Transfer Window Wishlist: 5 Top-Tier talents

Jonathan Victoria • 19 Nov 2024 Features

5 assets that may be up for grabs in January…

The end of the year is approaching fast, and while many will be looking at the fun holiday parties that are to come, my focus is very much on one thing - the January transfer window.

As soon as the clocks strike midnight on 1st January 2025, the window opens and Fabrizio Romano will be chugging coffee like it’s water, delivering all the latest rumours for us to indulge in 24 hours a day.

But I can’t wait till then, so I’m doing my best Fabrizio impression by bringing five top-tier talents that could be up for grabs this January.

Aurelien Tchouameni, MID | Real Madrid | €100m | €240k a week

Aurelien Tchouameni is one of my favourite players right now (if that’s odd to you, you clearly didn’t try him out in FIFA 22), so it’s a bit of a shame to me that Real Madrid are potentially open to offers for him, with several key board members, including club president Florentino Perez, unimpressed with him this season.

I don’t fully believe that, as I don’t think he’s done anything particularly wrong. His stats seem fine; 92.7% pass accuracy is fourth in La Liga and second in Real Madrid, 66 tackles + interceptions in all competitions including 43 in La Liga (10th best), and no errors made that led to a goal.

Those stats paint the picture of a very consistent player to me, and when you factor in that with injuries Real have suffered this year has meant he’s had to fill in at centre-back, I think he’s having a very decent year so far.

So why they don’t favour him I have no clue, but it does come with a bright side - he may be coming to the Premier League.

On the move once again?

When he was on the move from AS Monaco in the summer of 2022, multiple teams were in the running, with Liverpool being one of the favourites along with Los Blancos. 

Now, with the news of Real open to offers, the Merseyside Reds are said to be reigniting their interest. Arne Slot’s side currently resides at the top of the table and the team seems pretty set, especially in the midfield where he has brought Ryan Gravenberch back to Ajax days. But if the opportunity arises to get Tchouameni, I’m sure they’ll go for it.

However, the same goes for the other two on my list. Man United may have only just got Manuel Ugarte and see Kobbie Mainoo as their future star in the midfield, but the opportunity to sign Tchouameni may still be appealing to them.

Returning home

Then you have PSG, in the Frenchman’s home nation. They may not be the powerhouse they once were, but they are still France’s number one side and will be looking to rebuild back to one of Europe’s elite. Regaining one of the national team’s star players could be exactly what they need.

There are three big issues I see that stand in the way of someone getting him. The first is that while the Madrid board may not be in favour of him, Carlo Ancelotti certainly is still, and I’m sure he’d fight til the end to keep him.

The other two have to do with money, as he won’t be cheap transfer-wise and wage-wise. At a current value of €100m, any team will likely have to fork out at least that if they want him mid-season. 

As for his wage, €240k a week is a very large sum, one that Man United may not pay under their new structure. PSG and Liverpool, though, may not be deterred, but we shall see…

Viktor Gyokeres, ST | Sporting Lisbon | €70m | €46k a week

Viktor Gyorkeres has been one of the biggest talking points over the last 18 months, but especially so this season.

The Swedish striker has been tearing it up for Sporting Lisbon since joining in the summer of 2023, scoring 29 goals and notching 10 assists in his 33 Premeira Liga games last year.

He has carried on that level of scoring this year, tallying 16 goals in 11 games already, plus five in four games in the Champions League, most notably a hattrick against Manchester City in their last outing.

High output equals high interest

There are a lot of eyes on him all around Europe. Almost every team could do with a prolific striker of his calibre. But there are three teams in the Premier League that certainly could use his service, and one who has a great connection already.

I’ve picked out Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal as the three leaders in the Prem for his signature as all three could do with a proper striker to bolster their side.

Chelsea are finally seeming to click this year, but while they currently reside in the top four, to me they still lack that one main target who they can count on to get the goals. With the quality playmakers they have on the team already, Gyokeres could be the answer.

For Arsenal, the worries of goalscoring have only just started to creep in and I do think they are very minor, so they are last on the list of the three, but would certainly improve with him.

Reunited, but when

But it’s Manchester United that is a strong candidate for his signature. Having sacked Erik Ten Hag, they’ve now got the former Sporting manager Ruben Amorim in to talk over at the helm.

You don’t get links much better than that. The problem is, Amorim still has loyalty to his former employer and has said he doesn’t want to break up what they have and cost them the title. That may not be the same sentiment shared by the United board though. 

