World Football: 5 Players to Look Out for This January

With the January transfer window rapidly approaching, clubs have started making their shopping lists. The recent limelight has been all about big-name players like Gareth Bale and Kaka, however there are lesser-known players who have been making great impacts on their squads.

With the opportunity for teams to snatch these players up for the second half of the season, I thought it would be interesting to take a look at five of the most untalked about transfer targets for this January. 

5. Ander Herrera (Real Zaragoza)

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ZARAGOZA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 23: Ander Herrera of Real Zaragoza looks on during the La Liga match between Real Zaragoza and Barcelona at La Romareda on October 23, 2010 in Zaragoza, Spain. Barcelona won the match 2-0. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Ander Herrera was flattered by a €16 million bid for his services by Arsenal last April, however he denied, saying that it was his in his best interests to stay at Real Zaragoza.

Now after some impressive form, the 21-year-old midfielder is under close watch by many clubs all over Spain. Barcelona, Real Madrid, Athletic Bilbao and Sevilla have all stated interest in this player, but it is reported that he is already set to sign for Valencia in January for €12 million. 

The Zaragoza No. 8 has drawn comparisons to players such as Xavi and Iniesta among others for his spectacular passing and vision. Last season he only netted two goals but was instrumental in helping Real Zaragoza avoid relegation. In this year’s campaign he currently has one goal and two assists from 10 appearances in La Liga.

He is a product of the Zaragoza youth camps and has been playing there since his professional debut in 2008, but it looks like a transfer is under way for the Spanish starlet.

4. Giovanni Dos Santos (Tottenham Hotspur)

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LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 07: Giovani Dos Santos of Tottenham Hotspur in action during the pre-season friendly match between Tottenham Hotspur and Fiorentina at White Hart Lane on August 7, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)

Giovani dos Santos is probably one of the most talented young players in the world. At 21 years old he is already known as a player who is brilliant at attacking from both sides of the field, making explosive runs down the wings and blasting powerful, curving shots with his strong, left foot.

The thing is, he doesn’t get any playing time.  After transferring from Barcelona to Tottenham in 2008, he has only played 17 games with his team. He spent two incomplete seasons on transfers to The Championship and the Super Lig, both times being unsuccessful at accomplishing very much. His career has also been plagued with many injuries, which have kept him inactive in the past few seasons.

Now he is back at White Hart Lane and despite being an extremely talented player, he can’t even manage a regular spot in the squad. Once revered as the “Teenage Ronaldinho,” dos Santos isn’t even getting a chance to play anymore.

However, this January transfer window could hold a bright future for the attacking midfielder.

His fine performances for Mexico in this year’s World Cup have prompted interest from top clubs such as Liverpool, Spanish sides Sevilla and Villarreal and Italian clubs Napoli and Inter Milan. His estimated value is around €5 million and with the very small role he is playing at Spurs this season, there is no reason Harry Redknapp shouldn’t sell him.

3. Andre Ayew (Olympique Marseille)

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RUSTENBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 26: Andre Ayew of Ghana in action during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Round of Sixteen match between USA and Ghana at Royal Bafokeng Stadium on June 26, 2010 in Rustenburg, South Africa. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/

Twenty-year-old Andre Ayew, often called Dédé, is perhaps on the path to becoming one of the world’s top footballers.  He’s fast and intelligent, allowing him to easily work his way past defenders, and his confidence and power can easily beat any goalkeeper. Not to mention he is a wonderful passer and has spectacular vision when it comes to attacking.

But his most valuable asset is his tenacity and positive attitude. He never says die and whenever he comes on the field he can turn any game around.

The Ghanaian international has already proved himself on the world stage, helping his team reach the quarterfinals of the 2010 World Cup, the finals of the African Cup of Nations and claiming the U-20 World Cup title. This season at Marseille he has already notched out four goals and one assist in 12 games, including a decisive game-winner against Toulouse.

The player has sparked interest from clubs such as Arsenal and Liverpool, the latter saying they are prepared to make a swoop for the winger. He himself has said he is keen on a move to Serie A, but no matter where he’s headed it’s almost inevitable that this talented player will be leaving Marseille soon.

2. Welliton (Spartak Moscow)

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MOSCOW, RUSSIA - NOVEMBER 14: Welliton of FC Spartak Moscow in action during the Russian Football League Championship match between FC Spartak Moscow and FC Krylia Sovetov Samara at the Luzhniki Stadium on November 14, 2010 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by D

Welliton is probably one of the best strikers in the world. At the rate he’s scoring goals, it’s amazing he hasn’t already been snatched up by one of Europe’s top teams.

The 23-year-old is currently playing for Spartak Moscow after transferring from Brazilian side Goias in 2007, and he has scored 49 times in 72 games. He finished as the Russian Premier League’s top scorer for the second consecutive season with 18 goals in 22 appearances this year. That’s a rate of more than 0.8 goals per game.

The player netted two consecutive hat tricks this season, including one hat trick in just six minutes. What’s even more is that is that he’s great at passing and creating goal scoring opportunities for teammates. 

There is interest for him all over Europe, with teams from the likes of Arsenal to Mallorca interested in signing him.

1. Borja Valero (Villarreal—on Loan from West Bromwich Albion)

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LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 29: Borja Valero of Villarreal during a Pre-Season Friendly between Tottenham Hotspur and Villarreal at White Hart Lane on July 29, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Phil Cole/Getty Images)

Playing for Villarreal on loan from West Bromwich Albion, a bright start to the season has prompted lots of interest in Borja Valero. The 25-year-old central midfielder is a spectacular playmaker who was awarded last year’s Don Balon Award after his five goals and eight assists in 33 games helped Mallorca to a fifth-place finish.

He has picked up right where he left off with Villarreal this season, managing two goals and three assists in just eight matches. His recent displays of fine form earned him his first call-ups to the Spanish national team earlier last month.  It is his passing capabilities and vision that have sparked interest from Atletico Madrid, Sevilla and most notably Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola.

When asked about moving to Barcelona, Valero replied that he was "not opposed to a move to Barcelona" and that “big teams are always surrounded with rumors, but one might never know. Hopefully, in the future…I have always intended to do whatever I can to play for the big clubs, and Barcelona is one of them."

Anyone Else?

So who are some lesser-known players you think would make good transfer targets this January?