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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport

Football: Europe's top 50 transfer targets

Transfers Gallery: Barcelona's Swedish forward Zlatan Ibrah
Zlatan Ibrahimovic - Striker, Barcelona
Price £30m
Arrived in Spain to much fanfare last summer but has struggled to fit into Barcelona’s system. Sixteen goals in 29 league appearances is a reasonable return, but he was left on the bench for several key games towards the end of the season.
Linked with Chelsea, Manchester City, Milan
Photograph: Josep Lago/AFP/Getty Images
Transfers: Liverpool v Benfica - UEFA Europa League
Fernando Torres - Striker, Liverpool
Price £40m
Scored 18 goals in 20 Premier League starts, his absences through injury costing Liverpool dear. Finally committed himself to staying at Anfield in August after a summer of speculation.
Linked with Chelsea, Manchester City
Photograph: John Cocks/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Transfers: Juventus Turin goalkeeper Gianluigi Buff
Gigi Buffon - Goalkeeper, Juventus
Price £25m
Vastly experienced keeper with a century of Italy caps. Reports this season suggested he was unsettled in Turin, but has a contract with the Old Lady until 2013.
Linked with Arsenal, Manchester United, Manchester City
Photograph: Vincenzo Pinto/AFP/Getty Images
Transfers: AC Milan v ACF Fiorentina - Serie A
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar - Striker, Milan
Price £12m
Failed to make the desired impact at San Siro following his summer arrival from Real Madrid, but remains a capable poacher and may yet start for Holland at the World Cup.
Linked with Tottenham, Manchester United
Photograph: Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images
Transfers: Manchester United v Chelsea - Premier League
Joe Cole - Midfielder
The out-of-contract Cole has opted to sign for Liverpool after being released by Chelsea.
Destination Liverpool
Price Free
Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty Images
Transfers: A.C. Milan's Brazilian forward Pato cele
Alexandre Pato - Forward, Milan
Price £35m
His third season in Milan was badly disrupted by injury, but the Brazilian striker still managed 12 goals in 23 league games and his former manager Carlo Ancelotti remains a keen admirer.
Linked with Chelsea
Photograph: Javier Soriano/AFP/Getty Images
Transfers: SSC Napoli Marek Hamsik fights for the b
Marek Hamsik - Midfielder, Napoli
Price £18m
Chelsea and Manchester United were strongly linked with Napoli’s box-to-box midfielder last year, but an offer never materialised. After another impressive season in which Hamsik helped the Partenopei to a sixth-place finish, Manchester City are now considering a bid.
Linked with Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United
Photograph: Roberto Salomone/AFP/Getty Images
Transfers: Inter Milan's forward Mario Balotelli he
Mario Balotelli - Striker
Immensely talented but seemingly incapable of avoiding controversy, Balotelli clashed repeatedly with Inter's management and infuriated the club's fans. Joined big-spending Manchester City before the start of the Premier League season.
Destination Manchester City
Price £22.5m

Photograph: Alberto Pizzoli/AFP/Getty Images
Transfers: Liverpool's English midfielder Steven Ge
Steven Gerrard - Midfielder, Liverpool
Price £30m
Until now a one-club man, Gerrard committed himself to Liverpool after Roy Hodgson was appointed as Rafa Benítez's successor.
Linked with Manchester City, Chelsea, Real Madrid
Photograph: Andrew Yates/AFP/Getty Images
Transfers: Aston Villa v Blackburn Rovers - Premier League
James Milner - Midfielder
Rejuvenated since moving into the centre of midfield at Villa Park, Milner was snapped up by Manchester City after prolonged negotiations.
Destination Manchester City
Price £26m
Photograph: Warren Little/Getty Images
footballers: Bolton Wanderers' English player Gary Ca
Gary Cahill - Defender, Bolton
Price £10m
The Sheffield-born defender has been exceptional for Bolton this season. Owen Coyle has said he won’t stand in Cahill's way should the top clubs come calling.
Linked with Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham, Everton
Photograph: Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images
Transfers: AS Roma v UC Sampdoria - Serie A
Giampaolo Pazzini - Striker, Sampdoria
Price £18m
Pazzini's 19 goals helped Sampdoria to fourth place in Serie A and a spot in next year’s Champions League qualifiers. Samp’s manager Gigi Del Neri has since moved to Juventus and is keen to take the striker with him, but Arsenal may also consider a bid.
