10. Robert Lewandowski – Borussia Dortmund to Bayern Munich
Everyone knows he is leaving, but nobody is quite sure where for…yet. Last week he announced that he has made up his mind over where he will go, and he will be able to sign a pre-contract agreement with his new side in the new year. Though he has been linked with the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United, it is most likely that he will end up at fellow German giants Bayern Munich.
9. Pedro – Barcelona to Arsenal
Arsene Wenger could be set to pull of his second surprise coup of the season as Barcelona star Pedro continues to grow disillusioned with his role at the Nou Camp. Having spent most of the campaign as a bit part player, Wenger could make his move in January to give his attack a real boost.
8. Radamel Falcao – Monaco to Chelsea
Chelsea’s good start to the season has been hampered by the club’s lack of a truly threatening striker in the ranks. With Ba set to move on, the Blues could be tempted to reinvest and go for Falcao who has been rumoured to be unhappy with playing in front of a half empty home ground, and recent results haven’t helped matters either.
7. Xabi Alonso – Real Madrid to Chelsea
The Spanish international is now in the final year of his deal with the capital club, and rumour has it that Jose Mourinho is doing his best to bring him back to the Premier League. The two enjoyed a successful and harmonious relationship during his time in charge at the Bernabeu and Alsons has before admitted that he misses the atmosphere and intensity of English football.
6. Eliaquim Managala – Porto to Chelsea
Another Porto star that is set to make tracks from the club, Mangala has seen his stock rise considerably over the past year and is now wanted by teams across Europe. However, Chelsea have been watching him for a long time now and Mourinho still enjoys a good relationship with those in charge, meaning any move for the French ace will be facilitated easier than it would be for others.
5. Ander Herrera – Athletic Bilbao to Manchester United
United’s 11th hour move for the Spanish ace came as a shock to many, but fans of Spanish football will tell you that his acquisition would be a good move all round. A deadline day farce ensued and no deal was struck, but that hasn’t dampened Moyes’ spirit, who has told the Basque side that they will be coming back for him in January.
4. Javier Hernandez – Manchester United to Arsenal
It’s pretty clear that the diminutive Mexican is unhappy in the northwest and could look for a move in the new year. All of the strikers that Arsene Wenger has looked it since the summer have been able to offer the club something different to what they have now and in Hernandez they would be getting a penalty box destroyer able to utilise the service provided by the side’s talented midfield.
3. Karim Benzema – Real Madrid to Arsenal
Contrasted to Hernandez, in Benzema Arsenal will get a world class striker capable of winning them the league, which many pundits have already given their backing to. The Frenchman’s future seemed to be in doubt earlier in the season, but he has pulled himself out of the funk and is once again firing on all cylinders. If Wenger can convince the club to sell he’ll be on to a winner. Reports suggest that a £27m offer is in the making.
2. Marco Reus – Borussia Dortmund to Manchester United
The German ace has a £30m release clause installed into his contract, and though that’s a lot of money, he is undoubtedly worth every penny. Likely to follow the likes of Mario Gotze and Robert Lewandowski out of the door of the Westfallenstadion, United will be waiting with open arms in the hope that they can convince one of Germany’s most exciting stars to make his way to Old Trafford.
1. Diego Costa – Atletico Madrid to Borussia Dortmund
The Brazilian born Spaniard is probably the most talked about player in the world right now, and not without good reason. His form for Atletico has been nothing short of electric and Dortmund are joined by a slew of Premier League and Serie A sides that all want a piece of him. However, Dortmund’s squad is set to be decimated again soon, and eager to make sure they maintain a similar position to the one they’ve been enjoying they could be tempted to whip open the cheque book in January.