January 1. Here we go again.
The transfer window is back. Only 31 days until the deadline. Things are going to get heated.
In the gossip columns anyway. Nothing will probably happen in real life but, by God, we’re going to have a fun month talking about what might have been.
The summer of 2015 was particularly special. Days upon days of endless speculation, every big player in Europe was on the move and they were all coming to the Premier League as chance would have it. In the end, Victor Moses got a loan move on Deadline Day and that stole the show…
But back to January:Â Liverpool fans will certainly hope there’s some truth in the madness because they are front and centre of the first transfer rumour mill from what is sure to be a long month. It seems that Jurgen Klopp is going with youth as his first port of call and targeting the highly-rated Marko Grujic as his first signing at Anfield.
The 19-year-old Red Star Belgrade midfielder is one of the most exciting talents on the continent and Liverpool are expected to confirm the signing as early as Monday. Some of their fans would tell you it’s already done though, having edited the Serbian international’s Wikipedia page and gifted him a famous shirt number too. (Daily Star)
Remember Charlie Austin?
Remember he was moving here, there and everywhere? Remember he ended up staying at QPR? Well, he’s definitely moving this time. Maybe.
Crystal Palace lead the chase for the English striker who banged them in for fun the last time he was in the Premier League. Super Alan Pardew has made Austin his number one priority for January as he hunts down a European spot. If he isn’t careful, he could get the England job at this rate. (Daily Express)
@FYPFanzine No, has to be this one! https://t.co/Vn0rsB8GCM #cpfc
— CP Supporters' Trust (@PalaceTrust) December 31, 2015
Manchester United are ready for another heavy spending spree this January after their worst ever December.
Louis van Gaal will be given one last chance – in this case, around £25om – to get things right at Old Trafford. So stand by for Ronaldo, Bale, Neymar, and James Rodriguez rumours for the rest of the month. Sorry. (The Independent)
Say what you will about Louis van Gaal but if United DO get Ronaldo, Bale, Neymar and Rodriguez, they'll be a force next year#MUFC
— Conán Doherty (@ConanDoherty) December 23, 2015
Manchester City aren’t ones to sit around either, plotting to spend another fortune in Germany. 19-year-old Schalke forward Leroy Sané is being hunted by Manuel Pellegrini with a hefty £32m offer on the table.
The Bundesliga outfit are expected to hold out though – because they know Man City will give them £60m if they have to. (The Guardian)
And it wouldn’t be a transfer round-up without Arsenal looking for a defensive midfielder. FC Basel’s Mohamed Elneny is close to sealing a £5m switch to the Emirates just as long as he can pass his medical… (The Sun)
