10 January Transfers You Can Almost Guarantee Will Happen

It seems that we only just finished the summer transfer window, but already the discussions and speculation about possible moves over the January transfer window have begun.

The winter window might not receive the same volume of transfers as the offseason does, but in terms of significance, having a strong mid-year purchase could be the difference between Champions League football and league football, trophies and second place, or relegation and survival.

One January signing can completely make the first half of the season irrelevant, and already we're beginning to get a good idea about some of the transfers that we should see take place—here's 10 that you can almost guarantee will happen this January.

Joao Moutinho to Tottenham Hotspur

Why Tottenham Want Him

Tottenham's desire to sign Moutinho is evident; they did their best to bring him to White Hart Lane over the summer transfer window and were reportedly minutes away from making the deal happen before the transfer deadline closed (per The Telegraph).

However, given the agreement that the two parties had seemingly agreed upon, it seems highly likely that the midfielder will indeed move to Spurs once the January transfer window opens. Andre Villas-Boas knows that he has a good squad and a talented squad, and the addition of Moutinho could just be what they need to succeed in the Europa League and finish top-four in the Premier League.

Why He'll Go

He was prepared to go earlier, and as long as he hasn't changed his mind in the couple of months between the transfer windows, he'll likely go again.

The Portuguese international has a strong relationship with Andre Villas-Boas from their time together—saying that he is "one of the best" managers in world football (per The Daily Mail)—and would happily play under him once more.

Fernando Llorente to Juventus

Why Juventus Want Him

Fernando Llorente is a pure goal-scoring talent and would be a huge success at the Italian club, should a transfer go through. Juventus will likely be in a strong position in both Italian and European tournaments by the time January rolls around, and the inclusion of Llorente in their attack would make them even stronger in both competitions.

ESPN Soccernet reports that the club remain interested in signing the striker over the January transfer window:

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Italian champions Juventus have confirmed they would be interested in signing Athletic Bilbao's Fernando Llorente in January if the Spain striker remains on the transfer market.

Marotta said: "He (Mourinho) will have precise information, he is always well-informed... If he (Llorente) remains on the market then he is a player that we are interested in. In January we will evaluate the whole situation..." 

"

Why He'll Go

Llorente has already refused to sign a new contract at Athletic Bilbao and despite stating he is focused on the club now, he did also indicate via Radio Cadena Ser (h/t Sky Sports) that he would look to leave the club over the January transfer window.

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"In January, I am free to negotiate my future, but I want to be focused to try to help the team [now]..."

"

Juventus would be a good move for him—allowing him to play Champions League football and become the go-to striker in attack at the Italian club. He has the technical ability and skill to succeed in the game, and would definitely have an impact right across the Serie A.

Stevan Jovetic to Manchester City

Why City Want Him

After chasing him hard at the start of the summer transfer window, Manchester City just couldn't complete a deal with Stevan Jovetic, who ended up rejecting a move to the Premier League champions to stay with current club Fiorentina this year (per The Metro).

And whilst the Citizens have a myriad of attacking options this season, they could very well still pick up some further strike power if they feel that their Premier League title defense isn't going as well as they would have liked. We've already seen Mario Balotelli splutter this year and Sergio Aguero go down injured, so another striker isn't completely out of the equation for City.

Why He'll Go

Jovetic's comments (mentioned via The Metro above) are interesting, as he states that he decided to stay with Fiorentina so that the club could achieve all that it wanted to achieve this year.

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Am I happy to still be here? Absolutely, and I have no regrets. The objective here is to get back into Europe and I won't leave here until this club is competing at the levels it should be...

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However, as Goal reveals, the club has set in place a deal that will allow the striker to leave at the end of the season. Should that information be correct, there's nothing to suggest that Roberto Mancini won't offer some big money for the club to send him six months earlier than they had planned, particularly if they feel they will not receive such an offer again.

