While Christmas for most of us is on 25th December, football clubs must wait another week or so to get their hands on any shiny new toys. The January Transfer Window opens on January 2nd 2016 in England, and clubs around Europe will be busy looking to boost their squads.
Here’s your complete guide to the 2016 January transfer window with a look at 31 players who could be on the move – possibly to your club…
January Transfer Window 2016 Complete Guide
Alex Teixeira
A player we’ve admired for years on Just Football looks finally set to get his coveted move to an ‘elite’ club. We first reported on the Brazilian attacking midfielder in 2009 when he was tearing it up at the Under-20 World Cup, finishing runner-up for player of the tournament after dazzling with his technical mastery, tricks and vision.
Shakhtar Donetsk moved quickly to sign Alex Teixeira, and while the move has proved successful – Teixeira has won 11 trophies in Donetsk, was the league’s joint-top scorer in 2014/15 and leads the charts this year, too – playing in the Ukraine offers far less in the way of visibility compared to other leagues. This partly explains why Teixeira remains uncapped at 25.
“Alex is now worth more than €40m,” said Shakhtar coach Mircea Lucescu after Teixeira hit a remarkable 26 goals in 26 games in all competitions this season. That doesn’t appear likely to put off Chelsea, who are keen to hold talks.
Could join: Chelsea, Arsenal, Juventus, PSG, Manchester United.
Saido Berahino
By Christmas this time last season Saido Berahino had already scored eight goals for West Bromwich Albion. Fast forward a year and he’s only just about managed eight starts. Post-Jeremy Peace-gate it’s been a nightmare campaign for the 22-year-old, now a solid Baggies benchwarmer.
Berahino has played just two minutes of senior football since November and Tony Pulis’ repeated press conference grumblings suggest a parting of the ways is almost inevitable – particularly with Berahino’s contract running into its final 18 months. Spurs remain keen, while Guus Hiddink has reportedly made his signing a priority for Chelsea.
Could join: Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea.
SEE ALSO: #JF60 Class of 2015 – top 10 young players in the Premier League 2014/15 season review
Jamie Vardy
Could it really happen? Could the Premier League’s top scorer and most talked about player really be about to ditch Leicester City while they top the table? You would think surely not, but stranger things have happened.
The Telegraph report that Jamie Vardy is on Chelsea’s list of targets for the January transfer window, and that Manchester City have also made ‘a tentative check’ on the 28-year-old. The feel-good story of the season would crumble completely if Vardy were to desert Leicester in search of perhaps one last lucrative long-term contract, but you just never know in football.
Could join: Chelsea, Manchester City.
Ayoze Perez
One of those stories that probably won’t happen, but won’t go away, either. It’s clear that Newcastle United are sitting on a potentially huge asset in Spanish Under-21 international Ayoze Perez, but a rough diamond that needs a fair bit of polishing before we see the finished article.
Seven goals in 36 appearances last season show there’s something to work with, as does his balletic style, assured technique and grace on the ball. You can see why big clubs are interested.
“There is much truth in the interest from Tottenham and Man United, but my place is at Newcastle,” Perez told Radio Club Tenerife, doing absolutely nothing to put the story to bed. Get used to reading his name in the gossip columns.
Could join: Manchester United, Spurs, Arsenal.
Ezequiel Lavezzi
With his contract at Paris Saint-Germain expiring next summer free agent time is fast approaching for Argentine cunnilingus-in-police-hat merchant Ezequiel Lavezzi, meaning his club could choose to cash in in January. In Paris Lavezzi has never quite hit the heights that made him such a cult hero at Napoli, and a return to Italy could well be on the cards after his agent held talks with both Inter Milan and Juventus earlier this month.
Spurs boss and fellow Argie Mauricio Pochettino is also thought to admire the 30-year-old, who would add class and experience to a young Tottenham side. For his part, Lavezzi is on record saying he would love to join Barcelona.
Could join: Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur, Inter Milan, Juventus, Arsenal.
