of Stoke City in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Stoke City and West Ham United at the Britannia Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Stoke on Trent, England.  (Photo by Mark Th
    Mark Thompson/Getty Images

    The Icelandic forward has been on loan from Stoke since January and has been looking to seal a permanent move to Craven Cottage.

    The former Barcelona man will be a good insurance policy to the often injured Andrew Johnson and Bobby Zamora.

Liverpool: Shay Given

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    DUBLIN, IRELAND - OCTOBER 08:  Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given reacts during the EURO 2012 Qualifier Group B match between the Republic of Ireland and Russia at Lansdowne Road on October 8, 2010 in Dublin, Ireland.  (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty I
    Bryn Lennon/Getty Images

    Given has been out of favor at Manchester City since he was signed and wants to play in the top flight still as he stays as Ireland's top keeper.

    With rumors swirling that Jose Reina will leave the club if they do not clinch European competition, Given is the best option for Kenny Dalglish and company as he has plenty of Premier League experience.

Manchester CIty: Alexis Sanchez

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    UDINE, ITALY - MARCH 20:  Alexis Sanchez of Udinese in action during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and Catania Calcio at Stadio Friuli on March 20, 2011 in Udine, Italy.  (Photo by Dino Panato/Getty Images)
    Dino Panato/Getty Images

    It will surprise no one that Manchester City will yet again drop cash this summer on a big name signing.

    City are looking at the Udinese forward who was a highly sought after player after the World Cup last summer.

    Manchester City are somehow still looking to spend money when they already have plenty of big names at the club already but they are still looking for the right combination of players and Sanchez could be the answer.

Manchester United: David De Gea

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    MADRID, SPAIN - JANUARY 13:  David De Gea of Atletico Madrid celebrates his sides opening goal during the quarter-final Copa del Rey first leg match between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on January 13, 2011 in Madrid, Spain.
    Jasper Juinen/Getty Images

    De Gea has been on United's radar ever since current goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar announced he would retire at the end of the season.

    Rumor has it that a deal has already been done to bring the 20 year old to Old Trafford from Atleitco Madrid.

Newcastle: Jeremie Aliadiere

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    The former Arsenal and Middlesbrough forward is currently club less and with Newcastle looking for some power up front since the loss of Andy Carroll.

    Even with the signings of Shefki Kuqi and Peter Lovenkrands in the past year, the Magpies have still had an inconsistent and often injured strike force including Shola Ameobi and Leon Best.

    Aliadiere would be in fit condition as he is training with Arsenal at the moment but he most likely end up going to a mid level Premier League club like Newcastle.

Stoke: Stephen Warnock

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    BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26:  Stephen Warnock of Aston Villa looks on dejected as Villa concede a second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur at Villa Park on December 26, 2010 in Birmingham, Englan
    Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

    Warnock has been out of favor at Aston Villa since Gerard Houllier took over at Villa Park and is looking for first team football in the Premier League.

    In their three years in the Premier League, Stoke has not been known for big signings, with Kenwyne Jones being the only big name brought into the Brittania Stadium since their promotion.

    Warnock would join the already stingy back line that includes Robert Huth, Ryan Shawcross and others.

Sunderland: Nedum Onuoha

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    BLACKPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 22:  Nedum Onuoha of Sunderland during the Barclays Premier League match between Blackpool and Sunderland at Bloomfield Road on January 22, 2011 in Blackpool, England.  (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
    Alex Livesey/Getty Images

    Onuoha has been an outcast at Manchester City and has been on loan to Sunderland all season.

    The defender will be looking to stay at the Stadium of Light as Sunderland look to add to their defense and Manchester City look to drop salary.

Tottenham- Romelu Lukaku

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    Lukaku may be the most sought after player in the summer transfer window.

    The 17 year old Belgian will make a move to England this summer and Tottenham is becoming the more likely destination as Chelsea's focus has turned to Neymar.

    With only Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe and Roman Pavlyuchenko up front and with manager Harry Redknapp looking to revamp the squad up front, Lukaku could make a quick impact at White Hart Lane.

West Brom: Adel Taarabt

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    LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 05:  Adel Taarabt of Quuens Park Rangers in action during the npower Championship match between Queens Park Rangers and Leicester City at Loftus Road on March 5, 2011 in London, England.  (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
    Warren Little/Getty Images

    Taarabt has been in form all season long in the Championship for Queens Park Rangers

    The Moroccan international has scored 16 goals this season as QPR are in line for promotion.

    Taarabt has garnered attention from Baggies manager Roy Hodgson and as rumors swirl that Peter Odemwinigie may leave the club, the Baggies may be looking for a replacement in Taarabt.

West Ham: Shane Long

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    DUBLIN, IRELAND - MARCH 29:  Shane Long of Republic of Ireland celebrates scoring  a goal during the International Friendly match between Republic of Ireland and Uruguay at the Aviva Stadium on March 29, 2011 in Dublin, Ireland.  (Photo by Ian Walton/Gett
    Ian Walton/Getty Images

    West Ham have been searching for strikers all season long and with Long playing in the Championship for Reading, the offer of Premier League football would be intising.

    With Benni McCarthy being released this week and Long could be a spark plug to the Hammers attack along side Carlton Cole or Frederic Puquionne.

Wigan: Julio Arca

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    MIDDLESBROUGH, ENGLAND - AUGUST 22: Julio Arca of Middlesbrough looks on during the npower Championship match between Middlesbrough and Sheffield United at the Riverside Stadium on August 22, 2010 in Middlesbrough, England.  (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty
    Michael Regan/Getty Images

    With Wigan close to accepting their relegation fate, they will see some of their star players head to other Premier League squads.

    The Latics will go after Championship veterans to replace the players that leave the club in the summer and Arca can be one of those veterans they bring in.

    Arca has been with Middlesbrough since 2006 and is a veteran who will get the job in defense and Wigan will need that as they try not to slip down the Championship table if relegated.

Wolverhampton: Jamie O'Hara

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    WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 20:  Jamie O'Hara of Wolverhampton Wanderers celebrates his goal during the Barclays Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers at The Hawthorns on February 20, 2011 in West Bromwich, En
    Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

    O'Hara has impressed on loan at Wolves and if the club stays up in the Premier League, manager Mick McCarthy has said he would like to sign the midfielder permanently.

    O'Hara has been loaned out on numerous occasions by Tottenham and may look for a permanent first team position at the Molineux Stadium.

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