1. Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney has been linked to a move away from Manchester United before and has, similar to now,
handed in a written transfer request. A move away never materialised - but now, it seems like he'll leave the club once-and-for-all. With the retirement of Sir Alex and arrival of David Moyes - who many claim has a rocky relationship with Rooney - now seems like the perfect time for the Liverpudlian to move on and find a new club. It remains unlikely that the England international will stay in the Premier League, but a number of possible destinations have been named and Rooney has given no inkling which sounds the most appealing. Whether it is France, Italy, Spain or Germany, the interest in Wayne is high and the world (okay, Europe) is his oyster.
Chelsea are odds-on favourite to sign the aptly named Wazza, but like mentioned a move abroad is the most likely in my eyes. Though he left boyhood club Everton in order to join United, he seems devoted to the club and the fact that the Reds won the title may make other clubs look less appealing in comparison. With moneybags
PSG,
Monaco and
Real reportedly in the hunt, cash may be the key to this saga. Alternatively, Munich's success in the last campaign and Dortmund's runners-up effort in the Champions League could help Rooney decide to move to Germany. Though it is not set in stone that the England international will leave United, it seems more likely than ever that he will. Moyes's side may look to make a profit on the
£30 million fee they paid to Moyes's old club Everton, and newly taken-over clubs such as Monaco and PSG would happily pay that sort of amount in order to bolster shirt sales and help their chances at a title in the next campaign. I predict that Rooney will indeed leave Manchester United, he stated prior to Sir Alex's retirement that he wished to and the appointment of David Moyes may have furthered this. Whether it is money, general unhappiness or him seeking other opportunities, a move abroad will possibly find solutions to whichever problem Rooney faces whereas sticking in England to join a Premier League rival may not. This whole saga could be solved and Wayne may stick around for at least another campaign, but it is more likely that a move to the German champions, French champions or even Italian champions could materalise before the all-important transfer deadline.
Chance of moving: 80%.
Where to: Chelsea are odds-on favourite, though a move to either Monaco, PSG or Bayern look more likely.
For how much: United are unlikely to accept anything less than £40 million.