5 Under-the-Radar Transfer Deals That Could Have a Big Impact in January

Thanks to the ever-watchful eye of the modern media, we as a community generally stay up to date with all the biggest transfer rumours, but those under the biggest spotlights can sometimes fail to inspire.

Those more speculated moves don't necessarily produce the best results, and there's a certain satisfaction to be taken in those lower-profile transfer subjects who go on to impress beyond expectations.

Some of those included in the slides ahead have already sealed January  switches, whereas others are still in the early stages of speculation, but all are fairly understated in terms of surrounding hype.

We look through a selection of the players who aren't courting as much attention as the big guns of the rumour mill but have every chance of going on to bigger and better things should they move this winter.

1. Jermain Defoe to Queens Park Rangers

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You might take Jermain Defoe out of the Premier League, but it seems you can't stop the rumours linking the former Tottenham Hotspur and Portsmouth hitman with a return to the English top flight.

According to the Daily Mail's Sami Mokbel, Harry Redknapp wishes to bring the Toronto FC striker back to his native land this winter, and Queens Park Rangers would certainly be happy to welcome him.

Without Charlie Austin's 12 goals this season, the Hoops would undoubtedly be far worse off than their current position of 15th, and even at 32, Defoe still holds a substantial threat up front.

Mokbel quotes Redknapp as saying of his former Fratton Park and White Hart Lane charge:

"

You never know (with a move for Defoe). It is a difficult one because of the whole package. We want a couple of loans in. We are looking for loans We are not looking to spend money in January. We bought some players in the summer and we have a good squad.

"

Even on a loan deal, a Premier League stalwart of Defoe's experience would be of great use to the Premier League new boys, who are seeking reliability as much as anything else in their bid for survival.

The summer departure of Loic Remy saw arguably Redknapp's most valuable scoring centrepiece depart Loftus Road.

With 125 Premier League goal to his name, per Transfermarkt, Defoe could help improve the club's depth up front, particularly away from home, where they've managed to bag just four of their 21 goals thus far.

2. Mats Daehli to Freiburg

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His Cardiff City adventure may not have gone to plan under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Russell Slade, but Mats Daehli's move to the Bundesliga promises to see the starlet return to his place in the spotlight.

Terry Philips of Wales Online confirmed earlier in December that Freiburg have paid £2 million for the Norwegian's signature, a potentially stellar investment on their part.

The former Manchester United prodigy has always been highly spoken of, and while the Welsh capital wasn't the environment for his talent thrive, his cause is far from lost.

Still just 19 years of age, Daehli will get playing time at struggling Freiburg, currently bottom of the German top flight, where he can offer his services as a highly promising creative talent.

Phillips quotes Slade as saying "his heart probably wasn’t in the club" and admitting the platform wasn't there for the teenager to figure prominently in any case. 

Over the past year, Chelsea outcast Kevin De Bruyne and current loanee Thorgan Hazard have come to succeed in the Bundesliga with Wolfsburg and Borussia Monchengladbach. With more playing minutes, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Daehli take to his German setting in similarly seamless fashion.

3. Adnan Januzaj to Real Sociedad

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The Old Trafford faithful won't feel indebted to David Moyes for the work undertaken during his time at their helm, but the Scot could still help in giving one Red Devil in particular some much-needed game time.

Eurosport claims that Adnan Januzaj is one of three Premier League assets Moyes, now in charge of Real Sociedad, is looking to take on loan this winter.

The temporary solution could work for all parties involved, with La Real still looking for the same maestro-like wide presence that Antoine Griezmann gave them before his summer move to Atletico Madrid.

Januzaj's flourishing under Moyes was one of the greatest positives to come from his reign at the Theatre of Dreams, and La Liga could be a useful stage for the Belgian trickster to showcase his ability.

Under Louis van Gaal, the 19-year-old has struggled to feature for the first team, with a move to the Basque country offering far greater promise in terms of starting opportunities.

4. Loic Perrin to Arsenal

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It's been discussed at length just how much Arsenal need to get their hands on some stability down the middle this winter, either through a centre-back, holding midfielder or both.

Saint-Etienne leader Loic Perrin hasn't been spoken of in the same terms as other candidates for those roles, but he could be the ideal man to fill the void, especially seeing as how he's capable in both positions.

Steve Stammers of the Mirror says the Gunners could get their hands on the anchor for just £6 million. Yes, those who fill the Emirates Stadium may like to see the same kind of investment made in the likes of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez put toward plugging these holes, but it just doesn't seem to be on the cards.

Especially not in winter, a time of the year in which Arsene Wenger is known to be all the more averse to conducting business.

Squawka states that Perrin has won an incredible 68 percent of all his duels this season, including 23 of his 34 tackle attempts and 36 of his 52 headed battles.

The fact the 29-year-old is cheap, would add to Wenger's French-speaking ranks, is currently in his playing prime and give the squad some much-needed bite only adds to his appeal.

5. Andre Ayew to Everton

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A deal that wouldn't go through until next summer but could be agreed this winter is the pre-contract agreement of Marseille's Andre Ayew, a miniature coup by the Toffees' standards.

BBC Sport's Oluwashina Okeleji has denied reports on Twitter that Roberto Martinez's side have already secured the Ghanaian winger's services on a pre-contract, but the club would be wise to bag his services.

Ayew hasn't been as prominent a playmaking piece as Dimitri Payet this season, but the 24-year-old has nevertheless been a regular in a squad that's made its way to the top of the table in barnstorming manner.

Penning the speedster's signature on a free transfer would set the Toffees on their way to a successful summer of 2015, in keeping with their usual strategy of conducting business cheaply and effectively.

Alternatively, Martinez's outfit could opt to spend their cash and attempt to bail Ayew out of his expiring contract now, but the winger truthfully offers less risk and more value as a free.