Top EPL transfer rumours : Cristiano Ronaldo

Top transfers to watch out for

An English Premier League transfer window is so much like a game of Blackjack— the club`s ‘future’ (if one may dare say) depends on the hand they get dealt during the transfer window.

The two transfer windows each year see the clubs` managements go all hammer and tongs in a bid to outbid and outsmart their rivals.

And considering the spoils at stake they can’t really be blamed for running a hard bargain.

This time around the current “Big Three” of EPL have seasoned campaigners as new coaches — Manchester United (David Moyes), Manchester City (Manuel Pelligrini), Chelsea (Jose Mourinho) — who all have a point to prove and a reputation to salvage.

The title last season was decided arguably by the one signing of Robin van Persie by Manchester United, and having faced flak for being sitting ducks during the last transfer windows, other big clubs like Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspurs will be looking to make amends.

We bring to you the 10 big transfers that could well play a telling part in the title race this season.

Gareth Bale

One of the most exciting footballers in the EPL is on the radar of Real Madrid’s new coach Carlo Ancelotti. “If we can bring him here, it would be very good,” Ancelotti was reported saying.

That being said, one knows that if the Madridistas want someone on their side then there is very little resistance that the rest of the footballing world can put up.

But Bale’s current club Tottenham Hotspurs won’t let their priced possession go away easily. Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has reportedly slapped a 100 million euro price tag on Bale.

Manchester United too have evinced interest in the Welsh talent, and only time will decide which jersey Bale dons.

Luis Suarez

Chelsea have reportedly plotted a 40m GBP bid for the Liverpool striker as Jose Mourinho, an ardent admirer of Suarez is looking to tempt the controversial Uruguayan to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea has reportedly offered him 200k GBP a week as well. But they face stiff competition from Real Madrid, who are looking for a fresh strike-force to partner Cristiano Ronaldo.

Edinson Cavani

Initially the big guns —Real Madrid, Manchester City, Chelsea — were looking to sign the Napoli hitman. But it seems, the Herculean price tag for the Uruguayan striker has put them off.

Last heard, Chelsea were still 11.2m GBP short of the 53m GBP figure that Napoli want. We reckon this deal could witness some hard bargaining and a photo-finish between the big spending clubs in the fray.

Mario Gomez

Football pundits believe that for 20m GBP, Mario Gomez is an absolute steal—but provided that his current outfit, Bayern Munich, are prepared to offload the German goal scoring machine.

Having fallen down Bayern’s pecking line since the signing of Mario Mandzukic, his shares will further plummet if Robert Lewandowski arrives from Borussia Dortmund. Coming off the bench for most of the last season, Gomez still managed 19 goals last season.

With the departure of Carlos Tevez (to Juventus) and Mario Balotelli (to AC Milan) Gomez features high on Manchester City’s shopping list. But Fiorentina are looking every bit to upset the Citizens` applecart.

Gonzalo Higuain

Tottenham Hotspurs and Juventus are reportedly ready to lock horns over the Real Madrid striker. Reports claim that the Argentinean striker is pretty close to joining Arsenal, with pundits suggesting he could be a part of the swap deal that Madrid could offer Spurs for Gareth Bale.

Higuain is also being wooed by Napoli, to replace the departing EdinsonCavani, but reports suggest he is keen to join Arsene Wenger’s side at the Emirates.

Robert Lewandowski

The praise for Borussia Dortmund’s “Pole star” reached its zenith when he smashed four against the mighty Madrid in the Champions League semi-final this year. Sir Alex Ferguson was always interested in signing him for Manchester United.

Manchester City too had reached out to Lewandowski’s agents with a 25million GBP move to the Etihad Stadium last but the player, they were told, was more interested in signing for Bayern Munich.

But Dortmund, after reluctantly selling Mario Gotze to Bayern, are wary of letting any more talent slip to their arch rivals.

With only a year left on his contract, Lewandowski will leave for free next summer, so City are hoping Dortmund will cash in on him now.

David Villa

As per reports in the British press, Tottenham are the favourites for landing the Spanish Barcelona forward. Having fallen further down the pecking order with the signing of Neymar, Villa is looking to move to the EPL.

Villa reportedly suits Spurs’ manager, Andre Vilas-Boas’ new 4-3-3 formation next season and may sign on.

Stephan el Shaarawy

Chelsea are reportedly planning a swap deal to bring the Italian starlet at Stamford Bridge and send Fernando Torres to AC Milan.

But reports also hint that Manchester City to are keeping a in their effort to build up a strike force are keeping a close eye on Shaarawy.

Wayne Rooney

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney — for the second time in three years — has reportedly asked for a transfer.

Arsenal are ready to smash their wage structure to accommodate the England star, with Chelsea, AS Monaco and PSG too looking to woo him.

Further fuelling rumours is the news that Rooney plans to have `the talk` about his future at the club with the newly instated manager, David Moyes.

Cristiano Ronaldo

And finally the rumour that every EPL (and Manchester United) fan wishes will come true.

With two years left on his contract, Real Madrid will go any length to ensure that one of the world`s most prolific scorers stays at Santiago Bernabeu.

But Ronaldo has fond memories of playing Old Trafford that leave him `melancholy` at times.

"I miss English football," Ronaldo was recently quoted saying, leading to hopes among British football fans that the CR7 goal-machine may return to EPL.

Hemant Abhishek