MADRID -- As the transfer market begins to grind into action, we wait to see which club in La Liga will make the first big move of the summer. Like a domino set-piece, one major transfer will likely set the whole market tumbling toward a spectacular -- if, in this case, very expensive -- finale. Here's a look at some of the top transfer targets in La Liga.
Sergio Aguero
Aguero agreed to a contract extension with Atletico last summer with a buyout clause of around 45 million euros. In no mood to sell, Atletico will probably hold out for that exact amount. Tottenham Hotspur had a bid of over 40 million euros rejected in January and had previously tried to land Aguero and strike partner Diego Forlan (who, by the way, looks set to remain at Atletico now that his nemesis, Quique Sanchez Flores, has left as manager). Chelsea also apparently tried to lure both El Kun and Diego Godin as a joint package for a similar fee. It will, though, take not a cent less than 45 million euros to secure Aguero's services, as club president Enrique Cerezo has made patently clear, and Atletico will certainly not be throwing any free players in as part of the bargain. Real Madrid is Kun's most likely savior, with Juventus having had a bid of 25 million euros firmly rejected. The little Argentine with the big wage demands has stated a preference to stay in Spain, and interest from the Premier League has cooled accordingly. Juventus, though, is still in negotiations with Kun's representatives.
Kaka
Barely a day seems to pass in Madrid without mention of Kaka leaving the capital. The Real Madrid player has stated that he does not want to leave, and head coach Jose Mourinho told him to go on holiday in a peaceful mind-frame because he expects him back for preseason. Yet Kaka continues to be linked with a move to England or Italy. In reality, an offer of around 30 million -- half what Real paid for him two summers ago -- might tempt president Florentino Perez to do business for a player who has had appalling luck with injuries and fallen behind Mesut Ozil in the pecking order. Roman Abramovich is a professed fan of the Brazilian playmaker, and Manchester City is on the lookout for a marquee signing.
Malaga vice president Abdullah Ghubn is a man with deep pockets. "We have no limited budget," he said after Ruud van Nistelrooy rocked up on the south coast as one of the most unlikely signings of the summer so far. But Malaga is not done. It has openly joined the chase for Palermo's Argentine forward Javier Pastore, one of Serie A's brightest young stars. "You have to look for the right players to suit your project, so you cannot be very specific on how much you have to spend," Ghubn said. Not so, according to Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini. "If someone wants to buy Pastore, the price is 50 million euros," he told the media. He meant it, too, making that announcement in the same breath with which he rejected an offer of 37 million euros from Chelsea.
Neymar
Most sections of the Spanish press have the Brazilian forward already wearing the white of Real Madrid next season, but the player has been more circumspect, and announced Wednesday that he has signed absolutely nothing. The 19-year-old has been making all the noises of a player shopping around, insisting he would relish a move to a European league. "The dream of every Brazilian footballer, and mine as well, is to play abroad. I'd like to play in Europe but I have a contract with Santos and I hope to play here for a long time." Santos will not sell one of the world's most promising talents cheap, with a fee of about 41 million euros having been mentioned. And after Real Madrid's last experience with a Santos-based, pint-sized wunderkind, Mourinho & Co. may well feel that an extra 4 million euros to secure Aguero, who has ample Liga experience, is a shrewder investment.
Pablo Osvaldo
The Espanyol striker made Europe sit up and notice last season, scoring 13 league goals for the Periquitos. Osvaldo was initially loaned to Espanyol, and the Barcelona-based side bought him for under 5 million euros last summer, surely one of the finest pieces of business carried out in La Liga. The Italy under-21 international will cost at least three times as much as that now, with Tottenham apparently interested abroad, and Atletico studying its options should the Aguero saga reach a denouement.
Cesc Fabregas
The "will he/won't he leave Arsenal" saga has been a staple of the past two summers, and this year looks to be no different. To be fair to Fabregas, he seems as flustered by it all as everybody else is bored mindless. Asked about the chances of a deal earlier this week, he told his interlocutor to ask Arsene Wenger about his future. Fabregas added that he was happy in London, but that we shouldn't rule anything out because, you know, football is unpredictable. Which was a very astute move by the Gunners captain. He knows as well as anyone that he will be a bit-part player at Camp Nou as long as Xavi's legs hold out, so playing a waiting game to see what unfolds is sensible business by Fabregas, who can remain in London for another year or two safe in the knowledge that he is the natural successor to the man Spanish commentators call "Humphrey Bogart" at both the club and international level.
Perhaps it is Wenger who should be pressing the issue more fervently. Fabregas' price is high at the moment, and Barcelona is apparently willing to clear out La Masia this summer to fund established signings, according to Johan Cruyff. Wenger could do worse, considering the shortcomings of his own squad, to ask for 30-40 million euros, plus defender Andreu Fontas, midfielder Thiago Alcantara and striker Jonathan Soriano, who banged in 31 goals for Barca B last season. If nothing else, that proposition would at least force Barca to reveal the depth of its intent toward prying Fabregas from the Frenchman's grasp.
Alexis Sanchez
Another big-name, big-money Serie A player on the move this summer is Chilean flyer Sanchez, whose agent confirmed Thursday that five clubs have tabled formal bids for the Udinese winger/forward/midfielder. Few surprises in that list: the Manchester clubs, Inter, Juve and Barca. Udinese's "transfer consultant" Stefano Antonelli feels Sanchez will most likely move abroad. "Barcelona's very powerful push on to the scene has changed the scenario somewhat," he said after Sanchez's representatives had been in Catalonia on Tuesday. What Barcelona want with another small, zippy winger/forward is known only to the Camp Nou club, but it won't spell anything pleasant for Jeffren Suarez if the deal goes through.
Other rumors
Marcos Senna: Wise old Villarreal head and European championship winner is set to try his luck in the Premier League with new boys Swansea or QPR.Sergio Canales: The Luke Skywalker lookalike has not impressed Mourinho and may be forced out of the Bernabeu. Everton has inquired, and Racing Santander may fancy him back on loan.
Adrian Lopez: Still on the books of relegated Deportivo, Adrian netted twice for the under-21s on Wednesday. And although he is apparently close to signing for Atletico, there are as many scouts as spectators in Denmark for the European U-21s, and he's just become a couple of million more expensive.
Fabio Coentrao: What a difference a tangible offer makes. After issuing a stern "hands-off" to Real Madrid and threatening to take its unsubtle courtship of the left-sided Portuguese international to UEFA, Benfica has softened its stance after 22 million euros and a pick of one of the Bernabeu's fringe players was mentioned.