Top 5 January transfer targets: Rashford, Salah, Osimhen, Alexander-Arnold | Football News

The January transfer window opens in Europe as soon as the clocks strike midnight around the world to usher us all into 2025.

Along with that comes the usual mid-season scramble for clubs trying to sort out their problems – usually short-term problems that are in desperate need of quick fixes as opposed to long-term strategic moves.

Al Jazeera Sport picks the top five names heavily linked with moves along with the clubs vying for their signatures and why:

Marcus Rashford (Manchester United). Interested: Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Saudi Pro League

There is only one name to start and that, even despite his dip in form, is Rashford and what could possibly be one of the biggest January signings in history.

Rashford has been an Old Trafford favorite since the local lad made his debut in 2016. Now the 27-year-old has hit the hardest part of a career that has seen him linked with Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain among Europe’s elite clubs over the years.

At his peak, he was seen as the obvious Galactico for Los Blancos in Spain – in some ways, the long-term successor to former Madrid United striker Cristiano Ronaldo. In recent times, with Kylian Mbappe’s protracted move to the BernabeuRashford has also been linked with filling the void left by the Frenchman in Paris.

Now the future is completely unclear. Rashford lost his place in the England squad last year and missed out on Euro 2024 – a good blow for a player who has been one of the first on his country’s squad list for so many years and, given his age, is reaching the peak of his career. New Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has been brutal and quite clear in his handling of Rashford since replacing Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford. Says the Portuguese United are a better club with Rashford but four matchday squads went without including a forward, who did clearly suggested that his time at the club was coming to an end.

Victor Osimhen (Napoli). Interested: Manchester United, Chelsea, PSG.

The disputed sale of the Nigerian striker to Napoli drags into another transfer window, and the end is not yet in sight. Osimhen has been linked with all of Europe’s elite – including providing an alternative to Kylian Mbappe for Real Madrid – after he fired the Italian club to the championship title in 2021-22. with 26 goals. Ultimately, Osimhen ended up missing out on a move to the continent’s top table due to Napoli’s assessment of the striker, who turns 26 on Sunday. Galatasaray, where Nigeria’s top scorer is currently on loanit is and always has been a short-term solution bitter conflict between the player and his parent clubwhich started last season when a move away from Napoli was discussed.

With Rashford’s future at Old Trafford in doubt, United could be left vulnerable in an already under-equipped part of the pitch. Osimhen’s work rate would certainly suit Ruben Amorim’s philosophy as the new Red Devils manager tries to change the culture at Old Trafford. Chelsea have similarly been long-time suitors of Osimhen, but currently boast an already growing squad. One club that could have deep enough pockets to end Osimhen’s Turkish exile is PSG, who still need to replace Mbappe in attack.

Viktor Gyokeres (Sporting Lisbon). Interested: Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal

Another option for Manchester United in trying to add more goals to their rabid forward line is Swedish international, Gyokeres. The 26-year-old previously played in the Premier League with Brighton and Hove Albion but excelled under Amor before moving to Sporting Lisbon in 2023. The striker has never made the Brighton first team in three years. on the south coast of England but has enjoyed strong loan spells with former Premier League clubs Swansea City and Coventry City. The latter made Gyokeres’ move permanent, and that’s where he caught the eye of Sporting. Now most of the Premier League’s top clubs are being linked with a return from Sporting, with a number of clubs ready to secure what could be considered one of the better, or for lack of a better word, cheaper returns on their investment.

Manchester City needs a replacement for Erling Haaland in leading the attack – and Gyokeres scored a hat-trick in Lisbon’s 4-1 win against City in the Champions League in November. The prospect of reuniting the tried and tested link with Amorim, however, could be too much to resist for United, with Arsenal also heavily linked with a move. Bukayo Saka’s injury, which has increased Mikel Arteta’s concerns for the Gunners, could force the Spaniard into action in January if he is to go a step further than last season’s second-place finish. PSG could also come forward, but would Gyokeres fit in as the main man in an attacking line that once boasted Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Neymar?

Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao). Interested: Barcelona, ​​Manchester United, PSG

Another transfer that is more likely a case of when rather than if is Spanish child prodigy Williams, who has scored four times in 21 international appearances. The 22-year-old has been a shining light for the future of the Spanish international team with Lamine Yamal during a successful campaign for Euro 2024 and it was a matter of some surprise that none of the European powers were quick to step in at that time to secure one of the most sought-after properties on the continent.

Instead, the Pamplona-born forward continued to excel at one of Spain’s more humble clubs. Bilbao are currently fourth in La Liga and just five points behind leaders Atletico Madrid, who are undoubtedly one of the frontrunners to sign Williams. Would Barcelona allow it? club and state connection with Yamal whether it slips through their fingers remains to be seen – and it is hard to believe – while the number of big clubs hunting for young, skilled, willing runners in attack is huge.

The biggest difficulty for changing Barca, however, is the current appeal filed by the Catalan club to extend the registration of their playmaker Dani Olmo, given LaLiga spending limits. Both Olmo and Williams could be on the move in January, with neither ending up at the Bernabeu. Barcelona will try to move mountains to prevent that from happening. Williams has only scored two goals this season, so perhaps January will be the moment for Bilbao to cash in on a player who will demand a big fee while not significantly dampening the current output of another impressive season on the pitch.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool). Interested parties: Real Madrid, PSG

Another element to consider in your list of potential January sales is the saga of the expiring contract in Liverpool. Three big names are all on the hunt for free transfers in the summer: Mohamed SalahVirgil van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold. It is doubtful that the former two will sign extensions as the Anfield club are looking for their second title since the English Premier League was renamed like the Premier League. Both Salah and van Dijk have suitors across Europe and, while massive salaries are likely to be offered in the Saudi Pro Leaguethe pair also seem to have a burning desire to continue challenging at the highest level of European football at the ages of 32 and 33 respectively.

Both are likely to remain with the Reds and their current trophy challenge, which sees them top of the domestic and Champions League standings. The lack of transfer fees they would demand, due to their age, is less of a problem for Liverpool compared to their presence on the pitch. However, both considerations will be a big concern when it comes to Alexander-Arnold.

The prospect of losing a player around whom any club in the world could build a team is a major concern. Real Madrid are the clear favorites – and have a habit of cleaning up elite talent on free transfers, such as Mbappe – if the Reds fail to convince Alexander-Arnold to sign a new contract. Whether the club will cut their losses and make a poor bid for the play-making defender in January is a possibility that nobody at Liverpool will want to consider. Especially considering the prospect that it could derail what has been an incredibly strong season so far. Letting a player who would command one of the highest transfer prices in world football walk away from Anfield for free in the summer is a possibility that the club and its supporters hope, with all their heart, that it does not come to pass.