'%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,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABQf/2gAIAQEAAAAAhqn/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAB/9oACAECEAAAAD//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAC/9oACAEDEAAAAB//xAAeEAACAgEFAQAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgMEkQAFBxESFf/aAAgBAQABPwCLa2s1JKLSnxE6TmX0ewzdIQFxjTcW7krEfRq4bX//xAAbEQAABwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIEERIhI//aAAgBAgEBPwB7yJFMkf/EABYRAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABEAAf/aAAgBAwEBPwB1v//Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The January transfer window is now open with a lot of clubs and players seeking the ideal moves for them. The only thing different about this year's winter transfer window is the possible availability of many world-class players.
Several top players around Europe have entered the last year of their contract and are prepared to walk away on free transfers. Rumours indicate that we may see some big-name signings made in January but we all know signing a top-class is not as easy as it is often reported in the media.
Agreeing on suitable transfer fees and player's wages often sends a seemingly possible transfer deal down the drain. Keeping all those aspects in mind, we are looking at 5 players who seem certain to leave in January but may have to face disappointments.
#5 Hwang Hee-Chan (Linked with Wolves)
After Erling Haaland's move to Borussia Dortmund, many teams have now turned their attention to another RB Salzburg striker Hwang Hee-Chan to bolster their attack. Premier League side Wolverhampton are very keen to sign the South Korean and have also made an offer worth £20million.
Hee-Chan's playing style is a bit similar to his international teammate and Tottenham forward Heung-Min Son. Both players like to run at their opponents and have a lethal strike in them. Hee-Chan has 9 goals and 7 assists to his name and is looking for a move to Premier League in January.
However, Salzburg recently parted ways with Haaland and are yet to sign a proper replacement for the Norweigian striker, making it highly unlikely that they'd allow Hwang to move on in January.
Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo is pushing hard to sign the 23-year-old South Korean striker but may have to end his pursuit unless RB Salzburg change their stance dramatically.
#4 Thomas Lemar (Linked with Arsenal & Tottenham)
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has expressed his frustration at Thomas Lemar's inability to adapt to La Liga. Lemar came from AS Monaco in 2018 and despite playing 31 times in the league, the Frenchman could only manage 3 goals and 3 assists.
Simeone has refused to comment whether Lemar will remain an Atletico player beyond January as both Arsenal and Tottenham are heavily linked with a move for the 24-year-old winger. Arsenal were the hot favorites to sign Lemar before his eventual move to Atletico Madrid.
The real problem for both Arsenal and Tottenham will be to meet Atletico's asking fee for the player. Lemar cost them £50million back in the 2017-18 season and they would want to recoup a large chunk of that fee. However, neither Spurs nor the Gunners have the funds available to sign a £50 million rated player.
North London clubs are trying to convince Atletico in agreeing to an initial loan deal but the La Liga side are only interested in a direct sale which may see Lemar eventually stay at the Wanda Metropolitano for another complete season.
#3 Nemanja Matic (Linked with Inter Milan)
You can not complete a list of complicated transfers these days without mentioning at least one Manchester United player, and in this case, that name is Nemanja Matic. The Serbian ace has been deemed as surplus to requirement by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer but the manager has been forced to play him in recent matches because of injuries to Paul Pogba, Scott McTominay, and James Garner.
Matic has accepted that he is no longer required at Old Trafford and has been planning his January exit for some time now. Inter Milan are interested in the player as Matic's former manager Antonio Conte is desperate to be reunited with the 31-year-old midfielder.
However, Manchester United will need to sign someone before they even think of letting Matic go. At the moment, only Fred and Matic are the recognized defensive midfielders at the club with Pogba and McTominay unlikely to be back before next month.
Matic may want a January transfer with Inter Milan even willing to meet Man United's asking fee but it seems Ed Woodward's inability to sign players at the right time will force him to stay at Old Trafford a bit longer than he would have hoped for.
#2 Olivier Giroud (Linked with Inter Milan)
Chelsea forward Olivier Giroud has openly admitted his desires of quitting Stamford Bridge in favor of regular playing time, however, Chelsea hierarchy does not see that happening in January.
The Blues assistant coach Jody Morris addressed the media last night claiming that he does not see Giroud's departure from Chelsea anytime soon. Morris said:
“Well, he still plays for Chelsea."
“It’s got to be for the benefit of the club. We can’t just let people walk out the door if that means we’re left short somewhere."
“Yes, you have to look at the individual as well, but I’ve got to say Giroud’s been nothing but a class act and a top professional since he’s been here, so I don’t envisage any issues from him on that front.”
This sounds nothing less than a confirmed stance from Frank Lampard's team where they will not let Giroud leave unless they manage to sign their long-term forward targets Moussa Dembele or Timo Werner.
#1 Gareth Bale (Linked with Man United, Tottenham)
The Gareth Bale mary-go-round transfer saga continues as Zinedine Zidane is still not able to get rid of the player he does not see eye to eye. Bale is one of the highest-paid footballers in the world and no team can afford his wages just like that.
Teams like Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Juventus, and PSG do not need Bale while Manchester United and Manchester City are not sure if they want to spend so much on a player with Bale's injury record.
On the other hand, Tottenham are reportedly attempting to convince both Bale and Real Madrid on an initial loan deal but Los Blancos do not want to let go of a premium player without signing an able replacement.
The only way Real Madrid can do that is by selling Bale and then using that transfer money to sign another big-name player. However, that seems a bit far fetched for any club given that the January transfer window remains open for just 1 month.
An honourable mention to Christian Eriksen who is also pushing for a move away from his current club Tottenham Hotspur. Inter Milan have made a strong offer while PSG are also wanting to sign the 27-year-old playmaker.
However, Eriksen has his heart set on a move to Real Madrid and is intentionally delaying his Spurs exit so he can join Los Blancos as a free agent next summer.