Linked with Juventus, Arsenal
Photograph: Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images
Transfers Gallery: Atletico Madrid's Argentinian forward Se
Sergio Agüero - Forward, Atlético Madrid
Price £35m
Maradona’s son-in-law helped the Atleti to the inaugural Europa League title and is set to play a key role for Argentina at the World Cup. The Lack of Champions League football in prospect next season at the Vicente Calderón may see him move on.
Linked with Chelsea
Photograph: Josep Lago/AFP/Getty Images
Transfers: Wolverhampton Wanderers v Everton - Molineux
Steven Pienaar - Midfielder, Everton
Price £14m
Everton’s player of the season has denied he is considering a move elsewhere despite speculation linking him with a host of clubs.
Linked with Arsenal, Tottenham, Bayern Munich, Liverpool
Photograph: Barry Coombs/Empics Sport
Transfers: Borussia Dortmund v VfL Wolfsburg - Bundesliga
Edin Dzeko - Striker, Wolfsburg
Price £15m
The lanky Bosnian striker was superb for Wolfsburg last season, though he has struggled – along with his team – this year. Still has a phenomenal strike rate and the physical attributes to excel in the English game.
Linked with Chelsea, Manchester United, Milan
Photograph: Stuart Franklin/Bongarts/Getty Images
Transfers: Benfica's David Luiz celebrates after sc
David Luiz - Defender, Benfica
Price £25m
Can play in centre of the back four or at full-back. A key part of the defence that helped Benfica to Portugal’s Liga Sagres title this season. Yet to make international debut for Brazil.
Linked with Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Barcelona
Photograph: Francisco Leong/AFP/Getty Images
Transfers Gallery: Ajax Amsterdam player Luis Suarez (C) vi
Luis Suárez - Striker, Ajax
Price £30m
Ajax scored over 100 goals in the Eredivisie this season and the Uruguayan Suárez was responsible for 35 of them.
Linked with Arsenal
Photograph: Paul Vreeker/AFP/Getty Images
Transfers: Arsenal v Burnley - Premier League
Cesc Fábregas
Price £40m
Barcelona hoped to complete the signing of Arsenal’s captain swiftly following the capture of David Villa from Valencia, only for Fábregas to eventually commit to the Gunners for another season.
Linked with Barcelona
Photograph: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
footballers: Everton v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Premier League
Jack Rodwell - Midfielder, Everton
Price £15m
One of the brightest young talents in England, Rodwell made his Everton debut aged just 16 and this season caught the eye with a wonderful goal against Manchester United at Goodison.
Linked with Arsenal, Manchester United
Photograph: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Transfers Gallery: Borussia Dortmund v SV Werder Bremen - Bundesliga
Neven Subotic - Defender, Borussia Dortmund
Price £10m
A former United States youth international who opted to represent Serbia at senior level over the USA and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Likely to be Nemanja Vidic’s central defensive partner at the World Cup, and has been mooted as a possible replacement for his countryman at Old Trafford.
Linked with Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea
Photograph: Thomas Starke/Bongarts/Getty Images
Transfers: Real Madrid v Valencia - La Liga
Lassana Diarra - Midfielder, Real Madrid
Price £20m
The former Arsenal, Chelsea and Portsmouth midfielder began the season in fine form but his influence at the Santiago Bernabéu has waned.
Linked with Manchester Utd, Tottenham
Photograph: Elisa Estrada/Real Madrid via Getty Images
Transfers: Manchester United v Manchester City - Old Trafford
Nemanja Vidic - Defender, Manchester United
Price £12m
The defender's relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson became strained in the winter after a series of late withdrawals from games but the Serbia centre half later signed a contract extension to stay at United.
Linked with Juventus, Milan
Photograph: Dave Thompson/PA Archive/Press Association Ima
footballers: Valencia's forward David Villa (R) figth
Diego López - Goalkeeper, Villarreal
Price £10m
Named as one of five goalkeepers in Spain’s provisional World Cup squad. Thought to be one of several goalkeepers on Arsène Wenger’s radar.
Linked with Arsenal
Photograph: Jose Jordan/AFP/Getty Images
Transfers: West Ham's English striker Carlton Cole
Carlton Cole - Striker, West Ham
Price £10m
Did not enjoy his best season with the Hammers, but when on form is a talented and dangerous customer.
