5 players who are likely to grab the headlines in January Transfer Window

We are approaching the middle of the season and the January transfer window is not too far away. There will certainly be some action in the transfer market as clubs will look to strengthen their respective squads in order to prepare for the second half of the season.

The winter transfer window does not draw as much attention as the summer one due to its duration and the fact that clubs are unwilling to sell players unless they are forced to do so. A few big transfers have happened in the recent past like that of Virgil van Dijk to Liverpool and Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona.

Here, in this article, let’s take a look at 5 players who might be making moves in the January 2020 transfer window.

#5 Dejan Kulusevski

Dejan Kulusevski is a 19-year-old Swedish international currently playing for Parma on loan from Atalanta. This is his breakthrough season and his performances in the past weeks have caught the eyes of clubs across Europe. He has got 3 goals and 5 assists in 15 Serie A appearances this season.

Parma coach Roberto D’Aversa has commented, “He’s an intelligent guy and a lot of rumours are surrounding him. We have to be good at not putting too much responsibility on him.”

His performances have seen him attract the interest of Inter Milan, Manchester United, Juventus and Arsenal. Parma would want to hold on to the player for the rest of the season while Atalanta would like to keep him at Parma with the hope that more performances like these could shoot up his asking price. Inter Milan and Manchester United are in active pursuit of the player and have stepped up their interests in recent weeks.

Also check out: Premier League Table Champions League table La liga table 2019-20

#4 Erling Braut Haaland

Erling Braut Haaland is perhaps the hottest centre forward prospect in the market right now. The 19-year-old moved from Molde FK to RB Salzburg in January 2019 and since then he’s had no looking back. The second Scandinavian prospect on the list, he has been scoring left, right and centre this season having amassed a total of 28 goals and 7 assists in 22 appearances this season out of which 8 goals and an assist came in the coveted UEFA Champions League.

His performances have not gone unrecognized at all and clubs across Europe are following him. Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid, and RB Leipzig are said to be keeping close tabs on the player. It is also rumored that he has a £17m release clause which would be a big bargain should any of the clubs get a talent of his potential at such a small amount.

#3 Jadon Sancho

Jadon Sancho had set the Bundesliga on fire last season and had a pivotal role to play in Dortmund’s campaign. The 19-year-old scored 13 goals and assisted 19 more in 43 appearances for the yellow-blacks last season and there were a lot of rumours regarding him leaving the club in summer but Dortmund were adamant in not letting the player go as he was seen as an integral part of the team.

In recent weeks, he has reportedly not been on good terms with coach Lucien Favre and there have been moments of tension between the Swiss coach and the youngster which has fueled rumours of a possible exit in January. Even in a season of ups and downs, he has got 10 goals and 11 assists and we are not even past the halfway mark of the season which proves that he has only bettered himself with time. Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea are said to be monitoring his situation closely and will like to snap him up in the January transfer window itself though he definitely will be costing a fortune.

#2 Christian Eriksen

Christian Eriksen is the next player on the list. The Tottenham Hotspur star will be a free agent next season and reportedly wanted a move out of North London this summer itself. As he is approaching the last 6 months of his contract, and his unwillingness to pen a new deal at the club, Tottenham might be forced to put him on the market next month in order to avoid losing the player for free.

Manchester United are thought to be heavily interested in the signature of the versatile attacking midfielder but it is believed that the Dane has his heart set on a move Real Madrid, though the Los Blancos didn't show any interest in the summer. Christian Eriksen joined Spurs from Ajax in 2013 and he has played a crucial role in the rejuvenation of Tottenham, both on a domestic level and in Europe.

#1 Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Currently playing in the MLS, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is out of contract in January and is linked to a host of European clubs across the continent. He moved to LA Galaxy from Manchester United in March 2018 and is looking to return to Europe at the turn of the year.

The Swedish star is still going strong at his age and his next club will be the 11th of his career. He has been linked to Napoli and AC Milan while there are also reports of him going to Spain. He recently posted an Instagram video telling, "Hola Espana, guess what? I am coming back.”

Recently, he has also been linked to Everton with The Toffees apparently ready to make him the highest-paid player at the club. Given his agent is Mino Raiola, more rumours can be expected in the upcoming days before a transfer actually materialises.