3 potential moves that could break the January transfer window
After a historic World Cup, this January transfer window could be the biggest one in a long time. Here are the three biggest potential deals.
Photo credit: Getty Images
January transfer windows have always been quieter compared to summer transfer windows. But not this year, thanks to the winter World Cup we just had. A lot of clubs will be itching to sign some of the breakout stars from the tournament.
Also, due to a six-week World Cup break, fixtures are coming thick and fast until the end of the season, and clubs will need depth to compete for titles. We’ve already seen Cody Gakpo to Liverpool, so expect a lot of similar moves during this transfer window.
Without further ado, here are the three biggest potential signings this month.
Enzo Fernández to Chelsea
One of the breakout stars in the World Cup was Enzo Fernández. The 21-year-old had a rapid rise to stardom. He was still playing in Argentina with River Plate until the past summer. But after impressing under Marcelo Gallardo, he was approached by plenty of European clubs.
Benfica eventually won the race to sign him, bringing him to Portugal for just £12 million, which is one of the steals in the transfer market considering how much he is worth now. After impressing in the World Cup, where he played a crucial part to help Argentina win, he is now linked with a £106 million move to Chelsea. Yes, you read that figure right.
Enzo Fernández – exactly what Chelsea are missing in midfield… 💎 pic.twitter.com/VaGKxRo1oZ
— LDN (@LDNFootbalI) January 2, 2023
There are still questions about whether Fernández is worth that much money after only playing 25 senior games in Europe so far. It will be a huge gamble for Chelsea, but their new owner Todd Boehly is big into investing in youth and seems very keen on splashing that type of money for one of the current hottest young prospects.
Mykhailo Mudryk to Arsenal
Due to the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, Ukrainian giants Shakhtar Donetsk had to let go of most of their foreign players. It hurt the club, but it also paved the way for young local talents to break in with the club, and Mykhailo Mudryk has seized his opportunity.
Mudryk is a Shakhtar academy product who first made his debut when he was just seventeen. With the departures of many foreign players, he became a first-team starter this season and he’s been a revelation with eleven goals in nineteen appearances so far– very impressive for someone who just turned 21.
🏴 Emile Smith-Rowe – 22-years-old
🏴 Bukayo Saka – 21-years-old
🇧🇷 Gabriel Martinelli – 21-years-old
🇺🇦 Mykhailo Mudryk – 21-years-oldArsenal could have a new star-boy in their ranks 👀🔥 pic.twitter.com/L3niVN4nBn
— GiveMeSport (@GiveMeSport) December 30, 2022
He has gained the attention of current Premier League leaders Arsenal and it looks like an £88 million bid is coming for him soon. Mudryk has also been flirting with Arsenal a lot, revealing that he wouldn’t be able to turn down such a move, posting an image of him watching Arsenal beat West Ham, and even liking a #FreeMudryk post from an Arsenal meme account.
However, Chelsea is also reportedly interested in the winger and Boehly seems keen on another huge investment to potentially save the club from sinking further this season. It would be interesting to see which London club will end up signing the Ukrainian at the end of this month.
João Félix to the Premier League
João Félix broke into the Benfica side as a teenager and got a dream move to Atlético Madrid at nineteen for a staggering fee of €126 million. However, things haven’t gone as well as expected in Spain. Although he has had some moments of brilliance, Félix has struggled to adapt to Diego Simeone’s defensive and pragmatic system. He scored 20 during his last season at Benfica but has yet to score more than ten in a season at Atlético.
With the Spanish club now strapped for cash, they are keen to move Félix, and Premier League clubs seem interested in him, particularly Arsenal and Manchester United.
🚨 Joao Felix update-
Diego Simeone is becoming increasingly irritated with the Atlético board as he’s made it clear for some time he wants Felix gone.
He wants a deal to be in place ASAP so he can spend January trying to sign a new ST.
Felix is also pushing to leave the club. pic.twitter.com/ei87JN4MQA
— Anil Kandola (@AnilKandola) January 7, 2023
Fabrizio Romano is reporting that Atlético isn’t ready to sell him yet though, and they would rather loan him out for the rest of the season to get some much-needed cash so they can reinforce other areas. The club is looking to get around €18 million for a six-month loan, which seems quite expensive even for rich Premier League sides like Arsenal and United.
However, with Arsenal on track to win their first Premier League title since 2004 and United fighting to finish in the top four, getting Félix for a few months could be the key to hitting their goals for this season.
