By Martin Richardson

As football's summer transfer speculation gathers pace, BBC Sport takes a look at some of the hottest properties in Europe.

Interested clubs: Arsenal, Man Utd, Chelsea, Juventus, Real Madrid Price tag: �15-20m

Lyon's Ghanaian international midfielder Michael Essien has been tipped for a move to the Premiership since making a big impression with his performances in the Champions League.

His exploits in helping the French side secure a fourth straight league title have earned him the country's Player of the Year title and his choice of Europe's top-clubs.

Strong and energetic, the 22-year-old has started to add goalscoring to his repertoire and has long declared himself a fan of the English style of play.

Although his agent is making noises about a new contract at Lyon, and new boss Gerard Houllier has stated it would take "stupendous bid" to prise him away, Essien's future appears to be away from the Stade Gerland.

The golden boy of Spanish football, Joaquin burst onto the international stage with his performances at the World Cup in 2002, aged just 20.

The Real Betis right-winger plays in the style of the matador he dreamed of being in his early teens, all pacy dribbling and step-overs.

Joaquin is on a 10-year contract at Betis, but maverick owner Manuel Ruiz de Lopera is expected to cash in on his prize asset in the summer.

Interested clubs: Real Madrid, Chelsea, Barcelona Price tag: �25-30m

Jose Mourinho has publicly registered his interest and Real Madrid could have a vacancy for a wide galactico with Luis Figo's career at the Bernabeu at its end.

Remaining in Spain would be Joaquin's first choice but Chelsea may prove to be the highest bidders.

Interested clubs: AC Milan, Juventus, Real Madrid Price Tag: �20m

Parma hot-shot Alberto Gilardino missed out on the golden boot in Serie A by just one goal for the second season running and looks the natural successor to Christian Vieri for the national side.

Controversially excluded from Giovanni Trappatoni's Euro 2004 squad, Gilardino enhanced his reputation by leading the under-21s to victory in their European championships.

Roma wanted the 23-year-old to link up with their own international forwards Francesco Totti and Antonio Cassano last summer, but he opted for another year at Parma.

With the Gialloblu battling against relegation for much of last season and in continuing financial difficulty, Gilardino is certain to move on to a side playing in Europe with AC Milan rumoured to be leading the race.

Feyenoord's Dirk Kuyt outscored his nearest rival by 10 goals to secure the top scorer's crown in the Dutch Premier League, but with his club languishing in fourth place he is looking elsewhere for Champions League football despite a recent contract extension.

Interested clubs: Newcastle, Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain Price tag: �8m

A strong, bullish centre-forward, Kuyt is heavily tipped to make a move into the Premiership with Liverpool and Newcastle leading the way for his signature.

Forty-nine goals in two seasons at De Kuip since a �700,000 move from FC Utrecht have made the 24-year-old a regular member of the Dutch international squad

Argentinian playmaker Andres D'Alessandro has declared his intention not to return to his Bundesliga club VfL Wolfsburg after the summer.

After falling out with then manager Thomas Strunz, D'Alessandro declared: "I need a change of scenery and a transfer."

Interested clubs: Deportivo, Villareal, Tottenham Price tag: �6m

Spain would be the skilful midfielder's destination of choice, with Deportivo La Coruna long-standing admirers, but Tottenham could bid to bring him to the Premiership.

A price tag of �6m might prove too much from some clubs to gamble on a player who has given only flashes of his top form since his move to Germany, but a loan deal could be struck.