Linked with Liverpool, Aston Villa, Birmingham, Everton
Photograph: Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty Images
Transfers Gallery: Hatem Ben Arfa, Jimmy Mainfroi
Hatem Ben Arfa - Forward, Marseille
Price £10m
At the tender age of 23 added another Ligue 1 title to his CV with Marseille this season, to go with the four he won at Lyon. Despite such success, he has been left out of the France squad for the World Cup.
Linked with Manchester United, Newcastle
Photograph: Laurent Cipriani/AP
Transfers Gallery: Benfica's Argentinian forward Angel Di M
Ángel di María - Winger
The Argentina winger completed a move to Real from Benfica after his country's exit from the World Cup.
Destination Real Madrid
Price £21m
Photograph: Francisco Leong/AFP/Getty Images
footballers: Real Madrid's French forward Karim Benze
Karim Benzema - Striker, Real Madrid
Price £30m
Was linked with a move to Manchester United before becoming one of the new galácticos at Real. Has been a bit-part player at the Bernabéu, though.
Linked with Manchester United
Photograph: Dominique Faget/AFP/Getty Images
Transfers Gallery: Inter Milan's Brazilian defender Lucio D
Hamit Altintop - Midfielder, Bayern Munich
Price Free
The versatile Turkey international helped Bayern to the Champions League final but after drifting in and out of the side over the course of the campaign could move on in search of first-team football.
Linked with Tottenham, Aston Villa
Photograph: Christophe Simon/AFP/Getty Images
Transfers: Arsenal v Dynamo Kiev - Emirates Stadium
Pape Malickou Diakhaté - Defender, Dynamo Kyiv
Price £10m
The versatile Senegalese centre-half has spent much of this season on loan at St Etienne in France. Has reportedly been monitored by Arsène Wenger since leaving Nancy in 2007.
Linked with Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Juventus
Photograph: Tony Marshall/Empics Sport
Transfers: Aston Villa v Manchester City - Premier League
Craig Bellamy - Striker
The striker moved to his hometown club Cardiff after becoming surplus to requirements at Manchester City.
Destination Cardiff City
Price Loan
Photograph: Jamie McDonald/Getty Images
Transfers Gallery: Barcelona's midfielder Yaya Toure from I
Yaya Touré - Midfielder
Touré will link up with his brother Kolo at Eastlands after agreeing to leave Barcelona.
Destination Manchester City
Price £25m
Photograph: Josep Lago/AFP/Getty Images
Transfers Gallery: Juventus FC v Parma FC - Serie A
Felipe Melo - Midfielder, Juventus
Price £18m
Juventus beat Arsenal to the midfielder’s signature last season but he failed to live up to expectations as Juventus endured a miserable year. The Bianconeri are keen to move him on but expect to recoup most of the €25m fee they paid for the player last year.
Linked with Arsenal
Photograph: Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images
Transfers Gallery: Manchester City v Stoke City - FA Cup 5th Round
Stephen Ireland - Midfielder
Formerly the heartbeat of Manchester City's midfield, Ireland endured a difficult season under Roberto Mancini. Became a makeweight in James Milner's switch from Aston Villa.
Destination Aston Villa
Price £8m (part-exchange)
Photograph: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Transfers Gallery: Radamel Falcao
Radamel Falcao - Striker, Porto
Price £15m
The Colombian scored 25 goals in 26 league games for Porto this season following his move from River Plate.
Linked with Tottenham, Aston Villa, Birmingham
Photograph: Francisco Seco/AP
footballers: West Bromwich Albion v Leicester City - The Hawthorns
Graham Dorrans - Midfielder, West Brom
Price £7m
Dorrans now appears to be staying at West Brom after signing a new deal. He had previously been the subject of a £4m bid from West Ham.
Linked with Arsenal, Manchester City, Everton, West Ham
Photograph: Stephen Pond/Empics Sport
footballers: Wolverhampton Wanderers v Sunderland - Molineux
Kevin Doyle - Striker, Wolves
Price £10m
All-round striker who has impressed at Molineux after joining the club for £6.5m last summer. Has proven goalscoring record in top-flight with mid-table clubs.
Linked with Arsenal, Aston Villa, Fulham, Everton, Sunderland
Photograph: Malcolm Couzens/PA Wire/Press Association Images
Transfers: Werder Bremen's midfielder Philipp Bargf
Javi Martínez - Midfielder, Athletic Bilbao
Price £10m
Linked to Liverpool last summer as a replacement for Xabi Alonso. A tough-tackling midfielder he is widely expected to leave Bilbao this summer.
