30 Players Set to Dominate the January Transfer Window Spotlight
Here are 30 footballers set to dominate the January transfer window spotlight.
Criteria
The 30 European-based footballers will be subjectively ranked via a combination of:
- Performance this season.
- Standard of competition the footballer is playing at.
- Likelihood of being a January transfer target.
- Current ability.
30. Victor Valdes
1 of 30
Spanish free agent goalkeeper Victor Valdes, 32, has yet to commence standard 'keeping drills at Manchester United, according to compatriot David de Gea.
"Victor is training over in Manchester [with us], he's still not 100 percent after his injury," De Gea said, per AS (h/t the Guardian). "He's still not training in goal with us."
The sad reality is that if Valdes had extended his contract at Barcelona, he would be taken care of, given his long tenure at the club.
Right now, he is trying to get fit at United but faces an uncertain future.
29. Martin Montoya
2 of 30
Barcelona's Spanish right-back Martin Montoya, 23, has been waiting for an extended starting run since the 2010-11 season.
He extended his contract until 2018 in March.
But now he is hurt by his lack of opportunities (presumably broken promises) and wants out, per Esports 3 (h/t AS).
28. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg
3 of 30
The development of Bayern Munich's Danish central midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, 19, is stagnating.
He is not getting enough chances under Bayern manager Pep Guardiola, having only played 178 minutes in the Bundesliga this season.
"I think the time has come for me to go a different way," Hojbjerg said, per Kicker (h/t Sky Sports). "I feel ready now to take the leap."
27. Sami Khedira
4 of 30
Real Madrid's German central midfielder Sami Khedira, 27, will be a tantalising transfer option for major European clubs.
On paper, it would be a no-brainer to sign him.
But his injury problems, which have limited him to 47 minutes in La Liga this season, cast questions over his durability.
Could his body betray him like Fernando Redondo?
26. Fabian Schar
5 of 30
Basel's Swiss centre-back Fabian Schar, 22, is a defender with elite upside.
Having represented Switzerland at the FIFA World Cup and with back-to-back UEFA Champions League campaigns for Basel, Schar should branch out and test himself in a stronger European league.
Schar is open to a move to Serie A, per Blick (h/t Mark Doyle at Goal.com).
25. Suso
6 of 30
Liverpool's Spanish right/central/left attacking midfielder Suso, 20, has several issues.
- Has been sidelined after groin surgery.
- Is not rated as a starter by Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers having spent last season on loan at Almeria.
- Will Liverpool extend Suso's contract?
His agent Jaume Serra claims "there is no agreement" to join AC Milan, so signing a contract extension at Liverpool is on the cards, per CalcioMercato.it (h/t Phil Kirkbride at the Liverpool Echo).
24. Yevhen Konoplyanka
7 of 30
Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk's Ukrainian left-winger Yevhen Konoplyanka, 25, could have been a Liverpool player if not for faulty administrative issues from his club.
Konoplyanka was indecisive in a 1-0 UEFA Europa League defeat to Inter Milan.
He has failed to score or create a goal in four Europa League games this season—not ideal if he wants a transfer away from Dnipro.
23. Glen Johnson
8 of 30
Liverpool's English right/left-back Glen Johnson, 30, seems resigned to playing out his final days at the club.
When you watch him, he is going through the motions, which explains why he gets torn apart by mediocre players, one prominent example being Crystal Palace's Yannick Bolasie.
Johnson should consider revitalising his career by leaving.
But if he wants to capitalise on his earnings, he should play out his €150,144/£120,000-per-week contract.
22. Roberto Soldado
9 of 30
Tottenham Hotspur's Spanish centre-forward Roberto Soldado, 29, has been an abysmal failure.
In 2,170 career Premier League minutes, Soldado has scored six league goals. He has turned into the Spanish Serhiy Rebrov.
Soldado needs to quickly move back to Spain if he wants to rescue his career.
21. Sebastian Giovinco
10 of 30
Juventus' Italian deep-lying forward Sebastian Giovinco, 27, could be a star player at a smaller club or continue being a bit-part player at the Bianconeri.
