The Premier League’s transfer window is drawing to a close and managers are scrambling for late additions to their squads, while players look to force a move to ensure they can begin 2017 by playing first-team football.
The notable transfers of this window so far have been less than exciting, for the most part. Saido Berahino’s long-running saga ended with a move to Stoke City, while Jose Fonte finally cut ties with Southampton as he joined West Ham.
Many a player will be hoping for a similar end to the winter’s transfer window. Whether form has declined at their current club or they simply just want a chance to show what they can do in the first-team elsewhere, players are well within their rights to try and force a move towards the end of a transfer window.
Some, however, will be that bit keener than others to get that much-wanted transfer, and with that in mind, here are TEN who will be desperate to move on…
Ashley Young
Occasionally used as a full-back, Ashley Young has seen his role change drastically at Manchester United. From being a key figure during his first few seasons at the club, Young is now nothing more than a ‘make up the numbers’ squad member.
Alas, with experience and technical prowess, he could surely still do a job for many a Premier League club, mind.
Branislav Ivanovic
The change to a back three by Antonio Conte has seen Branislav Ivanovic pushed aside. Only featuring infrequently as a late defensive substitute, the Serbian is no longer a key member of the Chelsea squad, and his decline over the last couple of seasons has been evident.
However, his experience surely still makes him a potentially tempting target for several clubs around Europe. Although lifting the Premier League trophy aloft as a Chelsea player one last time may keep him in west London for a few more months, not many Blues fans would begrudge Ivanovic wanting a move.
Jordan Rhodes
With Alvaro Negredo leading the line alone for the majority of the season and Patrick Bamford and Rudy Gestede recently signed from Chelsea and Aston Villa respectively, Jordan Rhodes’ chances at Middlesbrough look likely to be few and far between.
Whether a move to another Premier League team is on the cards is unknown but, quite frankly, it’s unlikely. Rhodes has proven his quality in the Championship, and he may have to do it one more time before he gets a legitimate shot at making it in the top flight.
Daniel Sturridge
Injuries have blighted Daniel Sturridge’s career over the last two seasons or so, but it is a lack of favour with Jurgen Klopp that is now the striker’s biggest issue. Relegated to starts in cup games and being behind Divock Origi in the pecking order for a starting berth, Sturridge’s finishing talents are being wasted.
Liverpool would certainly like to keep a player of Sturridge’s calibre around the club, even if he isn’t playing very often, but the former Chelsea man will surely be looking for a move sooner or later.
Fabian Delph
The resurgence of Yaya Toure and the signing of Ilkay Gundogan – despite him being out with a long-term injury – make it challenging to see how Fabian Delph can have a long-term future at Manchester City. His best hope, seemingly, would be to convert to a role as a utility player to give Pep Guardiola an option at full-back.
However, when fit, Delph has proven he can produce the goods for Manchester City and would not be short of suitors if he did want a transfer away from the club.
Lucas Leiva
Like Sturridge, Lucas Leiva is now featuring for Liverpool as a second string squad member, appearing in cup matches or when the club is in the depths of an injury crisis. The Brazilian is still a respected figure but has little to no chance of becoming a first-team regular at the club again.
Lucas would still have plenty of offer to many teams around Europe, however, and should look to extend his career at the top of the game by moving on. While he might not be the man for Klopp, he has a few years left in him just yet.
Matteo Darmian
Signed as an answer to a long-running full-back problem for Manchester United, Matteo Darmian has never settled as a regular at Old Trafford. He has put in several performances in which he has really struggled, too. Although his quality is evident, the Italian looks unlikely to have a future at the club beyond the end of this season.
A return to Italy is most likely and the former Torino man might as well leave the club while he can during this window instead of wasting a few more months.
Bojan
Foolishly cast into the role of occasional substitute by Mark Hughes, Bojan leaving the Potters seems almost inevitable this month. Having started just five league matches this season, the Spaniard is understandably frustrated at his role and deserves to be playing on a regular basis.
He was the symbol of the ‘New Stoke’, but the former La Masia star has become an outcast. Hughes will regret letting him go, but Bojan must surely be looking to move clubs before the end of this January window.
Vincent Janssen
Even when Harry Kane was out injured for a prolonged period, Vincent Janssen could not find his best form. Whether he was a cause or an effect of Spurs’ poor run, it’s hard to tell at this point, but his all-round game did show signs of being ideal for Spurs. That said – barring another Kane injury – he simply will not get sufficient chances to get back to his sharpest at Spurs.
A move that looked so good on paper, and could have worked out in different circumstances, looks set to come to a disappointing end.
Odion Igahlo
After the talk of a mega-money move to China, Odion Ighalo’s future looks slightly less glamorous. His dismal goalscoring form has continued this season – netting only once in the league – and the Nigerian could probably benefit from a change of scene and a change of team.
Watford have other options in his position, too, with Stefano Okaka looking more of a threat than Ighalo for the majority of this season. Whether it be to a fellow Premier League club or elsewhere in Europe, Ighalo is unlikely to be at Watford by the start of 2017/18.
