When the Christmas decorations start appearing in the shops, that’s the cue for the transfer talk to begin. January is six weeks away and there is already some tasty talk about who may move.
MANCHESTER UNITED
Having been the biggest spenders in the summer, Manchester United are set to recoup some of their outlay. Jose Mourinho has been told to sell before he can buy again so the exit door is likely to the busiest thing at Old Trafford this coming window.
Morgan Schneiderlin and Memphis Depay are targets for Inter Milan and Everton. The pair failed to establish themselves in Jose Mourinho’s starting line-up and with international careers to think about, neither will be averse to moving clubs.
Despite protestations to the contrary, there appears to be some unrest in Mourinho’s camp with reports that Chris Smalling and the United manager had a training ground bust-up. The news has put Arsenal on alert.
The other two players who may be out are Matteo Darmian and Henrikh Mkhitaryan. The latter seems to be an outside chance on that score but having failed to impress since signing, the winger may feel the time is right to cut his losses and move on. It’s bizarre that Mourinho would act so decisively in his signature and then not play him.
Darmian meanwhile fell from grace early in Mourinho’s reign and has made just two appearances in the Premier League. He was touted with a move back to Italy last summer and may follow through with that move this year.
Bastian Schweinsteiger – remember him? – is set to move to the MLS
ARSENAL
The Gunners are looking to strengthen their back four ahead of Per Mertesacker’s departure. Despite being club captain, the German is out of contract next summer and is free to negotiate with other clubs in January. Arsenal may be tempted to sell if Werder Bremen come in with an offer this winter.
Gabriel is another one who is said to be looking at his options with Mustafi and Koscielny forming a strong partnership in the centre of the Arsenal defense. With Rob Holding showing promise in the opening matches of the season, Smalling may prove the catalyst for both the experienced players to move on.
Of course, it’s Arsenal and life is never simple. Alexis Sanchez is set to leave according to the bookies who are offering 2/1 that he will sign for Manchester City. Contract talks are always a tough time for supporters but not even Arsène Wenger would sell to his Premier League rivals when the financial need isn’t there.
Injuries may force the Frenchman’s hand in the market this winter. Santi Cazorla Achilles problem has flared again and his return to the first team has been delayed. The question for Wenger is whether he needs more midfield resources. Aaron Ramsey, Mohammed Elneny, Granit Xhaka and Francis Coquelin are all capable midfielders whilst Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has played centrally before as well.
Up front is the issue for Arsenal but if buying a striker was a problem in the summer, it’s not going to be any easier in the winter. Particularly since most of the quality players are with clubs in the Champions League and that won’t be any easier in January.
CHELSEA
Having spent the summer chasing a centre back, it’s unlikely Antonio Conte is going to give up this winter. Kalidou Koulibaly was a prime target but with Napoli top of their Champions League group, they are not going to be any more minded to sell him than they were during the last window.
Reverting to a three-man defense means that Conte needs depth. Injuries have taught him a painful lesson about Chelsea’s lack of depth in this area. Terry is aging and has a costly history as far as the Blues title aspirations are concerned. Zouma is a fine prospect but we wait to see if his injury has diminished his abilities.
The other cover is from full backs and whilst Moses has been a revelation, there’s no guarantee that others will be converted as successfully.
LIVERPOOL
Top of the Premier League, what could Jurgen Klopp possibly want? Depth, like everyone else. A goalkeeper primarily, with Loris Karius proving no more reliable than Simon Mignolet. It’s doubtful that a new ‘keeper will come this winter but in the summer, the Belgian is sure to move on.
The worry for Liverpool is that Barcelona will step up their attempts to lure Philippe Coutinho to the Camp Nou. The Catalans are not hiding their admiration for the Brazilian and with the lure of playing for arguably the biggest club in the world at the moment surely too hard to resist, Liverpool will be looking to line up a replacement.
Curiously, one is at hand. Arda Turan is certainly a candidate for a part-exchange deal if Liverpool are interested. The Turkish international has failed to live up to expectations since his controversial transfer in 2015.
If that fails, Mahmoud Dahoud of Borussia Monchengladbach is thought to be the final part of Jurgen Klopp’s jigsaw. If you push the piece down hard enough and juggle it about a bit, forcing it to fit into place.
MANCHESTER CITY
Oh, Pep Guardiola wants Alexis Sanchez and what Pep wants, Pep can talk all he wants, there’s precious little chance of the Chilean signing for City, mainly because Arsenal won’t sell to them.
So what does Pep want? Nothing, to be honest. He has a very good squad already and there’s likely to be little movement in or out of City this winter.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
It’s very easy to work out what Tottenham need: goals. Buying Vincent Janssen was supposed to ease the pressure on Harry Kane but the north London club are constrained by their own failure last season.
Defensively they are the best in the top flight but at the other end of the pitch they have problems. Winning the title by 1 – 0 scorelines seems a very Arsenal thing to do but despite this, Mauricio Pochettino is more likely to stick with his squad than add to it.
THE REST OF THE PREMIER LEAGUE
West Ham United sought a new strikeforce throughout the summer and when they landed Andre Ayew, he lasted twenty minutes before succumbing to injury. The Hammers struggled in his absence and continue to do so. Slaven Bilic, it seems, is interested in Troy Deeney whose honest graft makes him popular with fans.
But spare a thought for David Moyes. Stranded at the foot of the table, wondering from where his saviour will come; Sunderland are doomed. And yet, just maybe a chink of light has emerged.
Over in Spain, Barcelona to be exact, a contract remains unsigned. A useful little midfielder is feeling unloved, fed up with the persecution. Or should that be prosecution? Lionel Messi reportedly won’t sign a new deal until the Spanish tax authorities leave him alone…
