This January sees an unusually large amount of top class transfer potential with internationals everywhere keeping one eye on their plane ticket to South Africa next summer. With that in mind, a lot of established talent may be up for grabs in the transfer window as players look to extract as many playing minutes as possible in a last ditch attempt to impress their respective international bosses. With that in mind Sport.co.uk thought it was time for our second instalment of the Top Ten January transfer targets.
10. Roman Pavlyuchenko
Spurs boss Harry Redknapp has made no secret of Russian international Pavlyuchenko’s place in the pecking order – last. This is a position unlikely to change with Peter Crouch, Robbie Keane and Jermaine Defoe all highly favoured by Redknapp. Limited to cameo appearances, it is widely believed Pavlyuchenko will be sold to the highest bidder in January to be replaced by a holding midfielder as Tottenham again looks to strengthen their midfield.
9. Adam Johnson
The highly rated Middlesbrough academy graduate’s contract expires at the end of the season and he may be sacrificed by the new man at the Boro helm, Gordon Strachan, in order to fund new signings and push the team towards promotion. There will be no shortage of takers for the England under-21 international, especially if Middlesbrough are backed into a cut price deal due to the urgency of Johnson’s contract expiry.
8. Jermaine Beckford
Leeds hitman Beckford is one of the most talked about players outside the Premier League, with the talent to back up the hype. With a contract due for expiry at the end of the current campaign he may feel the time is right for a new challenge if a club of big enough pedigree comes calling. The decision will only be made harder if Leeds are still leading the league in the New Year.
7. Cesc Fabregas
The young Spaniard’s form has risen and risen along with his stock and there is little doubt that the Arsenal captain could pick and choose a move to just about anyone that could afford him and satisfy his desire for the top prizes. Unfortunately for his North London employers it appears to be a matter of when rather than if he will move on, and a mammoth bid may just force the issue to come to a head.
6. Rio Ferdinand
Increasing evidence of injuries, lack of form and concentration have seen speculation in the England defender that few expected at the beginning of the season. Sir Alex Ferguson is known for his ruthless nature when disposing of underperforming talent and it remains to be seen if Ferdinand’s problems will continue to be tolerated at Old Trafford, with a move back to London becoming a possibility, with a cheeky bid expected.
5. Emile Heskey
The Aston Villa frontman raised eyebrows after publicly talking up a move to consolidate a place in the England squad for next summer’s World Cup which would be his last crack at an international tournament. A continued lack of action may see Heskey take action into his own hands and demand a move with competition for places on the plane to South Africa increasing by the week.
4. Yaya Toure
Manchester City captain Kolo Toure is hopeful that Mark Hughes liked what he saw when he recently watched younger brother Yaya in La Liga action against Osasuna. After losing his first team spot in the Barcelona team to Sergi Busquets this season Kolo’s brother is apparently open to offers. As unlikely as a move seems, City certainly have the funds to secure what would be another January coup for the Eastland’s club.
3. Federico Macheda
The teenage prodigy that was the cause of such superlative hype at the tail-end of last season with some important match-winning displays has been a peripheral figure this term, with Sir Alex Ferguson curtailing his appearances in order to keep the forward’s feet firmly grounded. A loan move to a Championship club or lower half Premiership team is not out of the question in order to add to the Italian’s experience of first team football.
2. David James
Endless speculation linking the experienced keeper with a mid season move seems unlikely to stop as long as Portsmouth are in danger of relegation. With a host of first team members off to the African Cup of Nations in the New Year, transfer upheaval will be the last thing Paul Hart wants but the offer to be a part of a project at a team on the up may prove too much to resist for the evergreen James.
1. Joe Cole
Another candidate for a January move due to a contract expiry next summer, diminutive Chelsea playmaker Cole will be tempted by a move in the transfer window if he feels it will help his World Cup hopes. With an already packed midfield at Stamford Bridge, Cole may find first team opportunities hard to come by and the prospect of regular first team action too much to resist.