The January transfer window is approaching and it is that time of the year again where clubs start looking for new players to bolster their squad or look to clear some deadwood. This time around, some very talented players could be on the move and some shrewd signings could well prove to be the difference between a successful and an underwhelming season.
Without much ado, let us look at some top players who could make a move in the January transfer window
#22 Aleix Vidal (Barcelona)
Barcelona right-back Aleix Vidal is not part of Luis Enrique’s plans this year. Vidal made his first appearance for Barcelona this season at home to newly-promoted outfit Alaves, against whom, the club slipped to shocking 2-1 defeat at the Nou Camp. The Spaniard was roundly criticised by the media as well as the supporters and was named one of the worst players on the day, rounding off a dismal day for the reigning league champions.
Various reports in the Spanish press claim the out-of-favour full-back is on his way out of Barcelona, seeking new pastures to restart his once-promising career. Inter Milan have been reported as one of the giant clubs looking to swoop for the Spaniard and bolster their squad in the January transfer window.
Sunderland are also surprisingly on the lookout for Aleix Vidal and with first team action looking bleak for the Spaniard, a transfer might well be on the cards in January. Here is a video showing Vidal’s skills when he was at Sevilla
#21 Oumar Niasse (Everton)
It was only last year that Oumar Niasse was in red-hot form for Lokomotiv Moscow in the Russian Premier League, causing Roberto Martinez to spend £13.5 million to bring him to Everton in the winter transfer window as a capable back-up to Romelu Lukaku.
However, since Koeman has taken over, Niasse has been frozen out, with Koeman demoting him to the Under-23 squad and refusing to hand him a squad number. Apparently also denied a locker as punishment for deciding to stay beyond the September 1 deadline, Niasse might well be on his way out of the club in January.
The talented striker has been banging in the goals for the U-23 side and with Galatasaray and Fenerbache interested in securing his services, Niasse might well move to Turkey to restart his career.
#20 Keisuke Honda (AC Milan)
One of Japan’s greatest players ever, Keisuke Honda made a move to AC Milan in 2014 looking to revitalise the Serie A giants. However, things did not work out well for Honda at Milan and now the Japanese superstar looks set to move in January.
His agent, Hiroyuki Honda admitted that Honda was not in Milan’s plans:
“Keisuke is a great professional and his way of experiencing the sport means he will always respect Montella's choices," Honda told Calciomercato.com.
“So far we have not had contact with any other club. We'll wait for next month and, if there isn't the desire to continue together, we could start evaluating other offers."
Shanghai SIPG are said to be interested in securing the services and Honda might be tempted by a move back to his home continent of Asia.
#19 Mathieu Debuchy (Arsenal)
Debuchy moved to Arsenal in the summer of 2014 on a long-term deal for about a fee of £12 million from Newcastle United. At the time of the signing, he’d come off one of his best seasons in the English top-flight and was viewed as a solution to the problematic full-back situation at Arsenal.
However, after a couple of long-term injuries and the meteoric rise of Hector Bellerin, Debuchy has been frozen out of the Arsenal side and even saw a move in August blocked out due to Arsenal’s injury crisis.
Debuchy is reportedly looking to push for an exit in January and he could make a move back to his home country with Marseille and Lille interested in securing his services.
#18 Saido Berahino (West Brom Albion)
Saido Berahino is easily one of the most talented players in this West Brom squad, but a rift with Tony Pulis has seen the forward play only 235 minutes of football this season. As a result of this, his price has dropped considerably, and he could prove to be a bargain buy and an excellent backup option for plenty of top clubs in the Premier League.
Liverpool, Celtic and even Duch giants PSV have all been credited with an interest and West Brom might well be tempted to sell their forward instead of losing him for free in the summer transfer window.
#17 Simone Zaza (West Ham United)
Signed after his comical penalty miss in Euro 2016, Simone Zaza has struggled to do anything of note in his brief West Ham career so far. The Hammers have not had the best of starts to the Premier League and fans are running out of patience with the mercurial Italian striker.
West Ham manger Slaven Bilic himself admitted that Zaza has not been performing at his best. Speaking to reporters, he said:
“Zaza wasn’t a regular at Juventus and didn’t have match fitness. It takes time sometimes and unfortunately we don’t have that time.”
With Valencia reportedly interested in his signature, West Ham might well take the opportunity to get rid of the maverick Italian.
#16 Stephan Lichsteiner (Juventus)
Stephan Lichsteiner has been a consistent performer for Juventus right throughout their last 5 Serie A triumphs and it comes as a little bit of a surprise that the Italian giants are looking to offload the Switzerland full-back.
