January Rumors: Sparking the Yellow Submarine?

Turbulent summer + autumn of discontent = rumors aplenty about January transfer targets. According to reports, El Madrigal will be a beehive of activity. Below is a sampling of the recent rumors, starting in the back and moving forward.

Players IN:

Defenders: Valencia center back Ángel Dealbert may come on loan. No, thanks. What's next, the return of Pascal Cygan?

Midfielders: Allen has mentioned Levante winger Vicente Iborra. I don't know much about him, but we'll get a bird's-eye view on Sunday evening. And I doubt he will work in the doble pivote.

Italian midfielder Alessandro Diamanti is a name we have heard before. The Bologna man may come on the cheap and nearly arrived at El Madrigal over the summer from relegated Brescia.

Strikers: Ola Toivonen of PSV Eindhoven is an interesting target. The productive Swedish striker came to Holland from Malmo for €4.5 million two seasons ago. Too pricey, perhaps.

Players OUT:

Bruno Soriano to Manchester United is the rumor that will not die. And I certainly wish it would. Interest from Barcelona will drive up the price, at least. But losing him and Santi Cazorla in the same season would be a cruel blow to Villarreal lifers.

We have posted some other gems, including our interest in talented Schalke midfielder José Manuel Jurado. The rest either are untested or over the hill, in my opinion.

To our readers: Do any names stand out? What does the rumor mill suggest about the club's direction? And what of bigger names like Giuseppe Rossi and Borja Valero?