'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The January transfer window is nearing its end, which means that transfer news, speculation and rumours are at their peak. We have already witnessed RB Salzburg duo Erling Haaland and Takumi Minamino join Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool respectively, Manchester United’s Ashley Young switch to Inter Milan and loan deals for Benfica’s Gedson Fernandes at Spurs and Real Madrid’s Alvaro Odriozola at Bayern Munich.
However, there are still a lot of high-profile transfer deals which can still happen before the 31st January deadline. In this section, we discuss the five biggest sagas of this January transfer window.
Layvin Kurzawa to Arsenal from Paris Saint-Germain
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has identified Paris Saint-Germain left-back Layvin Kurzawa as his top priority before the January transfer window closes in the wake of long-term injuries to Sead Kolasinac and Kieran Tierney. Youngster Bukayo Saka has done an impressive job as an emergency left-back but the Gunners boss needs reinforcements on that flank for the remainder of the season.
Kurzawa has had a stop-start Paris Saint-Germain career, constantly battling with injuries and form in his five-year stay at the club. He has featured only 11 times in the league this season after falling behind Juan Bernat in the pecking order. Arteta and Arsenal could provide the Frenchman with an escape route from the Parc des Princes but PSG are demanding a fee of at least €5 million.
Arsenal have been extremely disappointing at the back this season, and Kurzawa’s arrival could provide the Premier League giants with a different dimension in defense as well as going forward. In the long run, however, Kurzawa might not be the solution to Arteta’s defensive woes but the former Manchester City assistant manager needs him desperately right now.
Olivier Giroud to Inter Milan from Chelsea
Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud has featured only five times for the Blues in the Premier League, making it clear that the Frenchman has not been in Frank Lampard’s plans this season. The former Arsenal striker was pivotal in Chelsea’s 2018-19 Europa League triumph, scoring 11 goals, but has failed to replicate that form in other competitions.
Fans and pundits, at the start of the season, were discussing how Giroud could be Lampard’s first-choice striker this season. However, Tammy Abraham’s heroics have totally cut him out of the picture. As a result, the 2018 World Cup winner has decided to call it quits this winter in order to join Antonio Conte’s Inter Milan.
Nerazzurri have lit up Serie A this season with their electric performances and are posing a title-challenge to defending champions Juventus. Inter’s front-two of Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez have been central to their attacking exploits, and Giroud could prove to be a useful back-up striker in their pursuit of a first Serie A title in a decade.
Edinson Cavani to Atletico Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain
Paris Saint-Germain’s record goalscorer Edinson Cavani has been making headlines for the past week or so because of his alleged falling-out with the club’s bosses. As a result, the Uruguayan forward is now poised to leave the Ligue 1 champions following a significant lack of playing time.
The 32-year-old is, without a doubt, one of the top-tier strikers in world football with many European clubs on red-alert following his father Luis Cavani’s announcement that the Paris Saint-Germain hierarchy has been “treating him harshly”.
Premier League big boys Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have all been linked with a move for the former Napoli striker. Frank Lampard desperately wants the South American on-loan following an ankle injury to Tammy Abraham in Tuesday’s 2-2 draw against Arsenal. Cavani’s release-clause is in the region of £15 million, but his massive £360,000 wages might prove to be an obstacle to any agreement between the clubs.
However, recent reports suggest that the striker has set his heart for a move to La Liga giants Atletico Madrid. Diego Simeone reportedly wants him on a 18-month permanent contract which will earn him €10 million per year.
Christian Eriksen to Inter Milan from Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur’s want-away star Christian Eriksen is inching closer and closer to a move to Serie A heavyweights Inter Milan. However, a final agreement is yet to be made. The Dane’s contract with the Premier League club expires in the summer, and Spurs are left with no choice but to cash-in on their attacking midfielder. Still only 27, Eriksen will be a fantastic signing for Antonio Conte, whose side are giving leaders Juventus a run for their money this season.
Eriksen has already completed six-and-a-half years at Spurs, and he might just be one of the club’s best players during Mauricio Pochettino’s reign. Under new boss Jose Mourinho, however, the playmaker has not been able to make an equivalent impact in terms of goals and assists, with his heart set on a move to Italy.
Inter value Eriksen at around €18 million but Spurs are holding out for another €2 million for their principle midfielder. Inter bosses remain confident of a deal going through in the coming days as Spurs would not want to let him go on a free transfer in the summer.
Bruno Fernandes to Manchester United from Sporting Lisbon
Perhaps the biggest saga of this transfer window is Sporting midfielder Bruno Fernandes’ potential move to Manchester United. The 25-year-old Portuguese has been linked with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side since last summer, and a deal could finally be struck before the window closes.
Fernandes announced himself to the world last season as he scored 20 goals and provided another 13 assists in 33 appearances in Portugal’s Primeira Liga. He was, as a result, named the Player of the Year for a second season running. Fernandes’ season did not just end there, as he also helped his national side lift the inaugural UEFA Nations League in the summer.
Meanwhile, Manchester United are struggling in yet another Premier League campaign and now sit 33 points off league leaders and bitter rivals Liverpool, who have played a game less. A lack of cohesion, tactical naivety and mediocrity on the pitch is clearly evident at Old Trafford, with Ed Woodward turning to the transfer window to save their season.
Bruno Fernandes could be an excellent addition to the Reds, purely because of how he could revitalise their lacklustre midfield. He provides a significant attacking threat with his vision and passing range, which will excite the likes of Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford. Paul Pogba’s return from injury could also see him combine with the incoming playmaker in what will be a much-needed breath of fresh air for Manchester United fans.
Multiple reports suggested that the deal was off following United owners' refusal to pay his massive €80 million release clause, but reliable Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has stated that an agreement between the two parties has now been made and the transfer has been given a green light.
Follow the latest transfer rumors with Sportskeeda's Live Football Transfer Blog
