Find out who’s going where in this comprehensive guide to the January transfer market…
The January transfer window is always an exciting time of year for the Premier League clubs, as they look to reinvigorate their season with a couple of smart purchases.
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The Guardian have produced a list of the top 20 players that could be on their way to the Premier Leaguem, or at least a new club this month, and here they are full, complete with what the source had to say on each target:
20) Lasse Vibe (IFK Gothenburg)
The Danish international finished runaway top scorer in the Swedish top flight after being moved from the wing to a more central role. Quick, direct, loves taking on defenders – a low-cost signing ready to make an instant impact.
19) Sergio Romero (Sampdoria)
A prime option for Liverpool – Argentina’s number one is in the last six months of his contract at Sampdoria and has the right temperament to succeed in the Premier League.
18) Vincent Enyeama (Lille)
Liverpool’s search for a number one goalkeeper is well-documented and alternatively, given the club’s excellent relations with the French side, a deal for the experienced Nigerian stopper might be a stop-gap solution.
17) Fabian Schar (FC Basel)
A tidy and calm central defender with World Cup and Champions League experience whose contract expires in the summer. Though long on the horizon of many a Premier League club, his injury record is making them wary.
16) Winston Reid (West Ham United)
With his contract expiring next summer there’ll be more than one top club trying to test West Ham’s resolve in January; a quick centre-back at the top of his game and with plenty of Premier League experience, the New Zealand international is a rare commodity.
15) Ivo Pinto (Dinamo Zagreb)
A physically well-equipped and attack minded right-back on the verge of breaking into the Portuguese senior side, the Porto product has already been checked out by several English top flight teams.
14) Marcelo Brozovic (Dinamo Zagreb)
Croatian midfielder with presence and playmaking abilities. Close to joining Atletico Madrid in the summer and is believed to be on the shortlist of several Premier League sides, including Arsenal.
13) Rafa Silva (Sporting Braga)
Unpredictable young forward who was an unused member of Portugal’s World Cup squad in the summer. A livewire who’s equally efficient on either side of attack or behind the front man.
12) Hector Moreno (Espanyol)
Rated by some scouts as the best left-footed central defender in La Liga, the Mexican, who’s comfortable playing in a back three as well as a four, has only just recovered from a long injury lay-off. Played under Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino while at Espanyol.
11) Aleksandar Mitrovic (Anderlecht)
Grabbing the unlikely late Champions League equaliser against Arsenal at the Emirates and enjoying another impressive campaign at Anderlecht, the young Serbian centre forward will move to a bigger league sooner rather than later.
10) Xherdan Shaqiri (Bayern Munich)
Despite seeing limited playing time for his club, the Swiss winger has delivered consistently for his country – including a World Cup hat-trick. Stocky left-footed trickster famous for his instinctive long-range shooting.
9) Ezequiel Garay (Zenit St Petersburg)
Due to Russian clubs’ challenges in dealing with a heavily weakened rouble, commanding Argentina defender Garay could become available in January. Despite a lack of Premier League experience, it’s not hard to imagine the seasoned centre-back immediately improving struggling back lines.
8) Morgan Schneiderlin (Southampton)
The French international midfielder has climbed the leagues with Southampton, joining the south coast club in 2008. Came close to leaving St Mary’s in the summer window, but has been a key figure in his side’s impressive run this season.
7) Saido Berahino (West Bromwich Albion)
The England U-21 striker is still attracting interest despite his goal tally recently drying up at club level. Though labelled not for sale by Baggies chairman Jeremy Peace, an offer of £15m-plus for a striker who can still be classed as raw would be difficult to turn down.
6) Wilfried Bony (Swansea City)
A powerful centre forward with natural finishing ability, Bony has scored more Premier League goals in 2014 than anyone else. With Swansea safe in mid-table, a January move is not unthinkable.
5) Hulk (Zenit St Petersburg)
Somewhat of a gamble after a mediocre season in Russia and a poor showing at the World Cup, but the Brazilian could be available for much less than the alleged £35m Zenit paid two years ago.
4) Memphis Depay (PSV Eindhoven)
The quick forward is destined for a move in the summer, but could already attract a bidding war in January. Having made an impact at the World Cup, he’s widely considered to be ready-made for the big time.
3) Moussa Sissoko (Newcastle United)
The French international has made massive progress since joining Newcastle United two years ago. Energetic box-to-box midfielders are a dying breed, and Sissoko could provide a useful option for most top four contenders.
2) Alexandre Lacazette (Lyon)
Though the Ligue 1 goalscoring sensation recently signed a new contract and a January move seems unlikely, a Premier League powerhouse could still try for one of the few forwards in Europe likely to make an immediate difference at the highest level.
1) Edinson Cavani (Paris Saint-Germain)
Allegedly unhappy about frequently being played out of position, Uruguayan striker Cavani has still scored a goal every other game for PSG. His lack of recent form may tempt Laurent Blanc to listen to offers.
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