Every World Cup produces a few players who thunder onto the world stage, and then become hot commodities for pro teams with money to spend during the summer transfer window.

The 2010 World Cup production of these hot prospects was less pronounced than in earlier cycles. Existing stars like Netherlands’ Wesley Sneijder and Spain’s David Villa improved their lot, no doubt, but the winner of the money pot for younger less known prospects seems to be Germany’s 21 year old striker Mesut Ozil, who currently plays for Werder Bremen. How do you know when you’ve made it? One indication is that Sir Alex Ferguson is calling to bring you to Manchester United. If that isn’t enough, both Arsenal and Tottenham are in the mix. Ka-ching.

Read more at dailymail.co.uk

SI’s Georgina Turner has a good column on the prospects of Manchester City reaching the top four, or even higher at the end of the upcoming BPL season.

According to Turner, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, City’s owner, has shelled out a total of $430,000,000 thus far to build the team into a championship contender.  Manager Roberto Mancini goes into his second season with the weight of all that money on his shoulders, and expectations to at least make Champions League for 2011-2012.  Fall short, and his tenure will likely come to a conclusion.  Fair or not, that is the way it is now – Even Sir Alex Ferguson was given six years to build Manchester United into the organization we have today.  There is much doubt that Mancini will be given this kind of leeway when hundreds of millions of dollars are on the line.

Read more at sportsillustrated.cnn.com

Center-back, right-back and midfielder Alex Bruce, son of Sunderland manager Steve Bruce is set to join Leeds United after a transfer of undisclosed value from Ipswich Town.

According to Leeds manager Simon Grayson, Bruce had been the target of a transfer dating back to last year, but Ipswich were only now willing to let the deal happen.

More from leedsunited.mad.co.uk

An undocumented offer by Premier League newly promoted Blackpool for Swansea star defender Angel Rangel has been rejected.

More at sportinglife.com

Sheffield United striker Darius Henderson may be out for six months with a serious hamstring injury, according to team sources.

According to manager Kevin Blackwell, the hamstring is torn and will require surgery to repair it, and a significant healing time. The news comes at a bad time as United prepare to face Cardiff City in next week’s opener.

More at thestar.co.uk