Now that Nicolas Anelka’s protracted transfer to Chelsea is finally complete, will the mass exodus begin? Here are some of the hottest properties in town, 10 players who are consistently linked with big-money moves, but will all the talk and speculation actually end up as a real deal? Check out these hot properties – then tell us what you think of their chances of moving on.

Kareen Benzema of Lyon
The free-scoring youngster is not surprisingly consistently linked with a transfer to Arsenal. However, Kareem has  claimed he wants to make it big with his current club, but once his French side gets bundled out of the Champions League he may feel that it’s time to plan a summer move to the Premier League.

Klaas Jan Huntelaar of Ajax
Top on Sir Alex Ferguson’s wish-list, especially now that Louis Saha has been ruled out for the season, Huntelaar could become Manchester United’s next Ruud van Nistelrooy. But does Fergie really need to spend big? After all, no-one has scored more goals than United in the Premier League this season so surely they just need cover for their strike force.

‘Larsson may still have a fair few goals left in the tank. He helped Man United to the title last season and is reportedly a target for Celtic and Villa.’


Peter Crouch of Liverpool
Reduced to a bit-part player by Rafa Benitez, it seems that the lanky striker may be heading for pastures new. A string of clubs have been linked with the England international. Maybe a move to Aston Villa, Portsmouth, Man City or Spurs will help re-ignite his career, or he may just try to prove his boss wrong and fight for a first-team place at Anfield.

Jermain Defoe of Tottenham
Another one frozen out by his club – recent reports have suggested that Juande Ramos is ready to give Defoe a chance and, by all accounts, the striker wants to stay at White Hart Lane. But if a big enough club shows interest he may decide to move on. The possible sale of Dimitar Berbatov may be key to the future prospects of this potential transfer.

Alan Hutton of Rangers
Exciting young full-back Hutton has been linked with just about every major British club in recent weeks. Rangers supremo Sir David Murray has made noises that would indicate that they are willing to cash in on their Scottish international, but only if the price is right. Hutton on the other hand seems to want to stay at Ibrox.

Dimitar Berbatov of Tottenham
The Bulgarian has been back-page material for months now and is a hot property at present. Bids of £30m are said to be on the table from Chelsea and Man United. Now that Avram Grant has Anelka it seems the ball is in Sir Alex’s court, but will he feel the need to spend big on a striker?

Hatem Ben Arfa of Lyon
A 20-year-old attacker, Ben Arfa has been touted as the new ‘Zidane’ and has been linked with a move to the Emirates, as has just about every French footballer who can lace up a pair of boots. Already a triple title winner with Lyon, he has bags of top-level experience for one so young and will surely find that life with Lyon may not offer him the wider success his potential deserves.

David Villa of Valencia
Hugely talented striker Villa seems keen on a move to England and apparently the £30m price tag has not scared off the likes of Chelsea, Man City and Man United. Comments made by the Spaniard’s agent suggest a move is imminent for the 26-year-old.

Henrik Larsson of Helsingborgs
He's 36 now but could prove to be a wise short-term investment, Larsson may still have a fair few goals left in the tank. He helped Man United to the title last season and is reportedly a target for former employers Celtic and former boss Martin O’Neill at Aston Villa.

Gilberto Silva of Arsenal
World Cup-winning midfielder Gilberto has been sat on the bench in frustration on as Mathieu Flamini puts in solid performance after solid performance. At the age of 31 he must surely be considering his future and many in Spain, Italy and England are monitoring the situation carefully and are eager to pounce for a quality player with bags of experience.