January Transfer Rumours: Recent Rumours With Dzeko, Honda, Donovan and Mexes
With the transfer window just six weeks away from opening, the quantity of rumours is growing by the day. The month-long window in January is traditionally less prone to big moves, but that doesn't stop rumours from flying around at an alarming speed.
So, here are some of the recent rumours that have hit the internet and the back pages. I'm not claiming any of these moves will actually happen, but feel free to chip in below.
Fabio Capello
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Although it's not a player move, England's Italian manager has been feeling the pressure recently. A poor World Cup and a home defeat to France mean that his approval rating isn't nearly as high as it once was.
Anyhow, Capello is being linked to Inter Milan who are reportedly out for a manager to replace Rafa Benitez. Inter are currently sixth in Serie A, nine points off the top, and they will need to pick their form up if they are to even qualify for the Europa League.
Capello, as well as Luciano Spalletti, Leonardo and Diego Simeone are said to be on the short list for the job if Inter do decide to ditch Benitez.
A move back to Italy might just turn Fabio Capello's fortunes around. However, such a move seems unlikely.
Edin Dzeko
2 of 10
The 24 year-old Bosnian is once again being linked to some big clubs. This week it's Manchester City, Manchester United, Atletico Madrid, Liverpool, AC Milan and Juventus. He's pretty popular.
Dzeko has claimed to be committed to the club for the remainder of the season, but his representatives were recently given a tour of Manchester City's training grounds and attended a game. Maybe a summer move is in the pipes, but there is always a possibility of a surprise January move, with £30 million rumoured to be the going fee.
Dzeko is having a solid season; he has scored nine goals in thirteen matches. Best of all for potential suitors, he isn't even cup-tied for European competition.
Dani Alves
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After a round of contract upgrades for his Barcelona colleagues, Dani Alves is out for more money. With his contract due to expire in 2012, Barca officials have become frustrated by Alves' demands and have set 31st December as the deadline for a new contract to be agreed.
Alves is rated at £30 million and would therefore be an expensive January buy, especially considering he is cup-tied. However, if Alves fails to sign a new contract, Barcelona may be forced to offload the right-back. The full extent of their financial difficulties were recently uncovered and a cheaper replacement may be available.
Chelsea and Manchester City are said to be interested, with Chelsea's current defensive issues said to be a contributing factor to their interest.
Equally of course, Alves may be shocked into signing a new deal by the deadline, which is just over a month away as he has expressed no real desire to leave the Nou Camp.
Jordan Henderson
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Sunderland's 20 year-old midfielder has shot to prominence in recent times. An impressive display in Sunderland's improbable win over Chelsea was followed up by his England début. He didn't have the best of nights, but still won praise from Rio Ferdinand.
Sir Alex has asked Steve Bruce to "keep him informed" about Henderson, something that Steve Bruce says has only happened to him once before, with Anton Valencia. Unsurprisingly, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City are also said to be interested.
It may be too early for Henderson to move to one of the Premier League's biggest clubs, but Henderson's stock has shot up in the last month.
Philippe Mexes
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France's 28 year-old defender is out of contract at Roma in the summer, but a cheap January move may be on the cards, as well as a possible pre-contract agreement signed in January.
Both Arsenal and Chelsea have been suffering defensively in recent times, Chelsea with an injury crisis and Arsenal with a lack of depth and some defensive lapses such as the disaster that was the second half of their recent derby with Tottenham.
Mexes is out of favour at Roma but has become a first choice centre-back for France since their calamitous World Cup. However, that position will be hard to maintain if he isn't playing regular club football, making a move away from Rome more likely.
Landon Donovan
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One of the best players the United States has ever produced moved on loan to Everton last January, scoring two goals in thirteen appearances. He has said that he's tired from a long season, but would find it hard to say no to Everton if they asked him back.
Donovan is only 28, but has already been capped 128 times and scored 45 goals. His record for Galaxy is equally impressive. 145 matches and 71 goals speaks for itself.
Donovan has proved that he can compete in the Premier League, he is a top player who could provide a short, sharp burst of help for a team languishing in 14th place, just two points above the relegation zone.
Steven Pienaar
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Everton's South African midfielder may be on the move due to his club suffering a slow start to the season. His contract expires at the end of the season, and unless he signs a new deal, Everton are bound to lose him either on the cheap in January or for nothing come June.
Rafa Benitez is reported to be attempting to become even more hated on Everton's side of Liverpool with a move for the 28 year-old. There are rumours that Pienaar would consider a move to Liverpool, something that would be equally unpopular with Everton fans. Champions League finalists are also thought to be interested in the midfielder.
Keisuke Honda
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The Japanese midfielder made his name at the World Cup last summer and since then he has been the subject of a fair few rumours. His free-kicks were one of the World Cup's highlights and would be a valuable asset for any side. An attacking midfielder, he has scored six goals in 37 matches for his Russian club.
He transferred to CSKA Moscow in December last year, but has had limited success in Russia and a move to a more Western European club may well be next on the agenda for the 24 year-old.
Both AC Milan and Liverpool are interested in the player, with £9 million thought to be a fair price. However, a bidding war could ensue between two of Europe's most historic clubs, which would give Moscow a price they would find hard to turn down.
Nicklas Bendtner
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The Danish striker has become frustrated at Arsenal in recent times, due to a lack of playing time and his recent ultimatum to Arsene Wenger merely got him dropped from the squad.
21 goals in 87 Arsenal games isn't the most impressive of records, but he is showing signs of improvement and is still only 22 years old. Opinion is divided over the Dane, with some thinking he has huge potential and others thinking he is just rubbish.
There doesn't seem to be much playing time available for him at Arsenal, and a move away from North London seems more likely than ever. Aston Villa and Bayern Munich are both interested in the striker. He has won praise from German legend Franz Beckenbauer, who recently claimed he would do very well in Munich.
Juninho
10 of 10
The Brazilian veteran and free-kick specialist is a reported target of Aston Villa. He currently plays in Qatar for Al-Gharafa. Previously, he led Olympique Lyonnais to seven consecutive league triumphs scoring 100 goals for the club in the process.
He may be 35, but he still has a mean free kick, and would be a useful short term signing for a team like Aston Villa who could do with a pick-me-up after a sloppy first half of the season. His experience, both at club and international level would certainly come in handy.
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