Top5 - Number 2: Bafetimbi Gomis (Lyon)

Who: Perhaps a more widely recognised name now in Bafetimbi Gomis. With over 350 games in the French leagues, he has been displaying his talent over in Ligue 1 for almost 10 years now and also has 10 caps for France. The striker has 47 goals 161 games for Saint-Etienne, 6 in 13 whilst on a loan spell with Troyes and 45 in his 123 appearances for his current club Lyon.

Where: He has been linked all over Europe over the last handful of years but none more recent than Stoke City. Tony Pulis was said to have wanted rid of Kenwyne Jones and Michael Owen and perhaps even Peter Crouch, with Gomis and another coming into the club.

Why: Gomis is an energetic striker who is always causing problems for opposition defence, whether it be scoring goals or creating them for his teammates. 

NEXT

BACK

Top5 - Number 3: Anthony Modeste (SC Bastia)

Who: A large, robust forward who is capable with the ball at his feet or in the air. He flourished in the youth team of Nice which earned him a call up to the first team, where he scored just 3 in 42. However, his record soon picked up when he went on loan to Angers where he helped himself to 20 goals in just 37 games. He has since moved to Bordeaux and been loaned out to Blackburn Rovers, but is applying his trade in the striker berth for SC Bastia this season.

Where: There were rumours that Newcastle were likely to make an offer due to the speculation around former striker Demba Ba, but interest has seemed to cool in recent days.

Why: If you are a manager looking for a bulky target man who is quick on his feet but also a real presence up top, then Modeste is surely worthy of a look.

NEXT

BACK

Top5 - Number 4: Wahbi Khazri (SC Bastia)

Who: A 21-year-old attacking midfielder who already has over 100 appearances for the SC Bastia first team. He has represented both France and Tunisia at youth international level but he chose the latter when choosing between the senior sides. So far this season he has scored 3 and claimed 5 assists in the 17 games (13 starts) for Bastia.

Where: Arsene Wenger has mentioned that he is an admirer of the youngster, and he would be a lovely fit into their young midfield.

Why: Khazri is more than capable of handling himself but also possesses lovely nimble footwork and an almighty strike on him. He can certainly be fancied as a hot prospect for the future. 

NEXT

BACK

Top5 - Number 5: Dario Cvitanich (Nice)

Who: You may have heard of this chap if you're a follower of South American football. The Argentine striker started his career at his local side Atletico Banfield, before his switch to Ajax. However, it never really worked out for him in Holland and he was loaned to Mexican side Pachuca and then returned to his homeland with a stint at Boca Juniors. He then signed a 3-year deal at current club Nice where he has scored 12 goals in 18 games for the club.

Where: Southampton and Swansea were thought to be prepared to make an offer, but it has been Wigan that have been linked most recently.

Why: He has proved his potency in front of goal with 37 in 92 for Atletico Banfield, 13 in 30 for Ajax, 13 in 32 for Pachuca, 9 in 27 with Boca and the 12 in 18 with Nice. At 28-years-old he will have a big choice to make if a Premier League club makes a bid.

NEXT

Top5 - Number 1: Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund)

Who: Marco Reus has established himself as one of the most exciting players on the planet. The 23-year-old was born in Dortmund and joined local side Post SV Dortmund before he signed to the youth ranks of Borussia Dortmund. After 10 years at the club he decided it was time to move on in search of first team action and joined Rot Weiss Ahlen where he went on to play 43 times for the senior side.

His form allowed him to jump to Borussia Monchengladbach where his career really took off. He helped himself to 36 goals and a bucketful of assists during his Gladbach stint before his return to Borussia Dortmund, which cost the club a hefty €17m. So far this season he has 7 goals and 7 assists for BVB and has created almost 100 chances for his teammates in the 18 games he has taken part in.

Where: Apart from strong rumours that Manchester City and Arsenal *snigger* were interested in the attacker, it was thought that Manchester United where ready to make a serious offer in this window.

Why: Well, you shouldn't need to ask that question. Reus would be a major player in any side in Europe should they be able to lure him away from one one of the biggest clubs in modern football. His partnership with Mario Gotze in both the Dortmund and Germany midfield is one of the most impressive of recent times, and even more so if you consider their age. Take a glimpse of this clip of Reus in action.

