10 Loan Deals That Would Make Sense in the 2016 January Transfer Window
We've almost hit the January sales, but the winter transfer window also opens up the possibility of several short-term moves.
Clever January loan deals can often make or break a club's season, and if clubs in the Premier League feel like making one, they could pull off some clever deals to help out with the remainder of their campaigns.
But what are the loan switches most likely to happen? And which ones would we just like to see?
Let's have a look at 10.
Adrien Rabiot to Arsenal
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A year ago, Adrien Rabiot hoped his future at Paris Saint-Germain had become a lot clearer after he signed an extension to his contract, via ESPN FC, but the France youth international is believed to be angling for a move after once again failing to get much game time.
TalkSPORT reported Juventus are interested in the 20-year-old, but with Arsenal looking a little short in the centre of midfield with Francis Coquelin, Santi Cazorla and, of course, Jack Wilshere on the sidelines, would a temporary switch for Rabiot not improve Arsene Wenger's title contenders?
Joel Matip to Liverpool
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There have been widespread reports linking Liverpool with a move for the Schalke and Cameroon defender Joel Matip when the 24-year-old's contract with the German club expires in the summer, but should Jurgen Klopp make the move now?
Martin Skrtel has been ruled out for the next six weeks, while Dejan Lovren is also on the sidelines along with Joe Gomez, meaning the only fit senior central defenders at the club are the recently returned Mamadou Sakho and the veteran Kolo Toure.
Matip would add valuable cover if he was added immediately.
Jese Rodriguez to Manchester United
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Manchester United need a bit more spark up front, and Jese Rodriguez isn't getting a game behind the BBC—Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo—at Real Madrid. This makes sense, right?
Maybe, but United would need to move fast to secure the services of the talented Spain youth international, who is sure to have garnered plenty of interest from elsewhere. The questions of whether he'd want to join Louis van Gaal's team and whether Rafael Benitez would want to help out United have to be considered too.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek to Anyone in the Bottom Half of the Premier League
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Chelsea might want to wait until they are out of the bottom half themselves, but loaning out young midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek to another club in Premier League would act as a huge benefit to the talented Englishman who is struggling for game time at Stamford Bridge.
Perhaps his fortunes will change now Jose Mourinho has left the club, but if they haven't by the end of January, then Loftus-Cheek should be banging on Guus Hiddink's door and asking him to let him play football somewhere else.
David Villa to Manchester City
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How about this for sense?
Manchester City need to spice up their attack in the frequent absences of Sergio Aguero, so perhaps a two-month stint for David Villa would do the job?
Spain's all-time record goalscorer has already represented two of City's sister clubs in Melbourne City and New York City FC, so how about a brief stop off in Manchester before starting his second season in MLS?
Didier Drogba to Chelsea (to Play)
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Another MLS offseason deal, would it not make sense for Didier Drogba to return to Chelsea in a playing capacity and help Guus Hiddink out by taking the striking burden off Diego Costa?
Radamel Falcao has spectacularly failed to do that, while Loic Remy only looks like being a perennial substitute.
Drogba, who helped the club to the league title last season, would be a valuable squad member for a couple of months before returning to Montreal Impact.
Calum Chambers to Southampton
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He left the club in 2014, but after a frustrating end to last season and first half of this one, would Calum Chambers be wise to return to Southampton on a temporary deal in January?
The defender has been used in midfield by Arsene Wenger in recent weeks because the Gunners have picked up injuries, but his presence would certainly help Ronald Koeman's men, who have suffered a slump in form of late.
Andros Townsend to Newcastle United
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He's been banished to the under-21 team and has barely featured for the Tottenham Hotspur first team this season, so Andros Townsend desperately needs to leave the club if he is to resurrect his flagging career.
Previously seen on the wing for England, the wide man needs a move to a club with whom he could be both indulged and an important part of the team, and Steve McClaren's Newcastle United could give him that from January onward.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen to Liverpool
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Perhaps this one belongs in the dreams of Liverpool supporters who have lost patience with the error-prone Simon Mignolet, but would a move for Barcelona's cup '
The Germany international would be linking up with a compatriot at Anfield in Jurgen Klopp, but he'd also gain some valuable experience during time that would otherwise be wasted watching Claudio Bravo while sitting on the bench for Primera Division matches.
Denis Cheryshev to Everton
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The man at the centre of the embarrassing fielding of an ineligible player that forced Real Madrid to be kicked out of the Copa del Rey, perhaps Russian winger Denis Cheryshev will want to get out of the Spanish capital for a little bit of breathing space.
A fast, direct winger who can score goals, Cheryshev would perhaps suit Roberto Martinez's Everton side best at the moment, with his presence on one wing and Gerard Deulofeu's on the other combining to form a potent pair flanking Romelu Lukaku.
