The January transfer window is less than two months away and clubs in the Premier League will already be putting plans in place.
While many teams will be learning their own frailties during the opening weeks of the season, players will also be learning more about their own situations at their current employers.
Harry Kane hasn’t scored in the Premier League this season
Whether a player is out of favour under their current manager, or feels that they’ve outgrown their club, there are going to be a number of high-profile players who are likely to be filling the back pages as attention turns to the next transfer window.
Here are ten players who should be looking for a move in January
Raheem Sterling
Sterling has played a diminished role under Pep Guardiola this term
The Manchester City star has cut a very frustrated figure this term.
After almost guiding England to glory at Euro 2020, Sterling was hoping for a big season at the Etihad Stadium where he could establish himself as the club’s primary attacking force.
Unfortunately, that hasn’t happened, with the 26-year-old instead falling down the pecking order behind Phil Foden and new £100m signing Jack Grealish.
And, with the likes of Barcelona said to be interested, Sterling may well look to pursue his options somewhere he would be seen as the main man.
Harry Kane
Harry Kane hasn’t scored in the Premier League this season
The saga of the summer is unlikely to be over…
Harry Kane has looked like a shell of his former self and, with Tottenham hardly ripping up trees, it’s hard to see them matching his ambitions.
Manchester City were the club heavily linked with the player and, given their lack of cutting edge in front of goal so far this season, this is a link that may well pick up again in the coming weeks and months.
But, will Spurs chairman Daniel Levy let him go?
Paul Pogba
Pogba has been linked with moves to Real Madrid, PSG and Juventus
The Manchester United midfielder is certainly facing an uncertain future at the club.
Pogba’s contract is due to expire at the end of the season and, with no new agreement yet reached, it seems increasingly likely that he’ll move on.
January will be United’s last chance to recoup a fee for the player
And, with the likes of Real Madrid, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain all previously linked, it may be the case that the player is allowed to leave in two months’ time, or lose him for nothing next summer.
Donny Van de Beek
Van de Beek tried to move to Everton in the summer, however, it was vetoed by Man United
The out-of-favour Dutchman certainly looks like someone who could try to move on after a nightmare start to his Man United career.
Van de Beek has struggled for game time under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and, with frustrations building, he may be allowed to move on in a short-term or long-term basis.
Everton have been linked with the player, having seen an offer to sign him on loan rebuffed in the summer.
Reports in his native Netherlands have widely claimed the former Ajax star is not happy at Old Trafford and, if he has his way, he’ll surely be allowed to move on in search of regular first team football.
James Ward-Prowse
Ward-Prowse was linked with Aston Villa over the summer
The Southampton skipper looks like a player who will earn a big move before too long.
Ward-Prowse has sealed a return to the England squad, with a late call-up to replace injured Kalvin Phillips, and given his performances for the Saints it seems that he might have outgrown the club.
Despite the midfielder’s consistently solid performances, Southampton have one of the worst runs of form in Premier League history, having won just four of their last 28 league games.
As of writing the south coast club are 17th in the table, just one point above the bottom-three, and with Ralph Hasenhuttl under heavy pressure it seems very likely they will be embroiled in a relegation battle.
Aston Villa were heavily linked with the midfielder over the summer and it would be no surprise if they, or someone else, came knocking in January.
Ross Barkley
Ross Barkley’s days at Chelsea are clearly numbered
It was one of the summer’s biggest surprises that the Chelsea midfielder didn’t move on.
Yes, he’s still at Chelsea.
Barkley is in the wilderness at Stamford Bridge right now and, with no future under Thomas Tuchel, it’s surely time for him to move on.
Whether he leaves on loan or on a permanent basis, the former Everton man is too good to be rotting in the reserves and so a January move has to be a priority for the player.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles
Maitland-Niles wants to leave Arsenal having grown frustrated at a lack of first team chances
The Arsenal man has cut a frustrated figure with opportunities under Mikel Arteta limited.
After spending time at West Brom last season, the versatile midfielder was looking for a move away over the summer which never materialised, much to the annoyance of the player who expressed his displeasure on social media.
His need for first team football hasn’t been met, having been mostly used as a sub in the Premier League so far this season, and so Maitland-Niles will almost certainly be pushing for a move away in the January transfer window.
Allan Saint-Maximin
Saint-Maximin has been superb for the Premier League
Newcastle United are the definition of a one-man team, and that’s thanks to the exciting forward.
Saint-Maximin is a real fans’ favourite at St James’ Park but, with the club looking destined for yet another relegation battle, there’s no doubt that the 24-year-old mercurial Frenchman deserves better.
Whether Newcastle would allow him to leave is certainly up for debate, but it would be very surprising if his services weren’t wanted by clubs in England and overseas.
Alexandre Lacazette
Lacazette is out of contract next summer and is yet to pen an extension
The Arsenal striker’s days at the club certainly appear to be numbered.
Lacazette is out of contract in the summer and, given the size of his salary, it seems almost certain that he’ll be allowed to leave.
January will be the club’s last chance to recoup a transfer fee for a player in the final year of his deal, and so it’s likely the Gunners will be doing all they can to cash-in on a player who is currently out of the regular first team picture at the Emirates Stadium.
Phil Jones
The defender will be looking to reignite his career following injury
The January transfer window could be huge for the Manchester United defender.
After years of mental and physical struggle, the 29-year-old has returned to fitness and is finally back in contention at first team level.
However, an opportunity in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team is unlikely given the competition for places.
Jones signed a new contract at Old Trafford in June 2019, to keep him at the club until 2023.
It means he still has two years left on his current United deal, but a lack of first team chances may see the club allow the ex-England international to leave on loan, to further build his fitness and enjoy some first team football after years out of the picture.
Source: Talk Sport