If they do want to go for him, they may have to offer a handsome sum. Sporting likely won’t want to sell midway through a title-contending campaign, so it would have to be a big offer. He is currently valued at €70m on transfermarkt.co.uk, although I reckon it would likely have to be over €100m for Sporting to even consider it. He might be one for next summer.

Benjamin Sesko, ST | RB Leipzig | €50m | €108k a week

If Gyokeres isn’t up for grabs, then Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig is a more-than-decent backup plan.

The striker was already on many teams' lists last summer, with the likes of Arsenal strongly considering him until he committed his future to the German club by signing a contract extension, one that most importantly got rid of the release clause he had previously. 

With seven goals in 15 games across all competitions this season, the Slovenian is having a decent year, especially considering Leipzig as a whole isn’t performing to their best. Those seven goals and three assists mean he has contributed to 33% of all goals scored by the club so far this season, which is very impressive.

While these three teams may need someone a bit more prolific, the interest in him isn’t entirely down to his scoring aptitude. At just 21 years old, he has a lot of potential, hence why many regard him very highly and why he has a larger fee attached.

A move in January may be a bit of a long shot but it’s not impossible. I’ve listed the same three teams - Man United, Arsenal and Chelsea - again because it’s the same reasons why those three would want Gyokeres. It’s a matter of whoever loses out on one, go for the other.

Nico Williams, W | Athletic Bilbao | €70m | €200k a week

Another player that was touted very highly last summer, Nico Williams was one of the stars of Euro 2024. His dazzling performances were a highlight for the eventual champions Spain, and as such, rumours of his departure from Athletic Bilbao ran rampant.

He opted to stay put with Bilbao, but he still has a €58m release clause, which for the calibre of player he is plus the fact he is only 22 years old is a bargain in today's game. 

Despite only racking up two goals and two assists in all competitions, everyone knows what the winger is capable of on his day and that’s where the interest comes from.

Link up with friends or take the risk?

Barcelona led the way last summer, his relationship with fellow countryman and La Masia graduate Lamine Yamal being the driving force for his move.

However, Arsenal were very much in the hunt and still very well could be. In fact, some outlets put the Gunners ahead of the current La Liga leaders due to Williams’ inflated wag - and most even still do.

Given the unique way that Bilbao only uses players from the Basque region, they don’t put a whole lot of money towards the transfer budget, instead putting it into the wage budget so they can offer more to their players to encourage loyalty and stave off interest.

One hefty wage

It’s a system that does work, as Barcelona aren’t the favourites anymore due to the fact he is already on €200k a week - and we all know the financial issues Barca have had in recent years.

Arsenal could be more willing to pay that and make him one of their star players. But I would still question it as I don’t think another winger is what they need. They should focus more on a striker in my opinion, hence why I’ve put them down for Gyokeres and Sesko as well.

Then there’s Manchester City. I haven’t actually heard that they’re interested in him, I just wouldn’t be surprised to see them suddenly swoop in if no one else goes quick enough. It would be a very City move, one that I could fully see happening…

Half of Borussia Dortmund

Ok, yes I may be cheating a bit with this one, but I think it’s excusable given the position Borussia Dortmund is in.

5th last year in the Bundesliga was bad enough, especially after their near-title win the season prior, so to be down in 7th now with five wins, four losses and one draw is not looking particularly good.

That’s why I reckon some of their best assets may be up for grabs in January. They still have a strong squad with many players who could do a job elsewhere in Europe, and they may be looking to jump ship as soon as they can.

Four clear choices

Vice-captain Julian Brandt has been with the club since 2019 and has been a faithful servant to them. However, some sources have claimed Dortmund could be open to letting him go next summer, which could lead to some inquiries this January. Tottenham have twice targeted him in the past, although I reckon he’d likely stay in Germany.

Centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck is said to be a target for Liverpool and Newcastle, the Reds supposedly already getting an offer ready to propose to Dortmund. Both sides are also looking at Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi though, so it could be whoever loses out on him goes for the German defender.

Karim Adeyemi was the 2022/23 Bundesliga Rookie of the Year and has seen his stock continue to rise since then. Five goals and three assists in eight games in all competitions this season is impressive, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see the 22-year-old on some top teams’ radar.

Following the Jude route

Finally, Jamie Gittens employed the Jude Bellingham gameplan, moving to Dortmund to gain valuable experience. The former Man City academy player has seen his time as a starter rise over the past two seasons as his abilities have also improved.

With five goals and two assists in all competitions this season, the 20-year-old English winger is no doubt on many English side’s lists, many of which could be looking to obtain his signature this January.

Prices correct as of 14/11/24. Sourced from transfermarkt.co.uk. 

Player and team stats correct as of 14/11/24. Sourced from fbref.com.