When Giovinco was at Parma, he had extended periods of world-class form.
Now at Juve, he is just a substitute.
20. Emmanuel Adebayor
11 of 30
Tottenham Hotspur's Togolese centre-forward Emmanuel Adebayor, 30, only ever seems to play well when he wants a new contract.
As soon as he finds a new home, he coasts. To think he once scored 30 goals for Arsenal in a season.
That said, there will be that one club that takes a risk on him, hoping they can get Adebayor in the right frame of mind.
19. Sergio Romero
12 of 30
Sampdoria's Argentine goalkeeper Sergio Romero, 27, had some heroic FIFA World Cup moments akin to compatriots Carlos Roa and Sergio Goycochea.
Yet Romero has had to wait patiently for a chance at Sampdoria.
Even though he is receiving playing time at Sampdoria, he has the qualities to play for a major European club.
18. Xherdan Shaqiri
13 of 30
Bayern Munich's Swiss right/left/deep-lying forward Xherdan Shaqiri, 23, has no set position at the club, nor does he have a regular place in the starting XI.
Bayern manager Pep Guardiola sees Shaqiri as a luxury player, who can be subbed on to pile on extra goals.
But does that leave Shaqiri happy? No.
He will continue to push Bayern management for more playing time, per Blick (h/t PA Sport via ESPN FC).
17. Lukas Podolski
14 of 30
Arsenal's German right/deep-lying forward Lukas Podolski, 29, finds himself in a situation comparable to his Bayern Munich days.
A bench warmer, on the outside looking in, and wondering when his next start will come.
Podolski has only played 46 minutes in the Premier League this season, so he is primed for a January exit.
16. Wesley Sneijder
15 of 30
Galatasaray's Dutch central attacking midfielder Wesley Sneijder, 30, should be playing in a major European league, as opposed to the Turkish Super Lig.
Having played in La Liga and Serie A, Sneijder should consider playing in the Premier League or the Bundesliga.
Sneijder may have doubts about his long-term future at Galatasaray after the Turkish club had temporary financial issues.
15. Andre Ayew
16 of 30
Marseille's Ghanaian left attacking midfielder Andre Ayew, 24, needs to make a decision on his future.
Ayew has diversified his game, being able to track back and tackle opposing players as well as score and create.
Marseille manager Marcelo Bielsa is not sure if Ayew is going to commit long-term to the club, per Foot365 (h/t Ian Holyman at ESPN FC).
14. Winston Reid
17 of 30
West Ham United's New Zealand centre-back Winston Reid, 26, is playing on a rising Premier League club but is torn between staying or leaving for a bigger club.
If West Ham were 10th, it would be an easy choice for Reid. But with the Hammers in fourth place, he is procrastinating on his decision.
West Ham United chairman David Gold tweeted that the club have no intentions of "getting rid" of Reid.
13. Stephan Lichtsteiner
18 of 30
Juventus' Swiss right wing-back Stephan Lichtsteiner, 30, continues to motor down the right flank.
Like Forrest Gump, Lichtsteiner just keeps on running.
He may strongly feel his team-first attitude and around four seasons of work should be rewarded.
If he was to force a move to a wealthy European club that would be willing to pay him inflated wages, you would not begrudge him.
Right now, Juve are short-changing Lichtsteiner, per Tuttosport (h/t Football Italia).
12. Tommy Oar
19 of 30
Utrecht's Australia left-forward Tommy Oar, 22, is finally flashing the elite potential he showed in spurts at Brisbane Roar.
That was what prompted Utrecht to take a chance on Oar.
Having created six goals in eight Eredivisie games, Oar could do a job at a mid-tier club in an elite European league.
11. Lasse Schone
20 of 30
Ajax's Danish right/left-forward Lasse Schone, 28, has played in the Netherlands his entire professional career.
Unfancied teams from big European leagues could see him as an ideal target because he is in top form (six goals, four assists in 10 Eredivisie games).
