Top 10 potential winter transfers that could happen this time
The likes of Denis Suarez, Adrien Rabiot, and Isco could very well be signing for new clubs in the beginning of 2019.
The time is gradually near when clubs will be running after players only in order to make amends to their mistakes in the previous season. With winter the football season also enters into its business and clubs definitely want to tweak some changes in their squad so that they get the best output from the unit.
Sometimes amidst all of the chaos in January clubs end up splashing way too much cash on a player, probably a lot more than he actually deserves. But with competitions entering in its climax top clubs around Europe does not mind investing a bit too much on players mid-season. Over the years we have seen some crucial signings in the winter transfer window and hence this season as well let us look at some of the potential winter transfers that are on the cards:
10. Elaquim Mangala to Inter Milan
⚽???? pic.twitter.com/1n756PRXWp
— Eliaquim Mangala (@Elia22Mangala) October 30, 2018
Mangala is having a poor time in England, and could be on his way to Italy
The French defender was one of the best defenders when he joined Manchester City. However, from then, he has fallen down the pecking order under Pep Guardiola, as the Spaniard prefers John Stones, Nicolas Otamendi and Aymeric Laporte because of their ball-playing abilities. Since joining from Porto, the 27-year old has been loaned out to Valencia and Everton but his performances in both the stints were not good enough for Guardiola to put him in his plans.
Hence his days at the club are numbered and with increasing interest from Serie A side, Inter Milan Mangala is destined to don the iconic Black and Blue jersey of the Nerazzurri.
9. Cesc Fabregas to AC Milan
The Spanish midfield has fallen down the pecking order under Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri. The Italian has massively underused Fabregas, preferring him only as a substitute to Jorginho. Fabregas also is on the wrong side of thirty and does not possess the same quality he once had.
With things getting out of hand in London, the Spanish World Cup winner is heavily linked with a move to AC Milan. Italian midfield and current Milan boss Gennaro Gattuso personally admires Fabregas and with the Rossoneri trying to claw their way back to glory this could be a good move for both the parties. The Italian league has had a reputation of treating veterans nicely and this can be the best possible option for the 31-year old.
8. Toby Alderweireld to Manchester United
The @Carabao_Cup semi-finals? That way ???????? #derbywinners #NorthLondonDerby #COYS pic.twitter.com/fiSstfUURl
— Alderweireld Toby (@AlderweireldTob) December 19, 2018
The Belgian has long been rumored to join United
The Red Devils recently parted ways with Jose Mourinho and former player Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has joined the club as caretaker manager. With the changes at the helm of Old Trafford one thing that should remain unchanged is their pursuit for Toby Alderweireld. The Belgian defender has played a pivotal role in Tottenham's ascendancy from a top-four club to a title contender. Alderweireld has flourished under Mauricio Pochettino alongside compatriot Jan Vertonghen in the heart of the Spurs backline.
However the 29-year old has somewhat fallen out of favour due to more competition in their ranks as Pochettino seems like favouring countryman and young defender Juan Foyth over the veteran. With Manchester United's in shambles, a player like him brings a lot to the table. Alderweireld is an experienced defender and has leadership skills, adding to that the someone who excels with the ball at his feet and can help the Red Devils play it out from the back. He can certainly be a huge improvement over their current crop of defenders at Old Trafford.
7. Christian Pulisic to Liverpool/Chelsea
The 20-year old has become USA's poster boy in football an has developed leaps and bounds in Dortmund through these years. He is one of the Premier USA players who have set the Bundesliga on fire. Being a fan favourite at the Signal Iduna Park, life gradually changed for Pulisic. With Lucien Favre's arrival, Pulisic has not enjoyed the similar amount of game time which he earlier used to get. Players like Brunn Larsen and Jadon Sancho have also risen very swiftly to become BVB's prized possession.
Pulisic in this added competition has found himself a little lost and a move out of Germany is very much on the cards. With considerable interest form the Premier League the US international may make the move as early as in January. Both Chelsea and Liverpool are set to battle in order to secure the signature of the youngster. Maurizio Sarri wants to add more firepower to his frontline whereas Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is a huge admirer of the 20-year old right from his days at Dortmund.
