Midseason Transfer Window: Ranking the Top 25 Targets in January
The halfway point for many leagues around Europe is quickly approaching, and clubs will soon face decisions to add talent and make a second half push or unload some players for future spending.
Rumors have been flying in the last couple of weeks, and if even half of them come to fruition, it will make for an exciting change for the second leg of the season.
Some clubs like Liverpool will be looking for help in spite of under-performance from the current squad. Tottenham have battled injuries at almost every position and will look to add a couple of names. Manchester City will undoubtedly have a couple of switches here and there.
In England, in Spain, in Italy and elsewhere, teams will be throwing names onto the transfer list and even more rumors will fly, but only 25 make the list for the best targets in the January transfer window.
Disclaimer: All of the subsequent slides are reported rumors.
Roque Santa Cruz
1 of 25
The Paraguayan is large, but not so in-charge. Though he has been a complete bust for Manchester City, big-name signings have pushed the former Blackburn striker out of any conceivable playing time for Roberto Mancini.
Still, he is of some value for a lower-tier club looking for a large presence in the final third, and Santa Cruz can provide just that.
In just 23 appearances for City, the 6'2" striker has netted just four goals. His time at Eastlands looks done as rumors circulating around Wolfsburg as a potential destination for Santa Cruz.
Shaun Wright-Phillips
2 of 25
The speedy winger, like Santa Cruz, was pushed out of consideration by younger, more talented play-makers. His small stature was often times a liability, but his pace makes up for it considerably.
His second stint with City has been much less successful than his first. Selection over James Milner or Adam Johnson is slim, so it is likely that the 29-year-old Londoner is headed out of Manchester.
It makes little sense for City to hold on 5'5" speedster, so entertaining bids from multiple clubs will certainly be a focus.
Jordan Henderson
3 of 25
One of the younger transfer targets in January will be Jordan Henderson, an attacking midfielder who earned a cap for England earlier this week against France.
His future looks promising, as high profile clubs like Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool have all been linked to the 20-year-old.
Jérémy Menez
4 of 25
Another youngster looking to make a splash this January is Roma winger Jérémy Menez. Skillful with either foot, as well as a cringing pace, the Frenchman is widely considered a tactician along the wing.
With that skill set, it is no surprise that a club like Manchester United has reportedly expressed interest in the 23-year-old.
His diversity will be an asset that many clubs will scour in a few weeks.
Keisuke Honda
5 of 25
Keisuke Honda is widely known for his tantalizing free kicks, but can play the holding midfield position very well. Since moving to CSKA Moscow almost a year ago (December 2009), the Japanese international has appeared in 36 games, scoring five times.
AC Milan and Liverpool are rumored to have interest in the 24-year-old, but will he leave Russia after a year?
His impressions for the Russian club have been stout, but it could be time for a move to a more visible club and league.
Nicklas Bendtner
6 of 25
Plans for Nicklas Bendtner seem to be in question at Arsenal. The arrival of Marouane Chamakh during the summer, coupled with longtime mainstay Robin van Persie and Bendtner's injury has left the young Dane without much time on the pitch.
After joining the organization in 2005, it may be time for the 22-year-old to move on to another club.
Bayern Munich reportedly have expressed the most interest in the powerful striker, as well as AC Milan, but it will be interesting to see how the Gunners view the future with a handful of great options in the final third.
Hulk
7 of 25
The 24-year-old Hulk, formally known as Givanildo de Souza, has been a terrific piece in the Portuguese league since his arrival from the Japanese leagues in 2008. Now this Porto star has been rumored to a move to the Premiership, a league where he can truly utilize his strength and pace.
Manchester City widely has been linked to the powerful playmaker, but then again, virtually every footballer on the market has.
Goals have not been scarce for this Brazilian, but if Hulk leaves Porto, their options in the final third certainly will take a hit.
Alexis Sánchez
8 of 25
Alexis Sánchez has been in the Udinese organization since 2007 and at just 21 years old, the Chilean has a bright future ahead. A solid World Cup performance put some extra spotlight on the youngster, building interest from a couple of top clubs from around Europe.
Comparable to the abilities of Nani, it is no surprise that Manchester United seem to be all over the cat-quick winger.
He surely will generate a huge boost for his potential new team with his pace and service from the sidelines.
Marko Marin
9 of 25
Marko Marin will be highly coveted come January, and it looks like England will be his destination.
Manchester United, Tottenham and Arsenal all have been rumored to be interested in the young Werder Bremen winger. At 21 years old, the Bosnian-born German is prime for a move to a high profile position where clubs will be aching for his services.
Marin's transfer fee is an estimated £15 million, but space at all three of the aforementioned clubs seems to be scarce.
Loïc Rémy
10 of 25
Loïc Rémy was rumored with a move to England during the summer, but stayed in France's Ligue 1 with a switch from Nice to Marseille. The buzz around the 23-year-old is flying again, but this time a transfer to England seems to be a real possibility.
Arsenal and Tottenham were the front-runners to win the bid for the striker, but space on the roster will once again be a concern.
Questions concerning heart problems with the versatile attacker delayed the dealings in the summer. Will they usher in additional problems in January?
Romelu Lukaku
11 of 25
Some call him the next Didier Drogba, a very high ceiling for this 17-year-old Belgian.
Romelu Lukaku has been a part of Anderlecht's organization since 2006 and looks ready to be moved out of the Belgian top flight and into European spotlight.
The 6'3" striker has great power and pace, and high-profile clubs will be lining up funds to secure this young player destined for great things.
Many thought he would move this summer. All signs point to a definite switch in January.
Steven Pienaar
12 of 25
Steven Pienaar was thought to move during the summer as well, but ultimately stayed with Everton who are struggled early in the season.
Will the poor start mean a move for the South African?
