World Football Transfers: Ranking the Top 20 Players on the Market

Phil ConstableCorrespondent IApril 20, 2011

World Football Transfers: Ranking the Top 20 Players on the Market

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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 Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)
    Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

    As the domestic seasons draw to a close, the rumours of where many players could be moving escalate greatly leaving many fans anxiously waiting, desperate to hold onto their prized stars and many teeming with anticipation of seeing the next big thing lining up for their beloved club.

    From wily veterans targeted for their nous and experience to raw, young prospects ready to be let loose on the opposition, many players will be rumoured and linked with departures in the summer but here are 20 possible big name players who could be in need of a change of address in the upcoming months.

Paul Konchesky

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    NORWICH, ENGLAND - APRIL 15:  Paul Konchesky of Nottingham Forest in action during the npower Championship match between Norwich City and Nottingham Forest at Carrow Road on April 15, 2011 in Norwich, England.  (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)
    Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

    Paul Konchesky must be scratching his head at how his career has turned over the past season.

    After playing a key part in Fulham's rise under Roy Hodgson, Konchesky was part of the team that reached the Europa League final just last year.

    After being recruited to Liverpool by his former boss Konchesky failed to hit top form, then saw Hodgson leave in dire circumstances and now finds himself out of the Premier League on loan altogether after being put out on loan at Nottingham Forest.

    Most likely club: one of the promoted clubs

Wayne Bridge

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    LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 16:  Wayne Bridge of West Ham United passes the ball during the Barclays Premier League match between West Ham United and Aston Villa at the Boleyn Ground on April 16, 2011 in London, England.  (Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images)
    Tom Dulat/Getty Images

    Like many of Manchester City's players, Wayne Bridge arrived in a flurry of expectations and visions of the future but was then almost immediately forgotten when a newer, more expensive signing came along.

    Now on loan at West Ham, Bridge has settled in at Upton Park and could well be staying in east London permanently come the summer.

    Most likely club: West Ham

Roque Santa Cruz

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    BLACKBURN, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23:  Roque Santa Cruz of Blackburn Rovers in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Blackburn Rovers and West Bromwich Albion at Ewood Park on January 23, 2011 in Blackburn, England.  (Photo by Alex Livesey/Ge
    Alex Livesey/Getty Images

    Santa Cruz has followed a similar path to Bridge in recent months being left in the shadows at Eastlands after signing as one of the more prolific strikers in the Premier League at Blackburn.

    Now back at Ewood Park on loan, Santa Cruz has struggled to re-find his scoring touch, however there willstill be many Premier League teams looking for a proven goal scorer come next season.

    Most likely club: Blackburn 

John Carew

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    STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 19:  John Carew (L) of Stoke celebrates with teammate Jonathan Walters after scoring the opening goal during the FA Cup sponsored by E.ON 5th Round match between Stoke City and Brighton & Hove Albion at Britannia Stadium
    Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

    Another player on loan for the remainder of the year, John Carew is the prototypical strike for Stoke: he's big, strong, physical and is good in the air.

    Carew has proven to be a good squad player for Stoke as Kenwyne Jones' back-up and with Darren Bent now the front-man at Villa, a return looks unlikely.

    Most likely club: Stoke

Connor Wickham

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    LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 25:  Connor Wickham of Ipswich Town in action during the Carling Cup Semi Final Second Leg match between Arsenal and Ipswich Town at Emirates Stadium on January 25, 2011 in London, England.  (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
    Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

    One of the more highly rated youngster in the second tier of English football, Ipswich's 18-year-old striker is likely to be the Jermaine Beckford of this summer.

    Many big clubs have been linked with the teenager and a move looks on the cards.

    Most likely club: Liverpool

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

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    SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 29:  Alex Chamberlain of Southampton points during the FA Cup sponsored by E.ON 4th Round match between Southampton and Manchester United at St Mary's Stadium on January 29, 2011 in Southampton, England.  (Photo by Clive Ros
    Clive Rose/Getty Images

    Another highly rated prospect, Chamberlain is pretty much guaranteed a the step up to the Premier League in the summer with the bigger clubs all vying for his services.

    Having come through the same academy system that gave us Theo Walcott and Gareth Bale, Chamberlain will be in hot demand in the summer.

    Most likely club: Arsenal 

Jose Enrique

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    BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 15:  Newcastle defender Jose Enrique in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Birmingham City and Newcastle United at St Andrews on February 15, 2011 in Birmingham, England.  (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Ima
    Stu Forster/Getty Images

    Jose Enrique was an adequate left-back when Newcastle were relegated two years ago. He's returned to the top flight one of the best full-backs in England.

    Enrique has been one of Newcastle's best players this season and they'll be hard pressed to hold onto him in the summer.

    Most likely club: Liverpool 

Carlos Vela

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    WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 01:  Carlos Vela of West Brom in action during the Barclays Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Wigan Athletic at The Hawthorns on February 1, 2011 in West Bromwich, England.  (Photo by Richard Heathcote
    Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

    Vela has impressed in his limited opportunities with Arsenal predominantly in the Carling Cup.

    Despite this Vela's chances to play regularly for the Gunners have been non-existance and the Mexican has found himself out on loan to West Brom.

    If Vela can help the Baggies to safety, a permanent move may be around the corner.

    Most likely club: West Brom

Nicklas Bendtner

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    LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 02: Nicklas Bendtner of Arsenal looks dejected during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Blackburn Rovers at the Emirates Stadium on April 2, 2011 in London, England.  (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
    Julian Finney/Getty Images

    Bendtner has never really hit a consistent enough patch of form to constitute Arsene Wenger keeping him around.

    Despite Bendtner's seemingly consistent inability to score goals, the Danish striker will attract attention from clubs both in England and across Europe.

