January is approaching quickly, and the month will be over before you know it – Here are 10 transfer rumors that will keep you busy.
10: Nathaniel Clyne to Cardiff City
Clyne has been unhappy about his recent benchings, and now wants out of Liverpool. Neil Warnock and Cardiff City need some depth and leadership at the full back position.
9: Fernando Llorente to Galatasaray
Llorente is out of contract this summer and Galatasaray can sign him for free in February. He’s 33, a reserve for Spurs. A lower quality club, Galatasaray, need someone at midfield to increase depth. Llorente could be the final piece of the puzzle.
8: Callum Hudson Odoi to FC Bayern or Leipzig
Callum Hudson Odoi is an 18 year old youngster that can perform well paired with someone else. Chelsea, I think would be ridiculous to sell him. On the other side, Bayern would like to pair him with Alphonso Davies and Leipzig would pair him with Timo Werner. He is a nice infiltrator and inventor. It’s a win-win for Chelsea whatever they do.
7: Samir Nasri to West Ham United
This is a transfer that is confirmed. Samir Nasri came from Free Agency on the day that his doping ban ended. West Ham needed someone to sort out the depth in midfield. He is now reunited with former Man City boss Manuel Pellegrini.
6: Brahim Diaz to Real Madrid
Brahim Diaz is one of those Man City “Next Generation” players, joining Phil Foden and Jadon Sancho. Phil Foden is untouchable, but Real Madrid is gunning for Brahim Diaz, a winger that has potential to be a starter, which is a high ceiling, considering the caliber of clubs like Real Madrid and Man City. This could happen, which is something Man City could regret.
5: Frenkie De Jong to FC Barcelona
Frenkie, like Diaz and Hudson Odoi before him, is a young next generation player that has a ceiling to become FC Barcelona’s starting Full back in a few years. He is a creator type player, but has 3 goals as well. The 21 year old, if he signs for Barcelona, is going to be their 6th or 7th sub if he joins
4: Andreas Christensen to FC Barcelona
This is something that Bob and I talk about a lot. With Samuel Umtiti, FC Barcelona’s star centre-back injured, Barcelona need to find a short term replacement. Christensen could be the guy. The Chelsea centre back is 22 and could also prove to be a replacement to Pique when he retires. This could prove to be a superb deal for Barcelona if it goes through
3: Nabil Fekir to Liverpool
Nabil Fekir is super underrated. The Lyon midfielder could prove to be a mentor to recently signed Fabinho. The fee could be something around 75 million pounds. Along with being a mentor, Fekir is also a creator, and sometimes a finisher, with his 18 goals last season showing for that. Liverpool would come away bandits in that scenario
2: Douglas Costa to Manchester United
This isn’t very likely. Costa made a permanent move to Juventus in the summer after a fruitful loan spell there. With that in mind, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, new Man U manager is targeting him. He could be a good winger for Man U, who hope a new winger can help put Alexis Sanchez into action, after a disappointing 2018.
1: Christian Pulisic to Chelsea
This is the most likely one of them all. (Except Nasri’s transfer, of course) Many outlets are saying that the transfer has been confirmed , I agree with them, just that Chelsea and Dortmund are just waiting to announce it in the new year. The fee is around 45 million, and Chelsea are hoping to bolster his potential a lot with this transfer, and he would probably replace Pedro on the right wing.
I hope you had a nice 2018 and look forward to seeing you in 2019!
Happy new year, readers,
Sincerely,
Jim James