Big deals that could still be struck before the end of the month.
10. Will Hughes to Manchester City
Derby County have said this move will not happen as they look to hold onto star 17-year-old Will Hughes for the rest of the season at least, but they have had the Manchester City chequebook waved under their noses yet. Come the moment that an offer in the region of £10million is on the table, expect this deal to come off. City don’t want to lose out on a talented youngster to rivals Manchester United or Chelsea.
9. Victor Wanyama to Manchester United
A recent addition to the transfer talk this month, Victor Wanyama is wanted at both Old Trafford and the Emirates. But it is Manchester United he is likely to join over Arsenal. The 21-year-old Kenyan is exactly what Sir Alex Ferguson needs, a strong and domineering defensive midfielder capable of providing plenty of protection to a back four in need of some help. Better still, Wanyama will come relatively cheap in the current transfer climate.
8. Yoann Gourcuff to Arsenal
The signing of the Lyon midfielder looks an inevitable one for Arsenal as manager Arsene Wenger looks to add to the quality of his team in the middle of the park. A loan deal is likely for the French international star, who had an unsuccessful time at AC Milan earlier in his career and who cost Lyon €22 million. An attacking midfielder, he would undoubtedly improve the quality of Arsenal’s midfield but comes at a cost with his wage demands exceeding the traditional structure at the Emirates.
7. Philippe Coutinho to Liverpool
The young Brazilian has been on Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers’ wishlist this month, particularly when he failed with a late bid to sign Philippe Coutinho’s Inter Milan team-mate Wesley Sneijder. An offer has already been turned down for the 20-year-old, who is keen to stay and fight for his place at the San Siro, but Liverpool will not be willing to miss out on a transfer targets like they did in August so expect this one to come off.
6. Wilfried Zaha to Manchester United
The Wilfried Zaha saga has been ongoing for much of the season and, although he has yet to put pen to paper and signed for Manchester United, it has been one of the most expected deal to be done this month. The winger was capped by England and looks to set to head to Old Trafford, having confirmed as much on his Twitter page. A £15million deal is likely to involve Zaha staying with Crystal Palace for the remainder of the season before he begins the Premier League chapter of his career next season.
5. Willian to Tottenham
A long-term target for both Chelsea and Tottenham, it is White Hart Lane that Brazilian star Willian will be heading to. His days at Shaktar Donetsk look numbered, or at least his place in the team is not guaranteed as it once was, following the arrival of compatriot Taison in the January transfer window, and a £15million move to the Premier League looks destined to happen. The absence of Sandro for the remainder of the season through injury will hasten Tottenham’s approach to sign Willian.
4. Mario Balotelli to AC Milan
It seems as if this move is inevitable. Mario Balotelli’s exit from Manchester City after two-and-a-half years has been on the cards since his training ground bust-up/scrap/disagreement (delight as appropriate) with manager Roberto Mancini, and it appears that he will making a return to Italy with AC Milan. His mansion is up for rent, possessions have been shipped to Italy and all that remains is confirmation that he is to pull on the red and black of AC Milan from February onwards. The Premier League will be a worse place, but Serie A can happily play host to the Trouble Times of Mario Balotelli.
3. Edinson Cavani to Manchester City
Not for sale was the verdict from Napoli in regards to speculation about their star striker, but that was before a Manchester City chequebook was brought out. Bids of around £45million has been rumoured, but it would take only a touch more to activate a release clause which sits just over the £50million barrier and City will do so should Mario Balotelli depart the Etihad Stadium this month and return to Italy with AC Milan. Cavani, a Uruguayan international, would perfectly complement the existing trio of Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez and Edin Dzeko and would put in something more resembling effort than Balotelli has.
2. Marouane Fellaini to Chelsea
Marouane Fellaini has been the centre of attention during the transfer window after it was revealed he has a £22million release clause in his contract at Everton and the Goodison Park board are going to find it hard to hold onto their prized asset come the end of the month. The Belgian international has been linked with Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea, and Stamford Bridge is the most likely destination with Roman Abramovich keen on a spot of January buying. Let’s hope, for his sake, this one turns out better than his last one – Fernando Torres.
1. David Villa to Arsenal
Arsenal’s approach for World Cup winner David Villa has been on and off more than a light switch, but it appears that the speculation over a move to the Emirates is gathering pace. Barcelona were thought to be keen to loan out Villa initially following his return from injury, but then denied he was leaving in the transfer window. But it is expected that Arsenal will return in the final days of the month in the hope of doing a cut-price deal of around £10million and expect Villa to pulling on the red of Arsenal during the final four months of the season.