As the Premier League reaches the business end of the season with just eight games remaining, thoughts are already turning to preparing for next season and plans are in full swing for the when the transfer window opens once again this summer.

As always there are plenty of rumours and speculation about the future of a number of the league’s star names – with leaders Chelsea no exception to this – and there’s sure to be lots of movement on the transfer merry-go-round once more.

While some players will look to move onto better things and try their luck at a higher level, others will be looking to leave in a bid to revive their career after a difficult spell in the Premier League where they have failed to live up to expectation.

And with this in mind, here are FIVE players who are sure to be involved in the transfer gossip one way or another for the upcoming months, with the exit door looking increasingly likely...

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Mario Balotelli

Chelsea v Liverpool - Capital One Cup Semi Final Second Leg

The signing of Mario Balotelli was always going to be a risk for Liverpool, and thus far it’s not one that has paid off. Just four goals in 25 appearances sums up his time at Anfield and he looks well off the type of form that saw him impress at AC Milan last season.

His failure to even slightly fill the void left by Luis Saurez has been a disappointment, and it’s hard to see his career at Liverpool going much further than the summer. Balotelli needs to be the central figure in attack for his team in order to get the best of him, but he won’t be seen in this way at Anfield with Daniel Sturridge the preferred option. Therefore another move looks like his best bet in order to revive his career.

Roberto Soldado

Soldado

It’s safe to say Spanish striker Roberto Soldado has failed to live up to expectations since arriving at Tottenham from Valencia in 2013. With just five goals in his second campaign at White Hart Lane, he has fallen behind Harry Kane in the pecking order and may well feel it’s time to move on in order to rejuvenate his career.

A return to La Liga in the summer looks increasingly likely as the 29-year-old seeks to put a disappointing couple of years in England behind him, and regain the form that saw him become of the top strikers in Europe while at the Mestalla.

Radamel Falcao

Queens Park Rangers v Manchester United - Barclays Premier League

Columbian striker Radamel Falcao has struggled since his move to Old Trafford. On loan from Monaco, the 29-year-old has looked a shade of his former self, failing to hold down a regular first-team position.

A lack of goals has coincided with an inconsistent run in the side and it doesn’t appear manager Louis van Gaal has the required faith to offer the striker a permanent deal at Old Trafford for the coming season. Falcao continues to be linked with a move away from Manchester United, and for personal reasons it seems his future may lie elsewhere. There’s sure to plenty of clubs queuing up for his signature if the Red Devils aren’t willing to keep hold of him.

Petr Cech

Cech 2

After losing his first-team place to Belgian youngster Thibaut Courtois, it would appear Petr Cech’s time at Chelsea is coming to an end. The 32-year-old has been a terrific servant to the club winning every possible trophy, but despite his loyalty to Chelsea he won’t be happy to spend the last few years of his career on the bench.

As proven when he has been called upon this season, Cech still has plenty to offer any new potential employer and certainly has the quality to continue playing at the highest level. So it will be no surprise to see him call it a day in the Premier League and leave Stamford Bridge this summer in the pursuit of regular football elsewhere in Europe.

Danny Ings

Burnley v West Bromwich Albion - Barclays Premier League

A prolific striker for Burnley in their promotion campaign, Danny Ings has continued to impress in the Premier League with nine goals as his side continue to battle relegation.

With heavy links of a summer move to either Liverpool or Real Sociedad, it’s hard to see Ings remaining at Turf Moor for much longer, especially if the club go down. With his contract set to expire in the summer there’s little doubt that the England hopeful will move on, and he would be a decent signing for a number of clubs.