Transfer talk is a constant amongst media outlets throughout much of the football calendar, though with the January transfer window firmly open the rumour mill is now in full swing.
It seems that each new day there is a new name being linked with a move to English football, a constant conveyor belt of transfer rumours that shows no sign of slowing down over the remainder of the month.
Whilst the vast majority of the speculation will remain just that, we’ve decided to profile some of the best talent linked with potential moves to the Premier League this winter.
Here are five players we’d love to see move to the Premier League this January…
Bruno Fernandes
A huge favourite in gossip columns for some time now, the Portuguese international has been pretty much linked with each of England’s elite over the course of the past year.
The Sporting Lisbon star enjoyed a prolific season last term scoring 32 goals in all competitions and has begun the new campaign in similar fashion with 13 to his name so far. Strongly linked with a move to Manchester United, the 25-year-old is the right profile to be a success in English football and would help solve the club’s dearth of creative talent.
Despite signing a new contract in November of last year, there is a growing belief that the midfielder will be allowed to leave the Lisbon side for a fee of around £60m – which could prove a smart investment for a player with an impressive goalscoring record.
Spurs have also been linked, and January could be the month Fernandes makes his move to one of European football’s leading clubs.
Hakim Ziyech
Another name long linked with a move to these shores, Ajax playmaker Ziyech has been one of the stars of the club’s recent successes, playing an influential role in the club’s domestic double and run to the Champions League semi-finals last season.
Whilst the likes of Matthijs de Ligt and Frenkie de Jong left the Johan Cruyff Arena for European giants, Ziyech remained despite a widely reported release clause of around £25m. The Moroccan international has continued to demonstrate his abilities as one of the best creative talents outside of Europe’s top five leagues, providing 16 assists in all competitions already this season.
North London rivals Tottenham and Arsenal have been reported to be interested, Ziyech possessing the talent to prove a bargain signing in football’s current inflated market.
Thomas Lemar
Part of the exciting young Monaco side that conquered Ligue 1 and reached the Champions League semi-finals three seasons ago, Lemar’s big-money move away from the principality has proven to be one of disappointment.
Despite being rumoured to be on the verge of joining both Arsenal and Liverpool, Lemar would sign for Atletico Madrid in a €60m deal, but has struggled to establish himself in the Spanish capital.
Famously demanding Atletico boss Diego Simeone admitted the French winger has fallen below expectations, and having been deemed surplus to requirements could now be allowed to leave on loan as he bids to secure his place in the national squad for next summer’s European Championships.
Whilst his struggles in Spain may have seen his stock fall somewhat, there is no doubting the 24-year-old possesses talent and a temporary move to either Chelsea or Tottenham looks viable in the coming weeks, the London rivals hoping a change of scenery can reignite Lemar’s fortunes.
Hwang Hee-Chan
Having seen Red Bull Salzburg’s fellow prized assets in Takumi Minamino and Erling Braut Haaland depart for European giants this January, could South Korea international Hwang Hee-Chan be the next forward to leave the Austrian champions production line of talent.
The 23-year-old impressed during the club’s Champions League group stage campaign, scoring three times including a stunning goal against Liverpool that left Ballon d’Or runner-up Virgil van Dijk on the turf.
Wolves have been linked with a move for a player who would bring added pace and dynamism to an already attacking forward set-up at Molineux, and with Patrick Cutrone having moved back to Italy with Fiorentina, Hee-Chan could prove a more than adequate replacement.
Rated at between £15-£25m, a Premier League club could be prepared to gamble on a player who has scored six goals and provided a further seven assists in 14 league appearances this season.
Dries Mertens
Mertens may the wrong side of thirty and seemingly in the twilight years of his career, but the Belgian international still possesses the quality to make an impact in the Premier League.
There is a growing sense that Napoli are prepared to sanction the sale of the 32-year-old, who is just three goals short of equalling Marek Hamsik’s record as the club’s all-time leading goalscorer. A versatile forward, Mertens has enjoyed a brilliant six-and-a-half year spell in Naples, scoring 62 Serie A goals over the past three seasons.
Chelsea and Arsenal have been rumoured to be interested in a player reportedly available for just €10m, and whilst certainly a short-term fix he would represent an addition of proven quality, Mertens having scored home and away against Liverpool in this season’s Champions League group stages.
Mertens’ age means a move to English club football must come soon if Premier League fans are to see him in regular action, and could come before the closure of the window at the end of the month.
Read – A player at each top six club that really needs a move in January
Read Also – Five of the best young newcomers to the Premier League this season
