January Transfers: The 10 Biggest Rumours in the World Right Now

With the January transfer window in full swing, Europe's best clubs are looking to fill their stockpile 
with the world's best players as winter plods its course. And the EPL is once again in the middle of all the hoopla.

To celebrate and keep you up to date, Bleacher Report brings you 10 transfer rumours going on  for the 
week of Jan. 12-19.

Real Madrid are hoping to take advantage of the continuing upheaval at Liverpool by luring Steven Gerrard to the Bernabeu, according to itasportpress. 

Gerrard was linked with an Anfield exit in the summer, with Real boss Jose Mourinho heavily interested in his services.

According to recent reports, Real were targeting a £20m deal for the England international in the summer, as Liverpool will have a hard time securing Champions League football next season.

But amid rumours of the 30-year-old's dissatisfaction with the way things are going at Anfield, Los Blancos are now reportedly planning to swoop for the Reds captain this month.

Gerrard has scored eight goals and set up three this season. He is contracted to Liverpool until 2013.

The agent of Arsenal midfielder Andrei Arshavin has refused to rule out a move for the Russian to Juventus FC Torino this month.

"There is a possibility of Andrei moving to Juventus," Dennis Lachter told Russian news website lifesports.ru. "There could be opportunities to move in January, but again, we're talking about a player under contract and currently there is nothing concrete."

However, Lachter said there were two things that would likely keep the 29-year-old at the Gunners at least until the end of the season. 

"First of all, Arsenal could win the Premier League this year and this is a dream for any footballer," he said. "There is also the financial capacity of Juve to consider, as Arsenal are demanding at least €20 million for Arshavin."

The Eastlands boss confirmed the pair have no future at the club.

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has ended speculation regarding the future of Shaun Wright-Phillips and Roque Santa Cruz , claiming the duo can leave the club this month.

While Paraguay international Santa Cruz is likely to head back to former employers Blackburn Rovers, Wright-Phillips' destination is not as clear, but it is believed that Liverpool and Totteham Hotspur could come in for him.

"It is the same situation for Roque and Shaun Wright-Phillips," said Mancini. "Roque will probably go to Blackburn. If an opportunity for either of them to play came up, then it would be better for them and I hope for Roque that in one or two days, he will have that."

Bayern München and Inter Milan are vying for the signature of Liverpool striker Fernando Torres, according the German 4-4-2 Web site.

Torres was heavily linked with a move over the summer, but decided to stay at Anfield. Nevertheless, speculation about the Spaniard's future persists.

The 26-year-old has been short of his best this season, but has still managed five goals and three assists in 19 Premiership and Europa League games.  

He is contracted to Liverpool until 2013 and is valued at over €30M.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has admitted that his chances of signing David Beckham on loan, or making any other January signings for that matter, look slim.

The 35-year-old has been training with the north Londoners since last week, and Redknapp was hoping Spurs could come to an agreement with his club Los Angeles Galaxy over a loan deal.

"David has to be back there (America) in February and there's not a lot of time, which is a shame," Redknapp told Sky Sports.

"He has been good to have around and he really is a class act, a fantastic professional and a credit to the game who we are delighted to have training with us."

"At the moment we are not close to doing anything really, and unless I can find people to improve us it is really not worth taking them," he continued.

"Unless I feel they can play a real part and help the squad then I am happy with what we've got. We've got a good squad of players and it's got to be somebody that makes a real difference."

Meanwhile, Beckham could line up for Tottenham in a Spurs XI match against QPR reserves on Tuesday. Midfielder Jamie O’Hara and defender Jonathan Woodgate will be playing in the match to improve their fitness after long- term injuries. 

Manchester City are set to test Sunderland's resolve with a £15 million bid for young midfielder Jordan Henderson.

Manchester United and Chelsea have also been linked the 20-year-old, whose impressive performances this season for the Black Cats earned him a first England cap against France in November.

Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson has had his eyes on Henderson for some time, and the player recently revealed that he is a Red Devils fan.

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce even said that Ferguson asked for updates regarding the midfielder's development.

But Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has been keeping tabs on Henderson since last season, and the mega-rich Eastlands outfit are ready to offer the player a £60,000-a-week deal to snap him up this month. 

Chelsea are reportedly preparing a €30 million bid for unsettled Santos FC  playmaker Ganso .

Ganso is currently contracted to Santos until 2014, but a knee injury has stalled talks over an improved deal, leading to Ganso saying that he feels undervalued by his club.

He is a very talented youngster with high-quality ball control, shooting and passing. Ganso is also an extremely creative player who reads the game superbly and has great vision, and also shields the ball well.

Manchester United, Manchester City, AC Milan, Inter Milan and Barcelona have all been linked with the 21-year-old, deemed one of the hottest Brazilian prospects.

Ganso won his first cap for Brazil in a friendly against the US in August.

Ajax Amsterdam captain Luis Suarez has requested a move within this window, and Liverpool may have set their sights on a quick fix to hide their defensive mess.

After seeing manager Martin Jol exit the club, it has not been the happiest of times under the new man in charge, Frank De Boer.

While the required amount actually dwells around £28 million, a fee of £15 million could be accepted.

“I've had a showdown with Luis,” De Boer said. “I wanted to know what his plans are, and what the future will bring.

“Luis is training hard, and he told me that if a big club comes in for him now, he is ready to talk to them. I have a back-up scenario ready.”

Suarez is currently serving a seven-match ban in the Eredivisie for violent conduct on the pitch.

Chelsea and Inter Milan have been in talks with Udinese Calcio over winger Alexis Sanchez , according to his club's owner.

"What is the value of Sanchez? With Chelsea, we talked about €30 million. I figure he's worth at least that," Giampaolo Pozzo told Sky Italia. "There is also interest from Inter Milan , with whom we decided to stop negotiations.

"But it is useless to talk about something we do not want to do because we cannot remove someone from the team when we're halfway through a season."

The 22-year-old Chilean has scored five goals and set up two for Udinese this season. He has also scored 12 goals in 32 international appearances.

Sanchez has outstanding dribbling skills, pace and vision, as well as great crossing and passing skills.

Ruud van Nistelrooy was on the list of players Real Madrid and manager Jose Mourinho wanted, but Hamburger SV refuse to cooperate and sell their striker.

“It would be nice to sign another striker. If it was Ruud van Nistelrooy, I’d be very pleased because he is a player that I know very well from the Premier League,” Mourinho told reporters last Saturday.

“There’s no chance whatsoever for Van Nistelrooy to leave," says Bastian Reinhardt, HSV sporting director. "I’ve not talked to him, but the decision of HSV is final. He will stay.

“Even if Real Madrid come here for negotiations, the answer will be the same. Van Nistelrooy has a contract to fulfil.”

“Of course, I understand that a contract is a contract – and Ruud will respect that," says his manager, Rodger Linse. "But, the prospect of going back to Madrid seems like an extraordinary situation. In such cases, it’s normal to have emotions. In an unexpected manner, Ruud could end his career at the highest level – and that’s too good to be true. There shouldn’t be money and contract issues.

“But it’s because of the publicity that this transfer issue has become difficult. Personally, I hope that those involved will come to an agreement. A great sportsman like Ruud deserves to return to Real Madrid after working really hard.”