7 mega January deals that would shake up football
The big-money signings usually go down at the end of the season, but these mooted mega January transfer rumours would rock football to its core if they came to fruition.
We haven’t seen an exorbitant January since 2011, when Chelsea made Liverpool striker Fernando Torres the most expensive player in Premier League history in an $A86 million deal.
There are several stars of Torres’s calibre mooted for moves in January, and if any of these come true, we could witness the most expensive winter transfer window to date.
Phillipe Coutinho – Liverpool to Barcelona
It’s no secret that Barcelona has its sights set on Philipe Coutinho, who has taken the Premier League by storm since joining Liverpool from Inter Milan in 2013.
The Blaugrana will have to break the bank to land the 25 year-old, after having a $A124 million bid knocked back in August.
Nike thought it was a done deal this time around when it advertised ‘Coutinho’ Barcelona jerseys on its website last week.
The sportswear giant promptly took the advertisement down after Liverpool saw red, but its star midfielder’s move to the Camp Nou appears to be inevitable.
Eden Hazard – Chelsea to Real Madrid
Chelsea could be forced to cash in on star man Eden Hazard, who is believed to be seeking a move to Real Madrid.
Hazard’s father, Thierry, confirmed the 26 year-old has refused to sign a new deal with the Premier League club as he holds out for a move to the Bernabeu.
"What I can reveal about Eden is that he refused a contract extension," Hazard Senior told Le Soir.
"This was so that, if necessary, he could follow the interest of the Real [Madrid], whom he could see himself playing for.”
However, Hazard’s team-mate and Belgium compatriot Thibault Courtouis - another rumoured Madrid target - insists he can convince the play-maker to stay at Stamford Bridge.
"Do Eden and I encourage each other to sign? Yes. He will say 'if you sign, I will sign' and I say the same to him,” Courtois said. "I think we are both happy at Chelsea, we both have a good part to play. We have been champions twice in the four seasons I have been here and can have our peak years together at Chelsea."
Gianluigi Donnarumma – AC Milan to Juventus
Donnarumma has emerged as the natural heir to Gianluigi Buffon at Italy, and AC Milan has been fighting to keep suitors off its prized asset ever since. In June, the prodigious goalkeeper looked set to sign a new AC Milan deal, before it was announced on 15 June that he had decided not renew his contract.
The Rossoneiri faithful didn’t take kindly to the news and hurled abuse and fake money at the 18 year-old during Italy’s European U-21 Championship clash against Denmark days later.
The crowd taunts and social media uproar took a toll on the 18 year-old, who had a remarkable change of heart and signed a four-year AC Milan deal weeks later.
But the Old Lady’s allure has reportedly caught hold of the Italian, who could make the move to Turin as the long-term replacement for Gianluigi Buffon.
Antoinne Griezmann – Atletico Madrid to Barcelona
Griezmann was on the verge of a move to Manchester United in July, before Atletico Madrid's transfer ban thwarted the deal, with the club left unable to replace its star striker.
The 26 year-old's transfer saga regained momentum last month, when Atleti lodged a formal complaint against Barcelona for its pursuit of the France star. Atleti may be powerless to stop a move this time around.
Alexis Sanchez - Arsenal to Manchester City
Arsenal has a dilemma on its hands - risk losing its want-away star at season's end for free, or look to sell now. Alexis has reportedly grown frustrated with the club's lack of ambition and its failure to qualify for the UEFA Champions League this season compounded the issue.
Alexis is reportedly keen to reunite with his former Barcelona boss, Pep Guardiola, at Manchester City, but Arsenal counterpart Arsene Wenger isn't prepared to give up the Chile star without a fight.
The Gunners rebuffed a summer bid from the Premier League leader, hoping to extend Sanchez's current deal which expires at the end of the season.
Contract talks have since broken down and with Sanchez unlikely to sign a new deal, this could be Arsenal's last chance to cash in.
Mesut Ozil - Arsenal to Manchester United
Arsenal faces the real risk of losing its other superstar to a Premier League rival at the end of the season, Gunners play-maker Mesut Ozil linked with a move to Manchester United.
Reports surfaced last month that Ozil told friends he was on the way to Old Trafford, and the Germany star unwilling to agree terms on a new deal does little to appease fears among Arsenal fans.
Like Sanchez, Ozil's deal expires at season's end leaving the club with the same conundrum of whether or not to sell in January.
Leon Goretzka - Schalke to Bayern Munich
Goretzka has been an integral part of Schalke's midfield over the past few seasons and the 22 year-old has caught the eye of Europe's biggest club's since adding more goals to his growing repertoire this season.
His return at international level is equally impressive, with six goals in 12 appearances for Germany.
Bayern Munich and Liverpool have been linked with Goretzka's signature, but its the Bavarian side in pole position to land the highly-touted midfielder after sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic confirmed the club's interest.
If Bayern can snap up Goretzka on a free transfer, it could prove to be the signing of the transfer window.
