Will Chelsea move to try to rescue an ailing season? Will Manchester United raid Tottenham, again? Could Arsene Wenger buy a goalkeeper at last? The January market is notoriously quiet; the biggest moves tend to take place in the summer. However, with it all to play for in the Premier League going into January, here are the big names who may be on the move next month.
David Luiz (Benfica – Chelsea)
Chelsea are in desperate need of defensive cover in case of another injury to one of their centre-backs. With Alex currently out David Luiz, the imposing Benfica defender, is the obvious choice to fill the void as he has the physique to deal with the English game. The big question is whether Roman Abramovich is willing to embark on a spending spree to get Chelsea out of their current malaise or if he expects Carlo Ancelotti to get more for less from the players at his disposal. But if Chelsea believe Luiz is too expensive, expect to see them move for Bolton’s Gary Cahill.
Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern – Manchester United)
The German international has spoken of his admiration for United, and should he leave Bayern, he has indicated that is where he might like to go. With Owen Hargreaves looking more and more likely to have to retire prematurely, Sir Alex Ferguson will be looking for a new central midfielder to step into the void that Paul Scholes will soon leave, and Schweinsteiger is the most likely option. Whether he will move in January or not is questionable, but it would not be a surprise to see him at Old Trafford in the future.
Scott Parker (West Ham – Tottenham)
With West Ham close to confirming the signing of former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell, it is possible that Scott Parker could move to the club he supported as a child, Tottenham. Parker has long been linked with a move to Spurs, whose manager Harry Redknapp is a known admirer and looking for a midfielder. Having made a bid for the player previously, much to the dismay of West Ham owners David Gold and David Sullivan, Redknapp has shown his intent to bring the former Charlton man to White Hart Lane, and could finally get his wish. It would also enable West Ham to re-invest in their squad as they look to fight off the threat of relegation.
Steve Sidwell (Aston Villa – West Ham)
Sidwell is out of favour at Villa Park and could be a useful addition to the West Ham midfield, especially if Scott Parker manages to move to Tottenham. Combative, technically proficient and industrious, Sidwell would bring some useful assets to Avram Grant’s side as they look to fend off the threat of relegation.
Ronaldinho (AC Milan – Gremio)
The former World Player of the Year has struggled to live up to the heights of his Barcelona days in Milan, despite a brief resurgence last term. It could be time for him to head back to the team he started his career with after the arrival of Antonio Cassano at the San Siro.
Emmanuel Adebayor (Manchester City – Juventus)
With Adebayor cutting an increasingly frustrated figure on the bench at Eastlands, the prospects of him moving are high. The Togolese has long been linked with a move to Juventus, and his club would be far happier to let him move to a side who they are not directly competing with, rather than to Tottenham or Everton, who have both been linked with loan moves for the lanky forward.
David Beckham (LA Galaxy – West Ham)
The east end boy finishing his career at the east end club, and helping them avoid relegation would be one of the most fitting ends to a Premier League season. Merely wishful thinking? Perhaps, but this deal is not as impossible as it may seem. David Gold has already issued a come and join us plea to Beckham, who has stated that he wants to keep playing and showing what he can do at the highest level. With Beckham’s desire to prove himself, and his ability to keep going when all think that he is past his best, it would not be a surprise to see Beckham finishing the season at Upton Park.
