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The January transfer window has been a quiet one so far, with teams across the continent refraining from splashing the cash due to the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Even cash-rich sides like Real Madrid and Manchester City have opted against drafting in replacements midway through the season, as selling teams usually demand exorbitant fees to part with their prized assets in January.
Nevertheless, a handful of transfers have gone through this month and a few more are in the pipeline. With Liverpool's central defensive woes seemingly going from bad to worse after injuries to Joel Matip and Fabinho, Jurgen Klopp could be forced to dip into the transfer market and take emergency action in the coming days.
A few players could also seal loan moves to boost their chances of making it to the European Championships, with the tournament set to commence after the conclusion of the 2020-21 season.
On that note, here are five players who could seal late moves in the January transfer window.
#5 Issa Diop
West Ham defender Issa Diop has fallen down the pecking order under David Moyes this season. The French defender is clearly talented, but a prolonged period of poor form has seen him lose his spot in the starting XI. The 24-year-old has played like five times in all competitions this season and continues to be linked with a move away from the London Stadium.
Premier League champions Liverpool are short-staffed at the back and are reportedly interested in signing him on a short-term loan deal. However, West Ham are unlikely to sanction the transfer under those conditions, with the Hammers looking to insert an obligation to buy worth £20 million.
Diop is a talented defender and could do well with a transfer to get his career back on track.
#4 Dele Alli
Another player who finds himself on the fringes of the squad this season, Dele Alli has seemingly fallen out of favor under Jose Mourinho. The mercurial Englishman was once hailed as the golden boy of the Premier League, but his career has nosedived in recent seasons due to a combination of injuries and poor form.
Alli has just made four appearances in the Premier League this season and s yet to record a goal or an assist. Additionally, Mourinho's current formation doesn't suit the 24-year-old, who thrived as a second striker early in his Tottenham career.
New PSG manager Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly winning to reunite with him in Paris and it remains to be seen if a deal comes to fruition.
#3 Edin Dzeko
Hailed as one of the most underrated attackers of his generation, Edin Dzeko has continued to bang in the goals in Serie A for Roma despite turning 34 last year. The Bosnian hitman has recorded eight goals and two assists in 20 appearances in all competitions and has aged like fine wine.
Juventus are reportedly on the lookout for a striker to partner Cristiano Ronaldo for the second half of the season, and Dzeko is believed to be one of the candidates under consideration.
The experienced striker has been linked with a host of other clubs and could well be on the move in the final hours of the transfer window. Roma will look to stand their ground and retain their talisman, but Dzeko could well push for a move if Juventus make a concrete offer for him.
#2 Alexis Sanchez
Alexis Sanchez's fall from grace after leaving Arsenal has been disheartening to witness. Hailed as one of the biggest matchwinners in world football during his stint with the Gunners, the Chilean star endured a dreadful spell at Old Trafford and was shipped off to Inter Milan in the Serie A.
After a decent start with the Italian giants, Sanchez could be on the move again, with Antonio Conte looking to offload him to Roma in exchange for Edin Dzeko. Rumors of a swap deal between the two Serie A clubs have been picked up by several media outlets in Italy and only time will tell if the deal comes to fruition.
If Sanchez were to leave Inter Milan for Roma, he'd be teammates with Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who was part of the infamous swap deal between Manchester United and Arsenal a few years ago.
#1 Shkodran Mustafi
Shkodran Mustafi's name has dominated the back pages in recent hours, with the Arsenal defender being linked with a sensational last-minute move to Premier League champions Liverpool. The Reds are desperately short of numbers at the back and are reportedly looking for a short-term option to ease their defensive crisis till the end of the season.
Mustafi's reputation precedes him, with the 28-year-old making a series of calamitous errors in his eventful Arsenal career so far. However, he is an experienced campaigner and is a World Cup winner with Germany, having been part of Joachim Low's squad in 2014.
His contract runs out in the summer and Liverpool are reportedly eyeing him up on a free transfer in the coming hours. However, such a deal is only likely to materialize if Mustafi were to terminate his contract with the Gunners, with the German currently serving the last six months of his deal at the club.
