Sky Sports takes a look at some of the players to keep an eye on in the January transfer window; the Premier League window closes on February 1 at 11pm; the window closes at midnight in Scotland on February 1; the WSL window closes a day earlier on January 31
The transfer window is open and these are some of the key players to keep an eye on this January.
Ivan Toney
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Sky Sports’ Peter Smith and Lyall Thomas discuss whether Brentford striker Ivan Toney is worth the £100m price tag the club have given him
With his ban from football soon to be over, the Brentford striker’s future is expected to be a hot topic in the January transfer window. Brentford will need a monumental offer to sell the England striker, though, with Arsenal and Chelsea reportedly interested.
Brentford intend to keep their star striker, who is available from January 17, until the summer at least. Suggestions of a £50m-£60m offer have been met with derision by the board, who are thought to want £100m for the striker.
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You can watch what could be Toney’s first game back for Brentford, live on Sky Sports, when Nottingham Forest head to west London on January 20.
Mary Earps
Image: Mary Earps is out of contract at the end of the season
The almost certain to be named back-to-back FIFA Best goalkeeper is out of contract in the summer. Manchester United want to keep her but talks have been ongoing for 18 months without any resolution.
Arsenal were keen in the summer and are expected to be interested again if they get a sniff of Earps’ availability in January. Interest from Champions League contenders abroad is also strong but that’s more likely to be for a summer move.
Jadon Sancho
Following the arrival of David Raya, the future of Arsenal’s other goalkeeper has been thrown into uncertainty. Although Mikel Arteta says the two are fighting for the No 1 spot, Raya is firmly established as his preferred option.
Newcastle have been linked, with Nick Pope set for a long spell out injured. Arsenal have other areas of their squad to strengthen and may not be keen to let him go. Should he push for a move, though, things could change – and a sale could fund incomings for other areas in the squad.
Joao Palhinha
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Marco Silva is anticipating plenty of transfer speculation in January for Palhinha
After nearly becoming a Bayern Munich player on Deadline Day in the summer, Fulham signed their holding midfielder up on a new contract. However, the noise around a move away persists, with Bayern said to be interested in trying to resurrect the deal.
Arsenal and Liverpool are also among those reportedly keen on the Portugal international. Although, the Gunners would need to sell before they could add another midfielder and Liverpool are understood to have different priorities.
Andre
Manchester United need some striking reinforcements, with Rasmus Hojlund and Anthony Martial the only current options for manager Erik ten Hag.
One of the strikers United are monitoring is the Stuttgart forward, who could leave for less than €20m (£17.25m) in January. United are still limited in what they can spend due to Financial Fair Play rules, so this could be a realistic deal.
Matt O’Riley
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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers says he is not worried about losing Matt O’Riley
Inter Milan are considering a January move for the Celtic midfielder, who was also being watched by Aston Villa and West Ham. The Italians want to take the 24-year-old on an initial loan with an obligation to buy him in the summer, according to Sky in Italy.
Whatever the interest, Brendan Rodgers will be doing all he can to keep the player in Glasgow.
Timo Werner
Image: Timo Werner is being watched by Manchester United
The former Chelsea forward is another target for United in January, according to Sky Germany. Although his preference is to stay at RB Leipzig until the summer, he is said to dissatisfied with his situation at the club.
United are understood to have already enquired about his availability, but no negotiations have taken place.
Anthony Martial
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Gary Neville questioned Manchester United’s transfer policy which has seen Anthony Martial remain at the club for nine seasons
After nearly nine years at Manchester United, the striker’s time finally seems to be coming to an end. His contract is up in the summer and the club are reportedly not planning on triggering a one-year option to extend his stay.
As United need to raise funds for transfers, there is a chance they try to move on the former Golden Boy winner in January to cash in on the little value he may still have. Saudi Arabia could be the best route out of Old Trafford.
Lawrence Shankland
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Watch Lawrence Shankland’s stunning strike to win the Edinburgh Derby for Hearts
The Scottish Premiership’s in-form striker has 18 months left on his contract at Hearts and talk of a Tynecastle Park exit is intensifying. Head coach Steven Naismith says the club are prepared for all eventualities, with a new deal not out with the realms of possibility.
Rangers are one of many clubs linked with the striker, despite having signed Wolves’ Fabio Silva on loan. If a January approach does come, the Jambos will be left with a difficult decision to make as they chase a European spot.
