Transfer Target #10 - Antoine Griezmann

Antoine Griezmann is a Frenchman with a lot of potential. The sought after 22 year old has been on the radar of numerous English clubs, including heavyweights Arsenal, who are rumoured to be leading the chase for the U21 international. Currently playing at Real Sociedad, the player has a bright future ahead of him.

This has not been the first time the Sociedad player has been in the transfer limelight. In April 2010, he snubbed the chance of signing for Manchester United, Arsenal and several Ligue 1 clubs including Lyon & Saint Etienne by signing a 5 year deal until 2015, with a buy-out clause of €30m. His reason behind his loyalty to the Spanish side was the plethora of first team appearances given to him.

The striker, come left winger was handed his first appearance for the Basque team on the 2nd September 2009 in a 2-0 Copa del Rey defeat to Rayo Vallecano. While most 19 year olds are phased into the squad, Griezmann was thrusted in at the deep end by receiving an automatic first team slot. In his debut season he recorded 40 appearances in all competitions and also bagged 6 goals in Sociedad's promotion to the Primera Division. A decent start to the young man's career.

His first taste of La Liga action came on the 29 August 2010 against Valencia in a game in which they won by a goal to nil. For the rest of that season Sociedad were gripped in a fierce relagation battle and were to come out on top, just 2 points clear from the drop zone. In the process, Antoine Griezmann netted 7 goals in 38 appearances for the relegation contenders.

The 2011/2012 season saw more exceptional performances from the attacker, in which he represented the Txuri-urdin 38 times, scoring 8 times and assisting 4 times. Last season also provided Sociedad with more entertainment from the Frenchman, as he netted 11 goals in 35 games. 

As of this season, Griezmann has enjoyed an exquisite opening half, already scoring 5 more goals than last year with still over a quarter still to go. He is definitely on course to smash 20 goals this season and his performances will certainly have alerted Mr. Wenger. 

I tip Antoine Griezmann to do very well whether it be at Real Sociedad, Arsenal or another team. As with many of my transfer targets, any movement in the market will be unlikely with it being World Cup Year. Although he is yet to make a senior international appearance for France, he will be hoping that his glorious season to date will be enough to convince French coach Didier Deschamps to buy him a ticket to Brazil in June.

Transfer Target #9 - Martin Hinteregger

I can guarantee that not many of you have heard of Martin Hinteregger, or if you have, it would have been because of the 60yard goal against Schalke in preseason.

Currently at FC Red Bull Salzburg, the defender has been in Salzburg almost three and a half years. In those years, he has amassed 122 appearances and 7 goals. A tidy total for a 21 year old centre-back.

In his first season for the Austrian club, Hinteregger made his first team debut on October the 27, 2010. During that season, he drifted in and out of the first team recording 27 senior appearances while also making 12 youth team appearances. For Red Bull Juniors, the big Austrian was somewhat a bit of a goal scorer as he notched up 6 goals. Not too shabby.

His second season saw him help Salzburg to their 7th Bundesliga title and first ever Austrian Cup victory. During this successful year, he appeared 35 times and scored his first ever senior goal in a Europa League Qualifying Round against Nicosia on 25 August 2011. As well as adding to his trophy cabinet, Hinteregger's spell in the first team also gave him great experience for the future. 

Last season, he became a pivotal first team member for the Austrian champions. Scoring 3 goals in 29 appearances, his development was hampered through a hand fracture picked up in a match against Sturm Gratz. His exquisite performances witnessed Salzburg lose on only 5 occasions throughout the whole season in any competition. Even if it's only the Austrian League, it's still a great team effort.

This season has seen Hinteregger cement a place on the team sheet, making 31 appearances in the process and adding a further 3 goals to his tally. After 20 games, Salzburg are sitting pretty on top of the table with 46 points - 11 clear of second place. He also gained his first international cap in a 1-0 win over USA on the 19th. November 2013.

Martin Hinteregger is an admired prospect among the ranks of many top clubs including Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool, Lazio and Chelsea. As Austria aren't in the World Cup, a transfer in this window is possible however I cannot see the top English clubs try to buy him this January.

Is Mata the Chosen Juan?

With the arrival of Juan Mata to Manchester United looking ever so likely, I will take a look at whether he is the answer to all of David Moyes' problems.

