January tRANSFER the market is extremely difficult to master. Even the most respected recruiting teams struggle to navigate the minefield.
The winter market generally centers around desperation, with clubs eager to rectify the problems that arose during the first half of the campaign. With teams loathe to lose their best and brightest mid-season, ratings often skyrocket.
However, there is still plenty of value to be discovered during the January window, with stars lost for sale and players entering the final six months of their contracts.
Here are the low price offers that Premier League the parties may aim for January 2025.
Suitable clubs: Arsenal, Man Utd, Tottenham
Possible fee: £15-20m
Only Robert Lewandowski, Harry Kane and Erling Haaland plundered more goals than Jonathan David in 2024. The Canada international scored 36 in 50 appearances across the calendar year – a sensational return considering he was playing for Lille.
David has naturally attracted interest from Europe's elite clubs and the expiry of his current contract this summer means he is available to discuss his future with other clubs this winter.
While the temptation will be to wait until the end of the season and sign the 24-year-old on a free, splashing the cash in January could guarantee the centre-forward's signature.
Suitable clubs: Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City, Man Utd
Possible fee: £20-25 million
Speaking of Canadian internationals whose contracts expire this summer, Alphonso Davies enters. While Bayern Munich are desperate to tie the left-back down to new terms, there is a growing feeling that this could be the 24-year-old's last season in Bavaria.
Real Madrid and Barcelona are expressing great interest in Davies, especially the first onebut the Premier League could be an equally desirable destination for the defender.
Like David, the Bayern man will be available for free in the summer, but a £20-25m cut in January could force a move. There are several Premier League teams looking for left-back reinforcements.
Suitable clubs: Arsenal, Man City
Possible fee: Credit agreement
Barcelona's ongoing battle to sign summer signing Dani Olmo – which has yet to be resolved despite the Spanish National Sports Council deciding in favor – leaves the future of the Spaniard up in the air.
Having impressed since his £51m move to Catalonia, the Euro 2024 winner looks unlikely to leave the club on a permanent deal, but a loan move could be sanctioned for the second half of the season if Barca's push to register Olmo fails.
There are a number of teams in the Premier League who would relish the addition of the extremely talented Olmo for the final months of the season, particularly the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City, who have lacked creativity for long periods this season.
Suitable clubs: Man Utd, Tottenham, West Ham
Possible fee: Credit agreement
Randal Kolo Muani has fallen rapidly out of favor at Paris Saint-Germain under Luis Enrique and now looks a far cry from the impressive and speedy centre-forward who ran riot with Eintracht Frankfurt. He has scored just two goals in 14 appearances for the Ligue 1 champions this season.
A move away in January looks increasingly likely for both Manchester United and Tottenham expressed interest in signing the Frenchman on loan for the remainder of the campaign.
Juventus are also exploring a move, but the lure of the Premier League could be too tempting for Kolo Muani, who could rebuild his career with one of England's elite.
Possible clubs: Chelsea, Man City, Man Utd
Possible fee: £12.5 million
With his contract also expiring this summer, Bayer Leverkusen are reportedly willing to let Jonathan Tah, one of the key performers during their outstanding 2023/24 campaign, leave the BayArena for just £12.5m in January. Now that's a bargain.
The towering centre-half may turn 29 this February, but he is in his prime and was very close to joining Bayern Munich in the summer. It is reported that Barcelona has also expressed interest.
Chelsea, Man City and Man Utd are among the Premier League sides currently in the market for the centre-back and £12.5m is a pittance for a player of Tah's incredible quality and consistency.
Suitable clubs: Aston Villa, Man Utd, Man City, Nottingham Forest
Possible fee: £21 million
Douglas Luiz earned his lucrative move to Juventus after several impressive seasons at Aston Villa. However, after just six months in Turin, a move away could already be on the cards for the Brazilian midfielder.
With Juventus reportedly looking to recoup the £21m they spent in the summer – with several players heading to Villa Park as part of the deal – Luiz could be available for a bargain fee.
A return to Villa would not be out of the question, while Man City, who Luiz represented early in his career, could see the diminutive defensive midfielder as the perfect replacement for Rodri for the second half of the season.
Suitable clubs: Aston Villa, Tottenham, West Ham
Possible fee: £35m or loan
Marcus Rashford's public falling out with Man Utd means January could see a move away from Old Trafford for the boyhood Red Devil. Europe seems a possible destination, with Italian clubs and Borussia Dortmund it says at the front of the queue.
Rashford could be available for as little as £35m, which would be a steal if he is able to rediscover his best form. A special possibility remains a change of loan until the end of the campaign.
West Ham, who are now managed by Graham Potter, are one of the clubs interested in the 27-year-oldwhich can prove a smart signature in the right environment.