2019 January transfer window potential moves: Hazard, Pogba, Martial, Ramsey, Eriksen
We look at some of the players who could switch clubs or are out of contract
Football fans can expect a month of big deals, contract talks and ridiculous rumours when the Premier League winter transfer window opens on 1 January.
Players, clubs and agents in England’s top flight have until 11pm on 31 January to get their deals and transfers over the line.
Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey is out of contract in the summer so could move on or sign a pre-contract agreement with a continental team in January. And the futures of Chelsea’s Eden Hazard and Manchester United’s Paul Pogba have been a daily fixture in the football gossip columns.
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Here we look at a range of players who may potentially switch clubs in the new year...
Potential movers in January
Eden Hazard
Citing “shock reports in Spain”, the Daily Express said that Chelsea could sell Eden Hazard to Real Madrid in January. Spanish outlet OK Diario has suggested that Real could send Gareth Bale to Chelsea as part of the bid to bring in Hazard. Meanwhile, the Daily Mirror reported that the odds have been slashed on the Belgian joining one of Chelsea’s Premier League rivals such as Manchester United or Manchester City.
Paul Pogba
The French star has been linked repeatedly with an exit from Manchester United, but could he actually depart in the new year? Pogba was reportedly a target for Barcelona last summer but according to the Manchester Evening News, his former side Juventus may be planning an “audacious approach” to re-sign the midfielder on loan in January and then make the move permanent at the end of the season.
Ousmane Dembele
Arsenal are said to have enquired about the availability of Barcelona forward Ousmane Dembele. According to Spanish newspaper Sport, his close friend Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is trying to “lure” him to the Emirates. Frenchman Dembele has also been linked with Liverpool.
Malcom
Another player who is reportedly unsettled at Barcelona is Brazilian winger Malcom. Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham may be interested in the 21-year-old, said the Daily Express.
Marcus Rashford
The Sun reported that Marcus Rashford would consider a transfer to Real Madrid if he doesn’t get regular first-team football at Manchester United. Juventus have also been linked with the 21-year-old forward.
Christian Eriksen
Spanish attacking midfielder Isco is reportedly on his way out of Real Madrid, with Manchester City and Chelsea looking keen. If Isco does leave Real, could the Spanish giants bring in Tottenham’s Christian Eriksen? That was one rumour doing the rounds in The Guardian.
Aaron Ramsey
Aaron Ramsey’s Arsenal contract expires at the end of the season and he will be available on a free transfer. The Welsh midfielder is also able to sign a pre-contract agreement with continental clubs in January. Real Madrid are believed to be interested, the Daily Mirror reported, and Juventus and Bayern Munich are also said to be keeping an eye on the 28-year-old.
Mesut Ozil
The Sun has pointed to Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil as a target for Italian giants Inter Milan. Although the German signed a new contract in January 2018, he does not appear to be a favourite of Gunners boss Unai Emery. The former Real Madrid man had also been linked with Barcelona.
Anthony Martial
According to the Daily Star, Arsenal are in the race to sign Manchester United forward Anthony Martial and would guarantee him first-team football at the Emirates Stadium. Chelsea, Juventus and Inter Milan have also been linked with the 23-year-old in recent months.
Cesc Fabregas
One potential deal that definitely looks like it has legs is Cesc Fabregas joining AC Milan from Chelsea. The Spanish midfielder, who won the World Cup in 2010, is expected to join Milan in a £10m deal, The Sun reported. Fabregas, who is out of contract in the summer, has also been linked with Spanish side Valencia.
No new year plans for Pep
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said in November that the Premier League champions had no plans to make any signings in the new year. “We don’t want anybody in January,” said the Spaniard. “We are not going to spend anything, I am so happy with the squad. When we created the squad at the beginning, we didn’t want to go for anyone in January unless there were injuries. I trust all the players and it’s a joy to be with them. We are not going to do any transfers in January, no way.”
Who is out of contract in 2019?
A number of Premier League players are out of contract at their clubs in the summer of 2019. If they don’t renew their current deals, they will be able to sign a pre-contract agreement with a continental club in January and then move on a free transfer when their contracts expire.
Here are some players whose contracts run out at the end of the season (as of 21 December).
- Arsenal: Aaron Ramsey, Nacho Monreal, Petr Cech, Stephan Lichtsteiner, Danny Welbeck
- Chelsea: Cesc Fabregas, David Luiz, Gary Cahill, Olivier Giroud
- Liverpool: James Milner, Daniel Sturridge, Alberto Moreno, Lazar Markovic
- Manchester City: Eliaquim Mangala, Vincent Kompany
- Manchester United: Ander Herrera, Antonio Valencia, Andreas Pereira, Juan Mata, Phil Jones
- Tottenham: Mousa Dembele, Toby Alderweireld, Fernando Llorente, Michel Vorm
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