This season has seen David Moyes jump from one disaster to another. Currently languishing in an embarrassing 7th position, Moyes has his work cut out to restore The Red Devils to their former illustrious self. 

The signing of Juan Mata has relieved many supporters, including myself, that Woodward is willing to allow Moyes a decent transfer budget. A reported £150m in the kitty has to be spent if United are to claim European football this season. 

Yes, I believe Juan Mata is a great signing, but I'm not convinced he will solve the problems at United. I watched the Chelsea match and United seemed to be on top until Chelsea scored. By the 80th minute and then into the Sunderland game, it was evident that the team was devoid of confidence.

The Spaniard will bring a cutting edge to United, but I feel that our defence needs to be strengthened also. Rumour has it that Moyes is in the market for Dante and he would bring treble-winning experience. He would also be a fitting replacement for the agageing Ferdinand and injury-prone Nemanja Vidic. Rio Ferdinand a has been a magnificent servant for United over the past years and a terrific centre back but I feel that he should move over to allow Dante, Jones or Evans to replace him. I would relish the prospect of having Dante in Manchester, however I find this transfer unlikely.

Left back is another concern of mine. As with Rio, Patrick Evra has enjoyed a bounty of success at the Manchester club. As for Alex Buttner, recent performances do not merit an inclusion in the United squad. Although a possible future star, I would sign Coentrao as the first team left back. While many people call for Leighton Barnes - and I agree on why you do - I prefer Coentrao due to being younger and cheaper.

Many will be doubting the eligibility of Coentrao and Mata, and I don't blame you for I was until I looked the rule up. My research on the UEFA official website has informed me that "a substitute player who has not been fielded is entitled to play for another club competing in the UEFA Champions League or UEFA Europa League in the course of the same season, provided that he is registered with the UEFA administration in accordance with the present regulations." In terms of United, it means that Mata will NOT be able to participate in the Champions League as he appeared against Basel and Steaua for the London side. It's not all bad news as Coentrao would be able to play as he has not made an appearance in it for Madrid.

I believe in David Moyes. I also believe that if he is prudent in the transfer market, he can resurrect United to a respectable position in the table. At Manchester United, several transfers could give them the lacking ingredient for an under performing side. Confidence.

Transfer Target #7 - Kurt Zouma

19 year old Kurt Zouma of St Etienne in France, has attracted the attention of several English clubs, most notably Chelsea who are rumoured to have submitted a £11m three days ago.

I hold this player in the highest regard, as do the Guardian who named him in their top ten most promising young talents in Europe. Although uncapped for France, he has been a linchpin for the national youth sides and a sterling performance in the second half of the season, may scrape a place on board the plane to Brazil in June. Last year, French coach Didier Deschamps proclaimed his admiration for the youngster and sees him as a future captain.

On August 31, 2011, Christophe Gaultier handed Zouma his first appearance for Saint Etienne in a 3-1 win against Bordeaux. Throughout that season, he established himself as a rotational player to allow a rest for Faouzi Ghoulam and Sylvan Marchal. In total, he registered 22 appearances for Rhone-Alpes side and scored on 2 occasions. Not a bad first season for a 16 year old.

Again in the following season, the man born in Lyon made 22 appearances for Saint Etienne. However, a knee injury and recurring ankle problems halted his performances in the last season. On the international scene, Zouma was selected for the U20 World Cup and guided France to a maiden victory in Turkey. Making 4 appearances for Les Bleuets, he missed out in playing in the final, but celebrated the victory no doubt.

Although having an slim chance at claiming a place on the French squad, his performances this season have done nothing to hinder his chances to doing that. Making 15 appearances, Zouma has cemented his place at the heart of the Saint Etienne side but an 8 game suspension halted his playing time. Currently lying in 4th, just 3 points off 3rd, Zouma and Saint Etienne will be hoping to claim a European spot.

A transfer for Zouma seems unlikely in this window with it being World Cup year, however I will not be surprised if an Italian or English giant signing him in the summer. I doubt that the bid made by Chelsea earlier this week will materialise as he would be unlikely to get first team action ahead of Cahill, Terry or Luiz at Stamford Bridge. In 2 or 3 years, I can see this guy being a superstar and a future Ballon D'Or winner later in his career..

