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The winter transfer window is less than one month away and transfer rumours are already flying around. According to popular media outlets, many big clubs are in for some top names in the market.
Some teams are in for the players they failed to get in the summer. Others are in for players who they think can nullify their weaknesses.
While many of the rumours that are making the rounds may not have any truth in it, there is some gossip that fans hope come true in January.
That being said, here are five transfer rumours that the fans hope come true in January:
#5 Virgil van Dijk (Southampton to Liverpool)
Virgil van Dijk to Liverpool was one of the biggest transfer sagas of this year's summer transfer window.
The Dutch central defender was expected to join the Merseyside club after he rejected the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea. However, things took a turn when Southampton, the player's current club, filed a case against the Reds for tapping him up.
The Saints won the case resulting in Liverpool dropping interest in the player. It has to be noted that the Jurgen Klopp-managed club was even willing to pay a whopping £70m for van Dijk. Even the submission of a transfer request could not make the move happen.
Liverpool did not go for an alternative option in the summer despite knowing that they need to sort out the defence. Almost halfway through the new season, the defence still remains to be a big problem for them. Klopp's side has conceded 19 goals so far, placing them 12th on Premier League's goals conceded table.
It has been widely reported that Liverpool will approach Southampton for van Dijk again in January. This time Southampton could be forced to sell as they have to find a solution for their goalscoring problems.
The Reds signing their primary defensive target might finally sort out their main weakness, making them an even better team. This move could also show us how much Liverpool can achieve under Klopp.
#4 Leon Goretzka (Schalke to Arsenal)
Leon Goretzka is one of the most exciting central midfielders around at the moment. The German is linked with the likes of Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Arsenal, and Liverpool.
It also has to be noted that Goretzka runs out of his contract with Schalke next summer and the player does not plan to sign a renewed deal.
When asked about his future the 22-year-old said: "I have to find out for myself what the next step should be. I have to consider a million things. I am a person who is very meticulous in such decisions. I play through all the scenarios. So I need time. There doesn’t exist a deadline, but I think we are in the final phase. The final decision will be made in January."
It is quite clear that Goretzka will be moving away or at least sign a pre-contract with a new team in January. Even though clubs can sign him for free next summer, the youngster can have an immediate impact on some sides if signed in the upcoming transfer window and one such side is Arsenal.
A move to Barcelona or Bayern Munich might sound great for the central midfielder. However if he needs constant playing time and is concerned about his development as a player (which he seems to be taking his words into consideration), a move to Arsenal will be right.
Arsenal's midfield pairing of Aaron Ramsey and Granit Xhaka is inconsistent, and manager Arsene Wenger will be looking to address this issue. Goretzka, who is defensively strong and good on the ball, could be the right midfielder for Arsenal.
#3 Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool to Barcelona)
Everyone is aware of how much Barcelona wanted Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool. The Catalan club was willing to pay an astronomical fee of £130m for the Brazilian.
Despite the fee that was offered by the Spanish club being very tempting, Liverpool managed to hold on to their number 10. However, it looks like Barcelona are planning to come back for Coutinho in January.
Another huge bid from the Ernesto Valverde-managed side might lead to Coutinho, who already has his heart set on playing with Lionel Messi, joining them in the winter transfer window. Even though Liverpool will miss the 25-year-old, he will be a huge addition to the Barcelona squad.
Xavi and Andres Iniesta were two key players in the midfield for Barcelona for a long time. However, Xavi has already left the club and Iniesta is on the wrong side of his 30s. Replacing these two legends is one of the biggest challenges Barcelona is facing now.
Ivan Rakitic was bought by the Catalan club in 2014 with the hope of replacing Xavi, but the Croatian has not been able to reach the levels of the Spanish legend. Coutinho, who is heading into the prime of his career, could be the right player to replace one of Barcelona's best midfielders of all time.
#2 Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal to Real Madrid)
Alexis Sanchez, whose contract with Arsenal ends in 2018, is yet to sign a new deal with the club. The Chilean does not intend to put pen to a new contract as he has decided to leave the London-based club. His will to leave the club was evident when he reportedly submitted a transfer request in the summer.
Arsenal could be losing their star attacker for free next summer if they do not sell him in January or make him sign a new contract. The latter does not seem possible as of now, so selling Sanchez in January would be the better option for the Gunners.
Manchester City, Sanchez's prime suitors in the summer, now have an attack that has fired them to the top of the Premier League table and they might not be coming back for the player.
A top team that has a struggling attack now is Real Madrid. The Los Blancos, who are eight points behind leaders Barcelona on the La Liga points table, have only scored 25 goals in 14 league games compared to the table leaders' 36.
Taking that into consideration, Real Madrid could be an ideal destination for Sanchez. The former Udinese player can make an immediate impact on Zinedine Zidane's team and get their season back on track.
Also, the fact that the 28-year-old is a former Barcelona player will make this an even more interesting move.
#1 Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid to Barcelona)
After three and a half years with Atletico Madrid, French star Antoine Griezmann has decided to leave the club if the reports are to be believed. Rumours about the 26-year-old joining a new club have been around for sometime, with the player being heavily linked with Manchester United in summer.
Even though Barcelona is placed first on the La Liga points table with a five-point lead over second placed Valencia and they are expected to bring in Philippe Coutinho, the addition of Griezmann to the squad could make them the force they used to be.
The former Real Sociedad player could make the Catalan club genuine contenders for this season's UEFA Champions League.
Barcelona's current number nine Luis Suarez has not been able to hit full form. The 30-year-old could be past his best days and the Spanish club might need to look for a replacement. Griezmann is that right striker who can link up with Lionel Messi and take the club to higher levels.
There might not be any much truth in this transfer rumour, however Griezmann happens to move to Barcelona it could be one of the biggest transfers to take place in January if not the biggest.
