The January transfer window is about to open and the gossip columns have thrown up plenty of rumours about Premier League clubs.
The likes of Cody Gakpo and Sofyan Amrabat have been linked with moves to Premier League clubs but there are some transfer rumours that have taken us by surprise in recent months.
We’ve taken a look at the most bizarre, unrealistic or outlandish transfer rumour for each Premier League club.
Arsenal – Sergej Milinkovic-Savic
According to reports in Italy, Arsenal are at the front of the queue to sign Milinkovic-Savic and have begun talks with the star’s representatives about a move to north London.
While the Lazio midfielder has been in great form this season, he would reportedly cost around £66m and Arsenal already have Martin Odegaard and Emile Smith Rowe at their disposal.
Aston Villa – Joao Felix
Villa have reportedly joined the race for Felix’s signature and will try to fight off competition from European heavyweights like Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain.
But Spanish newspaper Marca claim that the Atletico Madrid forward isn’t enticed by the prospect of moving to Birmingham or Villa, as he prefers ‘a club with more substance and history.’
Ouch.
Bournemouth – Mykhailo Mudryk
Admittedly, this was a difficult one as Bournemouth haven’t been linked with a lot of players but they’ve reportedly shown an interest in Shakhtar Donetsk’s Mykhailo Mudryk.
Despite getting new owners, we doubt they’ll be able to meet the £85m asking price or beat Arsenal in the race for his signature.
Brentford – Morten Hjulmand
Gazzetta Dello Sport claim that Brentford have been keeping tabs on Hjulmand, who currently plys his trade for Serie A side Leece.
It’ll be a difficult deal to get over the line as Roma, Borussia Dortmund and Stuttgart have also been mentioned as potential suitors.
Brighton – Davide Frattesi
Having managed Frattesi at Sassuolo, Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi reportedly wants to bring the midfielder to the AMEX in January.
Unfortunately for Brighton, the likes of Manchester United, Tottenham, Napoli and Roma have become attentive to his talents in recent months and they seem like more realistic destinations for the 23-year-old.
Chelsea – Jadon Sancho
According to Calciomercatoweb, Chelsea want to offload Christian Pulisic and are preparing a bid to rescue Sancho from his misery at Manchester United.
But the two sides are currently competing for a place in the top four and Erik ten Hag won’t want to strengthen a direct rival in January.
Crystal Palace – Matheus Franca
The Daily Mail claim that Palace are preparing an ambitious bid for Flamengo midfielder Matheus Franca, who is regarded as one of the best young talents in Brazil.
However, a deal looks unlikely as he has an £87m release clause in his contract and the teenager has also attracted interest from Real Madrid and Manchester City.
Everton – Luke Shaw
A report from Football Transfers claimed that Everton have been in talks with Manchester United over the potential transfer of Shaw.
Despite facing competition from Tyrell Malacia, the England international has become a key player for Erik ten Hag’s side and a move to a team that are just outside the relegation zone seems highly unlikely.
Fulham – Franck Kessie
According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, Fulham are interested in Kessie and are ready to pay a fee of around €22m in January to secure his services.
While the midfielder has had an underwhelming start to his Barcelona career, he showcased his talents at AC Milan and would probably join a club that are playing European football if he decides to leave Camp Nou.
Leeds United – Goncalo Ramos
Ramos has been in brilliant form for Benfica this season and also burst onto the scene at the World Cup, scoring a hat-trick in Portugal’s 6-1 win over Switzerland.
Reports have indicated that Leeds are interested in the striker, but he has also been linked with Manchester United, PSG and Real Madrid so any deal now looks way beyond Jesse Marsch’s side.
Goncalo Ramos: the first Portuguese player to score a hat-trick at the World Cup since…
Cristiano Ronaldo: #POR vs. #ESP (June 2018)
It's also the first hat trick of #FIFAWorldCup2022
⚽⚽⚽
📽️ @itvfootball pic.twitter.com/u3ygiLtHqs
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) December 6, 2022
Leciester City – Stefan De Vrij
The Foxes have reportedly made enquiries about the Inter Milan centre-back, who is out of contract at the end of the 2022/23 season.
It’d be an ambitious move as he’s established himself as a key player for Inter and has also attracted interest from Atletico Madrid and Tottenham, who are managed by former Inter boss Antonio Conte.
Liverpool – Victor Osimhen
La Gazzetta Dello Sport claim that Liverpool are looking to sign Osimhen, who has been in excellent form this season and is valued at around £100m by Napoli.
But Liverpool spent around £85m on fellow striker Darwin Nunez during the summer transfer window and they have other positions that they need to address in 2023.
Manchester City – Bukayo Saka
According to 90min, Pep Guardiola’s side are interested in signing Saka, who is yet to agree a new contract with Arsenal beyond 2024.
However, it seems doubtful that City will be able to secure Saka’s signature in the near future as Arsenal won’t want to strengthen the team that are directly below them in the Premier League table.
Manchester United – Kylian Mbappe
It’s no secret that United are in the market for a new striker in January after Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure and The Daily Mirror claim that they will make a £150m bid for Mbappe in January.
While United have improved under Ten Hag, they are no longer the force they were and would find it difficult to lure one of the best players in the world to Old Trafford.
🚨 MBAPPE GET HIS HAT-TRICK 🚨 pic.twitter.com/y4Oz99eDRd
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) August 21, 2022
Newcastle United – Milan Skriniar
Admittedly, it’s hard to call any Newcastle transfer rumour outlandish when you remember just how rich their owners are.
But Skriniar is regarded as one of the best centre-backs in Europe and Newcastle would likely be beaten by other European sides if they were to make a serious bid for the Inter Milan defender.
Nottingham Forest – Ruslan Malinovskyi
Forest expressed an interest in Malinovskyi in the summer but his reported £43m price tag is said to have proved a stumbling block.
They were reportedly going to reignite their interest in the January window but the Atalanta winger is seemingly edging closer to a move to Tottenham.
Southampton – Goncalo Ramos
Alongside Leeds United, Southampton have also emerged as a surprise candidate to sign Ramos.
Benfica are reportedly telling any interested clubs that they will have to meet his £102m release clause in order to sign the striker in January and that’s slightly out of Southampton’s price range.
Tottenham – Edouard Mendy
Spurs are in the market for a successor to Hugo Lloris and have been linked with a surprise move for Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
While Mendy has reportedly rejected a contract offer from Chelsea, the Blues aren’t looking to sell him in January and definitely won’t want to strengthen Antonio Conte’s side.
West Ham – Jordi Alba
According to reports in Spain, West Ham have their eyes on Alba and could look to make a move for him in the January window.
But the left-back is still a key player for Barcelona and there are doubts as to whether the Hammers would be able to attract him to London.
Wolves – Isco
A five-time Champions League winner, Isco is currently a free agent after his contract with Sevilla was terminated by mutual consent.
Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui reportedly wants to sign the midfielder but a move to the Midlands looks unlikely as Juventus, Roma and Napoli are also reportedly keen.
