Transfer Deadline: Deal or No Deal?

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The clock is ticking down on the January transfer window. This window is inevitably overshadowed by the tragic disappearance of new Cardiff signing Emiliano Sala. The light aircraft carrying the Argentine forward disappeared last Monday, and it seems there is no hope of Sala and the pilot surviving. His tragedy has put a proper perspective on football, but inevitably the sport is moving forward.

The biggest deals concluded this month won’t come to fruition until the summer when Christian Pulisic and Frenkie De Jong join Chelsea and Barcelona respectively. Meanwhile, Chelsea also secured the biggest instant impact transfer by loaning in Gonzalo Higuain. What are the other rumored transfers, and what chances of those deals getting done?

Ivan Perisic to Arsenal

Arsenal has emerged as surprise suitors for the Croatia World Cup star. Unai Emery has repeatedly insisted Arsenal can only make loan moves in this transfer window and has identified Perisic as his top priority. He would provide an instant upgrade from Alex Iwobi in Arsenal’s front line. However, Inter are in no rush to sell and won’t contemplate a loan switch.

Outside reports emerging from Italy have suggested a swap deal for Perisic with Mesut Ozil heading to the San Siro. Inter could be an eventual destination for Ozil, but a January swap deal looks unlikely. Perisic has increased the stakes by handing in a transfer request, but that will likely alert other interested clubs. No Deal

Gary Cahill to Fulham

With Maurizio Sarri taking up his post at Chelsea so late into the summer, there was inevitably going to be high profile outgoings in January. Alvaro Morata and Cesc Fabregas have already gone, and club captain Gary Cahill is surely the next man out. Fulham has been repeatedly linked with a move for the defender, but it hasn’t come to fruition, due to a disagreement over the length of the proposed contract.

Fulham desperately needs an experienced centre back to sure up their leaky defense, but time is against them in this window. At 33, Cahill is still a capable Premier League defender but the club in most need of his talents seems unlikely to win his signature. No Deal

Adrien Rabiot to Tottenham

Are Tottenham about to break their transfer duck? Their problem is that they can only improve their squad by adding world class players, but can’t afford to pay top dollar fees. In result, that makes their mooted interest in Rabiot a logical fit. The creative midfielder is a strong fit for a Tottenham side now without Mousa Dembélé. Rabiot is out of favor at PSG, who needs to move him on before his contract expires.

This deal makes perfect sense for all parties, but with Daniel Levy running negotiations, expect this one to run into Thursday night. Deal

Callum Hudson-Odoi to Bayern Munich

One sale Chelsea clearly doesn’t want to make is that of teenage sensation Callum Hudson-Odoi. However, Bayern Munich have upped their offer to £40M. Meanwhile Hudson-Odoi has refused to sign a lucrative new contract with Chelsea, and handed in a transfer request. The reluctance of Sarri to play Hudson-Odoi from the start in league games hasn’t helped Chelsea’s cause. A curve ball has been thrown into the mix with the news that RB Leipzig may try to gazump Bayern’s bid, but it seems Hudson-Odoi is bound for Bavaria. Deal

Maxi Gomez to West Ham

It has been a strange weekend at West Ham, suffering FA Cup humiliation but Marko Arnautovic ending speculation about his future by signing a new contract. This week should provide Manuel Pellegrini with a timely boost, as the Hammers close in on a new record signing. West Ham are prepared to meet the €50M buyout clause on Celta Vigo striker Maxi Gomez.

The 22-year old is seen by Pellegrini as the ideal focal point for West Ham’s attack. The deal is partly funded by the likely sale of Javier Hernandez, who has endured an underwhelming stint at the London Stadium. With Andy Carroll also approaching the end of his West Ham contract, signing Gomez looks a shrewd move for West Ham. Deal

Wilfried Zaha to Borussia Dortmund

Dortmund is currently the most exciting side in Europe, and with Christian Pulisic and Shinji Kagawa both leaving in the summer, the Bundesliga leaders are in the market for attacking talent. Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha is thought to be their top target, and and having recouped €65M on Pulisic could make a late raid in this window.

Zaha remains the most dynamic Premier League talent not currently playing for a top six club. However, Palace remains steadfast in their determination to hang on to their prized asset. No Deal

Daniel James to Leeds

Daniel James is hardly the biggest name being linked with a move this week, but his signing could prove significant in the Championship promotion race. Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds currently sits at the top of the Championship with a 3-point lead. However, Bielsa’s sides has a tendency to run out of steam during the run.

Leeds should get a boost from the imminent return to fitness of forwards Patrick Bamford and Izzy Brown, but they need reinforcement. The clubs have been negotiating, but Swansea is thought to value the winger at an eye watering £12M. Leeds is never going to pay that much, but with just 18 months left on James’ contract, a compromise looks likely. Deal

Idrissa Gueye to Paris St Germain

Only days after their embarrassing FA Cup exit, Everton is fending off interest in midfield linchpin Gueye. PSG have deep pockets and has made a £21.5M offer for Gueye, which Everton has rejected. The big question is whether PSG will make a second offer, and how high are they prepared to go to sign the midfielder. If PSG wants their man in midseason, they will have to go over the top in their valuation. No Deal

Phillip Coutinho to Paris St Germain/Liverpool/Chelsea

In the midst of a patchy season at the Camp Nou, it seems Philip Coutinho’s love affair with Barcelona is on the rocks. PSG is smarting from losing out to Barcelona for De Jong , and would love to recreate Coutinho’s partnership with Neymar for Brazil in Paris.

Meanwhile, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has been forced to fend off speculation of Coutinho returning to Anfield, while some have suggested Coutinho could replace Eden Hazard at Chelsea. While the speculation has been entertaining, the fact is Coutinho is one year into a long-term contract with a £400M buyout clause. No Deal

Picture Credits: Sportsmole, Blamefootball, Getty, CNN