50 transfer targets that could be on the move in January.
50. Kurt Zouma – Saint Etienne to Liverpool
Liverpool have been monitoring the French teenager since the summer and could finally be set to make their move in January. They may face some competition from elsewhere in Europe, but their pursuit will be aided by the fact that he will be MIA for the club until the new year as he serves out a ten game ban.
49. Aiden McGeady – Spartak Moscow to Everton
The Irish winger has took to Russian football well since his transfer to Spartak in 2010, but with a young family struggling to adapt to life in the former Soviet Union rumours have continuously linked him with a switch back to the UK. Now Everton could be set hand him a lifeline by giving him the chance he wants in the Premier League.
48. Victor Valdes – Barcelona to Monaco
The Spanish stopper had been linked with the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City in the past, but with his contract winding down at Barcelona, he has apparently told French moneybags Monaco that he is all theirs should they manage to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
47. Maxime Gonalons – Lyon to Napoli
The French midfielder had been long on Arsenal’s wish list, but his club decided not to sell over the summer. However, with Lyon languishing near the bottom of the Ligue 1 table Napoli boss Rafa Benitez may use this as the ideal time to pounce and bring the highly rated youngster to Serie A.
46. Ashley Young – Manchester United to Galatasaray
The England man is now just a shadow of the player he was at Aston Villa a few years ago, and right now he is also persona non grata at the club thanks to his diving antics. However, salvation could lie overseas as Turkish giants Galatasaray are hoping to be able to take advantage of his situation.
45. Ola Toivonen – PSV Eindhoven to Newcastle United
The big Swedish international has been waiting to be handed new terms in the Netherlands, only they are yet to turn up. A long mooted move to the Premier League is now in the offing as Newcastle United look set to take advantage of his expiring deal at the Philips Stadion and add an extra boost to their frontline.
44. Willy Caballero – Malaga to Manchester City
With Joe Hart dying a tiny death every week now City are in need of a new custodian that conveys pure confidence. Caballero may not be a world class name, but he is reliable and is a player that Manuel Pellegrini knows well having worked with him at Malaga. A January move is likely to go ahead as his price is set at just £2.5m.
43. Will Hughes – Derby County to Liverpool
The Derby youngster is perhaps the most sought after star outside of the top flight and has been linked with a host of top clubs already. However, it is Liverpool who are in pole position to land his signature as Brendan Rodgers continues to overhaul his squad with younger talent.
42. Sergi Darder – Malaga to Manchester City
The second Malaga star that has been linked with a move to City is the young midfielder Sergi Darder. Spurs have also been linked with making an advance, but City will hold the advantage as Manuel Pellegrini has previously worked with the player and Spurs have a continued and chronic over crowding of their midfield.
41. Felipe Caicedo – Lokomotiv Moscow to West Ham United
The Hammers have been short on strikers this season thanks to the continued injury problems of Andy Carroll and the club were forced to re-sign Carlton Cole on a short term deal. Manager Sam Allardyce is working to a tight budget and has identified the former Arsenal man as a potential target during the January window.
40. Hernanes – Lazio to Tottenham Hotspur
The Brazilian ace has been quietly going about his business in Rome over the past couple of seasons and has gradually been attracting interest from the likes of Arsenal, Paris Saint Germain and Tottenham. And it is Spurs who are leading the chase, looking to take advantage of his dwindling contract status.
39. Nicklas Bendtner – Arsenal to Hull City/Stoke City
The big Dane should have left Arsenal over the summer, only for Arsene Wenger to change his mind at the last second in the wake of their own striker shortage. However, his presence has not been to the benefit of neither club nor player as he has barely featured. Hull and Stoke City are now said to be at the head of the queue in the bid to resurrect his career.
38. Shay Given – Aston Villa to Liverpool
The former Republic of Ireland international hasn’t been able to get a look in under Paul Lambert as the phenomenal rise of Brad Guzan has kept him on the sidelines, and he is now even further down the pecking order behind youngster Ged Steer. Rodgers has been looking for someone to put pressure on Simon Mignolet and could revive his interest in January.
37. Jelle Vossen – Genk to Aston Villa
Villa did well to keep hold of Christian Benteke over the summer and even managed to get him to sign a new four year deal. However, clearly anticipating another big money bid for him next year they are already planning for life without him by prepping a bid for a man known as the ‘new Christian Benteke.