After Dani Alves’ arrival, Lichsteiner has found it hard to get regular playing time and ironically, he is a major target for Barcelona as they see him as a low-cost alternative to Aleix Vidal.
#15 Cedric Soares (Southampton)
Barcelona are believed to be keeping close tabs on Southampton’s right-back Cedric Soares. The 25-year-old defender is the latest player to be linked with a move to Barcelona in January transfer window after impressing for the Saints since joining them from Sporting at the start of the 2015-16 season.
The Portugal international, who snubbed a number of top clubs in favour of Southampton has been in excellent form since joining the Saints last summer. The 25-year-old has made 31 appearances for Southampton across all competitions since his move to St Mary’s and could be on his way out as early as January.
#14 John Obi Mikel (Chelsea)
Mikel recently completed his 10th season with Chelsea during which he has won two Premier League titles, four FA Cups, a Europa League and a Champions League. The 29-year-old midfielder has made 372 appearances for The Blues but is willing to put an end to all of that this January over the lack of first team action.
The Nigerian is yet to make an appearance for Chelsea this season and it looks like Conte will not be averse to Mikel making a move from Stamford Bridge. There are reports of offers from France and China and Mikel might well have to choose between better pay or staying in Europe this January transfer window.
#13 Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea)
The Chelsea man has played over 400 games for the Stamford Bridge outfit and has been one of their most consistent performers over the years, but Ivanovic has fallen well down the pecking order under Antonio Conte.
Ivanovic is in the last year of his contract and with a contract renewal looking unlikely, Chelsea might well look to sell him in January. According to Italian media source, Tuttosport, Serie A champions Juventus along with AC Milan and Crystal Palace are all interested in securing the Serbian defender’s signature.
Ivanovic might be past his best, but he is still capable of performing a job and can prove to be a valuable addition for any of the above-mentioned sides.
#12 Martin Odegaard (Real Madrid)
17-year-old Norwegian wonder kid Martin Odegaard was touted as the next big thing when he signed for Real Madrid in January 2015. Having continued his development at Real Madrid Castilla, Zidane thinks it is the right time for the Norwegian playmaker to get some experience in the first team.
With the competition for places very high at Madrid, a loan move to Rennes or Borussia Monchengladbach will suit the youngster perfectly as he would get some regular playing time in the first team and gain some valuable experience.
#11 Neven Subotic (Borussia Dortmund)
Once considered to be one of the best centre-backs in the world, Neven Subotic has been left out in the cold by manager Thomas Tuchel. The defender is all set to leave Borussia Dortmund after posting a heartfelt Facebook message:
“I am in the best age for a football player and I want to use my time to improve myself and my team every day. And I want to have the feeling I am needed and I can give everything for my club. That is what I am thinking about.
“I do not want to earn my money on the bench, but to be an active part of the history like I was until last year. I hope you can understand that.
“Borussia Dortmund is the club of my heart and it will always be. Yours, Neven”
Dortmund are ready to sell him in January, and a bid of around 8m Euros will be enough to tempt the Bundesliga giants to sell the 27-year-old defender.
#10 Andrea Belotti (Torino)
One of the most complete young strikers in the game currently, Andrea Belotti has been turning heads with his stunning performances for Torino in Italy. Nicknamed the Rooster, he is physically imposing, with pace, a good positional sense and an ability to harass and unnerve his markers.
This season, the impressive Belotti has netted 10 goals in 12 games and Arsenal, Manchester United and Leicester City are all interested in signing the young Italy international. Torino on the other hand, are looking to tie down Belotti to a new contract and insert a release clause of about €80m.
#9 Ricardo Rodriguez (Wolfsburg)
Ricardo Rodriguez is another left-back plying his trade in the Bundesliga, who has often been linked with a move away from his current club. With Wolfsburg struggling in the Bundesliga this season, it could prove to be a tough ask for the former German champions to hold on to their star player.
Rodriguez is a unit, who is tidy in possession, cannot be easily dispossessed or gotten past and has a sweet left foot, which can often create mayhem in the opposition’s box. The Swiss defender could prove to be an able ally for the creative forces at the club.
The Italian giants AC Milan and Inter Milan are the favourites to sign him although Real Madrid and Manchester City are also credited with a long-term interest.
#8 Morgan Schneiderlin (Manchester United)
Another Manchester United midfielder who does not look like being in Mourinho’s plan, Morgan Schneiderlin will be looking to find a new club in January if he wants some regular playing time.
