The January transfer window opens on Wednesday and although things are generally sedate at the start of proceedings, it’s not uncommon for a team to panic-buy when the end of the month looms near. The January transfer window isn’t really the time of the year for clubs to be gambling big money on getting new players in.
Some may look to add pieces to try and fight off relegation or make a push for a place in Europe. So there is demand there, it’s just not as active or as big as the summer transfer market is. Some big names from the footballing world could potentially be heading to new pasture in the Premier League though in January.
Here we take a look at some of the top January transfer window rumours and odds
Gareth Bale – Club After January Transfer Window
Unsettled, unhappy and untrusted at Real Madrid. Is that the true picture of Gareth Bale’s current career position? Looking from the outside, the Welsh star certainly has fallen out of favour with the Spanish giants and nearly had a move away done in the summer. He was going to China on a big contract before Madrid pulled the rug out from under the deal because they wanted a transfer fee. Because of his apparent unrest in Spain, there have been plenty of rumours about Bale returning to the Premier League.
Gareth Bale club after January transfer window odds**
Tottenham 2/1
Any Chinese Club 3/1
Manchester United 14/1
* (betting odds taken from Betfair on December 30th, 2019 at 3:51 pm)
The shortest-priced option for his next destination is former club Tottenham where he is 2/1 with Betfair to return to* (betting odds taken from Betfair on December 30th, 2019 at 3:51 pm). Spurs may likely shift Christian Eriksen in January, so maybe would be interested in bringing back Bale. Would Manchester United have any use out of him for a couple of years? The problem for buyers is that Real Madrid are not letting him go cheaply and who is going to pay through the nose for a player who turns 31 at the end of the season?
Paul Pogba – Club After January Transfer Window
Twelve months ago rumours were flying around all over the place that the Manchester United midfielder was going to be sold. They came flooding back in the summer. But Paul Pogba is still at Old Trafford and boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has stated that the Frenchman is going nowhere. Playing time has been limited for Pogba this season because of injury but he seems more settled than 12 months ago.
Paul Pogba club after January transfer window odds**
Real Madrid 6/1
Juventus 7/1
PSG 20/1
* (betting odds taken from Betfair on December 30th, 2019 at 3:51 pm)
His transfer to Old Trafford was such an expensive one for Manchester United that he is probably stuck there for a while. You can imagine the likes of Juventus, Real Madrid or PSG potential putting some feelers out there. But he would command a fortune for a team to get in transfer fee and wages. He’s not a mid-season type of transfer target. So it’s hard to see him going anytime soon though, certainly not in January. That’s in spite of all the rumours going around again.
Wilfried Zaha – Club After January Transfer Window
Will he stay or will he go? It looked as if the winger was heading out of Selhurst Park back in the summer. But no team wanted to pay the £80 million price tag that Crystal Palace slapped on him. That appears to be a massively inflated price, but you can understand Palace’s point of view. Zaha is their star player and they will want as much as they can get for him because who knows how long it will be before someone like him comes around again.
Wilfried Zaha club after January transfer window odds**
Spurs 6/4
Chelsea 3/1
PSG 12/1
Leicester 12/1
Manchester United 16/1
Arsenal 20/1
* (betting odds taken from William Hill on December 30th, 2019 at 3:51 pm)
Zaha would likely stay in the Premier League if he was to move. Chelsea and Manchester United both appear to be good fits for Zaha, but Tottenham could want to get in on the action as well if he becomes available. If there’s a bidding war, Chelsea may win out, especially after having had their transfer ban lifted and boss Frank Lampard keen to strengthen.
Christian Eriksen – Club After January Transfer Window
What do Spurs do with Christian Eriksen? The creative genius wanted to get a move away from Tottenham in the summer. For one reason or another, it never happened. His performance levels have been visibly down this season because he looks unsettled. The Dane is also out of contract in the summer. So will Spurs try and get what they can for him in January rather than let him walk out of the door on a freebie at the end of the season?
Christian Eriksen club after January transfer window odds**
Real Madrid 7/2
Juventus 9/1
Manchester United 6/1
PSG 20/1
Atletico Madrid 25/1
* (betting odds taken from Betfair on December 30th, 2019 at 3:51 pm)
Because of the situation with Eriksen, it’s a buyer’s market for him. Spurs may be desperate to sell, so they are not going to get anywhere near the top price for him. It looked as if the player himself wanted to head to Spain last summer but neither Barcelona or Real Madrid looked particularly interested in him then. It’s hard to see him staying in the Premier League if he makes a move, despite Manchester United being at short odds of 6/1* (betting odds taken from Betfair on December 30th, 2019 at 3:51 pm). It’s Madrid’s name at the top of the list. Sell Bale, get Eriksen maybe?
Jadon Sancho – Club After January Transfer Window
The young England winger could well be a big early target for someone. That someone is most likely Chelsea who are 6/4 favourites to get him in January* (betting odds taken from Betfair on December 30th, 2019 at 3:51 pm). The transfer ban is off the Blues and the two parties look as if they could mesh well. Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has put a lot of trust in some younger players, so Sancho would be right at home among the likes of Tammy Abraham and Mason Mount. This would be a coup for Chelsea, but it may cause an issue with Christian Pulisic, who hasn’t really set Stamford Bridge alight after his move this year from Borussia Dortmund.
Jadon Sancho club after January transfer window odds**
Chelsea 6/4
Liverpool 14/1
Manchester United 16/1
Bayern Munich 25/1
Man City 33/1
PSG 33/1
Barcelona 33/1
Juventus 33/1
Real Madrid 33/1
* (betting odds taken from Betfair on December 30th, 2019 at 3:51 pm)
Why would Dortmund sell Sancho, who has had another fantastic season for them? Well, they have just picked up Erling Braut Haaland and they may seize the chance to cash in on Sancho while he is in high demand. Sancho’s reputation is high and his stock has only grown and grown since leaving Manchester City. His former club could be interested as David Silva is leaving them in the summer.
But Sancho left City in search of more playing time and the Citizens don’t exactly put stock in youngsters (ask Phil Foden). But is Dortmund even in a selling mood? If they keep him, it would strengthen their chances of pushing for a league title over the second half of the season. Regardless, if he’s available, there will be plenty of suitors.
Alfredo Morelos – Club After January Transfer Window
If there is a team in the Premier League needing a striker to perhaps get a Champions League place secured. Or maybe to make a late run at a Europa League place, then there may be an eye glanced north of the border. Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos, as volatile as he can be, knows where the goal is. It’s been another good season from the young Colombian who has been with the Glasgow giants since 2017.
Alfredo Morelos club after January transfer window odds*
Aston Villa 4/1
Crystal Palace 5/1
Leicester 7/1
Everton 10/1
Atletico Madrid 14/1
Leeds 20/1
* (betting odds taken from Betfair on December 30th, 2019 at 3:51 pm)
He has scored 44 goals in 82 appearances for Rangers as well. Morelos could potentially tempt someone like Leicester, as a genuine long term backup to Jamie Vardy, to have a nibble. The other teams at the head of the market are Aston Villa and Crystal Palace, but Morelos would likely be able to at least command the interest of a team who could end up in Europe next season. There could be some interest from Everton’s new boss Carlo Ancelotti as he needs to strengthen a lightweight attack at Goodison Park. Rangers, however, who are pushing Celtic hard in the title race in Scotland, and will probably be very loathe to sell him in January.