36. Juan Cuadrado – Fiorentina to Arsenal
Colombians are in vogue this year, and Cuadrado is just the latest in a long line of high flyers from the South American country. His electric performances for Fiorentina this season have caught Arsene Wenger’s attention, and even though Fiorentina have issued a hands off warning, Wenger’s renewed vigour in the transfer market is likely to be too great for the Italians.
35. Valmir Berisha – Halmstad to Tottenham/Liverpool
The young forward has already been dubbed as the ‘next Zlatan Ibrahimovic’ and reports have suggested that he could be available for just £500,000 in the new year. Both Tottenham and Liverpool are said to be interested in bringing him to England, though which club will emerge victorious remains to be seen as both are currently placing an emphasis on youth.
34. Toby Alderweireld – Atletico Madrid to Manchester City
The Dutchman had been widely tipped to head to England over the summer but decided on a move to Spain instead. However, things haven’t worked out for him in the Spanish capital and he has made just two appearances all season. Manchester City have been monitoring his situation with a view to rescue him in the new year.
33. Jack Colback – Sunderland to Everton
Not the world’s most inspiring name when it comes to transfer window buys, but Roberto Martinez’s impetus on young British talent has worked well for him so far and he could look to use the Sunderland man’s uncertain future at the Stadium of Light as an invitation to make his move.
32. Jese Rodriguez – Real Madrid to West Ham United
The 20-year-old isn’t getting much of a look in at the moment and could be forced to move on in January in order to continue his development. And he is now being tipped to make a loan move to Upton Park to help the Hammers with their striker shortage.
31. Mohamed Salah – FC Basel to Tottenham
The Egyptian has already rocked Chelsea twice this year and Spurs are hoping to bring him on board so he can do it on a more regular basis. A stand out performer of a talented crop of players with the Swiss side at the moment, it won’t be a question of if he moves, but when.
30. Pepe Reina – Liverpool to Atletico Madrid
The Spaniard has no future at Liverpool, and talk of a move to Barcelona seems to have hit a brick wall as they eye someone younger. That leaves Atletico Madrid, who will be sizing up replacements for Thibaut Courtois when for when he returns to Chelsea. Reina would do well in Madrid, where he would make a strong addition to their revolution.
29. Jermain Defoe – Tottenham Hotspur to Newcastle United
Magpies boss Alan Pardew has already admitted that he wanted to sign the England man last summer, and there is every chance that he will try again in the new year. Defoe has not had much of a look in this season and will want to play in a World Cup year. Newcastle are desperate for more options up front too, having only brought in Loic Remy during the off season.
28. Edin Dzeko – Manchester City to Borussia Dortmund
The German giants have already conceded that they are going to lose Robert Lewandowski next summer, and so they have begun their search for a replacement in earnest. Their search has led them to Dzeko, who is still struggling to cement a place in the first team under Pellegrini and could find that a move to Dortmund as an ideal solution to his problem.
27. Christian Benteke – Aston Villa to Arsenal
The prolific Villa striker has been monitored by a number of clubs for some time now, but it is Arsenal who have been credited with the heaviest interest as they need the firepower. Benteke has struggled with injury this season and has yet to light his fire and really get going. His height and strength would offer the Gunners something completely different to what they have now.
26. Tom Ince – Blackpool to Liverpool
Ince was once let go by the Reds as doubts over his size meant they thought he was best suited elsewhere. He did things properly after that and dropped down division in order to gain as much experience as possible and he is now one of the most sought after young players in the country. Liverpool could look to spring for his signature as they need to add more width, and it would be a move that he would be open to.
25. Danny – Zenit St Petersburg to Manchester United
A surprising name for David Moyes to be linked to, but his midfield is struggling and the experienced Portuguese star has been one of the best players in the Russian Premier League for a number of seasons. The 30-year-old had previously been linked with a move to Spurs, but United are now thought to be at the front of the line.
24. Juan Mata – Chelsea to Paris Saint Germain
Mata mysteriously can’t get into the side under Mourinho, and even though the Special One has denied that he is for sale, the player himself could demand a move if his exile continues as he targets a place in Spain’s World Cup squad next summer. PSG have been keeping an eye on the situation and they would certainly have the money to pull off the move.