Constantly left on the bench to accommodate Herrera, Mata and Pogba, Schneiderlin’s chance of getting some first team action is pretty bleak. A host of clubs have been linked to the Frenchman with AC Milan, Tottenham and Napoli just some of the big clubs interested.
#7 Mamadou Sakho (Liverpool)
Sakho’s career trajectory at Liverpool has been weird, to say the least. After falling out of favour under Brendan Rodgers, he cemented his spot in the first team under Jürgen Klopp, putting in some immense performances as they reached the finals of both the Europa League and the League Cup.
However, after testing positive for a fat-burner in a drug test and showing up late for training in Liverpool’s pre-season tour in North America, Klopp has completely frozen out the Frenchman and it seems like his career at Merseyside is well and truly over.
Leicester and West Ham are said to be interested in the Frenchman’s services although a possible return to Ligue 1 with Nice is also being talked about.
#6 Bastian Schweinsteiger (Manchester United)
Legendary German midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger is another player who has been frozen out by Mourinho. With Mourinho reportedly having stated that Schweinsteiger could buy out his contract, it seems more or less certain the German does not feature in the manager's plans for the season.
However, multiple reports have suggested that the former German captain met Chicago Fire Head Coach, Veljko Paunovic in Manchester in order to discuss a move to the MLS. Schweinsteiger himself though still harbours a hope of playing:
“I’m trying to keep myself fit for the situation in which I am needed. Hopefully, I will be given a chance. I look forward to training every day and being able to train with the team. I don’t know if I will get a chance, but I hope so,” he said.
A move to the MLS might just be perfect for all parties involved.
#5 Memphis Depay (Manchester United)
It is safe to say Memphis Depay’s much-awaited move to Manchester United has not gone according to plan. The Dutch winger was considered to be one of the brightest young talents in the world, but a lack of playing time and fitness issues has seen the Dutch winger’s stock plummet considerably.
With Depay not looking like getting regular playing time anytime soon under Mourinho, he might well be on his way out of Old Trafford in January. Ronald Koeman’s Everton are favourites to sign the Dutchman with Koeman even publicly stating his admiration.
"He is a very interesting player in my opinion. He has a lot of individual quality, is always dangerous going forward and is pretty efficient as well. He just needs to get regular playing time again."
#4 Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool)
One of the most talented players in the Premier League, Daniel Sturridge has found playing time hard to come by under Jurgen Klopp this season. While the front three of Roberto Firmino, Phillipe Coutinho and Sadio Mane have been blowing away opposition defences, Sturridge has often found himself on the bench.
Plenty of rumours and reports have suggested that Sturridge is unhappy with his situation and seeks a move away from Anfield. A number of Premier League clubs like Arsenal, West Ham and even Southampton have been linked to his signature and although the English striker is yet to score a goal in the Premier League, there are no doubts about his goalscoring abilities.
#3 Cesc Fabregas (Chelsea)
Chelsea midfield star Cesc Fabregas has struggled for regular playing time this season and with Antonio Conte preferring Matic and Kante in midfield, the talented Spanish midfielder might well be out of Stamford Bridge in January.
There have been a number of rumours circulating about Fabregas’ future with some Italian reports even suggesting that he is looking for a place in Milan. Although a move to Serie A seems to be very likely, he might well end up making a move within the Premier League with Manchester City and surprisingly West Ham linked to his signature.
#2 Dimitri Payet
When West Ham signed Dimitri Payet from Marseille, everyone knew they had managed to pull off a coup by signing a player of his calibre, no disrespect to West Ham, but the talented Frenchman could have been playing in any of the top clubs across Europe.
With West Ham struggling to put in good performances in the Premier League this season, Payet might well look to join some club playing in the Champions League next transfer window.
A host of top clubs across Europe have been linked with his signature with French giants Paris Saint-Germain favourites to sign the French winger.
#1 James Rodriguez (Real Madrid)
James Rodriguez’s future has been subject to intense speculation. The Colombian has been out of favour ever since Zidane took over and although there were plenty of offers in the summer transfer window, James decided to stay and fight for his place.
With Isco and even Marco Asensio ahead of James in the pecking order, the Colombian might finally make a big money move away from Real Madrid. Juventus chief executive Giuseppe Marotta is a big admirer of the 25-year-old and he has a good working relationship with Real Madrid president, Florentino Perez.
Number of Premier League sides like Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City are also said to be interested in the talented playmaker and it will be interesting to see what decision James Rodriguez takes in January.
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