Ten signings that look likely for the January transfer window.
10. Iker Casillas (Real Madrid to Manchester City)
With next summer’s World Cup edging ever closer, Iker Casillas won’t be content to remain on the bench for Real Madrid. The legendary goalkeeper has had a rough time at the Bernabeu since his falling out with Jose Mourinho last season, and remains out of the plans of new manager Carlo Ancelotti as well, leading to serious speculation that he could be set to leave the club where he has spent his entire career so far.
Regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world and a modern great of the game, Casillas’ situation at Real is somewhat bizarre, and it is no surprise that the 32-year-old would have a long queue of clubs willing to take him on if he did decide to leave this January. Perhaps leading that queue will be Manchester City, as few other clubs will be better equipped financially to land this star player. And with Joe Hart’s form looking somewhat below par in recent months, Casillas would make an excellent replacement for the England international at the Etihad Stadium. This move looks ever-more likely all the time, and would undoubtedly be one of the biggest stories of the season if it happened.
9. Ander Herrera (Athletic Bilbao to Manchester United)
Although this transfer fell through in bizarre circumstances on summer transfer window deadline day, it appears that Manchester United’s interest in Athletic Bilbao midfielder Ander Herrera was strong, and it seems likely that the 24-year-old will be a top target for the Premier League champions again when the transfer window re-opens in January.
A skillful and intelligent midfield playmaker, Herrera gave a superb showing in his last appearance at Old Trafford, as Bilbao emerged shock 3-2 winners in a Europa League tie there in 2012. The Spaniard looks the ideal candidate to replace the influence of the recently-retired Paul Scholes in the middle of the park, and with United really looking like lacking quality in that department at the moment, he would be worth the big money the La Liga side are likely to ask for him.
It has already been suggested that Herrera remains a priority for United, and the club’s fans will be hoping negotiations go a little more smoothly this time round!
8. Ross Barkley (Everton to Chelsea)
A fine young player who has made great strides early on this season, Everton starlet Ross Barkley looks set to be the subject of much attention this January, with Chelsea hoping to beat Manchester United to the signing of the 19-year-old midfielder.
Compared by Roberto Martinez to a young Michael Ballack, Barkley looks a great all-round midfield player, and could be a good complement to the likes of John Obi Mikel and Ramires in Chelsea’s midfield. With United likely to prioritise the signing of Herrera, that could allow the Blues something of an advantage as they chase this exciting signing.
Barkley’s price could be a stumbling block though, as Jose Mourinho has hinted that a young English player he has his eye on is looking too expensive at around £20m, which does seem steep for a player of such little experience, though Chelsea can surely afford it if their interest is serious, so this seems like one to keep an eye out for when January comes.
7. Will Hughes (Derby County to Liverpool)
Another highly-rated and in-demand English prospect that could be on the move this January is Derby County starlet Will Hughes. The immensely talented 18-year-old is a skillful midfield playmaker whose style has been compared with Barcelona duo Xavi and Andres Iniesta, which has seen him previously attract interest from the Catalan giants themselves, as well as the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City.
Now, however, it looks like Liverpool are keen to step up their interest in the England Under-21 international, as manager Brendan Rodgers seeks to continue building a skillful young side playing technical and attack-minded football. Hughes certainly has the potential to be a key part of that for many years to come, and may be a good investment even at a fee of over £10m.
The Reds first showed an interest towards the end of the summer, though it is understood that they never made an official bid for the player, but it seems likely that they will revive their interest again when the opportunity next arises.
6. Luke Shaw (Southampton to Manchester United)
With Manchester United still seemingly keen on signing a new left-back, they could now be set to turn their attention from Leighton Baines to exciting Southampton prospect Luke Shaw this January, according to recent reports.
The 18-year-old is the latest product of the Saints’ youth academy to attract attention from several top clubs, and has even drawn comparisons with a young Gareth Bale, who started his career as a left-back for Southampton. Shaw shows a similar pace and skill as an attacking full-back, and may even attract bids as high as £25m from the Premier League champions, as they seek a long-term replacement for Patrice Evra.
Although Baines will no doubt be linked with the Red Devils again this January, the Everton man simply does not seem as wise an investment as he approaches his 29th birthday, and with the Toffees holding out for money that United seemingly weren’t willing to pay during the summer, making Shaw a more likely and realistic target.
