Ten more huge deals that could go through in the new year.
10. Fraser Forster – Celtic to Barcelona
The Celtic stopper saw himself become a surprise target for the Spanish champions this season as his continued good performances against them in the Champions League has finally made Tata Martino sit up and take notice.
They of course aren’t the only ones interested in landing his signature, but when Xavi and Andres Iniesta both speak publicly about how much they want him to join then there is a pretty good chance that there will at least be an enquiry made.
9. Sergi Roberto – Barcelona to Liverpool
Brendan Rodgers already brought in two Spaniards over the summer, and if reports are to be believed there were more on the cards.
Roberto is another Barca graduate like Thiago and Bojan, who could see his future lie elsewhere in order to make the most of his career, and he apparently has serious options in England with both Liverpool and Spurs interested.
However, with Tottenham already amply stocked in the middle and Liverpool’s greater need to strengthen in that area makes the Reds the more viable option for him.
8. Nicolas Otamendi – Porto to Manchester United
United have been watching a number of defenders from the Portuguese league over the course of the past year, but what Ferguson started Moyes couldn’t finish over the summer.
However, knowing what he needs to do now, Moyes will return to the transfer market with renewed vigour and will look to snare the Porto man from under the noses of near neighbours City.
The ever increasing need to find replacements for Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic is close to finding its resolution and United could walk away with a very capable young defender to add to their ranks.
7. Andre Ayew – Marseille to Liverpool
The Ghanian forward came close to making the move to Merseyside over the summer, but Rodgers decided to plump for Iago Aspas instead.
Realising that may not have been his best course of action, the manager has kept tabs on the Marseille man over the course of the season and will now rival Newcastle for his signature when the transfer window reopens.
Ayew can also play in wide positions, which will appeal to the manager as they are still a little light in that department and will likely make an exit soon with just 18 months left to run on his current deal.
6. Fernando – Porto to Everton
The Toffees are set to go head-to-head with Italian giants Napoli for the signature of Porto’s Fernando, and though they may not have Champions League football to offer, they stand just as good a chance of coming out on top.
The 26-year-old almost joined the Goodison Park side on transfer deadline day in favour of staying put. However, with his contract up at the end of the season, Porto are now resigned to losing him but not before they try and squeeze some other club for a little money in the new year.
5. Demba Ba – Chelsea to Arsenal
The Chelsea striker looks set to be on the way out of Stamford Bridge after failing to find the kind of form that caused the club to sign him in the first place, but that’s not stopped Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger from wanting to take him off their hands.
Wenger had been keen to bring him to the Emirates over the summer, only for the Blues to block the deal, and though Ba now has a series of interested parties, including West Ham, Arsenal is still believed to be his preferred destination.
4. Mirko Vucinic – Juventus to Tottenham Hotspur
The Juve striker has become hot property after being overlooked this season in favour of Carlos Tevez and Fabio Quagliarella and has been made available by the Italian champions.
Spurs may have added Roberto Soldado over the summer, but it has become clear that AVB does not trust Jermain Defoe in the league anymore, whilst Emmanuel Adebayor is set to leave the club at the next available opportunity.
Spurs have been linked with Vucinic before, but this time they may finally be able to get their man.
3. Stephan El Shaarawy – Milan to Arsenal
Another target from the summer that Wenger missed is the young Milan striker El Shaarawy.
Having exploded onto the scene last season he was tipped to take the division by storm, but sadly injury has curtailed his time this term and Milan continue to slip down the league as a result.
Wenger will feel that he can make the most of the player’s situation in the new year and will look to steal in with a cheeky bid. Milan could be tempted to take the money and run as they need to strengthen several areas of their own if they hope to salvage anything from this disappointing season.
2. Yohan Cabaye – Newcastle United to Roma
Italian giants Roma have become the latest club looking to snare the French international away from St James’ Park.
The Serie A pacesetters have targeted the midfield ace, who manager Alan Pardew still appears to be in two minds over. He is undeniably the club’s best player, but he so obviously still has his head turned thanks to Arsenal’s summer bid.
Should he decide to let him leave, he could choose to send him to Italy instead of selling him to a rival and make a bundle of cash to spend on a new striker that they so desperately need.
1. Marco Reus – Borussia Dortmund to Arsenal
Though Arsenal have only just spent £42.5m on Mesut Ozil, reports recently have suggested that Arsene Wenger is still keen to bring Reus to the club in the new year.
Reus has a £35m release clause installed into his current deal and should they decide to press ahead with a move there would be very little that Dortmund could do to stop him from going.
Dortmund are currently haemorrhaging talent, with Gotze having already left they are also set to lose influential striker Robert Lewandowski, and now they are fearful that Reus could follow suit.