5 players who could leave on loan in January

The January transfer window is well and truly underway, with clubs across Europe looking to fine-tune their squads for the business end of the season. Traditionally, top clubs refrain from splashing the cash midway through the season, as selling clubs usually tend to demand exorbitant fees to let go of their key players.

However, the 2020-21 season has been an extraordinary one, to say the least, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With fixtures coming thick and fast, it's important for managers to have a huge squad to compete on all fronts.

Despite the short turnaround time between games, a handful of quality players are not getting enough game time due to a combination of reasons. Here are five such players who could secure loan moves before the January transfer window slams shut.

#5 Fikayo Tomori | Chelsea

Hull City v Chelsea FC - FA Cup Fourth Round

Fikayo Tomori has fallen down the pecking order this season and has barely featured for Chelsea in the past three months. The young Englishman impressed under Frank Lampard last season and was also called up by Gareth Southgate to represent the Three Lions.

However, it hasn't all been plain sailing for the central defender, who finds himself behind Thiago Silva, Kurt Zouma, Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen in the pecking order.

Tomori is reportedly close to a move to Serie A high-fliers AC Milan and will look to get regular game time under his belt to prove his worth to the Blues.

#4 Brandon Williams | Manchester United

Manchester United v Watford - FA Cup Third Round

Another young Englishman who has endured a tough season in the Premier League, Brandon Williams could benefit from a temporary move in the January transfer window. The versatile defender capped off a brilliant first season at the club by signing a new long-term contract last season but has found games hard to come by in the current campaign.

With Alex Telles signed to deputize for Luke Shaw and Aaron Wan-Bissaka an undisputed starter on the right flank, Williams is unlikely to play unless there is an injury crisis at Manchester United.

Newcastle United and Southampton have been linked with loan moves for the 20-year-old, who could well leave Old Trafford in the coming weeks.

#3 Dele Alli | Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur v Brentford - Carabao Cup Semi Final

After a brilliant first few months under Jose Mourinho, Dele Alli seems to have taken his foot off the gas once again and finds himself in the fringes of the Tottenham Hotspur squad. The English midfielder has barely featured this season, with Mourinho preferring to use the likes of Giovani Lo Celso and Tanguy Ndombele in his position.

Alli is also capable of playing as an attacker, but Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min are unlikely to lose their spots in the team. With former manager Mauricio Pochettino recently taking over the reins at Paris Saint-Germain, the 24-year-old has been linked with a move to the Ligue 1 champions and could well be heading to the French capital in the coming days.

#2 Eder Militao | Real Madrid

With Sergio Ramos still going strong and Raphael Varane his central defensive partner, Eder Militao has found game time hard to come by at Real Madrid. The Brazilian defender was hailed as one of the best young players in his position before his move to the Santiago Bernabeu and was envied by several top clubs across the continent.

While he has shown flashes of brilliance under Zinedine Zidane, a player of his caliber deserves to be playing week in and week out. Militao has been linked with loan moves to Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool, with Jurgen Klopp's side looking to add to their rearguard after losing Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez to long-term injuries.

The Premier League champions are rumored to be leading the race to sign him on loan and it remains to be seen if the deal comes to fruition.

#1 Federico Bernardeschi | Juventus

Federico Bernardeschi has not lived up to the hype since his big-money move to Juventus from Fiorentina. The Italian winder is yet to record a goal or an assist in 12 Serie A appearances this season and is running out of time to prove his worth under Andrea Pirlo.

With new signing Federico Chiesa impressing in his preferred position, Bernardeschi could well be on the move in the coming days to get regular game time under his belt. With the European championships on the horizon, the 26-year-old needs to play regularly to force his way into Roberto Mancini's squad and could look to leave on loan.

Juventus are unlikely to part with him permanently in January, but Bernardeschi should leave on loan to get his career back on track.