Andros Townsend
From one who could be joining Spurs to one who may be leaving after falling out with his manager in November. At 24 it’s too late for Andros Townsend to live off the ‘young English player with promise’ tag. He needs regular first-team football to re-establish himself as an England international (Townsend has 11 caps after all, more than players like Luther Blissett and Laurie Cunningham who achieved far more).
Townsend’s pace and energy could be perfect to help revitalise a side like Southampton who have gone stale in recent weeks, and whispers around the club suggest they are keen. “He can turn defence into attack in a matter of seconds, and Ronald (Koeman) needs players who can give his defence a breather,” former Saints striker Gordon Watson told the Southern Daily Echo.
Could join: Southampton, Aston Villa, West Ham, Newcastle, Watford.
SEE ALSO: 10 players with a point to prove in 2015/16
Radamel Falcao
Once named the best striker in the world by us at Just Football, now Radamel Falcao is little more than a byword for heartache and underachievement.
There’s nothing comic or entertaining about Falcao’s decline to the level of a pub player. It’s 100% a tragedy. A man so driven, who lives and breathes football, robbed of some of the peak moments of his professional life by a series of crushing injuries.
Just when you thought his time at Manchester United would be the nadir, it got worse. A forgotten man at Chelsea who looks likely to return to AS Monaco – where it all began to go so wrong for the Colombian.
Could join: AS Monaco, Valencia, Porto.
Vuelve la premier, listo para el partido de hoy. Premier is back, ready for today's match. pic.twitter.com/wwUkzdDWFd
— Radamel Falcao (@FALCAO) September 12, 2015
Jeison Murillo
The most Googled man in Colombia in 2015, Jeison Murillo is having a fantastic debut season at Inter Milan. The centre-back was named in the Copa America team of the tournament in the summer and has carried that form to Milan where he’s helped Inter top Serie A.
His value has sky-rocketed in the process, and while Real Madrid and Barcelona are being linked, those in the know in Colombia are also going big on the Murillo to Liverpool rumours, with a €30 million bid apparently in the offing. We’d take that with a pinch of salt, but it’s clear Murillo is already a wanted man.
Could join: Liverpool, Real Madrid.
Adrien Rabiot
Adrien Rabiot has always had something of a thorny relationship with his club formateur Paris Saint-Germain, so it’s no surprise to learn of yet more discomfort.
At the start of December, Rabiot gave an interview to Téléfoot in which he again grumbled about a lack of opportunities in Paris, claiming he’d asked for and been granted a guarantee of a loan move in January if his playing time decreased in the coming month. Some chutzpah for a 20-year-old in a squad is absolutely jam-packed with world class players.
“It annoyed me,” is how Rabiot’s manager Laurent Blanc replied when asked about the demand, but Blanc is growing accustomed to the vagarious nature of Rabiot and his entourage.
There’s no doubting the kid’s talent – we named Rabiot among the 60 best young players in Europe last season – and Blanc has started him in three of PSG’s four games since. His impatient attitude is grating many in Paris, however, and with Marco Verratti back from injury and Arsenal holding a long-standing interest in the player rumours of a move are growing.
Could join: Arsenal, or anyone in Ligue 1 on loan.
Emmanuel Adebayor
Released by Spurs in September Emmanuel Adebayor is free to pursue new opportunities in January. Any takers?
Whether you consider him a misfit or misunderstood, a fit Adebayor, in the right frame of mind and on a free transfer, could be a gamble with a high upside. “I think he is very motivated to prove, after what happened in Tottenham, that he is still a player who can add something to any team in England, and also other countries in Europe,” Togo manager Tom Saintfiet told BBC World Service recently.
“He is physically ready, he still has the technical abilities and I think he is very motivated to prove a point. I think any club that appoints him in the winter break will see some goals.”
Could join: Aston Villa, West Ham, Watford, Sheffield Wednesday.
Demarai Gray
“Probably the best young player in the country” is how Hull City manager Steve Bruce described Birmingham City starlet Demarai Gray. “There’s a bit of a swagger about him…I wouldn’t be surprised if one of the big ones take him.”
