It is only a matter of days until we can put an end to the January rumours.
That said, those same rumours will quickly return as everyone looks ahead to the potential summer transfer jostling. It’s something to anticipate eagerly for many, but it’s also a distraction from the actual sport that we all love so very much.
The January window has its detractors, with many thinking it should be abolished or that transfers should be allowed at any time during the season. Half the Premier League clubs, though, seem to be pretty keen on making an impact this winter, while the other half are reluctant to spend their money for the fear of being ripped off.
The clock is ticking for the clubs who want to do business, though. The deadline looms over the heads of some managers and their final days of signings could make the difference in their managerial careers.
Here are TEN deals that could sneak through…
Nelson Semedo to Chelsea/Manchester United
Benfica’s 23-year-old right-back, Nelson Semedo, has attracted the interest of Chelsea and Manchester United this winter. Adept when put into one-on-one defensive situations and with all the physical attributes to function as a wing-back or a natural, back-four full-back, Semedo is understandably a target.
Like so many players from Portugal, however, Semedo will not come cheaply and a fee well over £3m is likely.
Dimitri Payet to Marseille
Premier League clubs are down the pecking order for potential Dimitri Payet destinations, but that does not mean a move is off the agenda. It seems that a return to Marseille is expected, with Sky Sports having revealed that a bid worth in excess of £20m has been made by l’OM and rejected.
Surely with the player desperate to go and a club willing to pay a big fee this one will happen.
Ivan Perisic to Chelsea
Inter Milan’s Croatian winger, who can also play in a central role either behind the striker or as the line-leader, has caught the eye of several of the Premier League’s strongest clubs – such as Chelsea. His pace makes him a threat running in behind, but he has the close control and attacking nous to function as a creative influence from between the lines, too.
The Italian giants will not want to let a key man go, particularly in January, but he is the sort of player that could make an immediate impact on the league.
William Carvalho to Liverpool
European champion William Carvalho has been persistently linked with a move to the Premier League – Usually to any team that has looked defensively shaky.
He will not come cheaply, which could put off some potential suitors, but no team is needier of defensive reinforcement than Liverpool at the moment, with A Bola (below) reporting interest from the banks of the River Mersey. While defenders would need to be signed too, Carvalho would be quite a statement.
Robert Snodgrass to West Bromwich Albion
One of the most talked about players in this window, Robert Snodgrass’ future at Hull is under serious threat. After the sale of Jake Livermore, there are signs that the board at the KCOM Stadium could be prepared to even sell Snodgrass, who is unquestionably their most important offensive player.
West Brom, whom the Mirror claim are keen, meanwhile, continue to show increased ambition. Snodgrass could be an excellent foil for Nacer Chadli and Matt Phillips and provide another brilliant set-piece option for Tony Pulis.
Andrea Ranocchia to Spurs
Injuries to Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen have left Mauricio Pochettino in a bit of a defensive muddle. Eric Dier and Kevin Wimmer are more than adept deputies, but a potential central defensive shortage could see Spurs delve into the market late in the window.
Inter Milan’s towering centre-back, Andrea Ranocchia, is a potential target for the Lilywhites and could make a shock late move across Europe. With Spurs’ defence being so integral to their success, Ranocchia could prove to be a difference maker.
Asmir Begovic to Bournemouth
Chelsea look unlikely to sell Begovic to Bournemouth unless a replacement can be found in the closing days of the window, but that does not make this deal impossible. The Cherries continue to leak goals at an alarming rate and Begovic’s talents seem wasted on the Blues’ bench – this deal really does make sense for all parties.
ESPN claim there’s genuine interest, but this one could go to the wire.
Patrick van Aanholt to Crystal Palace
Not happy with signing only Jeffrey Schlupp, Sam Allardyce is continuing his revamp of Crystal Palace’s left-side. Van Aanholt has been a key for Sunderland over the last couple of seasons, despite his defensive weaknesses, as his goalscoring impact has nicely supplemented Jermain Defoe.
Sunderland will be reluctant to let their marauding left-back go, but Allardyce is apparently determined to get his man. A big enough fee and we will surely see this deal go through before the deadline.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek loan
With Nathaniel Chalobah and Nathan Ake likely ahead of Ruben Loftus-Cheek in the Chelsea pecking order, he desperately needs a loan move in the second half of this season. At a pivotal point in his development, the talented young midfielder needs to be playing regular competitive minutes at this stage in his career.
Many clubs would be interested in Chelsea’s starlet, but he may even drop down to the Championship for guaranteed minutes.
Robert Snodgrass to West Ham
It’s his second appearance on this list, which is quite fitting considering all the rumours about him over the course of this window. With Dimitri Payet never playing for West Ham again, the Hammers have been on the lookout for a potential replacement on the flank and Robert Snodgrass is a player they continue to chase.
The Scotsman would be a fatal sale for Hull, but a shrewd signing for the Hammers.