- The January transfer window is set to open in a week’s time
- Reports suggest the Premier League’s big clubs could be busy
- Here’s a look at five potential ins and outs among the top sides this winter
- READ MORE: Mourinho eyes Mino Raiola client as bargain transfer for problem position for Man Utd
Merry Christmas! Not only is it the most wonderful day of the year, but it’s also precisely a week until the madness of the January transfer window begins.
So why not take a little break from opening your presents and feasting on mince pies and mulled wine to check out five big transfers that could be close to going through?
Reports suggest there’ll be high-profile ins and outs at the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United, so here’s five we’ve picked out that could get January off to an exciting start…
Thomas Lemar to Chelsea
According to the London Evening Standard, Monaco winger Thomas Lemar is among Chelsea manager Antonio Conte’s main targets to bolster his attack this January.
The France international has shone in Ligue 1 in recent times, with Yahoo Sport also suggesting Manchester United could join the running for the £84million-rated attacker.
Either way, Lemar is a top talent that Monaco will surely find it hard to hold onto after also losing key names like Kylian Mbappe, Bernardo Silva, Tiemoue Bakayoko and Benjamin Mendy over the summer.
Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona
Sport recently claimed a £133million deal taking Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona was all but done, in what will go down as one of the biggest transfer stories of the whole season.
The Brazil international has been in fine form for Liverpool again this season, and will be sorely missed if he does end up leaving Anfield, especially in the middle of the season.
The Reds did well to keep hold of Coutinho in the summer with BBC Sport reporting that they turned down three offers from Barca for him, but the latest in the Catalan pres suggests their luck may have run out.
David Luiz to Barcelona
Another big name from the Premier League who could be Barcelona-bound is Chelsea defender David Luiz, if claims by Telefoot are to be believed.
Los Cules are thought to have made an opening offer over taking the out-of-favour Brazilian on loan, which follows on from claims by Sport that he’d offered himself to the club recently.
Luiz surely faces a long way back into the Chelsea team after the form of Andreas Christensen this season, so it would be little surprise to see a top club try to snap him up as, admittedly, his axing by Antonio Conte looks a little harsh.
Ryan Sessegnon to Manchester United
With Manchester United in need of a new left-back, it could be that highly-rated Fulham teenager Ryan Sessegnon will be on his way to Old Trafford.
According to the Guardian, United are preparing a £25million bid for the defender, who could replace the out-of-favour Luke Shaw in Jose Mourinho’s side.
This is a move that makes sense for the Red Devils, who would surely be landing one of the country’s brightest young talents if they could pull this deal off, though the Guardian add that Tottenham are also interested.
Jose Arnaiz to Arsenal
Finally, Marca link Arsenal with a move to activate Jose Arnaiz’s release clause at Barcelona, in what could be an ideal move to eventually replace Alexis Sanchez.
The young attacker looks a promising talent, and could have an important role to play at the Emirates Stadium as Sanchez surely heads towards an exit in the summer.
The Daily Mirror suggest the Chile international has all but decided on a free transfer to Manchester City next summer, so it’s definitely time for Arsene Wenger to get working on bolstering his attack.