Transfer Target #6 - Luis Muriel

Luis Muriel has been described as one of the world's most promising strikers by many people. The 22 year old has made an impressive appearance on the Serie A scene and will be hoping to be equally scintillating at the World Cup in the summer. 

The South American striker scored on his senior debut 4 years ago for Colombian side Cali in a 1-1 draw with Cucuta. His first season in football witnessed him net 9 goals in 10 appearances and assisting 5 times. Not bad for an 18 year old.

His performances for Cali attracted the eye of Udinese boss Francisco Guidolin, and was signed by the Udine side in June 2010. For his first season contracted to Udinese, Muriel was loaned out to La Liga side Granada CF. During his time with Granada, he endured a dry period, failing to hit the back of the net in 9 appearances, even though the southern Spain side achieved promotion from Liga Adelante.

The 2011/2012 season saw Luis loaned out to Serie A side Lecce in aid to help his development. His spell with the Southern Italy side saw him improve drastically by netting 9 goals in 30 appearances. This was to be the last season in which he was loaned before he returned to Udinese in an attempt to cement a place in the first team.

A femoral fracture sidelined Muriel at the start of the 2012 season for 2012 weeks. After that injury, Luis Muriel was back in the side with immediate effect. Last season he made 23 appearances, scoring 10 goals and assisting 3 times. Similarly, this season has been hampered by muscle injuries as he has only made 16 appearances and scored 5 goals.

The centre forward is unlikely to move this January, with Brazil looming in less than 5 months time. A summer transfer is possible with his lust for Champions League football well noted by English managers. Last summer, it was rumoured that Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham were interested in the Colombian international. 

Transfer Target #5 - Nicolas Gaitan

The Argentine, Nicolas Gaitan, is a player whose stocks are always rising. Currently playing in Portugal, for Benfica, he is a player that has attracted much attention from the top European clubs.

Portuguese clubs seem to have a knack for spotting hidden gems from South America as Benfica picked Gaitan up from Boca Juniors in Argentina. Much like his Argentinian team mate, Lionel Messi, his talent was doubted at first, due to his small stature but made his club debut for Boca, aged 20, in a 3-1 win against Arsenal de Sarandi. That would be his first and last appearance that season.

The following year proved to be more successful with his name in the first 11 cemented. In 35 appearances, Gaitan netted 7 goals and also assisted 8 times, in a disappointing season for Boca Juniors. That was to be his last season at Boca before his move to Benfica.

Benfica purchased the midfielder at the end of the 2009/2010 season for a reported sum of €8.4m, the second highest transfer fee paid by the club after Oscar Cardoso. Having recently sold Angel di Maria to Real Madrid, the Benfiquistas were looking to strengthen their left flank with Gaitan. His first season with Benfica saw him make 26 appearances, scoring 7 goals, recording 7 assists and lifting the Taca da Liga trophy.

The 2011/2012 season witnessed Nicolas Gaitan comfortably adapt to an advanced role down the flanks. He seemed to be more comfortable with his new position as he registered 17 assists in all competitions and scored 4 goals. For the second, consecutive year, he was influencial in Benfica's league triumph.

Last year he contributed 12 assists and 5 goals in 43 appearances, and guided them to the Europa League final in which they lost to Chelsea. As of this season, he as appeared on 20 occasions, making 6 goals and converting twice.

Manchester United have been rumoured to have expressed interest in the Argentine, especially in the summer transfer window. Gaitan's recent comments has revealed his desire to move to another league and this could spark a revival in those rumours as United hope to offload some of their mis-firing wingers in this transfer market.

Transfer Target #4- Toby Alderweireld

Toby Alderweireld has been widely linked with a move to the Premier League. He has been linked with possible moves to Liverpool and Norwich, but, according to reports, a £6.9m deal was accepted by Ajax in the summer, but Alderweireld and the Canaries 'couldn't agree personal terms'. According to the player's agent, Soren Lerby, the failure of the materialisation of the deal was not down to the standing of the club, but in fact, personal terms.

The Belgian international has been a rock at centre/right back for Ajax, playing 33 out of the 34 league games and conceding a mere 31 goals in the last season. The best defensive record in the league, I must add. This superior defensive record helped Ajax to their 3rd consecutive Eredivisie title. 