Linked with Chelsea, Real Madrid
Photograph: David Hecker/AFP/Getty Images
Transfers Gallery: Roberto Soldado
Roberto Soldado - Striker, Getafe
Price £10m
The former Real Madrid striker has been prolific away from the Bernabéu. Reports in Spain have mooted a move to Sevilla should Luís Fabiano depart.
Linked with Everton, Blackburn, Sevilla, Atlético Madrid
Photograph: Arturo Rodriguez/AP
Transfers: Everton v Fulham - Premier League
Mikel Arteta - Midfielder, Everton
Price £8m
Made his comeback for Everton in January and was instrumental in their fine run towards the end of the season (Arteta’s sixth at Goodison Park). In discussions over a new contract on Merseyside.
Linked with Manchester United, Arsenal
Photograph: Clint Hughes/Getty Images
Transfers Gallery: Crystal Palace v Blackpool
Nathaniel Clyne - Defender, Crystal Palace
Price £2m
Perhaps the brightest of Palace’s crop of young talent. Money trouble at Selhurst Park could force a quick sale of the England Under-19 right back.
Linked with Aston Villa, QPR, Wolves
Photograph: Ian Walton/Getty Images
Transfers Gallery: Sevilla's Brazilian forward Luis Fabiano
Luís Fabiano - Striker, Sevilla
Price £20m
Has developed into one of La Liga’s most feared strikers and is currently Brazil’s most effective forward. Will hope to continue his prolific form in South Africa.
Linked with Tottenham, Manchester City
Photograph: Cristina Quicler/AFP/Getty Images
Transfers: Fulham's Norwegian defender Brede Hangel
Brede Hangeland - Defender, Fulham
Price £10m
Muscular defender impressed during Fulham’s Europa League run, though he struggled in the final. One of several possible replacements for William Gallas at Arsenal.
Linked with Arsenal
Photograph: Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images
footballers: Switzerland v Netherlands - UEFA U17 European Championship
Bob Schepers - Winger, SC Cambuur
Price £3m
Has made only a handful of first-team appearances, but has apparently done enough to impress scouts at several of Europe’s top clubs.
Linked with Manchester United, Everton, Ajax
Photograph: Getty Images/Bongarts/Getty Images
Transfers: Arsenal v AZ Alkmaar - UEFA Champions League
William Gallas - Defender
Gallas moved across the north London divide, signing a one-year deal with Spurs after failing to agree an extension with Arsenal.
DestinationTottenham
Price Free
Photograph: Phil Cole/Getty Images
Transfers Gallery: Sevilla's Navas
Jesús Navas - Winger, Sevilla
Price £20m
Has enjoyed an impressive season for Sevilla and made his first appearances for Spain (having previously struggled with acute homesickness). One of the finest right-sided players in the world.
Linked with Liverpool
Photograph: Reuters
Transfers: Portsmouth v Everton - Premier League
Aruna Dindane - Striker
Left Lens for the Qatari side Lekhwiya after last season's loan spell at Portsmouth.
Destination Lekhwiya
Price £2.5m
Photograph: Clive Rose/Getty Images
footballers: PSV Eindhoven player Stanislav Manolev (
Stanislav Manolev - Defender, PSV Eindhoven
Price £5m
Joined PSV from Litex Lovech last summer and has impressed on the right flank. The Bulgarian international is contracted in Eindhoven until 2012.
Linked with Manchester City, Aston Villa
Photograph: Ed Oudenaarden/AFP/Getty Images
Transfers: Bayern Munich's French midfielder Franck
Franck Ribéry - Forward, Bayern Munich
Price £50m
Helped Bayern Munich to this season's Champions League final, but missed the showdown with Inter due to suspension. Signed a new deal five-year deal with Bayern after the final, but continues to be linked with a move away.
Linked with Manchester United, Manchester City, Real Madrid
Photograph: Oliver Lang/AFP/Getty Images
footballers: US Citta di Palermo v AS Livorno Calcio - Serie A
Simon Kjaer - Defender
The Danish centre-back signed for Steve McClaren's Wolfsburg after impressing at the World Cup.
Destination Wolfsburg
Price Undisclosed
Photograph: Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images
Transfers gallery: Adriano
Adriano - Striker
The former Inter forward completed a return to Serie A after his contract with Flamengo expired in June.
Destination Roma
Price Free
Photograph: Antonio Scorza/AFP/Getty Images
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