    Most likely club: Hamburg

Gary Cahill

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    BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - APRIL 02:  Gary Cahill of Bolton in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Birmingham City  and Bolton Wanderers on April 2, 2011 in Birmingham, England.  (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images)
    Scott Heavey/Getty Images

    Bolton's star centre-back continues to go from strength to strength and despite Bolton's on-field success, they may find it difficult to hold onto the defender if one of the elite clubs come calling .

    Most likely club: Arsenal

Daniel Sturridge

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    BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - APRIL 02:  Daniel Sturridge of Bolton in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Birmingham City and Bolton Wanderers at St.Andrews on April 2, 2011 in Birmingham, England.  (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images)
    Scott Heavey/Getty Images

    It seemed odd when Daniel Sturridge chose Chelsea as a suitable club after leaving Manchester City in search of first team football.

    Now on loan at Bolton, Sturridge has been scoring goals for fun and certainly  looks like a better scoring option for Chelsea than a certain £50m Spaniard back at Stamford Bridge.

    Sturridge has said he wants to fight for a place at Chelsea but with the arrival of Torres, he may have to move elsewhere to ensure regular football.

    Most likely club: Bolton

Charles N'Zogbia

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    BLACKPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 16:  Charles N'Zogbia of Wigan Athletic in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Blackpool and Wigan Athletic at Bloomfield Road on April 16, 2011 in Blackpool, England.  (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Getty Images)
    Chris Brunskill/Getty Images

    N'Zogbia almost left Wigan last summer and now as Wigan face a relegation scrap, he's certain to be on his way out come this summer.

    A number of clubs will be interested in the Frenchman from mid-table teams sub as Birmingham to the big names like Liverpool.

    Most likely club: Liverpool

Charlie Adam

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    BLACKPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 16:  Charlie Adam of Blackpool in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Blackpool and Wigan Athletic at Bloomfield Road on April 16, 2011 in Blackpool, England.  (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Getty Images)
    Chris Brunskill/Getty Images

    Blackpool's captain has been a talisman for the tangerine army and has been one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.

    Blackpool did well to keep hold of Adam in the January window and a summer move seems certain.

    Most likely club: Tottenham

Alexis Sanchez

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    LECCE, ITALY - APRIL 03:  Alexis Sanchez of Udinese during the Serie A match between US Lecce and Udinese Calcio at Stadio Via del Mare on April 3, 2011 in Lecce, Italy.  (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)
    Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images

    Sanchez had a great World Cup for Chile and looks set for a departure from River Plate, on loan from Udinese.

    The big Premier League clubs are interested in Sanchez and it'll be a scrap to gain his signature.

    Most likely club: Manchester City

Edinson Cavani

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    NAPLES, ITALY - APRIL 17:  Edinson Cavani of Napoli  in action during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Udinese Calcio at Stadio San Paolo on April 17, 2011 in Naples, Italy.  (Photo by Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images)
    Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images

    Napoli's star striker looks set to be the subject of a bidding war from a number of Premier League clubs.

    Napoli will be hard pressed to keep hold of the Uruguayan forward with Tottenham, Manchester City Arsenal and Liverpool all linked to the 24-year-old.

    Most likely club: stays at Napoli... just

Ashley Young

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    BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - APRIL 10:  Ashley Young of Aston Villa is thoughtful during the Barclays Premier League match between Aston Villa and Newcastle United at Villa Park on April 10, 2011 Birmingham, England.  (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
    Michael Regan/Getty Images

    Ashley Young has been one of the more dangerous attacking forces in the Premier League for a number of years.

    With Aston Villa steadily declining in recent years, Young looks set to follow Gareth Barry and James Milner in departing from Villa Park.

    Most likely club: Manchester United

Fernando Llorente

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    BARCELONA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 20:  Fernando Llorente of Athletic Bilbao looks on during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao at Camp Nou on February 20, 2011 in Barcelona, Spain. Barcelona won 2-1.  (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
    David Ramos/Getty Images

    Fernando Llorente looks set to become the latest Spanish talent to come to England with a number of clubs interested in his services.

    It'll take a substantial fee, but someone is likely to swoop for the 26-year-old striker.

    Most likely club: Tottenham

Emmanuel Adebayor

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    MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 05:  Emmanuel Adebayor of Real Madrid celebrates scoring his second goal during the UEFA Champions League quarter final first leg match between Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on April 5, 2011 in Madrid
    Jasper Juinen/Getty Images

    After falling out of favour at Manchester City, Adebayor has had a new lease of life on loan at Real Madrid.

    Real would be mad not to sign the striker permanently in the summer.

    Most likely club: Real Madrid

Gareth Bale

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    LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 13:  Gareth Bale of Spurs shows his dejection during the UEFA Champions League quarter final second leg match between Tottenham Hotspur and Real Madrid at White Hart Lane on April 13, 2011 in London, England.  (Photo by Jasper Juin
    Jasper Juinen/Getty Images

    Tottenham will be desperate to hold on to their star winger but after dazzling on the European stage, a failure to provide Champions League football may push the Welshman away from White Hart Lane.

    Bale has stated recently that playing in Europe's premier competition is an imperative for him and also that he would be interested in playing abroad in the future.

    Spurs must make the top four to retain Bale's services.

    Most likely club: Manchester United 

Neymar

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    LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 27:  Neymar of Brazil on the ball 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

    He has stupid hair, temperament issues and an attitude problem but he's talented and that will always entice the big clubs.

    He's 19 year old and plays away from the elite footballing world for Santos.

    A big money move is on the cards and there will be no shortage of clubs lining up to try and sign the Brazilian.

    Most likely club: Chelsea 

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