The January transfer window is within arm's length and a host of players have been linked with moves away from their various clubs for different reasons. While some are out of contract in the summer of 2022 and their clubs may be looking at cashing in rather than lose them for free in the summer, some are in search of new challenges or greener pastures.
I will be taking a look at some Premier League players, who may be bidding their present teams farewell in the coming winter. I love transfer windows because of the drama and intrigue it brings. The uncertainty of who is leaving or coming into your club is enough to heat that up, especially if you are one who loves new signings.
It is the belief that good players are hard to come by in the winter window as no club would allow their best players leave mid-season, a host of good buys have been recorded in years past, the likes of Luis Suarez, Jermain Defoe, amongst others.
Who doesn't love a transfer window? Maybe the managers. 😁.
1 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
I guess there's no reason asking why he's top of the list, even though the list is done in no particular order. The now erstwhile Arsenal captain has been rumoured to be wanted by a host of clubs who are monitoring his current situation at Arsenal following his fallout with manager Mikel Arteta on disciplinary breach.
The Gabonese international has been frozen out of the team in the past three weeks after he showed up late for training and last kicked ball for the club in the loss at Everton.
He has since been stripped off the club's captaincy as he continues to train alone after Arteta admitted that he requires utmost from whoever is captain. Watch our for my exclusive on Aubameyang's captaincy issue at Arsenal. For now, let's focus on the January transfer window.
Arsenal are definitely open to letting their highest earner go, it will free a lot of room on the pay structure. The challenge would be to get a team that can pay his transfer fee and meet his wage demands as he currently earns £250,000 weekly (approximately $330,000).
Barcelona have been rumoured to be interested, but his high wage bill may be a put off. A club that may likely be able to foot such bill is Newcastle, who became the richest club after that prolonged takeover about three months ago. The question is if Aubameyang would be willing to move to a club like Newcastle.
2 Antonio Rudiger
The Chelsea defender has been linked with the likes of Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, following reported stall in contract talks with Chelsea over his wages.
The defender is said to be requesting more than Chelsea are willing to pay and Real Madrid are rumoured to be willing to meet his demand.
The 28-year old came under criticism in his early days at Chelsea for performances inconsistent with fans' expectations, but looked to have found a new lease on life since the arrival of Thomas Tuchel. He has proven vital in the preferred back three setup of Tuchel, but seem to be uncomfortable playing in a back four, which has repeatedly exposed him.
With his contract set to expire in the summer, Chelsea may just be willing to take the gamble and lose him for free as it doesn't look like Tuchel would be willing to let him go mid-season with Chelsea still in contention for trophies on four fronts.
3 James Tarkowski
The 29-year old has established himself as a first team regular at Burnley since joining the club in 2016 from Brentford.
Tarkowski has almost become synonymous with Burnley. When you hear the club's names, he's one of the first names that come to your mind due to how much he has built a presence in the team, forming a strong partnership with Ben Mee in the heart of the Clarets' defence.
His situation isn't being out of a favour, but of his contract expiring in the summer of 2022 and he has been linked with teams like Newcastle and West Ham.
Burnley would definitely be in a dilemma of whether or not to sell him and what market value he may command would not be on the high side, given his age and the duration of his remaining contract with the club.
I don't think Sean Dyche would be willing to sell to Newcastle even though they may have the money to take him. He would consider the Magpies as their direct relegation battle rival and selling him to them may be a case of arming your enemy. West Ham may be a better option, if at all Burnley are considering selling.
4 Dominic Calvert-Lewin
This may be a surprise inclusion in the list as the England international has been missing in action for Everton since he featured against Brighton on August 28 due to a quadriceps injury.
I'm not really sure if his has been making the rounds in the transfer mill, but the best I can remember of how it started was an argument between Jeff Stelling and Arsenal legend, Paul Merson on whether Arsenal is a bigger club than Everton and who the Gunners can buy to strengthen their team. That, I think is where this originated and it has since refused to go away.
Nonetheless, it's a worthy add because of the potential of the player, who scored 16 Premier League goals for Everton last season as he finished 6th top scorer in the league. Looking at the crop of players that finished above him then, the likes of Harry Kane, Mohammed Salah, Bruno Fernandes, Patrick Bamford, Heung-Min Son, you'd agree with me that he's in good company. He scored more than Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette and even Jamie Vardy.
The problem here will be the willingness of Everton to let their top man go and more of the fact that they are not in a financial situation that requires them to sell. The England International signed a new five-year contract in 2020 and Arsenal may need to cough out about £100,000,000 or more to tempt the Toffees.
5 Joe Gomez
The last player in this episode is Liverpool's Joe Gomez. The England international has been struggling with injury in recent times, which has seen him fall down the pecking order.
The arrival of Ibrahima Konate in the summer further darkened his hopes of first team football. It is safe to say he is the fourth choice at Anfield behind the likes of the summer arrival, Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip and his injuries have not been helpful either.
With the 2022 World Cup around the corner, he would desperately be in search of minutes to give him a chance of making the squad as the Three Lions of England may be spoilt for choices in the heart of defence, with more emerging names, like Arsenal's Ben White, who has been in fine form for the Gunners since his move from Brighton in the summer.
Gomez is obviously not a starter for England, however, more game time could guarantee him a place in the squad. But, Liverpool may not be willing to let him go giving that they have four central defenders with two always starting, leaving two in the bench. Selling one now would not be a wise move for the Reds, especially with the fixtures piling up.
I'd stop here for tonight and continue more player in subsequent post(s).
Do you think any of these players will stay or go this January? Or do you think they'd stay till a least the summer? Let me know what you think in the comment section.
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