Strikers available in the January transfer window – Part II

It is that time of the year again. Phones start ringing and queries are made. Media, like usual, is able to get the inside scoop and manages to come up with various transfer stories, some of which are half-baked, while others are complete and utter nonsense.

Like every year, a number of strikers are making the news nowadays. Some, who can actually leave their clubs, while others, who have a good laugh after reading these absurd news reports.

In this article, which is the second of the series, we analyse some more transfer stories which involve top strikers from across Europe and try to make sense of them.

Robert Lewandowski

Interested Clubs: Bayern Munich, Manchester United

Robert Lewandowski is awaiting his departure

The Polish striker is bound to leave Dortmund, however, his destination and moment of departure is still up in the air. While many believe that Lewandowski will spend the final six months of his contract at Dortmund and leave on a free transfer in the summer, Dortmund might have their own plans.

They might want to cash in on him in January and recoup some, of what could have been an astonishing transfer fee. Dortmund have enough resources to bring in a top quality striker should Lewandowski leave in January.

However, Bayern Munich are favourites to sign the Polish as he is hell bent on making a move to the German Champions. If Dortmund do sell him in January, to Bayern Munich, then they might as well hand the title to the reigning German Champions.

So, Dortmund want some money for Lewandowski, but they would not want to concede the title along with it. Lewandowski wants to move to Bayern, and would not accept to move elsewhere. Both the club and the player are entangled in a tricky situation. It will be interesting to see what transpires in January on this front.

And, can Manchester United pull the transfer of the decade in between all this mess?

Possibility of departure: Certain, but in summer

Javier Hernandez

Interested Clubs: Arsenal, Tottenham

Javier Hernandez – Untapped potential?

Speaking about Manchester United, Javier Hernandez is having a hard time on the bench at Old Trafford. He has been practically out-of-favour since David Moyes took over at Manchester United, not that he was starting every game under Sir Alex Ferguson, but still.

Chicharito has played just four times in the league this season, which is disappointing for a player of his quality. Both Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney are above him in the pecking order and he, realistically, cannot outdo them.

Therefore, if he needs proper first team action, he needs to move on from Manchester United and join a team where he will have a lesser competition for places.

Both Arsenal and Tottenham are interested in the Mexican and he could be a perfect signing for both these teams. The North London rivals need a reliable back-up for their star strikers, and Chicharito fits the bill. Now, whether United will sell Hernandez to direct rivals is yet to be seen. After all, they did not sell Wayne Rooney to Chelsea, did they?

Possibility of departure: Medium to high

Luis Suarez

Interested Clubs: Bayern Munich, Real Madrid

Luis Suarez – Ambitions aplenty

Brilliant-yet-crazed Uruguayan could leave Liverpool in January, that is, if the correct bid is received. Arsenal’s £40 million + £1 bid in the summer means Liverpool will be more careful with the handling of Suarez this time around.

Liverpool would not want to sell in the Premier League as they are in blistering form and would not want to hurt their team’s morale by selling their top star to a direct rival. That only leaves big guns like Bayern Munich and Real Madrid as possible destinations for Suarez.

Bayern Munich are linked with Suarez because of his agent’s relationship with Pep Guardiola. Meanwhile, the Real Madrid link fails to fade away. Luis Suarez is an ambitious player and his ambitions will be best served at a big European club like the ones he is linked with.

However, chances of Liverpool selling him in the middle of the season, when he is on top form and when they have a proper chance of Champions League qualification at the end of the season, are very less.

It would require a massive bid from any team for Liverpool to even think about selling Suarez.

Possibility of departure: Very low

Karim Benzema

Interested Clubs: Arsenal, Chelsea

Karim Benzema – Booking his ticket to London

Karim Benzema is not the player that we saw last season. The in-form striker that we saw in 2012 is nowhere to be found under Carlo Ancelotti. And this form of his might pave way for his Real Madrid departure.

However, if he does leave Madrid, there are many clubs which are interested in securing the Frenchman’s services. And in the front of that line is Arsenal, waiting to pounce on the opportunity after a former Madrid man set their season alight.

Benzema will bring in a sizeable fee for Real Madrid should they decide to sell him, but lack of players in that particular position means that they will have to spend that fee right away in order to find a replacement.

Chelsea are also keeping an eye on the Benzema situation and Jose Mourinho will be rubbing his hands with delight for an opportunity to work with the Frenchman again. He was one of Mourinho’s trusted lieutenants during his time at Madrid.

The only issue here is that Mourinho has a couple of names on his wish-list which come before Benzema’s.

Possibility of departure: Medium

Diego Costa

Interested Clubs: Dortmund, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea

Diego Costa – Hot for business!

The hottest commodity in Europe by a mile, Diego Costa has set La Liga alight with his goalscoring antics following the departure of Falcao.

Clubs are lining up for the signature of Atletico Madrid’s newest sensation and with a buyout clause of a mere £20 million, every decent club will be willing to test its luck with him.

Atletico Madrid, on the other hand, are on a streak of their own and will be reluctant to sell their prized asset. However, since the buyout clause is a reasonable amount, they will have no other option but to let clubs talk to their star player, while hoping that he does not fall for their promises.

Dortmund, Chelsea and Liverpool have more or less confirmed their interest in signing the striker, while Arsene Wenger is keeping a close eye on the proceedings. Costa would make a perfect and cheap replacement for the outgoing Lewandowski and could fill in the numbers at Chelsea as well.

Atletico Madrid will have to pull a rabbit out of a hat to keep him at the club till summer.

Possibility of departure: High

For other strikers who could leave their clubs in January, click here.