BACK

Top5 - Number 2: Oliver Baumann (Freiburg)

Who: Baumann is a young, athletic, commanding keeper who has occupied the Freiburg sticks for last few seasons. The German 22-year-old made his way up from the Frieburg second side into the first team because of his agile performances and instant reactions, and he is currently on 82 Bundesliga appearances despite his young age.

Where: Manchester United have been plagued with goalkeeping problems since the retirement of Edwin van Der Sar, and although Anders Lindegaard and David De Gea have been battling it out for the number one shirt, neither have fully grasped their chances. Sir Alex is known for his love of European goalkeepers and has been watching young Baumann from a young age.

Why: Goalkeepers in the Bundesliga are amongst the best in the world but are largely overlooked, causing their financial value to be quite low compared to other areas of the world. Baumann is a fantastic, dependable young keeper who is just embarking on what is no doubt going to be a long, successful career.

NEXT

BACK

Top5 - Number 3: Julian Draxler (Schalke)

Who: Julian Draxler is going to be a huge name in football in the coming years, have no doubt about that. The 19-year-old midfielder is finally proving himself in the first team of Schalke after progressing through the youth teams. The German has 16 appearances so far this season and although 6 of those were as a substitute, he has created 48 opportunities for his teammates, had 25 efforts himself and  scored 2 cracking goals.

Where: I am not exaggerating when I say Draxler could have the pick of midfield in the Premier League. Perhaps not just yet, but at the end of the season if he continues at the rate he is flourishing at the moment then you can be sure that there will be more than just Arsene Wenger (who was linked with him before) looking at the youngster.

Why: A skillful individual with bags of determination, an eye for goal and with already 3 caps for the ever-blossoming German national side. Whether he is driving towards goal with the ball at his feet, or playing wide and whipping delicious crosses into the box, Draxler is going to be one of the best.

NEXT

BACK

Top5 - Number 4: Artjoms Rudnevs (Hamburg)

Who: Perhaps a lesser-known player for fans of the Premier League but his talent is something which should be witnessed. A Latvia international with 23 caps and club appearances for Daugava, Zalaegerszegi TE and Lech Poznan before he made his move to Hamburg. The striker became the first Latvian in the Bundesliga when he completed his move in the summer and has gone on to score 7 goals in his 18 games.

Where: Both Everton and West Brom appeared to be interested in securing his services before he switched to Hamburg and although the Baggies have Romelu Lukaku scoring for fun at the moment, the youngster returns to Chelsea at the end of the season and interest could rekindle.

Why: Rudnevs is a real fox-in-the-box type of striker. His sharp darts in and out of the 6-yard box makes him a real handful for opposing defenders to try and track him and it often ends with the Latvian putting the ball past a stranded keeper.

NEXT

BACK

Top5 - Number 5: Alexander Meier (Frankfurt)

Who: One of the German league's experienced midfielders. Meier has experience with Hamburg and St. Pauli but has made his name through his 234 appearances for Eintracht Frnakfurt. he has 174 Bundesliga games under his belt with 44 goals, including 12 in 18 this season, and has also generated an 81% pass accuracy in those games.

Where: Fulham was looking a likely destination during the summer for Meier as Martin Jol looked to take advantage of his knowledge of the German leagues. Another bid is likely from the Cottagers, despite being 30-years-old.

Why: His record this season speaks for itself. He would add bagfuls of experience into a team and also be able to act as a mentor to the younger members of the squad. 

NEXT

Top5 - Number 1: Borja Valero (Fiorentina)

Who: West Brom fans will remember Valero with nothing but fondness after his short spell at the Hawthorns. He grew up playing for the Real Madrid academy before moving to Mallorca in search of first team football, but after just one season the Baggies snapped him up for a fee of around £5m. However, when they were relegated to the Championship Valero made his move back to Mallorca before signing a long term deal at Villarreal. He would soon jump ship to Fiorentina because of the relegation with the Yellows and he has found his form again after a hectic career.

Where: Both Wigan and Swansea are said to be looking at the Spaniard to add some creativity into their midfield, but it currently looks unlikely that the 28-year-old is ready to leave after finally finding his feet.

Why: Whenever Valero picks up the ball there is that typical Spanish vibe beaming from him. His ability to pass a ball is incredible, and the composure whilst in possession shows his abundance of experience at the top level of football. Valero is the type of player that every side need, and wherever he finishes his career, the chosen side will have a very able player gluing their team together.

BACK