As the festive period fast approaches there is only one thing on the minds of football fans across Europe. Presents and turkey will of course have their role to play this December, but after Christmas ends and households throughout the nation are littered with wrapping paper and empty boxes, we at least have the January transfer window to look forward to.
Yes the winter window never really lives up to the transfer dealings that happen in the summer, and yes, players who sign in January usually under-perform, leaving managers and clubs wary of doing any business whatsoever during mid-season. But as is always the case in the modern world of football, Premier League clubs very rarely learn from their mistakes.
Take a look at the potential transfer bargains available this January, with a thought to which clubs need to do the most business throughout the window.
10. Ravel Morrison
Once described by ex-Birmingham manager, Lee Clark, as the best English talent since Paul Gascoigne, Ravel Morrison’s brief career has so far been nothing short of controversial.
The ex-Manchester United starlet has so far been accused of two counts of witness intimidation as a juvenile, as well as a more recent accusation of assault on an ex-girlfriend. The latter case has subsequently been dropped, but along with several bust-ups with team mates (both on and off the pitch), Ravel Morrison has done little to help himself so far.
The 21-year-old is blessed with incredible talent however. He has a calmness on the ball that is more commonly found within players from the continent, and his ability to pick out a fine pass is second to none among the England U21 international set up.
Morrison’s contract is up in the summer, and with his time at West Ham seemingly coming to an end, former clubs that he spent time at on loan, QPR and Birmingham, may just decide that this once priceless asset may be worth it if he can finally get his head straight.
9. Fabian Delph
Aston Villa’s latest talent has certainly been turning heads recently in the Premier League. He has gained many admirers this season for his direct style of play, intense energy output, and impressive ability to score class goals.
Delph definitely needs to develop some consistency within his game, as he is still far from the finished article, but this 25-year-old nevertheless is a fairly exciting prospect.
After several impressive displays and the reward of a recent England call-up from Roy Hodgson, you would think that Villa would be doing everything they can to keep hold of the centre-midfielder. Things will not be so easy for Paul Lambert however, as with his side seemingly going nowhere in the league at the moment, Delph’s reluctance to sign a new contract doesn’t bode well for the Villains.
Everton and Liverpool have both expressed interest in Fabian Delph in recent weeks, so a move could well be on the cards for the midfielder if he continues to find his feet in the Premier League.
8. Adrien Rabiot
This young French midfielder may have the look of a new David Luiz, but since the arrival of Yohan Cabaye and the continued form of Blaise Matuidi and Marco Verratti, Adrien Rabiot has seen little time to express himself in PSG’s first team.
Rabiot has drawn praise from both Carlo Ancelotti and current boss Laurent Blanc for his composure on the ball and ability to break up play. He can offer a great deal to any team that is willing to give him the chance, but at the young age of 19-years-old, Rabiot is hardly a big name at PSG at the moment. He was once considered to be one of Ligue 1’s rising stars during 2013/14, but that line of thinking has since evaporated for the young talent.
Arsenal, as well as a whole host of names from the rest of Europe, have expressed an interest in Adrien Rabiot, but they may be put off by the midfielder’s reportedly high wage demands. If this is the case, a loan move may be the more sensible option for those looking to take on the young Frenchman.
7. Andre Ayew
As the sons of former Ghana legend Abedi Pele, Andre and his brother Jordan never fail to attract interest from the Premier League and beyond. Although he is still only 24, the older of the two brothers, Andre, is continuing to impress critics within both France and Europe.
The exciting winger/forward has become a firm fan-favourite during his time at Marseille, but after impressing for his nation at the World Cup this summer, Andre Ayew’s spell in France may be coming to an end. He has several qualities to his game, including fast pace and strong finishing, that would certainly put him in good stead to ply his trade in the Premier League.
Both West Ham and Newcastle have been reportedly keen on Ayew in recent years, but a move to one of Europe’s more illustrious clubs may still await the Marseille forward with his contract ending next summer.
6. Fabian Schar
With Paulo Sousa’s Basel sealing Champions League qualification at Anfield this week, Fabian Schar proves to be a player whose stock is on the rise.
The Swiss centre back has wowed fans in his native homeland for his ability to clean up in defence and chip in with a few important goals in the process. The 22-year-old defender has since developed his role in the heart of Switzerland’s back line, ousting former Arsenal utility-man Johan Djourou in the process.
Basel will therefore be certainly keen to hold onto Schar, but as the prospect of playing in one of Europe’s top five most popular leagues looms ever closer for the young centre-back, doing so won’t be so easy for Paulo Sousa.
