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This is arguably the busiest January transfer window of all-time. We have seen some stunning transfers across Europe over the last few weeks.
Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona, Alexis Sanchez to Manchester United, Henrikh Mkhitaryan to Arsenal, Virgil van Dijk to Liverpool, Rafinha to Inter, Arda Turan to Basaksehir, Theo Walcott to Everton, and Ross Barkley to Chelsea have highlighted the January transfer window so far.
We are getting into the business end of the January transfer window. There are 6 more days remaining until the transfer window slams shut. Some of the top European sides have conducted their business early in the window but more big deals are on the horizon before the window closes on January 31st.
On that note, let’s take a look at the 5 high profile deals that can still happen in January
#5 Fred to Manchester City
Central midfield is one area where Pep Guardiola has no reliable backup. Though Fernandinho is doing a great at the moment, he is already 32 and reaching the fag end of his career. Manchester City needs a long-term replacement for the Brazilian.
According to Manchester Evening News, City has stepped up their attempts to sign Fred - holding extensive talks over the midfielder this week. The Blues are ready to pay £45m for the 24-year-old midfielder but Shakhtar values him more than that.
Fred is a typical deep-lying midfielder with great composure on the ball. He is a good passer and covers a lot of ground. His work-rate and energy make him a great asset at the center of the park. The Citizens has the financial might to pull the deal but how far Pep Guardiola is willing to go will decide the fate of the deal.
#4 Edin Dzeko to Chelsea
According to the Daily Star and the Guardian, Edin Dzeko’s move to Chelsea is close to completion. With Alvaro Morata struggling for form and Michy Batshuayi, not in Conte’s good books, Chelsea is looking to sign an experienced striker in January.
Edin Dzeko fits the bill perfectly because of his Premier League experience. The Bosnian international has been in stunning form for Roma and Chelsea needs a striker of his caliber to consolidate their top 4 places in the Premier League table.
The 31-year-old is a no-nonsense striker. He is good with both feet and can hold up the ball well. At 6 ft 4 in, he is brilliant in the air and a threat from set pieces. He is good at scoring goals and that’s what Chelsea lack at the moment.
#3 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Arsenal
The Gunners are dominating the 2018 January transfer window. They have already signed Henrikh Mkhitaryan from Manchester United and allowed Alexis Sanchez to go the other way. They are not done yet.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is under the radar of Arsene Wenger. Arsenal had two bids of £45 million and £50.9 million rejected by Borussia Dortmund. The German club demand somewhere close to £60 million for the striker.
The 28-year-old Gabonese striker has been in stunning form for Dortmund and he will definitely bring a lot of goals to Emirates. Lacazette and Aubameyang and can form a fierce-some partnership for Arsenal.
Aubameyang is one of the fastest players in the world and a ruthless finisher. His creative play has improved a lot and he can bring a new dimension to Arsenal's attack. He is at the peak of his career and can bring a lot of success to the Emirates.
#2 Aymeric Laporte to Manchester City
Laporte is a French footballer who plays for Athletic Bilbao in La Liga. Aymeric Laporte is one of the most sought-after center-backs in European football. Manchester United and Real Madrid have monitored him in the past.
The 23-year-old has already made 222 senior appearances for the Athletic Club. He is a Guardiola style ball-playing centre-back who loves to be on the ball. He is comfortable in possession and excellent in distribution. At the same time, he reads the game well at the back and his positioning is outstanding.
If there is one area that Pep needs reinforcements this season, it is at the heart of the defense. Apart from Stones and Otamendi, City doesn’t have a quality center-back. Laporte has a £57 million release clause in his contract and Pep is ready to trigger it.
Even though The Citizens are forking out a lot of money for a defender, Laporte will fix a lot of problems at the Etihad. He will be a great signing for Manchester City.
#1 Jean Seri to Manchester United
Jose Mourinho is not done with his transfer business yet as he is looking to add more steel to his central midfield. With Carrick retiring and Fellaini’s future in doubt, United need a solid defensive midfielder to backup Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba.
According to Express, the Manchester rivals will go head to head again for the second time in January transfer window. The 26-year-old is regarded as one of the best midfielders in Europe right now. He is known for creating chances for his teammates and has a passing accuracy of 89.5% in Ligue 1 last season.
With 7 goals and 9 assists, he was one of Ligue 1’s standout performers last season. He has a £35 million release clause in his current contract at Nice and top European clubs are looking to take advantage of that.
The Red Devils are the front-runners, however, Pep Guardiola sees him as an alternate option if they fail in their bid to bring Fred to Etihad. No official bids were made for the Ivorian international, but, with 6 days remaining, anything can happen.
