5 Best Brasileirão Players Likely to Leave Brazil This Summer

Brazil has always been a source of some of the world's greatest talents, producing the likes of Thiago Silva, Dani Alves and Kaká, who are all plying their trade at Europe's biggest clubs.

Every year, the production line that is the Brasileirão churns out more players ready for auction as elite clubs try to find the future stars of tomorrow.

Last year, the Brasileirão exported the likes of Oscar (Chelsea), Lucas Moura (PSG), Willians (Udinese), Mariano (Bordeaux), Marquinho (Roma), Brandão (Marseille) and Danilo (FC Porto).

However, with the Brasileirão being named as the fifth-best league in the world in World Soccer's recent survey, will there be a similar exodus this summer when Brazil's clubs are becoming richer and can offer more incentives to stay?

Despite the attractions of staying in Brazil, there are plenty of candidates for summer transfers away from Brazil's shores, and we take a look at the top five players set to leave their clubs for pastures anew.

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As always, there are many players who are linked with a move away from the Brasileirão, and not all of them can be included in the top five. 

So here are the honourable mentions—players who are close to a move, but could benefit from another season in Brazil before moving abroad.

Dedé (Cruzeiro): The 24-year-old defender was heavily linked with moves to England as Premier League giants Manchester United and Liverpool were reported to be interested in the 6' 4 centre back. But "O Mito," or The Myth, has decided on a move to Brasileirão rivals Cruzeiro.

Marcos Rocha (Atlético Mineiro): The right-back was linked last summer with a move to Premier League's Newcastle United, but a move failed to materialise and as the Magpies having secured French defender Mathieu Debuchy in January, it is unlikely they will return for the 24-year-old this time around.

Felipe Anderson (Santos): This highly rated 20-year-old playmaker was linked to Lazio, but Santos rejected advances from the Serie A side and have since insisted the midfielder will stay at the club for the foreseeable future.

Fernando (Grêmio): The defensive midfielder recently impressed on his debut for the Seleção alongside Lazio's Hernanes, but this summer could come too soon for the 21-year-old as Grêmio are likely to reject offers for their young starlet.

This 17-year-old starlet might not be the most famous name on the list but with a move to Manchester United all but confirmed, the Premier League may yet be seeing more of the Desportivo Brasil starlet in the coming seasons.

Bruno Gomes is set to be the next in a line of Brazilians making their way through the Red Devils' academy, following in the footsteps of Rafael and Fabio da Silva.

The centre-forward finished as top scorer at last season's São Paulo Under-17 State Championship which prompted interest from Manchester United's scouts.

An arranged fee is reportedly already in place as part of the club's long-standing agreement with Desportivo Brasil, and reports suggest the deal could be sealed in the summer. (Sambafoot)

The reason for the delay in the transfer is due to the player's young age, as due to Brazilian law the youngster cannot officially move abroad until the age of 18.

Fans of the Red Devils may well be rubbing their hands with glee if this young Brazilian fulfils his promising potential in the next few years.

All eyes may be on Ronaldinho at Atlético Mineiro, but the Belo Horizonte outfit have another potential star in the making in Bernard.

Bernard has been impressing fans and pundits alike and the 20-year-old midfielder is already considered to be one of the best players in the Brasileirão.

The young playmaker has at times outshone his more illustrious teammates and helped his side to second in the Brasileirão last season.

Such is Bernard's meteoric rise to prominence, that supporters are already calling for the youngster to be called up to Luiz Felipe Scolari's Seleção.

With 34 goals in 103 appearances for Atlético Mineiro since making his debut at age 17 in 2010, the time could be right for a move abroad.

With Chelsea reportedly keen on the young Brazilian, Bernard has made no secret of his desire to move abroad and even admitted that the Blues could be a possible destination. (Sky Sports)

Paulinho is perhaps the most well-equipped player currently plying his trade in the Brasileirão to make it abroad.

At 24 years old, the centre-midfielder has plenty of experience under his belt, having won the Brasileirão, the Copa Libertadores and most famously, toppling Chelsea in the Club World Cup final.

Paulinho was a key cog in a Corinthians side that outfought the Premier League outfit to snatch a 1-0 victory in Japan thanks to a Paolo Guerrero goal.

But keen-eyed viewers will have been impressed by Paulinho's energy and industry as he drove the Corinthians side from the engine room.

Paulinho already came close to a move to Italy with Inter but rejected the move in the latter stages of the January transfer window, instead choosing to stay with Corinthians.

The Brazilian later revealed that he felt he was not ready for such a move but there is no doubt that the midfielder will be hot property in the summer with Chelsea, AC Milan and Inter all reportedly interested. (Goal.com)

Perennially linked to Andre Villas-Boas' Tottenham, Leandro Damião has been agitating for a move abroad for a long time.

With multiple moves to the Premier League breaking down over disagreements regarding the transfer fee, Damião has been stuck in limbo.

The 23-year-old hitman, with 82 goals in 142 appearances, has been ready to leave the Brasileirão for some time but Tottenham's haggling tendencies have put off Internacional directors.

However, Internacional have recently suggested that a move to Spurs may be back on and Damião could yet be heading for English shores. (Goal.com)

Serie A giants Napoli are also on the scene looking for a replacement for the outgoing Edinson Cavani, and with such interest Damião may now seize the opportunity and force a move.

With a place in Scolari's Seleção at stake, Damião can't afford to stand still any longer and a move to Europe would benefit the striker. 

The final player on this list is by far the most speculated about. Neymar has been linked with a move to Catalan giants Barcelona for what must seem like forever.

However, recent weeks have seen an increase in speculation regarding the Santos star with reports suggesting the forward is set for talks with Barcelona officials after the Confederations Cup in June. (Goal.com)

But Santos have consistently denied that their player is set to leave and Neymar himself has always insisted that he would see out his contract, which ends in 2014, before considering any move. 

The president of Santos recently revealed that they expect bids in the summer although their intention is to reject them as they intend to hang on to the Brazilian. (Goal.com)

But the temptation could prove to be too great for Neymar, and with rumours of Barcelona preparing a bid, a deal could be struck this summer.

If a transfer goes ahead, it would certainly be the biggest transfer of the window and all eyes would be on the Seleção star to see if he really is the next big thing.