Goal.com Special: Top Ten Transfer Stories Of The Summer

10. Aly Cissokho (FC Porto to AC Milan)

The FC Porto left-back was arguably the best in his position in the Champions League last season and was on the verge of signing for Italian giants and former European champions AC Milan only a few days ago. A deal had been sealed between the two clubs but Cissokho failed his medial test as there was a problem with his teeth. This led to the collapse of the move but it appears that Milan are willing to resume negotiations with the Portuguese powerhouse albeit at a trimmed price.

9. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Inter Milan to FC Barcelona/Real Madrid)

No one seriously said anything about Zlatan Ibrahimovic leaving Inter Milan anytime soon until the player himself dropped a bombshell declaring that he wants to test himself in a different league. This led the rumour mill to churn out the names of FC Barcelona and Real Madrid and the Swedish international striker has been coy about his future. The 27-year-old does say that he sees himself playing for Inter at the moment but is apparently still open to a move to either Barcelona or Madrid. His agent is alleged to have held talks with Madrid while Inter president Massimo Moratti had discussed the issue with his Barcelona counterpart Joan Laporta.

8. Maicon (Inter Milan to Real Madrid/Chelsea)

Another Inter Milan star linked with a move away from the San Siro is the Brazilian international right-back Maicon. He, like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, was not thought to be interested in leaving the Nerazzurri anytime soon but in the past few weeks the 27-year-old has been linked with a move to either Real Madrid or Chelsea. His agent was apparently in Madrid recently and the player has himself stated that he is not much appreciated or respected at Inter, leading many to foster the belief that Maicon is indeed on his way out. Premier League club Chelsea too have stated their desire to sign the Brazilian.

7. Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich to Real Madrid/FC Barcelona/Manchester United/Chelsea)

French international Franck Ribery is one of the hotly pursued players of the summer and has been linked with a plethora of clubs. His club Bayern Munich have persistently maintained that the former Marseille star is not up for sale although they have hinted that a mega-money offer could prise him away. At the moment it seems likely that Real Madrid would sign him as Ribery’s former French international teammate Zinedine Zidane is trying to convince him to be part of Florentino Perez's neo-Galactico era and links with Barcelona, Manchester United and Chelsea have cooled down.

6. Karim Benzema (Lyon to Manchester United/Real Madrid)

Karim Benzema is unlikely to leave Lyon this summer but if the French international striker does so, then it should be for English champions Manchester United. United are in need of a top quality striker after the departure of Carlos Tevez and club manager Sir Alex Ferguson is said to be a huge admirer of the 21-year-old. But Lyon are not eager to go let go of the player until and unless a truly irresistible offer is placed on the table. Madrid are also said to be in the hunt for the Frenchman after their (supposed) failure to sign David Villa from Valencia.

5. Javier Mascherano (Liverpool to FC Barcelona)

Javier Mascherano is one of the best defensive midfielders in the world, if not the best, and is perfectly happy at Liverpool. Or so everyone thought until his agent was discerned in Barcelona a few days back. The Argentine international is said to be on the radar of the Spanish and European champions Barcelona but Liverpool have been quick to squash any talk of Mascherano moving away from Anfield this summer.

4. Samuel Eto'o (FC Barcelona to Inter Milan/Manchester City/Manchester United)

As days pass by, it appears more and more likely that Barcelona and Samuel Eto'o would part company. Eto'o was one foot out of the Camp Nou cathedral last summer as coach Josep Guardiola made it clear that he didn't want the Cameroonian in his team. But reconciliation followed and Eto'o stayed on, going onto become the second highest scorer in La Liga and playing a crucial role in Barca's domestic and European success last season. But it seems that Guardiola does not want Eto'o for next season's campaign and Barcelona are keen to listen to offers. Italian champions Inter Milan are thought to have already discussed an Ibrahimovic-Eto'o swap but nothing concrete came out of that negotiation. Manchester City and Manchester United too are interested in signing the world-class striker.

3. Edin Dzeko (VfL Wolfsburg to AC Milan)

Edin Dzeko emerged as a star player last season for VfL Wolfsburg as he fired in 26 goals in the Bundesliga to lead his club to the German championship. The Bosnian international has been heavily linked with a move to Serie A club AC Milan but the Wolves are adamant that the 23-year-old is not for sale. Yet Milan are keenly pursuing the player.

2. Carlos Tevez (Manchester United to Manchester City/Chelsea)

Carlos Tevez and Manchester United have eventually parted company and the Argentine international striker is now ‘free’ to move to whichever club he wants to. It appears that the City of Manchester Stadium is his most likely destination. Manchester City are looking to build a team that can break into the top four in the Premier League next season and with Tevez available in the transfer market, they are keen to take him on board. Chelsea too have been linked with the 25-year-old.

1. David Villa (Valencia to Real Madrid/FC Barcelona/Liverpool/Manchester United)

David Villa is arguably the best striker in the world and no wonder Real Madrid are so keen on signing him. They were willing to splash out cash and a player (Alvaro Negredo) but Valencia wanted more money and have now made the 27-year-old striker unavailable in the transfer market. Although Liverpool and Manchester United both have expressed their desire to land the Spanish international, Villa has made it clear that he does not want to move to the Premier League and wants to stay in Spain, which has made Barcelona barge themselves into the equation.

Subhankar Mondal