The January transfer window opens in Europe shortly after the clock strikes midnight around the world to usher us all into 2025.
That comes with the usual mid-season scramble for clubs looking to fix their problems – often short-term problems that require quick fixes rather than long-term solutions.
Al Jazeera Sport picks the top five names most linked to the movements and clubs vying for their signatures and why:
Marcus Rashford (Manchester United). Favorites: Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Saudi Pro League
There is only one name to start with, and that is, despite his form, Rashford and what could be one of the biggest January transfers in history.
Rashford has been a favorite at Old Trafford since the local lad made his debut in 2016. The now 27-year-old has had a difficult career in the game which has seen him linked with Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain among other European champions. clubs over the years.
At his peak, he was seen as the obvious Galactico for Los Blancos to look to in Spain – in other words, the successor to former Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo. Recently, it is Kylian Mbappe's temporary move to the BernabeuRashford has also been linked to fill the void left by the Frenchman in Paris.
Now, the future is uncertain. Rashford lost his chance in the England team last year and missed out on Euro 2024 – a blow to a player who has been one of the first players in his country's team for years and, age-wise, is reaching. at the peak of his career. New Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has been ruthless and clear in his treatment of Rashford since replacing Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford. The Portuguese say so United are a good club with Rashford but four sets of match days have passed without including a player, who has he was convinced that his time with the club was over.
Victor Osimhen (Napoli). Fans: Manchester United, Chelsea, PSG.
The long-term sale of the Nigerian player with Napoli is dragging on for another transfer window, and there is no clear end in sight. Osimhen has been linked with all the European champions – including offering an alternative to Kylian Mbappe at Real Madrid – after chasing the Italian club to the league title in 2021-22 with 26 goals. In the end, Osimhen also missed out on the continent's top table thanks to Napoli's reckoning for the player who turns 26 on Sunday. Galatasaray, while Nigeria's goal scorers are on loanand it has always been a short choice to a bitter conflict between a football player and his parents' teamwhich started last season when the departure from Napoli was relegated.
With doubts surrounding Rashford's future at Old Trafford, United could be vulnerable in an under-equipped area. Osimhen's workload could match Ruben Amorim's intentions as the new Red Devils coach tries to change the culture at Old Trafford. Chelsea have also been long-time suitors for Osimhen, but at the moment they have an already growing squad. One club that could have the deep pockets to end Osimhen's move to Turkey is PSG, who are yet to replace Mbappe in attack.
Viktor Gyokeres (Sporting Lisbon). Favorites: Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal
Manchester United's other option in trying to add more goals to their attacking line-up is Sweden's Gyokeres. The 26-year-old had previous spells in the Premier League with Brighton and Hove Albion, but thrived under Amorim before moving to Sporting Lisbon in 2023. The striker has yet to make Brighton's first team in three seasons. on the south coast of England but had strong loan spells with former Premier League clubs Swansea City and Coventry City. The latter made Gyokeres' move permanent, which caught Sporting's eye. Now, many of the top clubs in the Premier League have all been linked with a move to Sporting, with a number of clubs willing to get what could be seen as better, or for want of a better word, cheaper returns for their fees. money.
Manchester City need Erling Haaland's apprentice to lead the attack – and Gyokeres scored a hat-trick in Lisbon's 4-1 win over City in the Champions League in November. The possibility of a proposed deal with Amorim, however, could be too much to resist for United, while Arsenal have also been heavily linked with a move. An injury to Bukayo Saka, which has added to Mikel Arteta's concerns at the Gunners, could force the Spaniard's hand in January if he is to go further than last season's second-placed finish. PSG may come calling again, but would Gyokeres fit the bill as a forward that has boasted Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Neymar?
Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao). Fans: Barcelona, ​​Manchester United, PSG
Another transfer that is more likely, not like, is Spain wonder Williams, who has scored four times in 21 international matches. The 22-year-old was the future of Spain's international team along with Lamine Yamal time successful Euro 2024 campaign and it was surprising that no powerful European institutions stepped in at that time to protect one of the hottest places in the world.
Instead, the Pamplona-born player will continue to thrive at one of Spain's most humble clubs. Bilbao are currently fourth in LaLiga, just five points behind leaders Atletico Madrid, who are undoubtedly one of the frontrunners to sign Williams. Whether Barcelona will allow it club and country to connect with Yamal Fingers crossed is not seen – and it is hard to believe – when the number of big clubs hunting for young, talented, fighting players is high.
The biggest problem with Barca's transition, however, is the appeal that the Catalan club has given to extend the registration of their player Dani Olmo, subject to LaLiga limits. Both Olmo and Williams could be on the move in January without finishing at the Bernabeu. Barcelona will try to move mountains to make this happen. Williams has only conceded two goals this season, so perhaps January will be the time for Bilbao to cash in on a player who will pay big money, without undermining what is going on in another impressive season on the pitch.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool). Interest: Real Madrid, PSG
Another thing to consider on the January shopping list is saga that is ending his contract at Liverpool. Three big names are all expected to be taken in free transfer this summer: Mohamed SalahVirgil van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold. The doubt is that the first two will sign extensions like The Anfield club are seeking their second title since England's top flight was reshuffled like the Premier League. Both Salah and van Dijk have girlfriends all over Europe and, of course A big salary should be paid to the Saudi Pro LeagueThe pair also seem to have a burning desire to continue to challenge at the highest level of European football at the age of 32 and 33 respectively.
The likelihood is that both will remain with the Reds and the problems they have faced, which will keep them at the top of the domestic and Champions League tables. The lack of transfer money they can command, due to their age, is a problem for Liverpool compared to their presence on the pitch. All these thoughts will be of great concern, however, when it comes to Alexander-Arnold.
The prospect of losing a player, that every club in the world would build a team around, is a huge concern. Real Madrid are favorites – and have a tendency to land top talent on a free transfer, such as Mbappe – if the Reds fail to convince Alexander-Arnold to sign a new contract. Whether or not the club lost what they lost and made a bad move for their central defenders in January is a prospect that no one at Liverpool wants to consider. Especially when we consider that it could upset what has been a very strong season so far. Allowing a player who would dominate one of world football's biggest revolutions to leave Anfield for free in the summer, however, is the prospect that the club and its fans hope, in all their hearts, will not come. to go.