In 2004, Alderweireld signed for the Ajax youth academy from Germinal Beerschot and 3 years later, signed his first professional contract. The wait for his debut appearance ended in January 2009 in a 4-2 defeat of NEC Nijmegen. In the 2009/2010 season, Toby secured a regular position in the heart of defence along with future Spurs star, Jan Vertonghen and at the end of this season won the 'Ajax Talent of the Year' award. With his contract running out at the end of this season, Toby has decided not to renew his contract with Ajax. 

At 24 years of age, Alderweireld has made a handful of international appearances, 24 to be precise, since his senior debut back at the end of the 2008/2009 season. With defensive spaces tight in the international set up, this leaves Toby competing with wholesale names such as Vincent Kompany and Jan Vertonghen - a very difficult job to accomplish with this rising Belgian squad.

With the renewal of the contract at Ajax looking minimal Alderweireld is shop window calibre, attracting big names such as Liverpool, Napoli, Bayer Leverkusen and, of course, Norwich City. His height and physical presence would be much needed on Merseyside to help deal with the likes of Robin Van Persie and Peter Crouch, to name a few. With Napoli on the rise, Alderweireld would make a superb signing and would develop under the watchful eye of club captain and World Cup winner, Paolo Cannavaro. Reports on Sky Sports say that if a transfer away from the Amsterdam ArenA does not materialise, then Toby would be happy to remain there and see the rest of his contract out, and check again in the summer.

For a player that wouldn't grab the headlines over here in Britain, if a move over the water does happen, Toby's credentials could soar just as his footballing career has at Ajax. A player I would love to see over in England, even if it is for Liverpool.

Transfer Target #3 - Diego Costa

Diego Costa has been attracting interest from several Premier League clubs throughout the last couple of seasons, most notably Chelsea and Arsenal.

The attacker began his career with Portuguese club Braga before transferring to Atletico in 2007 for €1.5m and 50% of the player's rights. Costa spent 2 years going out on loan with several clubs including Braga, Celta and Albacete. During those years he made 72 appearances, scoring 14 goals.

Up until then, Diego Costa was yet to make an appearance for Atleti and, on the 8 July 2009, Real Valladolid and Atletico Madrid struck deal which saw goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo travel in the other direction. A clause was inserted including a buy-back option which was activated at the end of the 2010 season.

Upon his return to Colcherones, Costa scored 8 times in 39 appearances as an under-study to Sergio Aguero and Diego Forlan. However, the 2011/2012 season saw him sidelined for the first half after a cruciate ligament rupture. In January 2012, he was eased back to recovery with a loan move to Rayo Vallecano. During the loan spell, he was credited with 10 goals in 16 appearances. Solid enough considering his comeback from a long-term injury.

The loan spell foresaw what a vital asset he would be in the following season for Madrid, where he guided his team to third position in the table and a Copa del Rey win with 20 goals in 44 appearances in a competitions.

The Brazilian, who has chosen to play for Spain, has been in tremendous form for Athletico Madrid this season, netting 19 goals in 18 Liga BBVA appearances this season. Diego Costa will not come cheap, as he extended his contract to Atleti until 2018 last summer, meaning that the Madrid team will command a hefty fee from Chelsea or Arsenal to acquire his services.

Transfer Target #2 - Ciro Immobile

Another one of Torino's hotshots is striker, Ciro Immobile. At only 23 years of age, the Italian has a long and hopefully successful career ahead of him.

His career began in the ranks of the Juventus academy and made his first appearance for the Old Lady as a 90th minute substitute in a 4-1 victory against Bologna. Although that was his only appearance during the 2008/09 season he made a further 4 substitute appearances the following season.

For the first half of the 2010/11 season, Immobile spent it at Serie B team Siena. The striker never nailed himself a place in the first team and only made 5 appearances out of 11 possible matches. In those 5 appearances he netted 2 goals against Portsumagga and Lecce. After the spell at Siena he was loaned to Grosseto where he made 11 appearances, scoring 1 goal.

Ciro Immobile announced himself on the professional scene with a terrific loan spell at Pescara in 2011/2012 season. In 31 appearances, he bagged 30 goals, and failing to score in only 8 matches. With Pescara, he achieved the Serie B title, Serie B Player of the Year and Serie B Top Scorer. Genoa was the next destination for Immobile before Torino bought Genoa's rights for the player. As of this season, he has made 16 appearances scoring 9 goals. 

