We look into the future and see who will be moving for big money in the January window of 2017 according to Football Manager 2015…
SEE MORE:
(Video) Ballboy Mocks Man United Star Nani With Extravagant Dive
Iker Casillas ‘In His Prime’ V Manuel Neuer
Top 101 Young Players In World Football
Under-Fire Chelsea Players Defended By Teammate Over Spain Withdrawals
10. Kevin Kampl – Juventus to Man City, £7.5m
Juventus bought the versatile midfielder from Red Bull Salzburg, where he plays in real life, barely played him, then sold him for a profit to Man City, who don’t need him. Seems a fairly accurate representation of the Citizens’ transfer policy.
Likelihood: 4/5
9. Ruben Pardo – Real Sociedad to Atletico Madrid, £8m
The midfielder plays for Sociedad in real life, and FM predicts he will stay there for the next three years, before making the move in January 2017.
Likelihood: 4/5
8. Jose Luis Gaya – Valencia to Atletico Madrid, £8m
The second of the two young, talented Spanish midfielders on this list bought by Athletico. Very much in line with how the Spanish side operate.
Likelihood: 4/5
7. William Carvalho, Sporting to Borussia Dortmund, £10.75m
Carvalho is one of the hottest properties in Europe, and it seems incredibly unlikely that Sporting will a) keep hold of him for four more windows b) sell him for so little.
Likelihood: 1/5
6. Tin Jedvaj, Roma to Arsenal, £11.75m
Croatian Jedvaj is highly sought after in real life, and it’s would be no surprise to see Arsenal move for the youngster once he’s developed a bit. The fee seems a bit on the small side for such a well regarded prospect, however.
Likelihood 3/5
5. Fernando, Shakhtar to Bayern , £12m
Bayern have made an astute move for the Brazilian, who has excelled in the Ukrainian Premier League for several seasons by January 2017 (we’re just happy to find out that Ukraine still exists in 2017).
Likelihood: 4/5
4. Saúl – Atletico to Bayern, £15.5m
The reason Atletico had to sign the two midfielders earlier in the list was Bayern’s purchase of the brilliant Spanish midfielder Sául, who they grabbed for a paltry £15.5m after the Madrid side let his contract run down. It seems unlikely that such an oversight would be made in real life.
Likelihood: 2/5
3. Steven Caulker – QPR to Arsenal, £15.5m
A controversial move for the ex-Tottenham man, and one that Arsenal could desperately do with making now – not in three years time!
Likelihood: 2/5
2. Mayke – Porto to Chelsea, £16.75
In real life the wonderkid right back is still at Cruzeiro, but by January 2017 he’s been through the Porto finishing school, and has now replaced the ancient Branislav Ivanovic at Chelsea. Very plausible.
Likelihood: 5/5
1. Romelu Lukaku – Everton to Chelsea, £18.75
In a move so outrageous it might just happen, the prodigal Lukaku returns to Stamford Bridge in a cut-price deadline day move. Everton are in a sorry state by January 2017 – Tim Howard, Phil Jagielka, Michael Carrick and Gareth Barry all still start for the Toffees well into their 30s – but letting Lukaku go for such a paltry fee will surely be the final straw for Duncan Ferguson’s reign at Goodison Park
Likelihood: 2/5