The safe road would be to stay at Ajax, but surely he wonders what it would be like to play outside the Netherlands.
10. Luiz Adriano
21 of 30
Shakhtar Donetsk's Brazilian centre-forward Luiz Adriano, 27, has been a headline-maker.
He registered successive UEFA Champions League hat-tricks against BATE Borisov, scoring five times in the first encounter and then three times in the second fixture.
Could he be another Afonso Alves?
9. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar
22 of 30
Schalke's Dutch centre-forward Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, 31, is an archetypal poacher.
While his four goals in 10 Bundesliga games is respectable, he has bizarrely choked on several occasions right in front of goal.
Before another team takes a chance on him, they need to ask themselves: Could Huntelaar experience a Mario Gomez-like downturn?
8. Andre-Pierre Gignac
23 of 30
Marseille's French centre-forward Andre-Pierre Gignac, 28, is in a purple patch he may never emulate.
Will he continue scoring 0.77 goals per game? Probably not, hence why Marseille should be open to selling Gignac.
Given that Marseille's president Vincent Labrune has been arrested due to transfer irregularities surrounding Gignac's move to the club in 2010, per The Times (subscription required), don't be surprised if he has already been shopped around.
7. Loris Karius
24 of 30
Mainz's German goalkeeper Loris Karius, 21, is a rising star in the Bundesliga.
No goalkeeper in the Bundesliga has made more saves than Karius (53) this season.
Given Karius' upside, his physical tangibles (6'3", 165 pounds) and his transfer stock still relatively low, expect major European clubs to be circling around him.
6. Dani Alves
25 of 30
Barcelona's Brazilian right-back Dani Alves, 31, is playing for a new contract.
Having completed 35 tackles and registered two assists in eight La Liga games, there are signs Alves can still function effectively as a modern day full-back for another major European team.
He will exercise his Bosman right to a free transfer and sign with Juventus, per Tuttosport (h/t Edu Bachs at Sport).
5. Adam Maher
26 of 30
PSV Eindhoven's Dutch central midfielder Adam Maher, 21, should be prioritised over the likes of Kevin Strootman and Sami Khedira.
Maher is a complete midfielder: six goals, two assists and 1.9 tackles per game thus far in the Eredivisie this season.
In addition, Maher has a higher upside than Strootman and Khedira.
4. Memphis Depay
27 of 30
PSV Eindhoven's Dutch left-forward Memphis Depay, 20, has superstar potential.
He has a monopoly in the Eredivisie being able to beat opposing defenders at will.
His seven goals in eight league games is outstanding, but he wants more, hence why he is driven to continue scoring.
PSV manager Phillip Cocu has conceded the club will sell Depay, per HeldenOnline.nl (h/t Alex Young at Goal.com).
3. Allan Marques
28 of 30
Udinese's Brazilian central midfielder Allan Marques, 23, is underrated and underappreciated.
He should be lauded as one of the best midfielders in the world, but outside of Serie A, he is unknown.
An all-action, dominant and powerful box-to-box midfielder, Allan is still in the process of refining his game.
When he starts adding goals and assists to his game, expect his name to become tabloid fodder in transfer rumours.
2. Alexandre Lacazette
29 of 30
Lyon's French centre-forward Alexandre Lacazette, 23, is on a run which could garner him a once-in-a-lifetime move to one of Europe's biggest teams, a la Karim Benzema's move to Real Madrid in 2009.
Lacazette has scored 11 goals and registered four assists in 13 Ligue 1 games this season.
Benzema averaged 0.47 goals per game in league play during his final season at Lyon while Lacazette is averaging 0.85 goals per game.
1. Anderson Talisca
30 of 30
Benfica's Brazilian deep-lying forward Anderson Talisca, 20, is arguably the biggest talent in world football right now.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho pre-emptively saying Benfica were not the only club in the running for Talisca's signature when he was at Bahia, per TVI24 (h/t Sky Sports), suggests those in the know had accurately projected his upside.
Talisca has scored eight goals in 10 league games this season for Benfica.
When not specified, statistics via WhoScored
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