Van Persie, Hulk, Modric, Rhodes and more summer transfer sagas assessed

With Chelsea sealing the signing of Eden Hazard, attention now focuses on the other transfer sagas that will play out this summer...

Luka Modric
Club: Tottenham
Interested: Chelsea, Man United, Man City, Real Madrid
What's the news?
Spurs' Croatian midfielder is currently making those connected with Tottenham sweat over his long-term future, insisting that he will not make any decision until after Euro 2012. Chelsea began pursuing him at the start of the 2011/12 season, with Tottenham turning down bids in excess of £30m from the Blues. Should he have a good tournament in Poland and Ukraine, then Tottenham can expect more mega transfer bids from the Premier League as well as from Real, who could use Lassana Diarra as bait. The trouble for Tottenham, of course, is that their fourth spot wasn't enough to reach qualify for Champions League football and, like it or not, Modric wants to play at that level. It will be even harder for Daniel Levy to fight off interest than it was 12 months ago.

Robin Van Persie
Club: Arsenal
Interested: Man City, Juventus
What's the news?
Throughout last season, the Dutch striker's future was constantly discussed, but unlike Spurs, Arsenal have qualified for the Champions League and that just might make the difference when it comes to hanging on to their key man. Speculation surrounding Van Persie won't stop anytime soon and if he does decide his future lies away from north London, then Premier League champions Man City are waiting to pounce. That move would go down like a lead balloon with Gooners, so Turin and a move to the Italian champions could be more attractive; talking to Italian sport newspaper Tuttosport in the pas week, Van Persie said, "Juve? They are a great team." With just one year left on his contract, there is no doubt that the 28-year-old is seriously considering his future, so Gooners can only cross their fingers and hope he commits to Arsenal after Euro 2012.

JAN VERTONGHEN
Club: Ajax
Interested: Arsenal, Tottenham
What's the news?
The Belgium defender was a key part of Ajax's Dutch title win and his growing stature has led to a battle between the north London rivals, as they attempt to gain the upper hand in the fight for Vertonghen's signature. That tussle looks like it will drag on for just a little longer, but with his national team not playing in the Euros it may be easier to tie things up and it is Tottenham who appear the more confident of landing the player. If the saga does go on too long, though, Vertonghen might grow tired of waiting for Spurs. “I've said repeatedly that Tottenham are my first choice, but the talks haven't progressed,” he said recently.

HULK
Club: Porto
Interested: Chelsea
What's the news?
At last there appears to be some end in sight for this ongoing saga, with reports for the highly-rated Brazil striker claiming a deal is 90 per cent complete and have agreed terms with the forward. If the Blues can get the transfer wrapped up soon, then their team looks to have bags of potential for the coming campaign, with Marko Marin and Eden Hazard already in the bag, while the club have an eye on Luka Modric, too. Then they just need to sort out a manager!

EZEQUIEL LAVEZZI
Club: Napoli
Interested: Man City, Inter, PSG
What's the news?
Lavezzi has been pursued by some of Europe's biggest clubs for a while and according to Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis, as many as six European sides want the tattooed trickster. City, Inter and PSG appear to be the main contenders and De Laurentiis said: “There is an international bidding war going on for him. With calmness and alongside Lavezzi we will evaluate where he wants to go and what is the best solution for him and for the club.” This transfer will stretch the entire summer by the sounds of it.

EDINSON CAVANI
Club: Napoli
Interested: Man City, Juventus
What's the news?
Like his team-mate Lavezzi, Uruguay international Cavani has long been pursued and following Napoli's win over Juventus in the Italian Cup final said: “The Coppa Italia is simply the start for Napoli so that we can do even better next year. I read the stories about me and the transfer market, but I know how the media game goes. It’s part of the sport and of my job, but I don’t listen to the rumours, nor do they annoy me.” Club president De Laurentiis added that he would not even sell his top scorer for 50m euros, meaning that, similar to Lavezzi, speculation surrounding a possible Cavani transfer will last all summer.

JORDAN RHODES
Club: Huddersfield
Interested: Fulham, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Everton, Celtic
What's the news?
Not quite as glamourous as the previous players, but the Huddersfield Town striker has no shortage of suitors. It would be a gamble, but a team like Liverpool, who won't give Brendan Rodgers huge money to spend, did not score enough goals last season and Rhodes has goals in him. Now a Championship player following his side's promotion from League One, a transfer fee in the region of £8m has been suggested. With so many interested in his services, Rhodes' future is unlikely to be sorted any time soon.