Top 5 World Cup Market Boosts

This was a tough list to rank. There's so many variables in defining who picked up more transfer buzz than who after South Africa.

I mean, is it the guy who had no buzz going in and now has a decent amount of interest? Or is the known star who is now wanted by everyone and their mother and their mother's dog groomer? Do we judge more by new number of teams attracted, raise in value or likelihood of a completed move?

I'm still not sure I know the best formula, but I gave it a go. And hey, a little indecision surely means greater opportunity to pick my choices apart... FUN!!!

You may wonder where hot topics like Keisuke Honda and Luis Suárez are, but those guys had 20 ardent admirers before the tournament. Guys like that didn't really have much boost to gain, and thus don't make the list.

Quick FYI: Those marked with an asterisk have already made a move in the time since World Cup ended (they're listed with the buying club).

Honorable mentions: André Ayew (Marseille/Ghana), Lucas Barrios (Borussia Dortmund/Paraguay), Jay DeMerit (Free agent/USA), Yasuhito Endō (Gambo Osaka/Japan), Jorge Fucile (Porto/Uruguay), Jong Tae-Se* (Bochum/North Korea), Karim Matmour (Borussia Mönchengladbach/Algeria), Mesut Özil (Werder Bremen/Germany), Park Chu-Young (Monaco/South Korea), Kevin-Prince Boateng (Portsmouth/Ghana), Winston Reid (FC Midtjylland/New Zealand), Cheick Tioté (FC Twente/Ivory Coast), Siphiwe Tshabalala (Kaizer Chiefs/South Africa), Steve von Bergen (Free agent/Switzerland)

#5 - Dennis Rommedahl* (Olympiakos/Denmark)

It was over very quickly, but when the Ajax free agent showed the world he still had those wheels and has gained plenty of savvy over the last few years, clubs came a-runnin'. The Greek power splashed enough cash to close quickly, but not before receiving pitches from the likes of Cologne, Genoa, Panathinaikos and PSG.

#4 - Daisuke Matsui (Grenoble/Japan)

He may have worked in Honda's shadow, but the Japan right winger was outstanding in South Africa. A move up in Europe may come true with players such as Blackburn, Bordeaux, Brescia, Deportivo and Schalke at his table.

#3 - Josmer Altidore (Villarreal/USA)

Sure, had admirers before World Cup, but suddenly Ajax, Beşiktaş, Bursaspor, Celtic and a few La Liga rivals are ready to lure him off the Yellow Submarine. Just imagine the fuss if he'd scored in South Africa.

#2 - Sami Khedira (Stuttgart/Germany)

He also had some mild interest before helping Germany run deep, but now Khedira is among the hottest summer targets anywhere. And he's not just wanted by slugs, either. If the two-way midfielder moves, it will be to one of Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Inter Milan or Real Madrid.

#1 - Nelson Valdez (Borussia Dortmund/Paraguay)

Let me be clear right from the off: I do not rate this forward as high as the scouts currently pushing his name at technical directors everywhere. I think these interested parties are kinda foolish. To me, Valdez is one of those agonizing attackers who can dribble and pass magically around all 10 field opponents, three grandstand vendors and four cops... then blow the gimme in front of goal. And while he was good in South Africa, he wasn't that good. Nevertheless, suddenly he is being sized up by Fulham, Hoffenheim, Lokomotiv Moscow, Lyon, Marseille, Palermo, PSG, PSV, Sunderland and about 10 other clubs. I kinda get the feeling Dortmund execs and fans are pinching themselves.


- Greg Seltzer