A move this winter does seem unlikely however, as Schar is cup-tied for the Champions League and would obviously leave Basel with unfinished business if he were to depart so soon. Nevertheless, Borussia Dortmund and a whole host of clubs from Serie A, have continued to express their desire to sign the young defender.
5. James Milner
Manuel Pellegrini’s ex-Newcastle and Villa winger has always been somewhat of an enigma for fans of the Premier League.
During his career, James Milner has displayed spells of brilliance as an attacking force with a good eye for a pass. The English winger has particularly shone alongside the likes of David Silva, Sergio Aguero and Yaya Toure with Manchester City in recent years, yet he has never really established himself as a first team regular under either Pellegrino or Mancini.
Milner has also failed to bring his club form onto the international stage, but as that is the case with nearly every player who represents the Three Lions these days, his poor form comes as no surprise. Despite this, James Milner can also play the utility-man role by popping up at right-back every now and then when required.
With his contract due to expire soon, it seems doubtful that the England international has a role at Man City beyond this season. Several Premier League teams have are reportedly interested in Milner, with Liverpool again being touted as the front runners.
4. Dani Alves
Within Pep Guardiola’s star-studded Barcelona side circa 2009/10, Dani Alves was largely considered to be one of the best full-backs in the world.
A subsequent drop of form and a quite frankly poor World Cup campaign have nevertheless put an end to that status, and seemingly put an end to Alves’ time at Barca as well. It has been confirmed by the Catalonian giants that the flying Brazilian will be leaving the club in the summer.
This news will not put off potential January suitors however, with all of the Premier League’s top sides looking to win the race to sign this once prized asset. PSG are also considered to be highly interested in the defender, but with the chance to sign Dani Alves for free next summer, perhaps a January move will come too soon for the Barca no. 22.
As well as the ability to score flashy free-kicks, Dani Alves has won the world over for his technical skill and the touch of flair that he brings to the defensive side of the game.
3. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar
As most of the Premier League’s big sides are looking for a striker to ease their goal drought in 2014/15, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar may prove to be the perfect signing.
‘The Hunter’, as he has become known for his ruthless nature in front of goal, has developed an ability to score for fun in the Bundesliga with Schalke 04. He also has plenty of Champions League caps as well a long term experience of playing international football that would surely impress any clubs looking to sign the Dutchman.
Whilst he has never been considered one of the world’s very best strikers, Huntelaar has been a constant force in Europe during spells with Ajax, Real Madrid and AC Milan. Yes the Dutch forward hasn’t had his scoring boots laced to maximum efficiency at all times, but Schalke’s current main man has definitely gone a long way in rediscovering his form in the Bundesliga.
Liverpool and Arsenal should certainly be considering a Klaas-Jan Huntelaar who only has a year remaining on his contract in Germany.
2. Yevhen Konoplyanka
This 25-year-old talent may provide us with one of the least well known players on this list, but for fans of the equally unknown Ukrainian club, Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk, Yevhen Konoplyanka is a true star in the making.
The Ukrainian winger has drawn plaudits for his performances in the Europa League, and with a move to Liverpool reportedly falling through at the last minute last season, Konoplyanka could soon be on his way to somewhere new.
He has the ability to provide an attacking force for his side throughout the entire 90 minutes, as well as being a good passer, a good crosser and a player who rarely seems to tire. For these reasons he would seem a great addition to the Premier League.
As very few Ukrainians actually make it in English football however, perhaps a degree of caution should be applied for any club looking to sign Yevhen Konoplyanka.
1. Sami Khedira
Whilst Sami Khedira doesn’t look like he’d be one of the most technically gifted midfielders that Europe has to offer, the half-German half-Tunisian enforcer is no mere water-carrier.
As his sublime individual display in the 7-1 semi-final destruction of Brazil this summer displayed, Khedira has all the characteristics of a calm ball winner and strong box-to-box midfielder. Under the guidance of Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid however, the German World Cup star has often been considered second best and deemed worthy of only a place on the bench.
At a side like Arsenal though, Khedira would find himself with a lot more game time on his hands and the opportunity to potentially develop into one of the league’s best centre-mids.
Everyone knows that the Gunners could do with someone of Khedira’s calibre in their side, and with the advent of his contract running up at Madrid, a move to the Premier League could soon become a reality for the German star. A worrying injury record however, remains the only issue holding back Sami’s career at this current moment.