Which men’s footballers could be on the move in January?

It’s official that the January transfer window has opened, and it’s time to see if any speculative transfers will turn into real-world transactions.

As the Bournemouth forward approaches a move to Manchester City, Antoine Semenyo has received a lot of attention, but there may be many more moves that have already been made.

This can be a tough time to do business, but for some Premier League managers who they bring in over the next few weeks could be crucial for their season.

Linked with: Liverpool, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan

One of the main discussions during the summer was Crystal Palace’s future, with a lot of talk about his potential move to Liverpool. In the end, that was avoided, and Guehi continued to play a key role for Palace during the first half of the season.

However, with his contract up in the summer, Palace have a decision to make on whether to cash in now, or keep for the remainder of the season and accept he will leave on a free transfer.

Sami Mokbel, a senior football correspondent for BBC Sport, said: “I’m guessing he’ll likely stay at Crystal Palace until the end of the season when his contract expires in the summer, when he’ll have a choice of clubs.

Brennan Johnson etched his name in Tottenham folklore by scoring the winner in their Europa League final over Manchester United in Bilbao in May, ending the club’s 17-year wait for a trophy.

Johnson has become a more insignificant player this season as a result of Thomas Frank’s departure and Ange Postecoglou’s departure.

He has only started six Premier League games under Frank’s leadership and has not allowed a league goal to come until the season’s opening two games.

Sami Mokbel:” BBC Sport revealed in December that Tottenham were open to selling the attacker, who was their top scorer last season.

The player still has to choose whether or not he wants to move across London, according to Crystal Palace, who have agreed a fee of £35 million.

Linked with: Liverpool return

Harvey Elliott has only made four Premier League starts for Aston Villa this season, which is not how the club would have liked it.

Nick Mashiter, a BBC Sport football news reporter, stated that “Hawton Elliott is still unachieved and is not one of Unai Emery’s plans at Aston Villa.”

After six years at Wolves, midfielder Ruben Neves has spent the last two years in Saudi Arabia.

There may be interest in the 28-year-old’s Premier League because he has an expired contract this summer and has not yet indicated a desire to resign.

Manchester United‘s Simon Stone, a journalist for BBC Sport, said: “Manchester United know they need significant midfielders, but it’s difficult to see one of their bigger targets being available in January. Neves, however, just might be.

Linked with: Borussia Dortmund, Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Leeds, Newcastle

This season, Oscar Bobb has made nine starts out of 15 appearances for Manchester City.

Although Semenyo is on the verge of joining the club, Bobb may find his chances even more limited and may choose to leave. He is contracted at the club until 2029.

Borussia Dortmund have been heavily linked, but Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Leeds and Newcastle have also been reported as possible options.

In their final game of 2025, Joshua Zirkzee scored for Manchester United in a 1-1 draw with Wolves, but it seems like he has a different outlook for the long run.

The Dutch forward moved to Old Trafford in the summer of 2024 but hasn’t had the impact he would have liked.

Zirkzee wants to start fresh, says Simon Stone. I anticipate something to happen in this situation despite there being no club-to-club discussion and United being adamant they won’t sell players without them being replaced, and Roma are said to be keen on returning the former Bologna man to Serie A.

Linked with: Crystal Palace

Since joining Newcastle in 2021, Joe Willock has made over 100 Premier League starts, but he has only had a few starts this year.

Newcastle may decide to sell Willock if there is a chance to add Smit in January because they are said to be interested in AZ Alkmaar midfielder Kees Smit.

BBC Sport Newcastle United reporter Ciaran Kelly:” Joe Willock’s situation is one to keep an eye on.

“The midfielder has only started five games this season, and Newcastle are tracking a number of options for him, including AZ Alkmaar star Kees Smit, in his position.”

“The club did briefly explore a move for Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo, underlining their willingness to change tack when a major opportunity arises.

Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi, both of whom are considered to be “the bomb squad,” are at the top of the priority list and are available for sale or a domestic loan.

“Chelsea already filled all six of their loan positions abroad,” meaning that only English football players can be loaned unless one of their loanees is recalled.

Sami Mokbel: “AZ Alkmaar attacking midfielder Sven Mijnans is attracting interest from the Premier League.

West Ham are among the clubs that have followed the 25-year-old, who also has suitors in Italy. This season, he has 16 goals (eight goals, eight assists) for the Dutch side.

BBC Sport Liverpool reporter Aadam Patel:” Wataru Endo is currently injured but he has played just 43 minutes in the Premier League this season. The Japanese international may be leaving with the World Cup approaching.

“Federico Chiesa is a fan favorite, but Arne Slot has only ever used the Italian winger occasionally.” Like Endo, Chiesa may be after first-team football before the World Cup. The 28-year-old last played for the Azzurri at Euro 2024, but Italy are yet to earn qualification.

If Manchester City decide to let keeper James Trafford leave in January, Shamoon Hafez, a journalist for BBC Sport, says: “Goalkeeper James Trafford may do so.” The 23-year-old is playing second fiddle to Gianluigi Donnarumma but needs to play regularly in a World Cup year. The ex-Burnley number one leaving midway through the season has been revealed by club sources to BBC Sport.

German Stefan Ortega is now the club’s top goalkeeper, but it’s still to be seen if a deal can be reached with any club.