The January transfer window is typically a busy time for football clubs as they look to solidify their squads for the second half of the season. With the World Cup’s recent conclusion, this year’s transfer window is likely to be even busier as clubs attempt to sign the talents who impressed in Qatar.
Here are some bold predictions for the weeks ahead:
- Manchester United Don’t Sign a Striker:
It’s no secret that Manchester United is in the market for a new striker. With Cristiano Ronaldo gone, they need someone who can come in and elevate the play of their other forwards.
Anthony Martial has been great this season, but his injury problems are starting to become a concern. He’s scored 5 goals and assisted 2 in just 579 minutes of play, averaging a goal contribution every 83 minutes.
He has only played more than 75 minutes once this season and was substituted during the 3-0 win over Bournemouth with another injury. Based on his current condition, it’s not possible to rely on him to play the full second half of the season.
It was widely expected that Gakpo would join United after his strong performances at the World Cup, but it seems that Liverpool has snapped him up instead. Some have speculated that United never actually bid for the player and that they are instead focusing on other targets. While Gakpo is a versatile player, he may not be exactly what United needs right now. They are reportedly considering Marcus Thuram of Borussia Monchengladbach and Randal Kolo Muani of Eintracht Frankfurt, but it is unlikely that they will make any big moves while the Glazer family is considering selling the club.
According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, it appears that João Félix is the most likely loan option for Manchester United. Additionally, there are low-cost options that may be available, such as players who are on expiring contracts like Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Memphis Depay.
Félix is a highly skilled player that would improve any team; however, he is not the traditional striker that Ten Hag seems to prefer. Memphis has the potential to offer cover for Martial and makes sense given his past history with the club. Choupo-Moting would be a solid option if United are intent on planting someone in the box. Ighalo’s name will likely come up if he does arrive on loan. He may not be exciting, but he could still be useful.
Although it may be frustrating for United fans, it seems like the manager’s timing and specific needs could make it difficult to land a deal that satisfies both the manager and the club’s owner’s wants. With finances being a key concern at this crucial time for the club’s future, it may be difficult to find a compromise that everyone is happy with.
- Atlético Madrid’s Joo Félix stays
João Félix has been having a tough time this season, clashing with Diego Simeone. He’s appeared more as a substitute than a starter in La Liga, even though he’s scored four goals and assisted on three more in 578 minutes of game time. If we look back further, we can see that Félix has only started 42 percent of league matches since joining Atlético Madrid in 2019. This lack of playing time is disappointing for a player with so much potential.
The problem is that Atlético spent £113 million on Félix, not too far below their next most expensive purchase, Thomas Lemar. This makes it unlikely that they would be willing to let him go on loan. If they did, it would be an admission that they’re prepared to sell him for a significantly lower price in the summer.
There’s been speculation that Félix could be loaned out to Arsenal or Manchester United, as noted by Ornstein. Relevo reports that the Red Devils have offered £3.5 million in addition to agreeing to cover his full salary. However, Atlético reportedly wants £11 million plus wages for the player. That’s a major investment, albeit one that could look more appetizing if an option to buy is included.
Félix moving could be the story of the window, but with Atlético struggling in fifth place and looking to overprice him, it’s a difficult deal to execute. Don’t be surprised if he’s looking glum on the Spanish side’s bench when February arrives.
- Liverpool Sign a Midfielder
It’s exciting to see Liverpool’s recent transfer activity with an eye towards the future. Darwin Núñez and Cody Gakpo are great additions that will eventually replace Sadio Mané, Mohamed Salah, and Roberto Fimino. But there’s a greater need that has been glaring Jürgen Klopp in the face for some time: an ageing midfield.
Captain Jordan Henderson is 32 and is showing the wear and tear of a gut-busting career. Thiago and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are injury prone at 31 and 29, respectively, while Fabinho is also 29.
The clock is ticking for long-time leader and hole filler James Milner, who at 37 has noticeably slowed down this season. Naby Keïta has failed to reach expectations and will be lucky to remain at Anfield past this campaign after his contract expires. With all of this in mind, it’s clear that Liverpool needs to make some changes to stay competitive in the coming years. Specifically, we think they should look into these five midfielders who could be available this summer.
Juventus’s Arthur Melo loan deal was intended as a smart stopgap, but the signing has turned out to be a disaster. He’s played just 13 minutes after injuring his quad muscle in October.
All signs point to Liverpool needing an immediate shot of life in midfield, but Klopp noted they cannot “splash the cash” after Gakpo’s arrival earlier this month. The recent defeat to Brentford leaves them seven points off fourth and in an unexpected battle to reach the Champions League.
It may be necessary to invest in a midfielder now, despite a possibly significant outlay, as missing out on Europe’s elite competition would be painful for a club that has to run a tighter ship than the two Manchester sides and Chelsea.
