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The winter transfer window of the 2021-22 campaign has been quite eventful for some of the most highly-rated football clubs in the world. We’ve seen Dusan Vlahovic move to Juventus from Fiorentina, Adama Traore return to his boyhood club Barcelona and Liverpool finally signing Portuguese winger Luis Díaz.
All of these deals went through last week, which is making us all the more excited for deadline day. Will some wantaway stars find a new home or will they stay put at least until the summer?
Here are the five biggest deals that could go through on the final day of the winter transfer window:
#5 Jesse Lingard from Manchester United to Newcastle United
Since the start of the winter transfer window, Manchester United man Jesse Lingard has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford. The Englishman has not had any luck breaking into the first team under Ralf Rangnick and is determined to find a new club this winter.
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The player’s first preference has always been West Ham United, but the Red Devils are not prepared to sell him to a top-four rival.
Relegation-threatened outfit Newcastle United have long been vocal about their admiration for Lingard. They are thoroughly impressed with his skillset and expect him to help them avoid relegation at the end of the season.
Unfortunately for them, the Old Trafford outfit have been asking too much for Lingard’s services. It was reported that United previously demanded £10 million for the Englishman. The Magpies were not willing to spend that much on a player whose contract expires in six months and pulled out of the deal.
It is believed the two parties have been in contact, even after the original deal fell through. A middleground could be reached in the dying embers of the transfer window and the 29-year-old could ultimately end up at St. James’ Park.
#4 Yves Bissouma from Brighton & Hove Albion to Tottenham Hotspur or Manchester United
Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma could be on his way out of the club in the final hours of the winter transfer window.
The midfield anchor is being courted by Premier League giants Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, with both teams in dire need of a surefooted midfielder.
The Red Devils are loaning Donny van de Beek out to Everton, meaning they have plenty of room for a player of Bissouma’s skillset. Spurs, on the other hand, are desperate to complete one important transfer after missing out on Luis Diaz, Ollie Tanner and Adama Traore.
The Seagulls want at least £37 million for their prized asset, which is more than what both clubs are willing to shell out. Negotiations are ongoing.
#3 Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad to Arsenal
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal were determined to sign Serie A goal-getter Dusan Vlahovic in the winter transfer window. Ultimately, they were put off by Fiorentina’s asking price, which allowed Juventus to swoop in and seal the deal.
Having missed out on their top target, the Gunners have set their sights on the next best thing, Real Sociedad’s Alexander Isak.
Isak, who has impressed with his deft touch in front of goal, could potentially solve Arsenal’s goalscoring woes. With Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang shunned and Alexandre Lacazette struggling, the Swedish forward could offer the Londoners some respite. Unfortunately, his parent club are not making it a straightforward acquisition for the Gunners.
It is believed that Sociedad are not willing to let Isak go unless his €90 million release clause is met. The north London club are desperate but whether they will take the plunge and spend an astronomical amount on the player is currently anybody’s guess.
#2 Ousmane Dembele from Barcelona to PSG, Manchester United, or Chelsea
Out of contract in six months, Ousmane Dembele’s future at Barcelona is still up in the air. The out-of-favor star is believed to be unhappy at Camp Nou and could be compelled to move out in January itself.
Despite being quite injury-prone, the Frenchman has no shortage of suitors, with as many as three European heavyweights courting him.
PSG are reportedly looking for a backup in the left-wing position and want Dembele to be that man. It has been claimed that the Parisians have already agreed personal terms with him and could make an official announcement sooner rather than later.
Premier League clubs Manchester United and Chelsea are also believed to be in the race but both clubs want him to reduce his wage demands.
#1 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Arsenal to Barcelona
Having been pushed out of the team after his disciplinary breach, former Arsenal skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubmeyang hasn’t played a single game since December 2021. Both parties want to get out of this messy situation by finalizing a transfer and Barcelona have emerged as the most suitable destination.
Xavi reportedly wants to use the Gabon international as his primary no.9 for the remainder of the season. They have recently bolstered their attack with Ferran Torres and Adama Traore, and Aubameyang could be the final piece of the puzzle.
The 32-year-old’s £350,000-a-week salary is currently the only thing keeping the two sides from finalizing the deal. The Gunners do not want a loan fee for their former captain, but want the Catalans to cover most of his salary.
The Blaugrana, who are hardly the most financially stable club in the world, are not thrilled with the offer. Juventus were also in the race for Aubameyang’s signature but pulled out after landing Vlahovic a couple of days back.