5. Lars Bender (Bayer Leverkusen to Arsenal)
Although Arsenal will be pleasantly surprised by the performances of free transfer Mathieu Flamini so far since re-joining the club this summer, a long-term option in defensive midfield is still a priority for Arsene Wenger since last summer’s departure of Alex Song to Barcelona and the continued injury problems suffered by Abou Diaby.
Having smashed the club’s transfer record for Mesut Ozil on deadline day, it is now widely expected that Wenger will raid the German market again this January, targeting several top Bundesliga stars, including Julian Draxler, Marco Reus and Ilkay Gundogan. Bender’s name has also been mentioned, and perhaps seems the most realistic, as the others seem somewhat out of Arsenal’s financial reach, even if they do now seem ready to compete with the big boys in terms of spending.
Bender has shown himself to be a top performer for club and country, and looks exactly like what Arsenal need right now, meaning this is surely a deal to look out for in the next transfer window.
4. Eliaquim Mangala (Porto to Chelsea)
One of the best young defenders in the world, it will be interesting to see where Eliaquim Mangala ends up when he eventually leaves Porto. The 22-year-old was strongly linked with the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City and Barcelona this summer, and it now seems that Chelsea are leading the chase for him as they look to strengthen their back four this January.
Jose Mourinho is seemingly unconvinced by his current defensive options, with David Luiz coming into some criticism for his gung-ho displays, and John Terry coming towards the end of his career, so a young up-and-coming defensive star like Mangala makes sense as a priority signing for the Blues.
With Porto also keen to rake in some big money for their prized asset, it seems likely that Chelsea and City will be the clubs in the best position to afford him, particularly in the middle of the season.
3. Stephan El Shaarawy (AC Milan to Tottenham)
There have been suggestions that exciting youngster Stephan El Shaarawy may have fallen down the pecking order at AC Milan, which looks set to pave way a sensational January switch to Tottenham. The 20-year-old is widely regarded as one of the best young players in the world, with a knack for scoring goals from the wings that has drawn comparisons with Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo.
Having sold Gareth Bale in the summer, Spurs are still in a strong financial position to keep recruiting top talent, and may see El Shaarawy as another good option upfront, where they are still somewhat lacking having only managed to sign Roberto Soldado this summer and missing out on the likes of Leandro Damiao and David Villa.
Napoli had also been linked with the talented Italian, but ruled themselves out of the running, meaning Spurs will surely be the favourites to snap up yet another world class performer this January.
2. Luis Suarez (Liverpool to Real Madrid)
After almost an entire summer of speculation surrounding his future, the rumours are unlikely to die down this winter as Real Madrid are reportedly set to come back in for Liverpool star Luis Suarez in the January transfer window. The Uruguayan has made it clear that he is not happy at Anfield, having tried to force through a move to Arsenal over the summer before eventually giving in. Still, with a new contract yet to be signed, Suarez is surely only biding his time before attempting an exit again.
Real Madrid seem likely to be the favourites to sign him next time, as they are hoping to bring in an upgrade on the off-form Karim Benzema as soon as possible, and may sell the French striker to help fund a move for the £50m-rated attacker. Liverpool won’t be happy to lose a top player in the middle of the season, but may feel they have coped sufficiently well without him so far as he sat out the start of the season through suspension, and could wisely take the money to reinvest in the rest of their squad.
1. Juan Mata (Chelsea to PSG)
After Jose Mourinho’s harsh treatment of Juan Mata so far this season, one couldn’t begrudge the talented playmaker an exit from Stamford Bridge this January, particularly as he will want to be playing regularly to put himself in contention for a place in Spain’s team at next summer’s World Cup.
The 25-year-old has arguably been one of the best attacking midfielders in the world over the last couple of seasons, contributing highly in both goals and assists for Chelsea since his move from Valencia, and proving himself worthy of mention alongside current greats of the game Xavi and Andres Iniesta.
Still, Chelsea fans may be disappointed to bid farewell to their hero this January as Mourinho looks to force him out. Mata certainly won’t be short of suitors, with the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United, Tottenham and Atletico Madrid all keen on signing him, though perhaps most likely would be a move to big-spending PSG, who can pay the kind of money Chelsea will want for the Spaniard and ensure he doesn’t leave the club for one of their Premier League rivals. Although it will be a great shame for the Premier League to lose one of its best players this January, this move does seem increasingly likely.