Laia Alexandri
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Let’s start by saying Manchester City do not want to sell their talented defender. Head coach Gareth Taylor rates her exceptionally highly, telling Sky Sports before the winter break she’s a player that doesn’t get enough praise in the press.
But Barcelona are interested and when the European champions want a player their size and stature make it difficult for a player and/or club to say no.
Conor Gallagher
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Mauricio Pochettino says any decision made on the future of Conor Gallagher at Chelsea will ultimately be up to the club and the player himself
Despite being made Chelsea’s deputy captain this season, the midfielder is still reportedly available for transfer if a club meets his £40m valuation in January. Spurs were interested in the summer and could be again in January.
Fabio Carvalho
Image: Fabio Carvalho could be coming back to the Premier League having been recalled from a loan to RB Leipzig
Limited opportunities at RB Leipzig have seen the Liverpool forward recalled from his loan with the Bundesliga club. A return to his boyhood club Fulham on another temporary deal is reportedly an option in January.
Thomas Partey
Image: Thomas Partey is facing an extended spell out due to injury
The midfielder has had a tough time with injuries this season but is expected to return in January. He’s fallen down the pecking order since the signings of Declan Rice and Kai Havertz and has been linked with a move away.
Arsenal would need a replacement if they do move him on and have other priorities in January, which potentially complicates a transfer for the Ghana international. His participation at AFCON could also rule out a move.
Bojan Miovski
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Watch Aberdeen’s Bojan Miovski’s goal against Rangers from earlier this season
Celtic are reportedly on the hunt for a striker and the North Macedonia international’s impressive performances this season have put him in the conversation. The decision-makers at Aberdeen will want to do all they can to keep him though, knowing his goals could be key in their quest for European football.
Raphael Varane
Image: Manchester United's Raphael Varane has had a difficult season
After he was kept out of the Man Utd team for nearly two months, it seemed the 30-year-old defender was facing an uncertain future at the club. Although he has performed well since being brought back in, United are reportedly willing to listen to offers.
Kevin van Veen
Image: Kevin van Veen left Motherwell for Groningen
A return to Scotland could be on the horizon for the Groningen striker, who scored 29 goals for Motherwell last season. The second tier Dutch side have confirmed they’re willing to listen to offers for him in January, with his former club keen on the player whilst reports have also suggested Rangers are monitoring the 32-year-old.
Katrina Gorry
Image: Katrina Gorry was a top-performer for the Matildas at the World Cup
Yet another Aussie star is WSL-bound this winter. The midfielder was one of the Matildas’ best players at the World Cup and is now a free agent after leaving her club in Sweden.
A contract with West Ham has been all-but agreed.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg
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Watch Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s greatest Premier League goals for Southampton and Tottenham
The Spurs midfielder has fallen down the pecking order at Spurs under Ange Postecoglou and is being heavily linked with a move to Italy in January. He was a hot topic at the end of the summer transfer window, with Man Utd among the clubs considering a late move for the Denmark international.
Spurs have a small squad though which has been ravaged by injuries, meaning they would likely require a replacement if they were to let the 28-year-old depart this month.
Emily Fox
Image: Arsenal are interested in UWSNT's Emily Fox
The USA defender has been a standout in NWSL since her debut season in 2021 and could be about to move to Europe. Arsenal are interested in the full-back, who is a restricted free agent in the States.
Mohamed Elneny
Image: Mohamed Elneny
Arsenal’s longest-serving player could well find himself finally leaving the Emirates in January after seeing his game-time limited this season. There is reported interest from Turkey and Saudi Arabia.
Should the 31-year-old, who is out of contract at the end of the season, leave this month then it could free up some funds for Arsenal to add to their squad.
When does the January window open?
The transfer window opens on Monday January 1, 2024 and will close at 11pm on Thursday 1 February, 2024.
To ensure harmonisation with the major leagues in Europe, the closing dates were set following discussions with the EFL, DFL, Serie A, LaLiga, and LFP, who will all close their summer and winter windows on 1 September and 1 February respectively.
Keep up-to-date with all the latest transfer news and rumours in our dedicated Transfer Centre blog on Sky Sports’ digital platforms. You can also catch up with the ins, outs and analysis on Sky Sports News.
Sourse: skysports.com
