The January transfer window opens in Europe once the clock hits midnight worldwide to usher us all into 2025.
However, comes the usual mid-season scramble of clubs trying to fix their problems – usually short-term issues that are desperate for quick solutions rather than long-term strategic moves.
Al Jazeera Sports selects the top five names most closely linked to the moves clubs are vying for their signatures and why:
Marcus Rashford (Manchester United). Interested: Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Saudi Professional League
There is only one name to start with and that is, despite his decline in form, Rashford and what is arguably one of the biggest January transfer moves in history.
Rashford has been a darling at Old Trafford since the homegrown player made his debut in 2016. The 27-year-old has reached the toughest stage of a career that has seen him linked with Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain among other European elite. Clubs over the years.
At his peak, he was seen as an obvious galactico player to be targeted by Los Blancos in Spain – in some ways, a long-term successor to former United striker Cristiano Ronaldo. Recently, with Kylian Mbappe’s prolonged move to the Bernabeu, Rashford has also been linked with filling the gap left by the Frenchman in Paris.
Now, the future is completely unclear. Rashford lost his place in the England squad last year and missed Euro 2024 – a huge blow for a player who has been a top performer in his country’s squad for many years and, age-wise, nearing the peak of his career. New Manchester United manager, Ruben Amorim, has been quite harsh and clear in his treatment of Rashford since he replaced Erik Ten Hag at Old Trafford. The Portuguese says United are a better club with Rashford, but four of today’s matches went without including the striker, who has clearly signaled that his time with the club is coming to an end.
Victor Osimhen (Napoli). Interested: Manchester United, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain.
The long-running sale of the Nigerian striker by Napoli extends into another transfer window, and there is still no clear end in sight. Osimhen has been linked with all of Europe’s elite – including providing a replacement for Kylian Mbappe for Real Madrid – after leading the Italian club to the league title in the 2021-22 season with 26 goals. Ultimately, Osimhen ended up missing out on the move to the top of the standings on the continent due to Napoli’s assessment of the striker, who turns 26 on Sunday. Galatasaray, where Nigeria’s all-time top scorer is currently on loan, was a short-term solution to the bitter standoff between the player and his parent club, which began last season when a move away from Napoli was mooted.
With doubts surrounding Rashford’s Old Trafford future, United could be left vulnerable in an area already under-resourced on the pitch. Osimhen’s work rate certainly fits Ruben Amorim’s philosophy as the new Red Devils boss attempts to change the culture at Old Trafford. Chelsea have similarly been eyeing Osimhen long-term, but currently boast a squad that is already thriving. One club that may have deep enough pockets to end Osimhen’s Turkish exile is Paris Saint-Germain, who still have to replace Mbappe in attack.
Victor Geukeris (Sporting Lisbon). Interested: Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal
Another option for Manchester United as they try to add more goals to their profligate attack is Swedish international Gjökeris. The 26-year-old had already had a spell in the Premier League with Brighton & Hove Albion, but excelled under Amorim before moving to Sporting Lisbon in 2023. The striker never played for Brighton’s first team during his three-year spell. On the south coast of England, but enjoyed strong loan spells with former Premier League clubs Swansea City and Coventry City. The latter made Gyukiris’ move permanent, which caught the attention of Sporting. Now, most Premier League clubs have been linked with a return from Sporting, with a number of clubs willing to secure what could be considered one of the better, or for lack of a better word, cheaper returns for it. investment.
Manchester City need a replacement for Erling Haaland to lead the attack – and Gyokeris scored a hat-trick in Lisbon’s 4-1 win over City in the Champions League in November. However, the possibility of reuniting their tried and tested relationship with Amorim, may be too much for United to resist, while Arsenal have also been heavily linked with the move. Bukayo Saka’s injury, which has heightened Mikel Arteta’s concerns at Arsenal, could force the Spaniard’s hand in January if he wants to go a step further than last season’s second-place finish. PSG could come too, but would Gyukiris fit in as the main man in a front that once boasted Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Neymar?
Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao). Interested: Barcelona, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain
Another transfer that is likely to be a case of when, rather than if, is Spanish prodigy Williams, who has scored four goals in 21 international appearances. The 22-year-old was a shining light for the Spain international’s future alongside Lamine Yamal during their successful Euro 2024 campaign and there was some surprise none of the European powers stepped in quickly at the time to secure one of the world’s hottest properties. Continent.
Instead, the Pamplona-born striker continued to excel at one of Spain’s more modest clubs. Bilbao currently sits fourth in La Liga, just five points behind leaders Atletico Madrid, who are undoubtedly one of the front-runners to hire Williams. It remains to be seen whether or not Barcelona will allow club and country to slip through their fingers – and that is hard to believe – while the number of top clubs chasing skilled, attacking young runners is enormous.
However, the biggest impasse facing Barcelona’s transfer is the Catalan club’s current appeal to extend playmaker Dani Olmo’s registration, given La Liga’s spending restrictions. It’s possible that both Olmo and Williams will be on the move in January with neither ending up at the Bernabéu. Barcelona will try to move mountains to prevent this from happening. Williams has only provided two goals this season, so January may be a moment for Bilbao to cash in on a player who will command a huge fee, while not severely impairing current production in another impressive season on the pitch.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool). Interested: Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain
Another item to consider on the list of potential January sales is Liverpool’s expiring contract saga. There are three main names available for free transfer in the summer: Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold. There is a suspicion that the former two will sign extensions as the Anfield club chase their second title since the Premier League was renamed the Premier League. Both Salah and Van Dijk have suitors across Europe, and while they are likely to be offered huge salaries in the Saudi Professional League, the pair also appear to have a burning desire to continue challenging at the highest level of European football at the age of 32. And 33 respectively.
Both are likely to remain with the Reds in their current cup challenges, which see them top of the domestic league and Champions League tables. The lack of transfer fees they will demand, given their age, is less of an issue for Liverpool than their presence on the pitch. However, both considerations will be a major concern when it comes to Alexander-Arnold.
The prospect of losing a player, who any club in the world could build a team around, is a major concern. Real Madrid are the obvious favorites – and have a habit of sweeping up elite talents on free transfers, such as Mbappe – if the Reds fail to persuade Alexander-Arnold to sign a new contract. Whether the club cuts its losses and accepts a poor deal for the playmaking defender in January is a prospect no one at Liverpool will want to consider. Especially considering the possibility that it could upset what has been an incredibly strong season so far. However, allowing a player who would command one of the largest transfer fees in world football to walk away from Anfield for free in the summer is a prospect the club and its fans hope, with all their hearts, does not come true.
