A Week Remains Until Transfer Deadline – Which Players Might Move?

The transfer window buzz is palpable as Premier League teams seek to enhance their rosters ahead of the season’s final stretch. Clubs are focused on either securing talent to vie for European spots or finding players crucial for survival in England’s top league.

This winter transfer period commenced on January 1 and will conclude on February 2 at 19:00 GMT. With just a week left before it closes, we examine several players rumored to be on the move in and out of Premier League teams.

Potential Moves and Players

Jean-Philippe Mateta

Current Club:Crystal Palace

Possible Destinations:Juventus, Aston Villa, AC Milan, Tottenham, Nottingham Forest

Jean-Philippe Mateta has communicated his desire to depart Crystal Palace, prompting the club to entertain offers for the French forward. The 28-year-old has merely 18 months remaining on his current contract, despite having extended his deal with the Eagles just over a year ago.

Italian heavyweights Juventus and Premier League’s Aston Villa are reportedly leading the race for Mateta, whom Palace has priced at approximately £40 million. The decision to let go of their top scorer this month raises questions, especially considering Palace has managed only two points in the league since December 7.

Fans have witnessed their team suffer a historic FA Cup upset and watched as captain Marc Guehi transferred to Manchester City. Although Palace should have enough points to avoid a relegation scrap, their current form could lead to a tumultuous finish to a season that is currently being buoyed by participation in the Europa Conference League.

Jorgen Strand Larsen

Current Club:Wolverhampton Wanderers

Possible Destinations:Leeds, West Ham, Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace

After rejecting multiple bids from Newcastle last summer, Wolverhampton now appears ready to part ways with Jorgen Strand Larsen. Despite having 15 Premier League matches left, Wolves, sitting at the bottom of the table, seem destined for Championship football next season, lagging 18 points from safety.

Leeds, West Ham, Nottingham Forest, and Crystal Palace are all showing interest in the Norwegian forward, making it likely that Molineux will no longer be his residence for long. The 25-year-old has maintained an impressive record, scoring a goal every 3.5 games throughout his career.

Tammy Abraham

Current Club:Besiktas

Possible Destination:Aston Villa

Besiktas recently invested £11.2 million to acquire Tammy Abraham from Roma as they prepare to sell him to Aston Villa. The England international underwent a medical on Saturday after arriving in the UK the day prior, following Villa’s agreement on an £18 million transfer with the Turkish side.

Besiktas had a mandatory purchase option in the loan deal that brought Abraham from Roma last summer, and while they were initially reluctant to part with him, they are now conceding to allow his return to England. The former Chelsea star, at 28, had a remarkable loan period at Villa Park during the 2018-19 season, helping the club secure Premier League promotion.

With Villa having recently allowed Donyell Malen to join Roma, securing Abraham or another attacking talent seems a sensible strategy to maintain their competitiveness while adhering to profit and sustainability regulations.

Elliot Anderson

Current Club:Nottingham Forest

Possible Destinations:Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United

The future of England midfielder Elliot Anderson is uncertain, with a January transfer appearing increasingly unlikely. He has been a target for Manchester United for several months, especially following the confirmed departure of Casemiro this summer, making him a fit for the midfield overhaul they are planning.

However, both Manchester City and Chelsea have also expressed interest in the former Newcastle player, and Nottingham Forest is likely to demand a fee significantly above the £35 million they paid for him in 2024.

Ruben Neves

Current Club:Al-Hilal

Possible Destinations:Manchester United, Real Madrid

Reports linking Ruben Neves to Manchester United suggest the club is contemplating enhancing their midfield options. The 28-year-old boasts Premier League experience from his stint at Wolves and has a wealth of international exposure with Portugal.

With a rumored valuation of around £20 million, he brings both tenacity and intelligence to the midfield and is likely to adapt quickly upon re-entering the English game.

Joshua Zirkzee

Current Club:Manchester United

Possible Destinations:Roma, Napoli

Since joining Manchester United for £36.5 million in the summer of 2024, Joshua Zirkzee’s tenure has not been particularly impressive. The Dutch forward has netted five goals in 46 Premier League appearances, yet his reputation remains intact in Italy.

Both Napoli and Roma have shown interest in the 24-year-old, who has yet to see any action under interim manager Michael Carrick after struggling for playing time under former coach Ruben Amorim.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek

Current Club:AC Milan

Multiple reports suggest that AC Milan’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek, an England international, is poised for a potential return to the Premier League. The former Chelsea talent rejoined the England squad in September after a six-year hiatus but was surprisingly left out of the latest camp in November.

Given Aston Villa’s current injury woes in midfield, Loftus-Cheek may get the chance to showcase his abilities more frequently, potentially catching the attention of the German manager.

Rayan

Current Club:Vasco da Gama

Possible Destination:Bournemouth

For those in search of a player to replace Antoine Semenyo, the 19-year-old winger Rayan is being heralded as the next Vinicius Jr in Brazil. The Under-20 international debuted for Vasco da Gama at just 16 years old in 2023, and Bournemouth seems to have successfully fended off interest from clubs in Russia and the Saudi Pro League for his signature.

Lucas Paqueta

Current Club:West Ham

Possible Destination:Flamengo

Growing reports indicate that Brazilian midfielder Lucas Paqueta may finally secure his desired transfer back to Flamengo, the club where his professional journey began in 2016. Flamengo has presented an offer exceeding 41 million euros (£35.5 million) for the 28-year-old, and considering West Ham’s recent success without Paqueta—winning three consecutive matches for the first time since 2023—it could be an opportune moment for him to depart.

Oscar Bobb

Current Club:Manchester City

Possible Destination:Fulham

Fulham is making strides in their efforts to sign Manchester City winger Oscar Bobb, with sources indicating that an agreement for the 22-year-old is close. The Norway international has made 15 appearances for City this season but has not featured since December 17.

After the January acquisition of Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth, Bobb has seen his position in the team diminish, and Pep Guardiola acknowledged when asked about Bobb’s desire to leave, stating, “I think so.”