As of 4th January 2022, every transfer window of every major league has opened, and naturally we are already speculating about who will move clubs! Some teams are in desperate need of reinforcements, while some want-a-way players will certainly hope to get their move during this window. The mid-season window has always been notoriously difficult for clubs to get the right move for their side, with teams being reluctant to release an important player during an active season. This either means the team simply doesn’t sign the player, that they overpay to sign the player, or just sign an alternative target who just wasn’t first choice. So who are the biggest players rumored to be moving clubs this month?
The Biggest Rumors Of The January Transfer Window: Who Is Going Where?
Kieran Trippier: Atletico Madrid to Newcastle United
It seems Trippier is often linked with a move back to the Premier League in every transfer window. However, this time it seems to be for real. Notoriously, English players don’t often move abroad. Sure, you see one or two every now and then (see Linekar, Beckham), but those stays are often short lived. This sees these players be linked with moves back every season, but Newcastle’s interest seems real, and boy could they use a player like Kieran Trippier. Sitting 19th in the league, Newcastle have been bolstered by a mega-money takeover- reinforcements are certainly on their way. With a £30 Million fee touted, this will surely tempt Atletico into accepting an offer, while we are sure the wages will match. Get ready for some lovely whipped in balls, Newcastle fans!
Anthony Martial: Manchester United to Sevilla
It was revealed last month that Anthony Martial of Manchester United expressed his intention to leave the club, seeking a new challenge. Manager Ralph Rangnick admitted that Martial had told him that he had been at the club for seven years now, and it was time for a change. This isn’t so surprising; Martial has never been a mainstay in the starting XI, has been blighted by injuries at times and simply never reached the potential that inspired United to pay the large fee of £50 million to bring him to Manchester. However, a move for Martial will not be so simple. The 26 year old still has two years left on his contract and has a price-tag that many may not be willing to pay right now. Furthermore, Martial leaving would only leave United short in attack, so unless a replacement can be organized, this move also might not be sanctioned by the club. Currently, only Sevilla have made a formal offer to take on Martial. The first offer was swiftly rejected, after Sevilla offered to pay only half his wages and without a loan fee. We are sure that Sevilla will come back with a better offer, however, and Martial could very well be on his way to sunny Spain!
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: Arsenal to Newcastle, AC Milan, Barcelona
Aubameyang has been in the news a lot recently, albeit for the wrong reasons. Similarly to ex-star Mesut Ozil, Aubameyang signed a mega-contract, only to fall out with the manager and subsequently be dropped from the squad. Not only that, but Aubameyang also had his captaincy stripped and publicly criticized by Arteta. This has all but spelt the end for Aubameyang at Arsenal, and a list of suitors have come forward. Big-bucks Newcastle could certainly do with a new striker, especially as Callum Wilson has suffered a new injury. It has been suggested that the offer will be an initial loan until the end of the season, with an option to buy in June for £20 Million. Time will tell if Aubameyang is ready to leave a top team to join a relegation battle, however, especially when bigger clubs in other leagues are sniffing about. AC Milan could do with another option up front, especially as veteran strikers Olivier Giroud and Zlatan Ibrahimovic simply can’t play every game; it will also be a much needed injection of pace- something different up top. Barcelona have also been linked, but with registration and financial issues, that one might not be as likely.
This month will certainly see some big players move, but others who are running out of contract such as Paul Pogba, Kylian Mbappe and Antonio Rudiger will surely see their potential moves happened at the end of the season in June.