Whether it's Champions League success or Premier League glory on the line, Sheikh Mansour has already shown that he's willing to spend as much as he needs to, and that could mean some serious money coming Fiorentina's way in January.

Money that will simply be too hard to refuse.

Daniel Sturridge to Liverpool

Why Liverpool Want Him

Liverpool simply do not have the attacking depth that they want and need to thrive in the Premier League this season, and after selling Andy Carroll, are easily a striker or two short in attack. The likes of Luis Suarez and Raheem Sterling cannot carry the team for the entire year and thus the inclusion of a striker or two over the winter would make sense for the Reds.

Daniel Sturridge is a good fit here because he can play in any of the three striker positions that Brendan Rodgers is currently employing at Anfield. He is young and talented, and could just bring some energy and vitality back into Liverpool's attack when they need it most.

Why He'll Go

The Chelsea striker is seriously unlikely to see any serious game time this season given the depth of talent that currently exists at the London club, and is looking to make a permanent move away from Stamford Bridge as soon as possible (per BBC Sport).

He'll leave for free at the end of the year (when his contract expires), which means that Chelsea might just listen to some serious offers should they come through in the January transfer window, as they try to make some money from his departure.

Etienne Capoue to Barcelona

Why Barcelona Want Him

The Catalan club were reportedly interested in signing Capoue over the summer transfer window (per Talksport) as a replacement for Seydou Keita.

Barcelona still have a very strong squad throughout midfield and attack, but the inclusion of a player like Capoue as a holding midfielder could be vital for success throughout La Liga and the UEFA Champions League—especially when there are multiple games per week taking place.

Why He'll Go

To be completely honest, a player of the class of Capoue cannot stay in the French Ligue 1 forever, and nor should he. He is talented and skilled and has the midfielding ability to succeed in several top-class competitions around the world and should Barcelona come knocking, it would be a hard offer to refuse moving to Camp Nou.

Arsenal were believed to be interested in the midfielder, but I can't see him moving there—especially when Santi Cazorla is dominating their attack and the likes of Mikel Arteta, Abou Diaby and Jack Wilshere are all available in central midfield.

Barcelona have the money there having not spent all of their summer window budget, and given that their schedule is likely to be busy by that time of year, could find it profitable to have a strong squad player in available for selection like Capoue.

Demba Ba to Arsenal

Why Arsenal Want Him

Olivier Giroud, despite only playing a handful of Premier League games so far, isn't exactly what the Gunners were expecting in attack and whilst that's no reason to drop him, they could certainly use a proven Premier League performer who can score goals seemingly from nothing.

Demba Ba has the experience in the EPL and the ability to play as the lone striker in a 4-2-3-1 formation—likely thriving off the work that Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla could do in behind him. 

Arsene Wenger won't have to break the bank either to get him, and with the Gunners likely to be in tight Champions League matches and a tough race for a top-four Premier League spot, the inclusion of a star striker like Ba could just be what they need.

Why He'll Go

Ba was reportedly furious at being left on the bench by Alan Pardew over the weekend (despite scoring a double after coming on as a substitute), and his manager said (per The Daily Mail) that if that continues, the striker will pursue a move away from St. James' Park.

If that's the case, a move to the Emirates could well be on the cards, with Pardew recently quoted by The Week as saying that there was a chance the move could take place.

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The situation with him is ongoing in terms of his contract, as there is that clause in there and it makes us vulnerable. That's where we are. It's still open in the next window...

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Champions League football, Arsene Wenger and the current Arsenal squad around him—it's easy to see why Ba wouldn't mind moving down to the North London club over the winter.

Nani to Manchester United

Why United Want Him

First of all, I know that Nani is already a Manchester United player (I'm not that dumb), but given the frequency of which reports about his playing future are emerging, it's essentially like he's a free agent and is definitely moving on this summer.

Which simply isn't the case—United still want the winger in their side, for on his day, he is one of the top midfielders in the Premier League. He can make mistakes and can be left wanting on either flank, but is a more than useful squad player and is talented enough to thrive in the league.

