January Transfer Window: Who goes where?

The January 2021 European Football transfer window is open again.

This is the time teams with deficiencies increase their odds of winning more matches by adding new players to the existing team before the season comes to an end in the summer months.

Let’s take a quick look at the top teams and their possible involvements in the transfer market. All transfers discussed are projections only.

AC MILAN:

Leo Duarte seems to be on his way out on loan to Turkish side (Istanbul Bakasheir) till the end of the season since Mateo Musacchio is not interested in a January exit and would rather wind down his contract till expiry in June. Odds of Milan exit: 6/10

Gianluigi Donnarumma is currently a hot bride to AC Milan and Chelsea FC as Milan is interested in renewing the 21-year old’s contract which comes as a blow to Chelsea who were hoping to snap the shot-stopper on a free transfer this summer as their faith in Edouard Mendy continues to dwindle every passing day. Odds of staying at Milan: 7/10

ARSENAL:

Kieran Tierney has caught the interest of Napoli as they aim to add him to their 2021/ 2022 season squad list. Hopefully, Arsenal and Mikel Arteta are smart enough to keep him for longterm and not opt for cash on the short-term as he has impressed fans at the back and in attack so far this season. Odds of KT leaving: 1/10

Mesut Ozil is wanted by Fenerbahce and DC United urgently and he seems eager to leave Arsenal finally too. If the star playmaker does leave Arsenal during this window, he definitely will not be missed as he has not featured for the team this season and will enable Arsenal to spread payment of his remaining contract till 2023, thereby saving the team some dough. Odds of Ozil leaving Arsenal: 8/10.

Lucas Torreira’s lack of opportunity at Atletico Madrid might force Arsenal to recall him from there and loan him to Fiorentina where he might get more playing time. Nothing is certain right now regarding Lucas’ fate. Odds of joining Fiorentina: 5/10

ATLETICO MADRID:

Moussa Dembélé has asked to leave Lyon and Atlético Madrid seem to his next soccer destination. Atletico Madrid want him on loan till end of season with an option to purchase included if Atletico is satisfied. Dembélé  is touted to be Diego Costa’s replacement and hopefully he fills those big boots. Odds of Dembélé joining Atletico Madrid: 6.5/10

BAYERN MUNCHEN:

Dayot Upamecano seems to be one of the defenders identified by Bayern Munchen to help resolve its recent multiple defensive issues. There is no surprise his name is being whispered at the Allianz Arena based on his current form. This desire might lead to a bidding war as Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and PSG are all interested in the solid central defender. DU moves to Bayern Munchen odds: 5/10

BORUSSIA DORTMUND:

Julian Brandt seems to be on Arsenal FC’s radar though Borussia Dortmund claim they have not received an offer from Arsenal for the creative play maker yet. Arsenal are in need of a playmaker that can create opportunities and score goals too as Mesut Ozil’s exit seems imminent this year. Odds of JB joining Arsenal on loan or full transfer: 6/10

CHELSEA FC:

Gianluigi Donnarumma is Chelsea’s top transfer target but they will have to wait out their desire as AC Milan is currently considering retaining his services with a new contract. Odds of GD joining Chelsea this window: 5/10

Fikayo Tomori is set to go out on loan to aid his development as playing time has been hard to come by for the youngster at Stamford Bridge. Odds of transfer loan: 8/10

FC BARCELONA:

FC Barcelona are hoping they can find a replacement for Luiz Suarez who left for Atletico Madrid in September 2020 after Ronald Koeman stupidly thought he was excess to requirements. Hopefully, they can find a worthy replacement in a market that is dearth of quality strikers.

Emerson is PSG’s next right back target as he rounds up his current loan at Real Betis in the summer. Their current woes with that position will require a juicy offer even though the Catalans already have Sergino Dest available. Emerson joining PSG odds: 5/10.

Lionel Messi is believed to be considering remaining at Barcelona as he has clicked with Pedri in recent weeks to build a formidable attack that is of Barcelona’s standards. Let’s wait to see if anything happens by summer. Odds of Lionel Messi leaving Barcelona this summer: 5/10.