As a tricky, skilful English player approaching 100 senior games under his belt at just 19 it’s perhaps a surprise Demarai Gray hasn’t been the subject of more attention to this point. But that could all be about to change.
Southampton are in need of more pace and guile in forward areas, and Ronaldo Koeman recently sent his brother Erwin to personally scout the teenager.
Could join: Southampton, Bournemouth, Leicester City, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur.
Neven Subotic
Is Neven Subotic to Liverpool a credible rumour or just lazy journalism? (Borussia Dortmund player → Jürgen Klopp is the former Dortmund manager → Klopp is now at Liverpool → SUBOTIC TO LIVERPOOL!)
Whatever your thoughts, the 27-year-old has completely fallen out of favour at Dortmund since Klopp’s departure, going from a regular (36 starts for the centre-back in 2014/15) to a benchwarmer (four starts in all competitions under Thomas Tuchel).
“Naturally he is not happy” BVB sporting director Michael Zorc told Bild recently. Subotic has said he wants to stay and fight for his place. But, considering his value, a sale could prove a nice earner – the funds with which Dortmund could strengthen in other areas.
Could join: Liverpool, Wolfsburg.
Mathieu Debuchy
It was all going swimmingly for Mathieu Debuchy at Arsenal until twin terrors came along and stopped him in his tracks: injury and Hector Bellerin. Both have unfortunately meant the 30-year-old French right-back has been unable to get a sustained run in the Gunners’ first team. Having already considered leaving in the summer, and with Euro 2016 a fast-approaching dot on the horizon, the player signed for £10 million from Newcastle has admitted publicly he is open to offers.
Could join: West Bromwich Albion, Aston Villa, Sunderland, Bournemouth, Marseille, Lille.
Charlie Austin
After banging in two impressive goals in QPR’s recent 2-2 draw with high-fliers Brighton and Hove Albion, Charlie Austin vowed to stay in west London for the rest of the season in front of the Sky Sports cameras. But do we really believe him?
New manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink declared it case closed after Austin’s comments, but we’ll believe it when we see it: Austin is hot property at the moment and several Premier League clubs are on the hunt for a goalscorer this January transfer window. Crucial to QPR’s promotion push, but in the right environment Austin could be an outside contender for a spot in England’s Euro 2016 squad.
Could join: Newcastle United, Aston Villa.
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SEE ALSO: Where next for Charlie Austin?
Peter Crouch
Remember the robot? It’s been a long time since we witnessed Peter Crouch perform his signature celebration. The Stoke City striker has become something of a forgotten man in recent months, making just six appearances all season for the Potters and scoring one goal.
Yet to start a Premier League game for them in 2015/16, Crouch told talksport earlier this season he’s desperate to play first-team football, and at 34 it’s imperative he gets back to doing that pretty soon. A move to MLS has been touted and it’d be both surprising to us and stifling for him if he’s still at the Britannia Stadium come February 1st.
Could join: QPR, Blackburn Rovers, somewhere in MLS.
Kevin Mirallas
Another player who has gone off the radar this season. Valued at £10.5 million by transfermarkt, Kevin Mirallas is clearly an asset for Everton, but one who appears to have completely tumbled down the pecking order. The 28-year-old hasn’t started a league game since the opening day of the season.
In typically enthusiastic fashion, manager Roberto Martinez said he expected the Belgian “to have a massive say going forward” – but that was in October. Having signed a new contract in August a move may be unlikely, but Mirallas has admirers across Europe and can’t afford to ride the bench much longer with Euro 2016 looming.
Could join: Atletico Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Spurs.
Wahbi Khazri
Named among the top 10 best young players in France’s Ligue 1 on Just Football in 2013/14, Tunisian trickster Wahbi Khazri is finally reaching a level that is putting him on the radar of Premier League clubs.
Khazri hit nine goals and four assists in his first season at Bordeaux in 2014/15 and the gifted playmaker has five goals and six assists in 17 league appearances so far in 2015/16. ‘One of the best players in our league’ is how France Football describes him, and you know what that means – English eyes are watching. RMC report that Aston Villa boss Remi Garde is ready to pay up to £8 million for the 24-year-old.