23. Iker Casillas – Real Madrid to Manchester United
City were put on alert last month when the talismanic stopper announced that he could move soon if his situation in the Spanish capital fails to improve. Furthermore, his own World Cup place is under threat and he may be intrigued to work with Pellegrini again and ease the club’s woes after Joe Hart’s colossal dip in form.
22. Blaise Matuidi – Paris Saint Germain to Chelsea
The former Saint Etienne man has struggled for game time this term, and it looks increasingly unlikely that the club will offer him fresh terms as his current deal winds down. Both Chelsea and Manchester City are keen to cook up a pre-contract agreement with him in the new year, and with Chelsea’s greater need for some defensive midfield cover it would be no surprise to seem them make the first move.
21. Hulk – Zenit St Petersburg to Tottenham Hotspur
Despite having three (almost) world class strikers at the club, Spurs have only been utilising Roberto Soldado, and thus are in the market for further reinforcements to their front line. Hulk is known to be unhappy in Russia, and has admitted that he would welcome the chance to work with Andre Villas-Boas again in London.
20. Demba Ba – Chelsea to Arsenal
A move that could, and perhaps should, have gone through in the summer as Ba is wasting away at Chelsea this term and Arsenal need bodies up front. Wenger clearly has a plan of how best to utilise the former Newcastle man and was salivating at the prospect of pairing him up with Mesut Ozil. A move would cost the Gunners around £15m.
19. Juan Iturbe – Porto to Liverpool
A player dubbed as ‘the new Messi’ is surely going to be a sought after signature, but so far Liverpool have been given a clear path to his future as the only other sides to register an interest in him have been in Italy. It is thought that Brendan Rodgers is hoping to link him up with Suarez and Sturridge and will prepare a move for the new year.
18. Jackson Martinez – Porto to Chelsea
Every few years Porto produce a crop of players that are harvested at the end of a particularly successful season. This year Martinez is that bright star and has been linked with half of Europe. Somehow the Portuguese giants have managed to keep hold of him, but that isn’t likely to last for much longer after he dropped a hint that he could be ready to move on.
17. Koke – Atletico Madrid to Manchester United
United’s creative players have all gone into hibernation this season with the likes of Nani, Ashley Young and Anderson all failing to make an impact, and Moyes has been looking to Spain for players who can fill the void and get the side back up to where they belong at the top of the table. The United boss is set to test Atletico’s resolve with a £16m bid in the new year.
16. Fabio Coentrao – Real Madrid to Tottenham Hotspur
The Portuguese international has spent the bulk of the season on the fringes of the Real squad after seeing his deadline day move to north London collapse at the last minute. However, the late disappointment has not deterred Andre Villas-Boas, who will return with a another offer in the new year to tempt the player away from the Bernabeu.
15. Adam Lallana – Southampton to Liverpool
It’s always inevitable that when a player from a ‘smaller’ club starts to play well they attract the attentions of the division’s bigger sides. With Lallana’s recent inclusion into the England squad, Liverpool have sat up and taken notice and will now look to see if they can begin the ritual break up of yet another talented squad before they can make a serious challenge for something.
14. Leighton Baines – Everton to Manchester United
United boss David Moyes still wants to bring the England man with him having failed to do so over the summer, but just because their initial advances were rejected doesn’t mean this deal is dead in the water. Baines has not let the constant speculation bother affect his performances, but he has remained quiet throughout. Surely, if he wanted to stay he would say so.
13. John Terry – Chelsea to Galatasaray
With his old age, the Chelsea skipper’s powers have waned considerably and he is still very much reviled across the country. However, Roberto Mancini wants to bring him to Turkey where they still welcome even the most obscure footballers as demi-gods, just ask Darius Vassell and Kenny Miller.
12. Ilkay Gundogan – Borussia Dortmund to Manchester United
United and fellow suitors Arsenal were handed a boost last week as the player’s father revealed that there was no deal in place to take him to Real Madrid. He is someone that has been on the tip of the tongues of Premier League fans for a long time and United are now favourites to make a move as their season continues to stutter and having a classy German international in the ranks always helps you propel things in the right direction.
11. Ross Barkley – Everton to Tottenham Hotspur
The Toffees youngster has burst onto the scene and into the national team set up this season and his progress doesn’t look as though it will slow down anytime soon. However, he should be wary of seeing his career go the same way as Jack Rodwell and Scott Sinclair as Spurs continue to circle.
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.