January transfer market is notoriously difficult to master. Even the most respected recruiting teams struggle to navigate the minefield.
The winter market is generally centered around desperation, with clubs eager to remedy the problems that have arisen during the first half of the campaign. With teams unwilling to lose their best and brightest mid-season, ratings often skyrocket.
However, there is still plenty of value to be discovered in the January window, with star players not for sale and players entering the final six months of their contracts.
Here are the reduced price offers Premier League the parties could sign in January 2025.
Suitable clubs: Arsenal, Man Utd, Tottenham
Potential fee: 15-20 million pounds
Only Robert Lewandowski, Harry Kane and Erling Haaland plundered more goals than Jonathan David in 2024. The Canada international produced 36 of 50 appearances in the calendar year, a sensational return given he was arriving at Lille.
David has naturally attracted the interest of Europe’s elite clubs and the expiry of his current contract this summer means he is available to discuss his future with other clubs this winter.
While the temptation will be to wait until the end of the season and sign the 24-year-old on a free transfer, splashing the cash in January could secure the centre-forward’s signature.
Suitable clubs: Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City, Man Utd
Potential rate: 20-25 million pounds
Speaking of Canadian internationals whose contracts expire this summer, enter Alphonso Davies. While Bayern Munich are desperate to tie down the left-back on new terms, there is a growing feeling that this could be the 24-year-old’s last campaign in Bavaria.
Real Madrid and Barcelona show great interest in Davies, especially the first onebut the Premier League could be an equally desirable destination for the defender.
Like David, the Bayern man will be available for free in the summer, but dropping £20m-£25m in January could force a move. There are a number of Premier League teams who are calling for left-back reinforcements.
Suitable clubs: Arsenal, Man City
Potential fee: Loan contract
The battle continues for Barcelona to register the summer signing of Dani Olmo, which is still not resolved although the National Sports Council gave the decision in favor – leaves the future of Spanish up in the air.
Having dazzled since his £51m move to Catalonia, the Euro 2024 winner looks unlikely to leave the club on a permanent deal, but a loan move could be sanctioned for the second half of the campaign if Barça’s push to sign Olmo fails.
There are a number of Premier League sides who will enjoy the addition of the extremely talented Olmo in the final months of the campaign, particularly Arsenal and Manchester City who have lacked creativity for long periods this season.
Suitable clubs: Man Utd, Tottenham, West Ham
Potential rate: Loan contract
Randal Kolo Muani has quickly fallen out of favor at Luis Enrique’s Paris Saint-Germain and now looks a far cry from the imposing and speedy centre-forward he faced with Eintracht Frankfurt. He has scored just two goals in 14 games for the Ligue 1 champions this season.
A January move is looking increasingly likely and both Manchester United and Tottenham have done so expressed his interest in signing the French international on loan for the rest of the campaign.
Juventus are also exploring a move, but the lure of the Premier League may prove too tempting for Kolo Muani, who could rebuild his career with one of England’s elite.
Potential clubs: Chelsea, Man City, Man Utd
Potential fee: 12.5 million pounds
With his contract also set to expire this summer, Bayer Leverkusen are willing to let Jonathan Tah, one of the key players during their remarkable 2023/24 campaign, leave the BayArena for as little as £12.5m in January. Now that’s a bargain.
The towering centre-half could turn 29 this February but is in his prime and came very close to joining Bayern Munich in the summer. Barcelona has also shown interest.
Chelsea, Man City and Man Utd are among the Premier League sides currently looking for central defensive cover and £12.5m is a cut for a player of Tah’s immense quality and consistency.
Suitable clubs: Aston Villa, Man Utd, Man City, Nottingham Forest
Potential rate: 21 million pounds
Douglas Luiz earned his lucrative move to Juventus after several impressive seasons at Aston Villa. However, after just six months in Turin, the Brazilian midfielder could already have an exit.
With Juventus seemingly looking to recoup the £21million they spent in the summer, with several players heading to Villa Park as part of the deal, Luiz could be available for a bargain fee.
A return to Villa would not be out of the question, while Man City, who Luiz represented earlier in his career, could see the diminutive defensive midfielder as the perfect replacement for Rodri for the second half of the campaign.
Suitable clubs: Aston Villa, Tottenham, West Ham
Potential rate: 35 million euros or loan
Marcus Rashford’s public falling out with Man Utd means January could see an Old Trafford exit for the boyish Red Devil. Europe seems a likely destination, with Italian clubs and Borussia Dortmund as seen at the head of the queue.
Rashford could be available for as little as £35m, which would be a steal if he could rediscover his strongest form. A loan move until the end of the campaign also remains a distinct possibility.
West Ham, now managed by Graham Potter, are one of the clubs fans of the 27-year-old playerwho could prove a shrewd signing in the right environment.