Could join: Aston Villa, Southampton, Everton.
Steven Naismith
Steven Naismith hasn’t played a single minute of Everton’s last eight league games going back to October and has started just five games all season – which makes it all the stranger to think Roberto Martinez turned down an £8 million offer from Norwich City for the Scottish international in the summer.
Naismith scored a hat-trick against Chelsea in September, proving the 29-year-old still has a lot to offer at this level. Plenty of top level clubs will be interested if the Toffees aren’t prepared to keep him.
Could join: Norwich City, Bournemouth, Aston Villa, West Bromwich Albion.
Sam Byram
With a contract rapidly ticking down to its final few months, Leeds United youngster Sam Byram is hot property. The 22-year-old turned down a new contract in September, prompting Leeds owner Massimo Cellino to have a pop. “He didn’t sign the new contract and he won’t sign it anymore. He’s been offered a contract a few times, he didn’t want to sign and I am deeply offended. I am so hurt inside that if he comes asking for a contract I would prefer to sign someone else.”
A parting of the ways seems likely for the right-sided player, possibly as early as January.
Could join: Sunderland, Everton, Bournemouth.
Man of the Match, @LUFC's Sam Byram: 2 goals from 2 attempts on target 40 passes 80% passing accuracy pic.twitter.com/sIt60mXSFq
— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) December 17, 2015
SEE ALSO: Leeds United managers under Massimo Cellino… and their grisly endings
Robin van Persie
From dancing around with Sir Alex Ferguson and the Premier League title in his hands to struggling just to get 10 minutes of football off the bench at Fenerbahce it’s been a nightmare few years for Robin van Persie. The Dutchman has spoken publicly of his discontent with life in Turkey, and has clearly not been enjoying his time there.
Barcelona were rather surprisingly linked earlier in the season but a move back to England or the Netherlands this January transfer window would be more realistic.
Could join: Barcelona, Feyenoord, Arsenal (?!).
Anthony Stokes
Death threats, Twitter meltdowns, poor form – there’s a consensus that Celtic star Anthony Stokes is in the last chance saloon at Celtic Park after a series of negative headlines. North of the border the 27-year-old striker is wanted by Hibernian, while a string of Championship clubs are also reportedly keen.
Could join: Sunderland, Hibernian, Cardiff City, Preston North End.
Ashley Cole
“Every good player is interesting for me and Ashley is a good player. He is someone who has experience but he didn’t play for a while now. Experience is also something we need. I will speak soon with the club and I’m already working on the January window.”
Hmm something tells us Remi Garde wants to sign Ashley Cole in January. It hasn’t worked out for the former Arsenal and Chelsea stalwart in Rome. A move could suit all parties, though. At 35, whether he’s the man to save Villa remains to be seen.
Could join: Aston Villa, New York City FC, LA Galaxy.
@13Szczesny13 make my coffee now Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.☕️ pic.twitter.com/m7kepsstXe
— Ashley Cole (@TheRealAC3) December 3, 2015
Simone Zaza
Juventus paid £12.6m for striker Simone Zaza in the summer, but in a deep squad that includes Alvaro Morata, Paulo Dybala and Mario Mandzukic for competition Za-Za Zoom has struggled for playing time. Five goals in ten appearances (four starts) shows the Azzurri striker has pedigree, and at 24 he could offer a lot to any willing bidders. La Gazzetta Dello Sport claim that Crystal Palace and West Ham have shown firm interest.
Could join: West Ham, Crystal Palace, Lazio, AC Milan, AS Roma.
Alexandre Pato
There’s a weird inevitablity about Alexandre Pato ending up in the Premier League which Guardian writer Barney Ronay summed up well in this piece on Signing the Duck. Pato is a curious figure in football: the ultimate wonderkid who never made it and yet a player who still maintains a respectable goal ratio (26 in 59 for Sao Paulo, 1 in 2 average for AC Milan), level of skill and reputation.
