January may still be two months away but the transfer rumour mill is already getting into gear. We’ve put together a shortlist of January transfers we reckon could very well happen.
Jermain Defoe to QPR
Odds: 4/1
Who would bet against Jermain Defoe once again reuniting with Harry Redknapp? Having played under Redknapp at West Ham, Tottenham and Portsmouth, Defoe seems to enjoy working under Aitch and ‘Arry, as is clear from his current QPR squad to which he has recently added Caulker, Sandro and Krankjar – who all played for Redknapp at Spurs – and Rio Ferdinand who he had at West Ham, Redknapp likes to fill his teams with familiar faces. For his part Defoe has been heavily linked with a Premier League return in January.
Saido Berahino to Spurs
Odds: 10/3
Spurs were widely expected to invest in a new striker over the summer but chose to proceed without adding to Adebayor and Soldado, neither of whom has responded with a significant goal scoring return so far this season. Adebayor continues to blow hot and cold while Soldado seems desperately short of confidence.
In truth it’s extremely hard – and expensive – to bring in a prolific, tried and tested striker and most of the truly big names are probably beyond Spurs’ reach. Berahino has been in excellent form for West Brom and though he is not yet the finished article might just be the sort of developing talent that Daniel Levy fancies as a worthwhile investment. Which isn’t to say he’d be cheap – as an exciting young English striker with goal scoring pedigree in the Premier League Berahino would probably set Spurs back around £20 million.
Edinson Cavani to Arsenal
Odds: Evens
Rumours suggest that Cavani is ‘close’ to an Arsenal move and that the Uruguayan forward will set the Gunners back £55 million. Such a fee would be a massive investment but Cavani would certainly represent an upgrade on Olivier Giroud.
Beyond the Frenchman Wenger can also call on Danny Welbeck, Lukas Podolski and Joel Campbell but many feel there is a lack of top-level firepower at the Emirates considering the club’s aspirations to challenge for the title. They certainly lack anyone to match the goal scoring talents of Diego Costa at Chelsea, Radamel Falcao at Man Utd or Sergio Aguero at Man City. On the other hand there will be plenty who feel that such a large sum would be better spent on a world class defensive midfielder, a role that Arsenal have sorely needed to fill for years.
Sami Khedira to Man Utd
Odds: 7/1
Sami Khedira could be exactly what Arsenal need in midfield and the German has been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates. Should the Gunners lump a massive sum on Cavani however there’s surely a chance that Khedira – who would command a substantial salary even if his contract situation means he might be gettable for a reduced fee – might stretch resources too far. An alternative destination for Khedira, who is reportedly ready to leave Real Madrid, having grown increasingly disillusioned with a lack of playing time, could be Old Trafford. It’s clear that the Man United midfield still lacks quality and often fails to provide enough protection to a faltering defence. Khedira would add grit and quality to the heart of the United midfield and might appeal to van Gaal if he can’t secure Arturo Vidal or Kevin Strootman.
