January Transfer Rumours: 7 Hottest Goalkeepers on the Market This Winter

When it comes to the world football transfer market, field players usually dominate the headlines.

But goalkeepers can change teams, too, and sometimes it happens in a blockbuster deal.

Take Manuel Neuer for example. The young German keeper transferred from Schalke to Bayern Munich this past summer in a deal reportedly worth up to €33 million.

That's a lot of money, but a great goalkeeper is an integral part of a great team.

That's why goalkeepers are always on the move during the transfer window. January should be no different.

Here are seven goalies who could be changing clubs this winter.

Wojciech Szczesny

Wojciech Szczesny (that's "Chezz-knee" if you're wondering) has risen to become Arsenal's undisputed No. 1 goalkeeper.

Apparently that means transfer rumours start to circulate.

Earlier this month, the Polish goalkeeper was linked with a move to Barcelona. Since then the rumour has cooled.

Nonetheless, all doesn't seem quite right with Szczesny at Arsenal. He was recently quoted as saying he should be Arsenal's captain, a comment he has since denied.

Lukasz Fabianski

Lukasz Fabianski is the guy Wojciech Szczesny beat out for Arsenal's No. 1 jersey.

The two are also compatriots. They both come from Poland.

With Poland co-hosting the European championships next summer with the Ukraine, it's natural for both players to be concerned with first-team playing opportunities. After all, they don't want to miss out on playing in Euro 2012 for their home country in their home country.

Since losing his starting spot last term, Fabianski has become increasingly frustrated, according to this report.

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"If my situation does not change—I'll consider asking for a move," Fabianski said. "If I want to go to Euro 2012 the only way I can persuade the coach to take me is by playing on a regular basis."

The 26-year-old earned the moniker 'Flappyhandski' after some high-profile errors during his early days at Arsenal, which included a nightmare performance against Porto in the 2009-10 Champions League and errors in the Premier League against Stoke and Blackburn among others.

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Flappyhandski! Ha!

We'd be shocked if Flappyhandski doesn't secure at least a loan move in January.

Manuel Almunia

Manuel Almunia is yet another Arsenal goalkeeper who could be on the move in January.

Almunia is currently on loan at West Ham, which needed cover for the injured Robert Green.

With Almunia third in the pecking order among Arsenal goalkeepers, it's easy to see him staying on at West Ham after the one-month deal is done.

Or he could go somewhere else in January.

Robert Green

Speaking of Robert Green, he's the guy that let in that soft goal against USA last year in the World Cup.

Yeah, you remember.

Anyway, he's injured right now and he gave up that bad goal, but he'll still fancy his chances to go to Euro 2012 with England.

The problem is that he's playing outside the Premiership with West Ham United, which was relegated last season.

Playing first-team football with a Premier League team would help Green's chances of making England's Euro 2012 squad. And wouldn't you know it? West Brom and Newcastle were both interested during the summer.

Chris Kirkland

Chris Kirkland, a former Liverpool goalie, recently secured a loan move from Wigan to Doncaster.

The former England international (one cap!) had recently lost his place to somebody called Ali Al-Habsi, so he moved to Doncaster in search of first-team football.

That move will probably become permanent at some point, maybe even in January. Or he could always sign with Arsenal.

Samir Handanovic

Arsenal clearly can't stay out of the goalkeeper-transfer-market news.

Here's another example: Udinese keeper Samir Handanovic has been linked with a move to Arsenal or AC Milan.

The 27-year-old Slovenian international is under contract with Udinese until 2016, but here's what he said recently:

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"I'm happy at Udine, but of course, at my age, I am thinking about a big club," Handanovic told Gazzetta dello Sport. "I like to take steps forward in my career and if I move on to a different team then it will be to improve myself. If that is not really an option then I will stay at Udinese."

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His age? Ha! David Seaman played until he was like 87. Suck it up, Sammy!

Heurelho Gomes

Brazilian goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes still holds the No. 1 jersey at Tottenham Hotspur, but he's not his club's first choice.

That honor goes to 40-year-old American Brad Friedel, who once was unable to beat out Tony Meola's mullet as Team USA's No. 1.

Anyway, just like any other keeper, Gomes doesn't want to sit on the bench when he could be a starter. Spurs boss Harry Redknapp admitted as much recently, hinting that Gomes will leave the club in January.