INTER MILAN:

Jesse Lingard of Instagram United seems to be the only movement that might happen at Inter Milan during this window though Antonio Conte has said there will be no movements within the team during this window. Hopefully, the belief he has in his squad is repaid at the end of the season. Odds of transfer deals at Inter Milan: 4/10

JUVENTUS:

Moussa Dembélé seems to be the hottest striker available right now as The Old Lady of Turin has also shown considerable interest in the forward, especially with recent injuries to Paulo Dybala and Weston McKennie as both forwards sustained injuries against Sassuolo. Odds of Dembélé joining Juventus: 6.5/10

LEICESTER CITY:

Islam Slimani is on his way to Lyon to revive his career as both teams have agreed to a transfer deal though no one is certain if the move will be immediate or during the summer transfer. Odds of leaving the foxes: 10/10

Filip Benkovic is definitely on his way to Belgian side Oud-Heverlee Leuven. The defender has found it hard to nip a starting place in the team with players like Jonny Evans and Wesley Fofana being Brendan Rodgers’ preferred back combo. Odds of Filip Benkovic leaving The Foxes: 10/10

LIVERPOOL FC:

Kylian Mbappe is the dream forward of any elite team and Liverpool FC is no exception. As Mbappe edges closer to the last 18months of his current PSG contract, Liverpool faithfuls are hopeful that their current in the past three seasons will entice him to join them. With Pochettino now at the helm of affairs at PSG, its hard to see him want to lose his best forward. Odds of Mbappe joining Liverpool soon: 4/10.

Sepp van den Berg might be leaving Anfield on loan or for good during this transfer window even though Liverpool seems to have an ongoing defensive crisis as Jurgen Klopp has already lost Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip to injuries. Odds of Sepp van den Berg leaving Anfield: 4/10

MANCHESTER CITY:

Douglas Luiz is the only player that is currently on Pep Guardiola’s radar is reportedly attracting interest in the January transfer window. The Brazilian Aston Villa midfielder has been impressive this season and missing just one game so far. The buy-back clause in his 2019 transfer sale contract to Aston Villa from Manchester City seems to be the trump-card the Citizens plan to play. Odds of DL moving back to Man-City: 5/10

MANCHESTER UNITED:

Romain Faivre is brewing a bidding war between Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain for Brest midfielder. Brest will be happy with this development as they got the hardworking midfielder for just £450,000 from Monaco last season.  Odds of Romain Faivre joining either teams: 7/10

Dayot Upamecano is on Manchester United’s radar and his pendulum could swing either way. Odds of him joining the Red Devils: 5/10

Jesse Lingard may finally be leaving Old Trafford this window, though his next destination is unknown. Bruno Fernandes’ form and performance this season has sealed Lingard’s fate negatively. Odds of JL leaving Manchester United: 8/10

NAPOLI:

Arkadiusz Milik is the only player that might be leaving or joining Napoli during this window. The Polish attacker has not had a memorable stint at the club though his performance has not been poor. His current contract with Napoli will end in the summer. Odds of Arkadiusz Milik leaving Napoli: 9/10

PSG:

Paul Pogba might be on his way to PSG if Mauricio Pochettino can pull real strings as Pogba is top on his shopping list. PSG have the cash but not the pedigree to entice Manchester United or Pogba. Odds of Pogba joining PSG this window: 3/10

Dayot Upamecano is another powerhouse that Pochettino wants at Paris. With many top teams vying for his signature, he will definitely command a bidding war from all potential suitors. Odds of Dayot Upamecano joining PSG: 6/10

Sergio Aguero is in the final six months of his Manchester City contract so he is definitely a perfect fit to join Pochettino’s new army. Manchester City will definitely not renew his contract as there are many other stars that Guardiola will prefer as Aguero was never his favorite though his most consistent striker. Odds of Aguero joining PSG in this window/ Summer Window: 9/10

REAL MADRID:

Luka Jovic is regarded as the worst Galactico ever signed by Real Madrid and that is because he has only scored twice for the Madrid team since he joined in 2019. He is regarded as the third most expensive Galactico ever bought so Madrid seem ready to cut their losses and move on. Luka Jovic’s next destination is unknown as his wages will deter prospective suitors from showing interest. Odds of Luka Jovic leaving Real Madrid this window: 5/ 10

Sergio Ramos is currently nearing the end of his current contract and Manchester City and PSG might jump at the offer to sign the reliable defender as only them can pay his bills or meet his demands. If Sergio Ramos can agree to a new contract with the powers at Bernabeau, Man City and PSG will have no need to lure him over. Odds of Sergio Ramos leaving Madrid this window: 2/10

Eder Militao is wanted by Jose Mourinho at Tottenham. Since joining Real Madrid from FC Porto in 2019 for £43million, he has not been lucky with opportunities and a trip to London might offer him the opportunity to restart his career under the tutelage of one of the world’s best soccer coaches. Odds of Eder Militao leaving Bernabeau: 5/10

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR:

Jose Mourinho is building the Tottenham team to his taste with limited funds so it is understandable that Tottenham Hotspur is interested in almost every player available and also expected that key or fringe players can leave to make way for players that fit Mourinho’s DNA. Odds of new signings and exits: 6/10