There is a decent chance that the biggest move of the January transfer window was announced several days before the market is officially opened.
But with the World Cup producing several breakout stars, including Liverpool new boy Cody Gakpo, and the race for a top-four spot appearing more competitive than ever, there may be a little more activity than in previous winters.
Champions Manchester City are unlikely to be active but their nearest competitors should be. And that is before considering the potential of a relegation candidate gambling later in the month should results fail to improve in the next four weeks.
Here are some of the most intriguing moves that could materialise.
Mykhailo Mudryk to Arsenal
It became apparent on the same evening Gakpo’s switch to Anfield was announced that Arsenal had made an offer to Shakhtar Donetsk for the exciting winger. That was swiftly rejected as the Ukraine club say they are holding out for an eye-watering £85m. A compromise seems probable.
Enzo Fernandez to Newcastle
This would be a remarkable statement of intent, with Eddie Howe already on the record saying he would love to bring in a “transformational” talent to sustain the Magpies’ push towards a Champions League finish.
Reports in Lisbon earlier this week suggested that Benfica “fear” they will lose the World Cup’s best young player in January. But he has a £105m release clause and is under contract until the summer of 2027 having joined last summer from River Plate for about £10m.
Which basically means it would take a record transfer for an English club to bring him to St James’ Park.
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Joao Felix to Chelsea or Manchester United
The Portugal forward is looking for a way out at Atletico Madrid and there is a certain amount of sense to him joining one of these top-four chasers, initially on loan. But with United boss Erik ten Hag stressing the need to find the right fit, right now it looks like West London would be a more likely destination.
Pierre Emerick Aubameyang has not set the world alight since joining from Barcelona while Armando Broja is out for the season - meaning Graham Potter is in even greater need of an attacking reinforcement than his United counterpart, despite the addition of Datro Fofana from Molde.
Pedro Porro to Tottenham
Neither Emerson Royal nor Matt Doherty are up to the standard desired by Antonio Conte, who is hardly shy when it comes to demanding reinforcements, and the Sporting Lisbon right back looks the best option considering the asking price for Inter Milan’s Denzel Dumfries is too prohibitive.
Viktor Gyokeres to Everton
The hype continues to build around the Coventry striker who was let go by Brighton in the summer of 2021. He has a dozen goals already including three from the past three and would be available for a reasonable fee.
Frank Lampard is under pressure and there are problems in every department. But the need for a goalscorer should be the chief priority if Everton are to remain Premier League ever presents - especially with Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s injury problems continuing. Funds are likely to be at a premium, Coventry are not in a position to hold out for an obscene amount.
Moses Caicedo to Liverpool
While the Gakpo deal was carried out in stealth, it has long seemed that Liverpool ’s greatest department in need of bolstering was midfield.
And after a solid World Cup plus some impressive performances at Brighton, the 21-year-old Ecuadorian is unsurprisingly being linked with a switch to a big six club. This may be one for the summer but the problem for interested buyers is that his asking price will climb higher six months from now.
