Top 50 transfer targets
In January I published a list of 50 guys who would be moving either in the winter transfer window or this summer. Fifteen of them have since gone and a fair few others may well do so. Here's an updated list of possible movers ... and, again, let me stress: this is in no particular order.
50. Ronaldo, 31, AC Milan
His most recent injury means he probably won't be moving this summer, but, at some point, he'll need a new home. And, if he recovers and the price is right, he'll be worth a punt.
49. Stephen Hunt, 27, Reading
With Reading relegated, you would think the hyperactive winger would be on the block. Deserves a place in the top flight.
48. Roque Santa Cruz, 26, Blackburn Rovers
Last season's goalscoring exploits proved that his injuries are behind him once and for all. Could perhaps do a job off the bench for a big club (Manchester United?).
47. Luca Cigarini, 21, Parma
Again, relegation means he'll be heading elsewhere. Gifted playmaking central midfielder with a fiery personality, he has matured tremendously of late.
46. Willy Sagnol, 31, Bayern Munich
Three into two won't go and, in Marcell Jansen and Philipp Lahm, Bayern already have two of the better full backs around. Given his experience, he could be a smart pick-up for someone needing a quick fix.
45. Johan Elmander, 27, Toulouse
The big, versatile late-blooming Swede remains up for sale. He has a big upside and is clearly too big for Toulouse.
44. Miguel Veloso, 22, Sporting Lisbon
Plenty of heart and leadership from this pint-sized Portuguese version of Makelele. Has been linked to Manchester United and looks ready for a move.
43. Roysten Drenthe, 21, Real Madrid
Failed to make the grade at the Bernabeu, but his age and athleticism make him worth a gamble. Can play just about anywhere on the left flank.
42. Diego Buonanotte, 20, River Plate
Tricky pocket-sized forward whose dribbling skills make him something of a human-highlight reel. There are obvious concerns over his lack of size, but his bag of tricks seems endless.
41. David Villa, 26, Valencia
He's entering the prime of his career and is ripe for a move. Offers aplenty both in Spain and England for a pacy, versatile forward who is also one of the most prolific scorers in Europe.
40. David Bentley, 23, Blackburn Rovers
With Mark Hughes gone, the club may want to shuffle the deck a bit and Bentley is the most saleable asset. Has excelled wide, but his future is in the hole, provided he can master the position.
39. Javier Saviola, 26, Real Madrid
Only 11 starts in the past two seasons indicate that it's time for (yet another) change of scenery. The technical arsenal is there, surely he can do a job for someone?
38. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, 24, Ajax
87 league goals in 97 starts over the past three seasons. Enough said. It's time for one of the most natural goalscorers in Europe to move to a bigger club.
37. Samuel Eto'o, 27, Barcelona
Injuries have slowed him over the past two seasons and his bum knee is scaring some people off. But Eto'o remains one of the most complete forwards around and one who always delivers goals and workrate.
36.Christopher Samba, 24, Blackburn Rovers
One of the shrewdest signings of the past few seasons. Tall, athletic and tough-as-nails, he's an asset to any team, both as a full back and as a central defender.
35. Ricardo Quaresma, 24, Porto
Perennially linked with moves abroad, this time it could come to fruition given Porto's European ban. The rangy winger can operate on either flank and stretch opposing defences like few others in Europe.
34. Daniel Guiza, 27, Mallorca
Last season's surprise top scorer - 27 goals - in La Liga is looking to cash in with a big move. Took him a long time to get to the top, but will get the job done if he gets proper service.
33. Gokhan Inler, 23, Udinese
A tireless box-to-box dynamo capable of both putting the boot in and popping up with useful runs in the box. He reads the game well and would be an asset to any side.
32. Mario Gomez, 22, Stuttgart
Big, old-school target man who also has some decent technique on the ball. Part of a dying breed or the prototype striker of the next generation? You be the judge.
31. Alberto Aquilani, 23, Roma
Elegant, stylish midfielder who plays with his head and loves to spread the ball around the pitch. Good engine, only concern is injuries, which have slowed his development.
30. Ricardo Carvalho, 30, Chelsea
Recently signed a new contract, but, with his mentor, Jose Mourinho, pitching up at Inter Milan (and looking for central defenders) this one is a no-brainer.
29. Xabi Alonso, 26, Liverpool
A loyal servant for Rafa Benitez, but could soon be surplus to requirements at Anfield. Steady, intelligent and with two good feet, he's a calming influence on any side.
28. Tiago, 27, Juventus
A bust at Juve this year, he's being shopped around. At the right price, he could be a smart signing if you're looking for a busy hard-running holding midfielder.
27. Samir Nasri, 20, Marseille
Comparisons to Zinedine Zidane are both unfair and premature, but the elegant Nasri has a composure and a skill set which does remind you of Zizou.
26. Mancini, 27, Roma
A year left on his contract means the stepover king is available on the cheap. And if you're looking for a guy who consistently beats his man, he's a great piece of business.
