Opinion
After an interesting first day of trading when most of the European powerhouses kept their powder dry for later in the month, the stage is set for the cashed-up big guns to make their statements during the coming week.
Thus far, it has been the move of Vitaliy Mykolenko from Dynamo Kiev to Everton for an undisclosed fee and Barcelona’s massive signing of Ferran Torres from Manchester City for £54.7 million (A$102 million) that have caught the attention of pundits across the globe.
However, Tottenham Hotspur continue to be a melting pot for rumour, as manager Antonio Conte continues to cite the value of goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and obviously attempt to dissuade discussion of a potential early move for the man whose contract ends this coming European summer.
Along with growing speculation that Dele Alli may well be leaving the London club sooner rather than later, after Conte refused to play the midfielder in his team’s most recent victory against Watford, Tottenham could well look markedly different in the short term should similar speculation around Harry Kane and a potential move also prove correct.
(Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
The word on the street is that Conte and Alli do not see eye to eye, with the 25-year-old’s inconsistency not a trait admired by the manager.
A cashed-up club looking for some depth in the centre of the park could well be in the running for a player once touted as one of the best young stars in England.
After a heartbreaking loss to Manchester City in Premier League action on Saturday night, Arsenal now appear certain to lose promising striker Eddie Nketiah, after the 22-year-old turned down the latest contract offered to him by the Gunners.
Even a COVID positive result will not deter motivated suitors Bayer Leverkusen, the one club continually rumoured to be extremely interested in another of England’s bright young talents.
Folarin Balogun could also be on his last legs at Arsenal. Despite signing a four-year deal last April, the America-born 20-year-old has not played Premier League minutes since August and I wonder how long the club will resist the interest of Middlesbrough and St Etienne, two clubs keen to acquire the services of an undoubtedly talented player.
With Anthony Martial’s departure from Old Trafford appearing more certain as the days unfold, the reasoning behind it continues to grow clearer.
(Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images)
The race to sign River Plate’s Argentinian striker Julian Alvarez appears to be edging in United’s favour, with a £16.8 million (A$31.2 million) release clause required to free him seeming far more manageable for the Manchester club than others interested such as Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Barcelona.
New United manager Ralf Rangnick has been outspoken about his plans to seek out the interest of four German stars and their clubs’ desires to keep them.
Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz, Monchengladbach’s Luca Netz, Bochum centre back Armel Bella-Kotchap and RB Leipzig’s Eric Martel have all caught the eye of the man Red Devils fans are hoping can turn the fortunes of their team.
Ruben Neves appears to be another player on the radar of Rangnick, yet Chelsea are also rumoured to be keen to acquire the Portuguese midfielder, and the news of a conversation between the United manager and the father of Erling Haaland continues to loom as one of the most telling indicators as to where the young Norwegian could end up.
(Alexandre Simoes/Borussia Dortmund via Getty Images)
Should Rangnick snatch the young star from under the very noses of Real Madrid and United’s crosstown rival, the long awaited rebuild at Old Trafford will be well and truly underway.
As Day 3 of the European winter transfer window approaches, rumours of a proposed loan deal for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have emerged, with Newcastle the potential destination according to sources in the English media.
Similarly, Philippe Coutinho’s time at Barcelona appears closer than ever to being done, with a ‘cut the losses’ sale to Tottenham likely to provide a lifeline for a player struggling to recapture the form that made him one of the most valuable players in the world just a few short years ago.
Another complex day of deals and speculation awaits, as clubs continue to jockey for position. Keep following all the moves on The Roar as the drama of the January transfer window continues.
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