That top tier clubs like Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United are linked says as much about Pato as the weirdly contradictory situation whereby his current club in Brazil are desperate to get rid of him. All parties seem to want a move to happen – the question is where will he end up?
Could join: Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Sao Paulo.
Patrick Bamford
Part of the #JF60 top ten best young players to watch in the Premier League in 2015, Patrick Bamford is having a nightmare loan spell at Crystal Palace – so much so that talk of him being recalled prematurely has been floating since around October.
“He’s had a lot of competition and he’s trying to understand the way we play,” is how Alan Pardew explained away the Championship player of the season’s pitiful 74 minutes of Premier League action since moving to Selhurst Park. If Chelsea do recall the 22-year-old you’d imagine he would go straight out on loan again somewhere else.
Could join: Middlesbrough, Swansea City, Leeds United, Brentford.
Dwight Gayle
The man who (along with Demba Ba) shattered Liverpool’s 2013/14 title dreams nearly left Crystal Palace in the summer for Bristol City, after the two sides reportedly agreed an £8 million deal. Gayle, 25, turned the move down but doesn’t seem to fit into Alan Pardew’s system and is wanted by a string of Championship and mid-ranking Premier League clubs.
Could join: Derby County, Bournemouth, Aston Villa, Fulham, Bristol City.
Salvatore Sirigu
Popular with the PSG faithful, Salvatore Sirigu was given a warm ovation by fans in a rare appearance against Saint-Etienne in the Coupe de la Ligue in December. Having lost his number one jersey to Kevin Trapp, though, rumours of a departure have lingered all season.
With a net salary of more than 3 million euros per year and a contract until 2018 Sirigu is not going to come cheap. But high quality keepers with international pedigree rarely come at a cut price anyway.
Could join: AS Roma, Valencia, Monaco, Newcastle.
Federico Fazio
A complete misfit at Spurs, Federico Fazio’s career at White Hart Lane can be neatly summed up by his debut: he was sent off and Spurs lost 4-1. Fazio nearly joined West Bromwich Albion in the summer but the deal collapsed. The Argentine centre-back has played one game since and has been left out of the Spurs squad for all but two league games in 2015/16. An £8 million flop.
Could join: Sevilla, Fiorentina, West Bromwich Albion.
Younes Belhanda
Desperate to leave Dynamo Kiev, Younes Belhanda has been linked with moves all over the place in recent months. The attacking midfielder’s profile would fit Spain perfectly, hence the Valencia rumours, but Schalke 04 boss Andre Breitenreiter has spoken about his desire to sign a creative player, with a €9m price tag mentioned. Premier League clubs are interested, too.
Could join: Schalke 04, Valencia, Olympique Lyonnais, Aston Villa.
Nicolas Nkoulou
The pillar upon which Marseille build their defence, Cameroon international centre-back Nicolas Nkoulou is out of contract in the summer and could well be sold at a cut price before then as the popular French outfit look to ease their financial worries. Lazio are extremely keen and Chelsea are known to have admired the player for some time.
Could join: Chelsea, Lazio.
Papy Djilobodji
Speaking of Chelsea, anyone heard from Papy Djilobodji lately? Surely one of the most bizarre transfers in recent years, the former Nantes man signed up at Stamford Bridge on deadline day, has played one minute in the League Cup against Walsall and is now set to leave in January.
A move to Besiktas has been mooted for the 27-year-old, while Marseille are also interested in a loan deal – possibly to replace the aforementioned Nkoulou.
It feels like home already! Image may be NSFW.
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Clik here to view.#CFC Je me sens déjà à la maison! Image may be NSFW.
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Clik here to view.#CFC pic.twitter.com/JzQi9kAgGZ
— Papy Djilobodji (@papydjilo15) September 3, 2015
Could join: Besiktas, Marseille, Lazio.
Which players do you think will be on the move in the January transfer window? Let us know below, on Twitter @JustFootball or Facebook. And check back on Just Football throughout January for more transfer news, views and analysis.
The post January Transfer Window Complete Guide: 31 Players who could be on the move around Europe appeared first on Just Football.