Why He'll Stay

As The Daily Mail points out, Nani would have moved over the summer transfer window were it not for his ridiculous wage demands and asking price. And it's this fact alone that could cause him to stay at Old Trafford—nobody wants to pay out his contract.

The winger knows he will still receive opportunities from Ferguson, and knows that the manager will turn to him for inspiration when the Red Devils need it most. He would obviously like starting opportunities, but with Ashley Young, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and even Alexander Buttner all capable of playing well down the left flank, Nani might have to be content as a substitute.

As much as the speculation exists that he isn't happy at Old Trafford, no other option presents itself as viable for Nani, and so he will remain at Manchester United this January transfer window.

Michael Dawson to Queens Park Rangers

Why QPR Want Him

Mark Hughes' men tried to sign Dawson over the summer and seemingly had the deal in place, before it fell apart at the last minute due to "person terms" (per BBC Sport).

Expect Rangers to pursue the Spurs defender aggressively in January—especially considering that they're more likely to be cellar dwellers as opposed to table toppers by the winter transfer window. Having a good defender like Dawson could mean the difference between staying up and going down, and Hughes will be desperate to keep that from happening.

Why He'll Go

It won't be the most glorious career move for Dawson, but the simple truth is that he isn't going to get first team football at the North London club this year.

Younes Kaboul, William Gallas, Jan Vertonghen and Steven Caulker are all ahead of Dawson, and the defender can leave the club if the right offer comes in, according to The Daily Mail. And given the pre-existing deal that almost happened with QPR, expect that to be the first deal that comes through and the one that Dawson takes.

Edin Dzeko to AC Milan

Why Milan Want Him

AC Milan are a side completely bereft of ideas this season. They look lethargic in attack and simply don't possess that killer-instinct that the Italian club has become known for throughout the years.

Their midfield isn't hitting that final pass or creating the opportunity in the first place, and the addition of a player like Edin Dzeko could do wonders to awaken their creativity and attacking nature this year. It could be the difference between them qualifying and them missing out on Champions League football for next season, so expect Milan to move aggressively if the opportunity arises.

The Italian giants were rumored to be interested in Dzeko back over the summer transfer window as well (per The Daily Mail).

Why He'll Go

The attacking talent that already exists at the Etihad is incredible, and with a potential new arrival over the January transfer window in Stevan Jovetic, Dzeko will be hard-pressed to find himself with a starting position at the club.

Yaya Toure, David Silva, Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez, Javi Garcia—all are players that will start ahead of Dzeko, and should the right offer come along for the Bosnian international, he might just be interested in moving to find some first-team football.

You'd have to think that Milan would have to be in a position to offer Champions League football, however, otherwise any deal is unlikely to take place. 

Lewis Holtby to Everton

Why Everton Want Him

The last transfer I can see happening this January transfer window is Lewis Holtby to Everton, as the Toffees seek to continue their push for European qualification next season.

The German international would be a huge addition for the club, no doubt, but could also represent a needed replacement for a player like Marouane Fellaini, who could leave Goodison Park this winter.

Why He'll Go

The Schalke midfielder is a big fan of the club and has already spoken about his desire to move to the club at some point in his career—quoted via Toffeeweb:

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I have always said that my aim is to come to the Premier League one day because I love the league.

My father was born in England and was an Everton fan since the age of five. He immediately infected me with the Everton virus! Since then I have been an Everton fan. My thoughts now are first with Schalke but you never know...

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With less than a year left on his contract, Schalke could be willing to see Holtby over January in order to bring some money into the club, but this could also mean that David Moyes could offer a significantly reduced offer for the midfielder.

In a club with well-known financial problems, Moyes could find another sharp signing in Holtby, and another player that could stun the Premier League. And if there's a genuine chance at European football next season at Everton, the 21-year-old could well be on his way to Goodison Park over the January transfer window.

What deals can you see taking place over the January transfer window?

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