He has been a consistent performer for the Toffees since first joining the club on loan in 2007 before moving on a full transfer the season after.
At 28 years old, he is still a highly serviceable midfielder. Arsenal gave a look at the midfielder in the summer. Will that interest rekindle?
Adam Johnson
13 of 25
Adam Johnson's named has been thrown around in recent days, but will Manchester City let 23-year-old move on from Eastlands after acquiring the creative winger just a year ago from Middlesbrough?
The arrival of a handful of talented midfielders has forced Johnson into a substitute's role, but he remains a great asset in a change of pace role in the late minutes of games.
His innovation and quick change of direction with the ball surely will generate multiple looks from clubs across Europe. Does City have a threshold, or will the youngster become another piece in the turntable of players in Manchester?
Johnson recently came out to solidify his intention to stay with the team, but will that stop needy clubs from entertaining a bid?
Javier Pastore
14 of 25
Reportedly, Javier Pastore will stay with Palermo until the summer, but will it halt the top English clubs from putting in a bid for the talented 21-year-old Argentine?
He is a great facilitating midfield player with a great passing touch and feel for the field around him and is in superb form so far for his Italian club.
Palermo's president has stated that his young superstar will finish the season with the team, but is definitely on the way out during the summer window. Is he in for an unexpected early exit?
Shay Given
15 of 25
Shay Given may be the best keeper in the world to be riding the bench. Forced to the sidelines by the young Joe Hart humbled Given to battle for first team consideration, but he has yet to see the pitch this season.
Despite his good form last year, the 34-year-old Irishman undoubtedly looks to be moving away from Eastlands, but it seems likely that the club acquiring his services will have to pay a pretty penny.
Emmanuel Adebayor
16 of 25
A great first season with Manchester City has been followed with poor motivation and worse form from Emmanuel Adebayor. The influx of highly competitive midfielders led Roberto Mancini to a single striker formation, leaving Carlos Tévez in command of the spot.
Coming from Arsenal on a £25 million fee two years ago, the Togolese international looks to be on the way out if playing time is scarce.
Juventus have reportedly been linked with the 26-year-old, as well as Fenerbahçe. Whoever can promise the most playing time will likely be the winner for his services.
Alessandro Del Piero
17 of 25
Alessandro Del Piero is a legend at Juventus, first joining the organization in 1993. Over his 17-year tenure for the club, he has scored 278 goals in over 647 appearances.
The 36-year-old is reportedly in for an extension, but rumors are flying that he could be moved out with speculation that Emmanuel Adebayor may switch to Juve from Manchester City.
This strong attacking player may not find a new club in January, and it is hard to fathom Del Piero in colors other than the black and white.
Edin Džeko
18 of 25
One name being tossed around a couple of top table clubs in England is Edin Džeko, a Bosnian striker who made a name playing for Wolfsburg, netting 82 goals in 132 games.
The 6'3" goal scorer has been rumored with a move to Tottenham and Manchester City, two teams in need of in-form forwards.
At 24 years old, he is yet another budding star poised for big stage football.
David Luiz
19 of 25
Another young player that hit the transfer talk over the summer was Benfica's David Luiz.
Chelsea look to be in a prime position to land the Brazilian's services, as a long-term injury to John Terry will force the club to explore additional options on the back line.
Luiz, 23, is physical and versatile and brings youth and security to any club's defense.
Luís Fabiano
20 of 25
A lackluster performance from the Brazilian in the World Cup, Luís Fabiano's name was linked with a move away from Sevilla, and those rumors have resurfaced.
Tottenham look to be a heavy player for his services, especially with the injuries sustained on the front line. Champions League play likely will be a determining factor for the 30-year-old striker.
Accurate headers and a powerful foot are his main selling points, so do not be surprised to see a large fee presented for the goal scorer.
Kaká
21 of 25
After a highly anticipated move from AC Milan to Real Madrid, Kaká provided a less than spectacular effort for a player of his caliber and reputation.
He has not made an appearance in his second season with the Spanish giants, as the rumors swirl about a possible return to the Serie A.
At 28 years old, the Brazilian with the European touch is widely considered a top play at his position, and someone will definitely request his services.
Kaká moved to the Bernabéu for about €70 million. How much will it take to ship him out?
Bastian Schweinsteiger
22 of 25
Michael Ballack apparently urged Manchester United to look at a move for Bayern Munich's Bastian Schweinsteiger, a holding midfielder with a physical presence in all areas of the pitch.
Will they listen? A solid World Cup for the 26-year-old German garnered some extra spotlight heading into the season with the 2009 Champions League winners.
He is off to another formidable year, but which clubs will venture a bid?
Dani Alves
23 of 25
Dani Alves recently rejected a new contract from Barcelona, meaning his days with the club are likely over in the summer, if not sooner.
Speculation over a transfer for the right back have swirled in recent weeks, but how much will it take to snatch the feisty defender away from the Camp Nou?
Diego Forlán
24 of 25
After a highly visible and successful World Cup run, Diego Forlán had been amidst rumors of a switch during the summer, but the Uruguayan returned to Atlético Madrid.
The 31-year-old has reentered the transfer discussion with Tottenham, Real Madrid and Juventus all linked to the deadly scorer.
He will be a heavily monitored played come the January window, as he retains game-changing skills in the final third.
Gareth Bale
25 of 25
The one name that has been tossed around the rumor mills most frequently is Tottenham's Gareth Bale.
Though the budding Welsh star expressed his intentions to stay with Spurs, it will hardly keep the giant clubs like Real Madrid or Barcelona from putting in a transfer big for the versatile left-footer.
Just a couple of weeks ago, Tottenham slapped a £50 million tag on the 21-year-old. Will the north London club be able to resist an overwhelming bid come January?
Stay tuned.
