Top 10 Most Outrageously Exciting Transfer Rumors in World Football

Insane transfer rumors are running amok in world football right now. Some of the very best, including Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, could be on the move come summer.

One of the best things about the beautiful game is that fans and media can feel free to let their imaginations get the best of them, insisting that the world's best players will assemble in their hometowns.

It's not always simply overactive imaginations, though.

Sometimes there is some reality to the outlandish claims made by European media and fans alike.

That certainly isn't always the case, but a single rumor can often precede a mega-transfer.

Here are some rumors that could have our heads spinning in just a few short months.

Napoli's star hitman, Edinson Cavani, has had an impressive last couple of seasons for the Serie A side.

In 38 total appearances this season, Cavani has tallied an impressive 29 goals and six assists. Depending on one's view on the current state of affairs in the Italian Premier League, that might not be overwhelming, but it's still a solid indicator.

Most impressively, he scored five goals in eight Champions League matches this season. He single-handedly downed Manchester City in the group stage with a brace.

He added another against Chelsea in the Round of 16, but Napoli couldn't sustain their 3-1 advantage through the second leg.

Chelsea and boss Roman Abramovich appear set to make a move on the Uruguayan this summer.

It's a good time to be Belgian winger Eden Hazard.

Reportedly, he is being sought by Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal.

While Tottenham are the only club to have publicly acknowledged they are planning to vie for Lille's star playmaker, there is plenty of speculation as to whom its competitors in signing the winger will be.

It can probably be assumed that if the three listed teams are the primary contenders, Hazard would most likely cross whichever of them does not finish in the EPL's top four off his list. After all, he's not leaving Lille to play in the Europa League.

The young Belgian craves international football and major competitions. In the Champions League is where Hazard wants to be.

According to Metro, Barcelona and Tottenham have already opened talks to move Welsh international Gareth Bale to Spain in the summer.

This would come as a huge blow to the Catalans' rivals in Madrid, as they are also said to covet the young winger.

Barcelona's interest seems well-founded, as it is reported they have sent scouts to watch Bale play for Tottenham up to seven times this season.

Viewed as one of the most promising young talents in the world, Barcelona—or any team for that matter—would be instantly upgraded to see him take the pitch in their colors.

How or where Barça would employ the player are topics up for debate, as its strike force is already one of nearly unparalleled ability.

It is conceivable that Bale would be deployed as the club's left full-back, which could be a devastating tactic.

With current left-back Eric Abidal suffering a string of health issues, the Catalans will no doubt be searching for the Frenchman's successor.

While Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United have been slowly bringing Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez along, Jose Mourinho has taken notice of the young Mexican. According to Caughtoffside.com, he plans to make a £30 million bid on the striker.

Starting only 15 EPL matches this season and subbing in nine more, Chicharito has tallied 10 goals. He has often been in the shadow of his fellow United strikers, frequently being selected behind Danny Welbeck, Dimitar Berbatov (last season) and of course, Wayne Rooney.

However, the 23-year-old frontman has made the most of his opportunities and may have a future with the Spanish giants in Madrid.

Robin van Persie might be on the move from Arsenal to Manchester City or Real Madrid.

Caughtoffside.com reports that the Spanish giants are targeting the Dutch forward for a £25 million bid this summer, while City are said to be offering him upwards of £200,000 per week.

These are numbers Arsenal cannot compete with and may ultimately force the club to move their captain. His contract expires with the club in roughly a year and they can't risk losing him for nothing.

RVP has caught fire this season, escalating his considerable talents to another level entirely. His 26 league goals put him five clear of next best Wayne Rooney and nine ahead of third place Sergio Aguero.

Lukas Podolski has been linked to Arsenal for months and the tabloids suggest his move to the Premier League has already been locked up.

BBC claims the north London side will give up £10.9 million for the transfer fee and pay the forward £100,000 per week. They assert that the contract length is four years.

The 26-year-old German international has been in sparkling form this season, scoring 16 goals in 22 league appearances.

With Arsenal likely to lose by far their best attacking option in Robin van Persie, Podolski will be a capable replacement. While he lacks van Persie's creative mind, his finishing and pace will provide scoring ability that Arsenal will sorely lack in the event that RVP skips town.

Long assumed, but never truly decided.

That is the description of 20-year-old Brazilian starlet Neymar's future.

Fans from all over the world have long awaited his imminent move to a major European club, but so far, he has seemed content to stay in Brazil and continue playing for Santos.

While Real Madrid was once considered the most likely European landing spot for the flamboyant Brazilian, Goal.com reports that Los Galacticos president Florentino Perez upset Neymar with his arrogance and Barcelona now lead the way to sign the young striker.

Should Neymar join Barcelona, the Catalan super club will boast undoubtedly the best dribbling strike pair in the world and opponents may find it even more difficult than before to dispossess them.

After a little more than a year with Liverpool, it looks as though Luis Suarez may be on the move yet again.

The Uruguayan striker has been decent, but not spectacular this season. He and seventh place Liverpool have struggled to produce goals, though he has appeared as creative as anyone on the squad.

Suarez has been instrumental in many of Liverpool's goals this season and has scored seven of his own in 25 league appearances.

Juventus were linked with the forward last year and now reportedly find themselves linked with him again.

With only one year left on his contract with German superpower Bayern Munich, Dutch winger Arjen Robben has admitted he is unhappy with his situation in Germany.

Despite being nagged by injuries throughout his career, Robben was considered one of the best players in the world just a couple of seasons ago.

Having previously played for Chelsea, he understands the EPL and the physical toll it can take on a player's body.

That being said, it is reported that a number of Premier League squads might be interested in adding the player, especially due to his relatively low buyout.

Tottenham would be a great fit regardless of what happens with the Gareth Bale transfer saga.

If Bale remains at White Hart Lane, they can use Robben on the right in a three-pronged attack with Bale on the left. If Bale leaves, the club can still use Robben on the right side of attack and move Rafael van der Vaart into the left attacking position vacated by Bale.

Van der Vaart has often played in attack, though he usually prefers to play on the right. The transition would be a necessary one, however, unless Tottenham makes a splash on a quality player during the transfer window.

Tottenham's pursuit of Eden Hazard comes to mind.

In what could be an incredible swoop of talent, Roman Abramovich is said to be lining up a £100 million move for both Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain.

BusinessWeek.com reports that the deal is being considered along with a £70 million bid for the Napoli duo of Edinson Cavani and Ezequiel Lavezzi.

Talk about big-money moves.

With Didier Drogba, Florent Malouda, Saloman Kalou and possibly Daniel Sturridge all set to leave this summer, Abramovich will undoubtedly seek to make good on a variety of Chelsea transfer rumors.

If the Blues fail to finish in the top four, however, players' interest in joining the London club may dwindle, as they will be looking to participate in Champions League football.

With Ronaldo coming off his finest professional season and romping through La Liga again this year, it's no wonder Chelsea (or anybody else) would be eager to add him to the side.

Higuain would be a valuable added bonus, as his knack for scoring is something that Chelsea striker Fernando Torres lacks. With the two working in conjunction, scoring pressure would not fall so hard on the Spaniard's shoulders and he may be able to regain some level of comfort for the Blues.

If not, at least they would have Ronaldo and Higuain.