6. Callum Hudson-Odoi to Bayern Munich
One of England's U17 World Cup star, Hudson-Odoi has been pretty impressive in whatever opportunities he has got under Sarri he has proven his talent. However the youngster was a sensation since last year and with his performances only getting better day by day, the Italian gaffer has not shown the courage to put his faith on him in more fixtures.
Odoi's current contract ends in 2020 and the 18-year old winger is reluctant to sign a new contract at the Bridge. Plus with both Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery in the twilight of their career the Bavarians are looking to invest on youngsters who can fill their boots and be a long-term replacement for the iconic duo. So Callum Hudson-Odoi is one of the prime targets for the German giants and there are chances of a move materialising in January.
5. Denis Suarez to Chelsea/Arsenal
Back on the pitch after a long long time...???? @ChampionsLeague pic.twitter.com/T6uDaqRHxd
— Denis Suarez (@DenisSuarez6) November 28, 2018
The Spaniard could be a great addition to Sarri or Emery's squad
The out of favour Barcelona midfielder is set to move out of Spain once the transfer window re-opens. The destination according to speculations is London, but the main question is where will he ultimately end up Chelsea or Arsenal?
With Fabregas on his way out and midfielders like Danny Drinkwater and Ruben Loftus-Cheel considering their future at Stamford Bridge, Denis Suarez could be a great addition to Sarri's squad. On the other hand, Unai Emery wants the 24-year old to replace a departing Aaron Ramsey in the Gunners' midfield. It will be interesting to see where the Spanish midfielder finally ends up.
4. Isco to Premier League
Spanish star midfielder, Isco is not having the best time of his career at Real Madrid. With the arrival of new boss Santiago Solari, the former Malaga man has had his differences with the gaffer and it has left him unsettled at the Spanish capital. The 26-year old has achieved a lot of success at the club but now with the scenario lingering, it feels like a move out of the Santiago Bernabeu is inevitable for the midfielder.
Premier League teams like Chelsea, Arsenal and even Manchester City are keen to secure his signature. Arsenal are also rumoured to be plotting a swap deal which includes out of favour midfielder Mesut Ozil going the other way. Pep Guardiola has also shown interest in the Spanish midfielder in the past and this might be the window for him to lure Isco out of Spain.
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3. Christian Eriksen to Real Madrid
The above move may lead this to happen, as Isco's departure from Madrid clears the space for Christian Eriksen to slot in. The Tottenham midfielder has been one of the most crucial figures in Pochettino's side and has attracted interest from Barcelona and Real Madrid even in the past.
The 26-year old can be the ideal player for the Los Blancos and with Luka Modric also on the wrong side of thirty, Eriksen can definitely slot into that role in future if the deal materialises. However, Real Madrid will need to splash a lot of cash as Daniel Levy won't let one of his prized possession leave just like that.
2. Adrien Rabiot to Barcelona
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The Frenchman has been linked to Barcelona for quite sometime
Another midfielder in the list, as Paris Saint-German midfielder Adrien Rabiot is set to move out of Paris and make his way to Barcelona. The Blaugrana are also interested in the player and are looking to make the move as the transfer re-opens. The French giants have tried everything in their power to convince the 23-year old midfielder to extend his contract, but the Frenchman decided to choose otherwise.
Rabiot is in high demand as clubs can sign a pre-contract agreement from January as his contract with PSG is running out. But selling the 23-year old midfielder in January is probably the chance for the Les Parisiens to cash out on the Frenchman. The deal looks probable and could happen in January with Rabiot making his way to Catalunya.
1. Alexis Sanchez to Paris Saint Germain
[KH_RELATED_NEWS title="Related News"][/KH_RELATED_NEWS]Probably one of the most high profile signings last season, as the Chilean superstar came to Old Trafford with a lot of expectation. However, Sanchez has miserably failed to live up to it. He has been in terrible form for the Red Devils and has failed to hit the back of the net for months now. The former Barcelona and Arsenal man is already thirty and has fallen off the radar for the Red Devils under former manager Jose Mourinho. Now with Mourinho gone Sanchez's possibilities of flourishing at the Old Trafford is still bleak.
The winger needs a change of atmosphere and French giants Paris Saint Germain might be the destination where the Chilean may hit top gear again. Although his astronomical wages can be a cause of concern for Thomas Tuchel's side.
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