The coronavirus pandemic continues to put a strain on football finances, resulting in a relatively quiet January Transfer Window so far with very few marquee signings across Europe. However, with just a few days left before deadline day, transfer activity could still pick up before the window closes and here are five moves that might happen in the January Transfer Window.
5. Jesse Lingard – Manchester United to Newcastle United
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Jesse Lingard has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford throughout this window, but Manchester United are yet to find any permanent suitors for the soon to be free agent. Lingard has grown increasingly unhappy with his playing time in Manchester, and with only six months left on his contract, the club will have to sell him in January to avoid the risk of losing him for free in the summer. Newcastle United are the club that are most likely to sign the 29-year-old, although reports suggest that the Magpies are unhappy with the unrealistic demands from Manchester United, with the Red Devils quoting a package worth £15 million if they avoid relegation.
4. Aaron Ramsey – Juventus to the Premier League
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It’s fair to say that Aaron Ramsey’s Italian adventure has not worked out well for both parties, with the Welsh midfielder having completed 90 minutes just twice in his three years at Juventus. Juventus manager Max Allegri has already gone on record to say that Ramsey is not in his plans for this season and will be shipped out in January. The Premier League is the most likely destination for the former Arsenal star, but the 31-year-old’s massive wages worth a reported £400,000 are proving to be a substantial hurdle to any possible transfer.
3. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – Arsenal to Barcelona or Juventus
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Arsenal’s squad overhaul has continued in the January transfer window, and one more player who could leave the Emirates this winter is former captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The striker hasn’t featured in the matchday squad for Arsenal since early December and has also not travelled with the team to Dubai for a warm-weather training camp. Juventus and Barcelona have emerged as the two candidates reportedly looking to sign the forward on loan for the remaining four months of the season, although it remains to be seen if Arsenal will sanction a move for Aubameyang if they don’t bring in a replacement.
2. Denis Zakaria – Borussia Monchengladbach to Manchester United
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Manchester United are in desperate need of some extra bodies in central midfield if they wish to secure Champions League football for next season, and one player they have been linked to in this window is Swiss midfielder, Denis Zakaria. The 25-year-old has only six months left on his contract with Borussia Monchengladbach and could be available for as little as seven million euros this winter. United have been unwilling to back interim manager Ralf Rangnick in this window as his deal expires in the summer, but the Red Devils could be tempted for a cut-price deal.
1. Alexander Isak – Real Sociedad to Arsenal
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Having failed in their pursuit of Dusan Vlahovic, Arsenal have reportedly turned their attention to Swedish striker Alexander Isak to solve their goalscoring woes. With Aubameyang ostracized from the squad and only six months left on the contracts of Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah, the Gunners are incredibly light in terms of attacking numbers. Isak has a reported £75 million release clause in his contract with Sociedad, but the Gunners will look to negotiate that fee down substantially if they wish to sign the striker in January.
[Featured Image Credit: Real Sociedad]
Shivaan Shah