Common market: The top players who could be on the move this summer

(Part 1 of 2)

Transfer sagas before they happen, and where the top players may end up

Defensive midfielders

Yann M'Vila (21, Rennes): The talented enforcer, with a terrific range of passing, has been a mainstay in Laurent Blanc's French team, and is widely reported to be on the move this summer. Heavily tipped to go to Arsenal, though was linked with Inter Milan last year too. [Update: said to be on the verge of moving to Arsenal.]

Javi Martínez (23, Athletic Bilbao): Tall (6ft, 3), resolute, aggressive and with that terrific Spanish technique, midfield roadblock Martínez has had a great season with Marcelo Bielsa's Bilbao, often playing at centre-back. He stood out at last summer's U21 European Championships and could well go to Barca or Real Madrid this summer.

Stéphane Mbia (25, Olympique Marseille): The defensive midfielder turned centre-back moved in 2009 for 10.4m from Rennes to Olympique Marseille. Despite OM having a disappointing league campaign, Mbia has further cemented his reputation as a defensive player par excellence. Harry Redknapp has declared an interest, while Mbia himself has spoken of a desire to play for Manchester United or Arsenal.

Lucas Biglia (26, Anderlecht): Touted as Arsène Wenger's back-up target should he fail to capture Yann M'Vila, Argentinian Biglia has six full international caps. He was also named as Belgian Young Footballer of the Year in 2007. Real Madrid have looked at him, though he may well stay at Anderlecht.

Javi García (25, Benfica): García's impressive performances in this season's Champions League have not gone unnoticed by top Premier League clubs. Both Alex Ferguson and Arsène Wenger dispatched scouts to watch him at one stage in 2011-12. An assured display against Chelsea in the quarter-finals at centre-back also showed that the former Real Madrid holding midfielder has the robust play to handle the English midfield battle. However, he has recently declared himself happy in Lisbon and so is unlikely to move in 2012.

Cheick Tioté (25, Newcastle): The Ivorian defensive midfielder's furious energy has helped propel Newcastle into the European places of the Premier League this year. His tenacity in the tackle is almost unrivalled and even though Tioté signed a deal tying him to the Magpies until 2017, should an elite club like Manchester United call, he'd surely be tempted.

Defenders

Adil Rami (26, València): Rami has excelled since making the move from Lille to València last summer. The imposing centreback has impressed at the back for both Los Che and Laurent Blanc's new-look France over the last 12 months and he has reportedly piqued the interest of Barca, Real and Manchester United.

Walter Samuel (34, Inter Milan): Despite being in the latter stages of his career, 'The Wall' as Samuel is known, could provide an important solution at centre-back for any team looking for leadership, aggression, tactical nous and a defensive beast at set-pieces. He's out of contract in the summer, though Inter will surely keep him on for one more season at least. [Update: has just signed a new one year deal with Inter.]

Jan Vertonghen (25, AFC Ajax): The Ajax captain is one of the transfer stories of the summer. Leading the Amsterdammers to their second league title in succession, he's just been named Dutch Footballer of the Year (following the likes of Gullit and Van Basten), scoring an incredible seven goals in 24 league games from central defence. The stylish, left-footed stopper loves to bring the ball into midfield, leading to comparisons with Dutch sweeper Ruud Krol. Has been heavily linked with Arsenal, Manchester City, Tottenham and Barcelona.

Mateo Musacchio (21, Villarreal): The Argentinian U21 defender has not had the best season, being part of a miserable campaign for The Yellow Submarine. However, should his club cash in on him, there'll be plenty of suitors for the talented man marker. Would be a good signing for Valencia or Atlético Madrid.

Dedé (23, Vasco da Gama): Widely recognised as one of the best defenders in Brazil, Dedé has been linked with Real Madrid and Manchester United. However, he recently declared he was happy at Vasco and doesn't see a need to decamp to Europe in his career just yet. Certainly one to keep an eye on, Dedé is 6ft 3 and a half, and has won several awards for being the best centre-back in the Brazilian league over the last two years.

Mathieu Debuchy (26, LOSC Lille): Any clubs looking for a defensively sound right-back with the ability to have an impact in the final third will be examining Debuchy. After being converted from deep-lying midfielder to attacking right-back (or lateral, as the position is known in Latin countries), he's enjoyed nine solid seasons with Lille, scoring four goals this term, as well as impressing for France in his last international outing, where he set up both goals as Germany were defeated in Bremen (see video below). Bayern Münich may be interested.

Gregory Van Der Wiel (24, AFC Ajax): The athletic Van Der Wiel had an outstanding World Cup 2010 as The Netherlands reached the final. The Dutch Young Player of the Year for the same year also played a key role as Frank De Boer's young side recaptured the Eredivisie league title in 2011. Injury has, however, disrupted this season meaning that he's only played a bit-part (13 league appearances) role as Ajax have won their second title in a row. It also prevented València tying up a deal with him, though that will surely be resurrected this summer.

Brede Hangeland (30, Fulham): Fulham must fear that they'll lose the experienced Hangeland this summer. With his contract due to expire in 2013, now is the time for the commanding centre-half to move if he's to play in the elite Champions League. At 6ft 6 and with 31 caps for Norway, the ball-playing Hangeland, whose distribution is excellent, may attract a bid from a top German or French club, if not Arsenal (who were linked with him last year) or Tottenham.

Danny Simpson (25, Newcastle): Another standout performer for the over-achieving Newcastle United this season. The former Manchester United full-back is out of contract this summer, and is well worth a look for clubs needing a new right-back with pace and Premier League experience. Alan Pardew has been trying his utmost to convince Simpson to stay; European football may just prove the necessary allure.

Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa (22, Montpellier): At the time of writing, Montpellier captain Yanga-Mbiwa is on course to lift the French Ligue 1 trophy. Not bad for a young centre-back with just eight caps for the French U21s; the Premier League beckons. Outspoken Montpellier owner Louis Nicollin is reluctant to let his young charge leave however, with Newcastle and Arsenal interested, while Montpellier's inclusion in next season's Champions League may serve as a deterrent to any transfer too.

Benoît-Assou Ekotto (28, Tottenham Hotspur): 'Benny', as the Spurs fans endear him, has continued to improve year on year at Tottenham, with two goals and five assists in the 2011-12 campaign (30 appearances). Exquisite dribbling skills, composure on the ball and raking passes are all weapons in the left-sided Cameroonian defender's armoury. However, he has only one year left on his contract at White Hart Lane and chairman Daniel Levy is unlikely to let him leave for nothing in 2013, having been badly stung before when club captain Sol Campbell left on a free in 2001. Manager Harry Redknapp will hope that a new contract is soon agreed.