Five players with multiple clubs vying to sign them and where they could end up.
More than any other season in the past, this year’s January transfer window has more races for player’s signatures than ever before. Some talented players are up for grabs in the new year, and multiple sides are in the hunt and in competition with each other for their respective signatures. Here, we chart five of the biggest scrambles and where the targets could potentially end up.
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Who: Ron Vlaar
Where: Aston Villa
Who wants him: Manchester United and Arsenal
The Dutchman looks increasingly likely to leave Villa in the near future as he looks to have given up on signing a new deal. However, with Villa resigned to losing him, they have stated that they are under no pressure to let him go in January. Both Arsenal and Manchester United are in need of some defensive reinforcements, but will they want to pay the reported £12m Villa are asking for in January? He has had his injury problems, but is a born leader with a skilful touch.
Where will he go?: He’ll likely stay with Villa until the end of the season where he will run down his contract before joining United on a free.
Who: Yohan Cabaye
Where: Paris Saint Germain
Who wants him: Manchester United and Liverpool
The France international returned home last season so he could play Champions League football with PSG. However, things haven’t worked out for him in the French capital and he has recently hinted that he would be up for a return to his former hunting grounds. United and Liverpool are both keeping track of him with the view of adding more stability to the centre of their midfield areas and a tempting offer of around £12m could convince the Ligue 1 champions to sell.
Where will he go?: Whichever club looks more likely to qualify for the Champions League, which at the moment looks to be United.
Who: Roberto Firmino
Where: Hoffenheim
Who wants him: Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea
The highly rated Brazilian attacker has been a target for a number of English sides since the summer, but after resisting all advances Hoffenheim finally look set to cash in on his services. Firmino will have his pick of where to go, though, as the Premier League’s biggest and best are all scrambling over each other for his signature.
Where will he go?: Though United are said to be in pole position to sign him, a move to Arsenal seems more likely. However, whether Wenger pulls his finger out and gets the chequebook ready is another matter.
Who: Andre Schurrle
Where: Chelsea
Who wants him: Liverpool and Tottenham
Despite his good all-round form for the Stamford Bridge club since his arrival in the summer of 2013, he has found breaking into the first team on a regular basis difficult and has played just a bit part role this term. This is particularly strange when his contribution to Germany’s World Cup win is considered, but if he wants to maintain a similar level of form and become one of the world’s most exciting talents he’ll need to move on.
Where will he go?: Liverpool. Spurs have fallen too far behind in leading pack now, though it wouldn’t be a surprise to see a German or a Spanish side come in for him.
Who: Marco Reus
Where: Borussia Dortmund
Who wants him: Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Barcelona
Undoubtedly the most in demand player in the world right now, as many clubs look to take advantage of the low release clause installed in his deal. With Dortmund flailing in the Bundesliga, he may decide to move on and become just the latest in a long line of stars that the club couldn’t hold on to.
Where will he go: In all likelihood he’ll probably join Real Madrid. Barcelona are still under embargo, whilst Chelsea are the only Premier League side that could realistically challenge for his signature, though the Spaniards will always be favourites in a race like this.
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