25. Joao Moutinho, 21, Sporting Lisbon
It's no coincidence that his team-mates voted him club captain at such a young age. He's a natural leader who can unlock opposing defences with uncanny precision. Already being compared to Deco, potentially far better.
24. Peter Crouch, 27, Liverpool
Doesn't seem to fit into Rafa's plans, but really should find a home somewhere. Whatever one thinks of his pace, his height and body type make him very difficult to play against.
23. Jeremy Menez, 21, Monaco
Already linked with Arsenal, this diamond-in-the-rough is a clever dribbler and passer who needs to find some consistency. Given his age, the upside is tremendous.
22. Alexander Hleb, 27, Arsenal
Has made his willingness to leave very clear to the club and it seems as if it's only a matter of time. A very technical player, he may be better suited to Spanish football.
21. Cristiano Ronaldo, 23, Manchester United
After five years at Old Trafford and having delivered two league titles and a Champions' League crown, he may well be looking for a new challenge (and a better pay cheque). Stay tuned.
20. Cristian Zapata, 21, Udinese
One of the most athletic defenders you're likely to see. The Colombian is quick, strong and agile. Plus, he's learning to read the game exceptionally well.
19. Steve Mandanda, 23, Marseille
Probably should have been in goal for France at Euro 2008. Athletic and with a great sense of positioning, he's the rising star among the continent's goalkeepers. And he's looking to move up.
18. Deco, 30, Barcelona
His time at the Nou Camp is coming to an end, but he's far from finished himself, as he has shown at Euro 2008 and in the latter stages of the Champions' League. Good things come in small packages.
17. Luis Fabiano, 27, Seville
The Brazilian took it to another level this year, notching 24 goals in La Liga. A restless soul, he'd be happy for a move, espeically if it comes with a nice little wage bump.
16. Adriano, 26, Sao Paulo, on loan from Inter
A cartload of baggage - from drinking problems to depression - but if the giant forward regains his mojo he's the most physically devastating centre forward around.
15. Gareth Barry, 27, Aston Villa
The cause of a spat between Martin O'Neill and Rafa Benitez, the England international is likely to move at this point, probably to Anfield. If O'Neill gets the right price, it could be a blessing in disguise.
14. Frank Lampard, 29, Chelsea
At his age, having one year left on your contract is almost a certain sign you're out the door. Has averaged 12 league goals from midfield over the past five seasons.
13. Abdoulay Konko, 24, Genoa
Apparently a favorite of Mourinho's, this versatile hard-running midfielder can play in a variety of positions. Last season he was a big part of Genoa's meteoric rise up the table.
12. Ibrahim Afellay, 22, PSV Eindhoven
A clever, determined attacking midfielder who pops up all over the pitch. Works very hard off the ball as well and is blessed with an excellent sense of position.
11. Didier Drogba, 30, Chelsea
Another one looking to swap Stamford Bridge for other locales. Drogba apparently pines for Milan, where he has plenty of friends. If Chelsea are going to cash in, this is the time to do it.
10. Dimitar Berbatov, 27, Tottenham Hotspur
Big, mobile and gifted, three essential ingredients for the modern centre forward. Constantly linking himself with moves, which rather suggests that, sooner or later, it's bound to happen.
9. David Silva, 22, Valencia
Another small, tricky Spaniard, Silva can play wide, but his future is probably in the hole. Excellent technique and good movement would make him a smart pick-up.
8. Karim Benzema, 20, Lyons
So far, he has certainly lived up to the hype. A complete centre forward who is very effective as a lone striker, you get the sense the best is yet to come. Lyons' asking price will be steep, though.
7. Wendell, 26, Bordeaux
An underrated high-energy wide man who notched 11 goals for Bordeaux last season. He wants a move and could be the kind of under-the-radar signing that makes a difference.
6. Djibril Cisse, 26, Marseilles
Raymond Domenech may not rate him, but his 16 goals last season show that he's on his way back. Most teams could use a pacy forward who can find the net.
5. Alberto Riera, 26, Espanyol
A tricky winger who can deliver a useful cross and has improved tremendously over the past two seasons. Workrate can be dubious, but may be worth a punt.
4. Obafemi Martins, 23, Newcastle United
Could be surplus to requirements at St. James' Park but his age makes him attractive. Scoring nine times in 23 starts for the Toon shows that he can succeed in difficult circumstances.
3. Javi Martinez, 19, Athletic Bilbao
Big, tall box-to-box type in the Lampard mould, he's only just tapping into his massive potential after his first full season as a starter.
2. Diego Milito, 28, Zaragoza
A frighteningly consistent goalscorer who is just entering the prime of his career, Milito is pining for a move to a big club. This time, he's due.
1. Ronaldinho, 28, Barcelona
OK, so his stock has fallen, he's currently injured and he wants a lot of money. But what if he rediscovers the old magic? Pass him up and you could be like those guys who refused the chance to buy Microsoft stock in the mid-1980s.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article4116568.ece?token=596963967
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