James Rodriguez on the verge of joining Liverpool, Antoine Griezmann to Manchester United and other top ten moves likely to happen in Europe this summer
Philippe Coutinho and Eden Hazard are also both linked with moves away from the Premier League in the next window
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EUROPE’S top clubs are already looking to the end of the season and the opening of the transfer window as they try to assemble the squad required for glory in 12 months’ time.
has a unique algorithm which works out the validity of each rumour and gives it a score out of five — the closer to five, the more likely the transfer is to happen.
Keep up to date with all the latest news, gossip, rumours and done deals in SunSport's live transfer blog
Here are the 10 hottest Whispers right now…
James Rodriguez – Real Madrid to Liverpool – 4.2
Colombian playmaker James Rodriguez looks set to depart Real Madrid this summer after falling out of favour under coach Zinedine Zidane.
If Philippe Coutinho leaves Anfield then the Liverpool transfer target will have a ready-made place in the Reds’ attack lying in wait for him.
Signed for £69million from Monaco following the 2014 World Cup, Rodriguez has made just 24 La Liga starts in the last two seasons for Los Blancos.
Antoine Griezmann – Atletico Madrid to Manchester United – 4.0
French forward Antoine Griezmann has been Atleti’s star man since joining from Real Sociedad in 2014 for £26million.
The 26-year-old will command a far greater fee this summer with a reported £73million release clause in his contract to ward off potential suitors.
Griezmann is also reportedly a Chelsea transfer target and it looks almost certain the 14-goal striker will leave Spain this summer.
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Wayne Rooney – Manchester United to Everton – 3.9
Reports of a sentimental return to Everton for Wayne Rooney will not go away. The Manchester United and England captain is no longer first choice at Old Trafford and will be allowed to leave.
Talk of a switch to the Chinese Super League during the winter transfer window did not turn into a move but Rooney’s future lies away from United.
But United and England’s leading scorer is unlikely to remain with the Red Devils this summer and a return to Goodison Park, the club where Rooney burst onto the scene, would suit.
Alexandre Lacazette – Lyon to Atletico Madrid – 3.7
Goal machine Alexandre Lacazette has hit 20 league goals for the third consecutive season and the Lyon ace looks set to leave the Ligue 1 giants this summer.
The 25-year-old’s record of 23 goals in 23 league starts means he is the most prolific striker in France this season. Yet Lyon remain 21 points behind leaders Monaco.
Lacazette is also an Arsenal transfer target. But, if Atleti lose Griezmann, a move to the Vicente Calderon could be on the cards.
Eden Hazard – Chelsea to Real Madrid – 3.7
Spanish giants Real Madrid did not continue their Galactico policy last summer with Alvaro Morata, joining from Juventus, their biggest arrival.
That could all change this year, though, with Chelsea’s Belgian ace Eden Hazard on Real’s radar.
The attacker has returned to form for Antonio Conte’s side this season, scoring 11 times in the league to fire Chelsea to the Premier League summit.
Marcelo Brozovic – Internazionale to Manchester United – 3.5
United boss Jose Mourinho is set to bolster his midfield this summer with Bastian Schweinsteiger departing for Chicago Fire and Morgan Schneiderlin having left for Everton in January.
Those moves have opened the door for Manchester United transfer target Marcelo Brozovic to leave the San Siro.
The 24-year-old Croatian has only made 15 Serie A starts for the Nerazzurri this season and would add more creative flair to the Red Devils’ midfield.
Ivan Perisic – Internazionale to Manchester United – 3.4
If Inter teammate Brozovic is unavailable this summer then Ivan Perisic is another Manchester United transfer target.
The Croatian, 28, has nine goals and three assists in 23 Serie A starts for the Italian giants and his form has attracted interest from across Europe.
Normally a left winger, Perisic can play in a more advanced role off the main striker, on the right-hand side or through the middle.
Bernardo Silva – Monaco to Bayern Munich – 3.1
Monaco’s run the last eight of the Champions League has put a number of the club’s young stars into the limelight and Bernardo Silva is no exception.
The Portuguese attacker, 22, has bagged six goals and seven assists from the right-hand side of midfield this season and is very much on Bayern's radar.
Silva is also comfortable on the left flank or as a number ten and has netted three times in nine outings in Europe this term – including against Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League group stages.
Philippe Coutinho – Liverpool to Barcelona – 3.1
It has not been a vintage season for diminutive playmaker Philippe Coutinho but the Brazilian has still managed six goals and five assists for Liverpool this term.
Coutinho has established himself as one of the Reds’ key men since moving from Inter Milan in 2013.
His importance to Jurgen Klopp’s side was underlined earlier this season when he signed a five-year contract until 2022 with no release clause included.
Dominic Solanke – Chelsea to RB Leipzig – 3.1
Young striker Dominic Solanke has already turned down the offer of a new contract at Chelsea, reportedly worth €30,000 a week, and looks set to leave Stamford Bridge this summer.
The 19-year-old, who spent last season on loan in Holland with Vitesse, has yet to make his league debut for the Blues but has been an unused substitute in the EFL Cup twice this season.
RB Leipzig have been the surprise package in the Bundesliga this season and were briefly top before Bayern Munich took over in December.
Tiemoue Bakayoko – Monaco to Chelsea – 2.8
Chelsea transfer target Tiemoue Bakayoko is another of the stars of Monaco’s Champions League campaign, scoring once in 11 outings.
The defensive midfielder, 22, would offer competition to N’Golo Kante as the Blues’ first-choice holding midfielder.
A key cog in Monaco’s midfield, Bakayoko has reportedly already agreed terms with the Premier League outfit.