On the international stage, it could be only a matter of time before he makes his full international debut, but as of last summer, he travelled to the UEFA U21 championship with Italy. Throughout the tournament, he guided the Italians to the Final making 4 appearances in the process and scored their 4-2 defeat, to Spain.

Although no confirmed reports yet, a transfer away from Torino could produce opportunities for Immobile to play in Europe and bolster his chances of a call up for the approaching World Cup. He is definitely an Italian star for the future and could turn into one of the best attackers in the world.

Transfer Target #1 - Alessio Cerci

Right Winger, Alessio Cerci was touted as Italy's next rising superstar when he was handed his first team debut at AS Roma by Fabio Capello when he was just 16 years of age. Since then, his career has not been all plain sailing.

Currently playing at Torino, Alessio Cerci started his career in the Roma academy before making 13 appearances for the Roma first team between 2003 and 2010. During his spell at Roma, he was loaned out to several teams, including Pisa, Atlanta and Brescia. At these clubs, he made 59 appearances, scored 10 goals and assisted 7 times.

By the end of 2009, Capello felt that his young protege had not lived up to the expectations so was sold to Fiorentina for £3.5m. At Fiorentina, he made 47 appearances and scored 12 goals. His 47 appearances spanned 2 seasons and was sold at the start of the 2012/2013 season for €2.6m to Torino, where he currently resides.

Alessio made his international debut on the 26 March 2013 against Malta in a World Cup Qualifier. To date, he has represented Italy 10 times but is yet to score a goal. At youth level, he travelled to the UEFA U21 tournament in 2009, but was an unused substitute for the duration of the competition. 

This season has seen Cerci net 9 goals and assist 7 times in 17 appearances. He has proved instrumental in firing Torino to 7th position in the Serie A table at the close of 2013 and his recent performances has put himself in the shop window and could merit a place in Prandelli's Italian squad for the World Cup.

Cerci has been on the radar of various English clubs including Arsenal and Manchester United. He was reported to have said that he would relish the chance of playing in the Champions League and would be 'open' to a move to the Manchester club. If the transfer to United proceeds, it could spell the end for Nani or Ashley Young at the Theatre of Dreams. Over the Christmas period, he also revealed his desire to return to his boyhood club Roma. 

With nothing set in stone yet, Cerci is likely to be on the move in January, but clubs will need to act swiftly if they want to secure the signature of the 26 year old. The transfer situation could turn sticky as the Torino board have announced that he is not for sale.

Rumoured teams to be interested:

Arsenal (TalkSport) (Daily Star)

Liverpool (TalkSport) (Daily Star)

Tottenham (TalkSport) (Daily Star)

Manchester United (TalkSport) (International Business Times UK) (Daily Star) (The Sport Review)

Roma (Football Italia) (SportPulse)

Chelsea (Daily Star)

Transfer Target #8 - Viktor Fischer

There has been Luis Suarez, Jan Vertonghen, Clarence Seedorf, Patrick Kluivert and now you there is young Viktor Fischer. This kid is just one of the many gems to progress through the famed Ajax Youth Academy.

His debut for the Ajax senior team came in October 2012 in a 3-3 Eredivisie draw against Heracles and scoring his first goal the following week in KNVB Cup win over ONS Sneek. Fischer was a regular starter in his first season with Ajax as he was named on the starting team 19 times. It was a very successful debut season for the Dane as he scored 11 goals handing the Eredivisie title to the Dutch outfit.

In his second season with the de Godenzonen, Fischer has contributed some sublime performances, and has alerted several English clubs to his presence. He has already scored 7 goals in 20 appearances for Ajax as they sit pretty on top of the Eredivisie. 

Internationally, Fischer appeared in the U17 World Cup for Denmark and he netted a solitary goal against the Ivory Coast. Unfortunately, that goal was unable to help Denmark progress past the group stages as they stumbled at the first hurdle. He made his senior international debut in a 1-1 draw against Turkey on the 14th October 2012. In total, he has made 5 appearances for the national side.

Viktor Fischer is a player that has been on the radar of English giants constantly. The Daily Star reported on the 11th January that the struggling Manchester United and Chelsea were said to lock horns in a £9m battle for the Danish wonderkid. As of yet, nothing official has broken, but with 5 days remaining in the transfer window, anything can happen.