With the World Cup over and the return of the Premier League season just days away… we also have the January transfer window to contend with from January 1.
With that in mind we are analysing the most likely moves to take shape ahead of next month.
Moves are already being made and we already have a good idea of exactly what some clubs are looking for and where they might turn.
So here is five of the best potential transfers to keep an eye out for…
Arsenal – Mykhaylo Mudryk
Their urge for another wide forward has been there since failing to land Raphinha last summer and Shakhtar Donetsk’s Mykhaylo Mudryk is the man they have narrowed in on.
The main issue is around the fee as Shakhtar need to lower their valuation if it is to happen. They want to make £100million but at the moment that is unrealistic. Sources at the English end of things suggest half of that figure might be a good starting point and that the Gunners could creep up from there.
Talks are open on this one and that’s why it’s got to be seen as a likely deal in such an early moment. The avenues are open for conversations, the player is believed to be convinced of it as a good opportunity, and Arsenal now need to negotiate.
Aston Villa – Arnaut Danjuma
On the surface you might wonder why Aston Villa need a player like this, given they already have such vast attacking options in the squad.
Yet the style of Danjuma is better suited to what Unai Emery is looking to build at Aston Villa and sources insists he has the green light to sign a new wide forward next month.
The pair have worked together at Villarreal and while there are still some blurred lines here over the terms that will make this switch possible, sources close to Villa are indicating that he is certainly being pursued. At this stage he is the closest thing they have to a big potential signing. One doubt lurking at the moment is the Villarreal transfer stance on how it actually opens up, with sources indicating they are a difficult club to read.
Chelsea – Josko Gvardiol
The foot is having to go on the accelerator for this one. Chelsea were primed to try to land him from RB Leipzig before the World Cup but now there is slightly more urgency, given his great performances in Qatar and talk that he’s not going anywhere until 2024.
They have been in the driving seat on this one and some well informed contacts believe it can still be set up in January to go through at a later date, similar to the deal they have worked on for Christopher Nkunku. The fact they have already had success in dealing with Leipzig over Nkunku raises hope for the Gvardiol deal, especially as the player’s camp have previously shown enthusiasm over the Stamford Bridge project.
It’s complicated but Chelsea are believed to be plugging away at it while also looking at immediate options in other positions.
Fulham – Cedric Soares
The right back position has been a strange one for Fulham. They currently have two players that play there naturally in Kenny Tete and Kevin Mbabu, while Bobby Decordova-Reid has filled in well this season as an emergency option that worked out.
Now though, the club are landing a man that has been high on their wanted list for some time. Cedric needs a new lease of life and is highly rated by Fulham, who tried to sign him previously from Arsenal. Getting him through the door will add calibre and depth to a squad that looks capable of holding its own in the Premier League this time around.
Leicester – Azzedine Ounahi
Convincing Ounahi to go ahead with this move will be a fantastic win for Leicester. The player knows they were the first ones on his tail before dazzling World Cup performances raised his status and had Jose Mourinho purring publicly.
Angers know they have a gem and are willing to cash in but they would prefer he sticks the season out with them so they can ride this wave and benefit fully from his amazing form.
Perhaps the really interesting thing here is the knock-on effect it could have inside Leicester. If Ounahi does sign, it could finally lead to Youri Tielemans heading for the exit.
