'%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,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The January transfer window is on the horizon and top teams across Europe are hoping to give their sides an edge by signing some of the best players.
It is that time of the season again, where teams across Europe look to complete the transfers they missed out in the summer or in some cases bring forward their transfer plans by 6 months. Usual suspects like continental heavyweights Real Madrid, Juventus and Barcelona look poised to make eye-catching signings come January 2019.
January usually tends to be the time when Premier League transfer gurus work their magic, like Fernando Torres' transfer to Chelsea and last season's transfer of Virgil van Dijk to Liverpool.
These signings are intended to directly slot into the team, with a massive impact evident in their respective league standings. Here, we take a look at top 5 signings looking likely to happen once the window rolls in.
#1 Eden Hazard
Considered by many as the best player in the Premier League, Eden Hazard has been in scintillating form for Chelsea this season. The Belgian captain is a crucial part of Maurizio Sarri's tactical revolution underway at Stamford Bridge, but may not be part of it for much longer.
Hazard, has been attracting Real Madrid's attention for nearly 3 seasons now, with some believing he would have already been there had it not been for the sudden departure of Zidane. He has 18 months left in his contract and Chelsea have been locked in negotiations with his agent for a few months, even giving him the biggest wage packet in the club's history.
But with Florentino Perez having not signed a replacement for Ronaldo, it is increasingly likely that Hazard is going to fill his boots at the Santiago Bernabeu when the new year rolls in.
#2 Christian Pulisic
Christian Pulisic has been earmarked by Chelsea to fill in the boots of Hazard, should he depart to Real Madrid. The USA International has been in bright form for the exciting Dortmund team under Favre this season.
The American wonderkid has been a key cog in the Ruhr sides' team over the past couple of seasons and losing him will be a devastating blow to Borussia Dortmund's hopes of winning Bundesliga and The Champions League. Pulisic's current contract like Hazard's, is up in 2020, with Dortmund trying to extend his stay, offering him a new contract with massively improved terms.
Chelsea are currently leading the race, having already started negotiations with Dortmund, with the only stumbling block being the £70 million price tag. With Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain also known admirers, it is very likely that we'll see the 20-year-old donning new colors come the second half of the season.
#3 Aaron Ramsey
Aaron Ramsey has been synonymous with Arsenal for a better of the last decade. The Wales International has been hugely impressive under Emery this season, but with Arsenal having rescinded their contract offer, Ramsey will be moving on.
The 27-year-old former Cardiff man has provided 6 assists and scored 3 goals, a greater return compared to the man who is set to replace him, Matteo Guendouzi. An inflating wage bill has been touted as the reason behind the contract withdrawal, but his current form suggests that Arsenal and Emery may yet come to rue their decision.
Ramsey is free to conduct negotiations starting January and has been linked to continental heavyweights like Juventus, Barcelona and Bayern Munich with Chelsea and Manchester United, the domestic suitors. Bayern Munich are ahead, with reports suggesting that the transfer negotiations are at an advanced stage.
#4 Frenkie De Jong
The 21-year-old Dutch metronome has been impressive at Johan Cruyff Arena this season and a move to one of Europe's heavyweights beckons. De Jong's play has been so impressive that former Barcelona great, Xavi stated that his playing style mimics that of Sergio Busquets and that Barcelona must make him their top transfer target.
De Jong's passing ability makes him ideal for a possession-heavy team, but his dribbling ability through the middle is something very few midfielders possesses.
The continent's best teams in Barcelona, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain have been tracking him, with a forthcoming bid imminent. Manchester City seem to be leading the race with Guardiola convinced he is the answer to their midfield deficiencies.
Reports suggest that a bid of £61 million pounds has been placed by the English Champions and a January deal looks highly plausible.
#5 Adrien Rabiot
The tough-tackling midfielder had been touted for an exit from Parc des Princes in the summer and the rumors have only intensified since then. The French midfielder has played a total of 1338 minutes under Tuchel this season and has impressed at large.
The Paris-born star was earmarked by PSG hierarchy to succeed Thiago Motta and to eventually captain the team in the future. The 25-year-old has been stalling on signing a new contract at Paris Saint-Germain and as such a departure looks imminent.
Barcelona have him at the top of their wish list as they look likely to lose out on Ajax wonderkid Frenkie De Jong to Manchester City. Manchester City have him as a backup to De Jong with other Premier League clubs like Liverpool, Arsenal and Spurs showing considerable interest in signing him.
