 "File image of Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford and Paris Saint-Germain's Randal Kolo Muani. Reuters")
The world will be bidding goodbye to the year 2024 and ushering in 2025 at different stages over the course of Tuesday and Wednesday. The arrival of the new year brings with it a sense of purpose, primarily in the form of New Year resolutions. There are those who look forward to new releases in the coming year, whether films, games or a brand new season of a television show.
When it comes to the sport of football, New Year brings with it a sense of excitement with the January transfer window bringing with it a host of transfers as players seek new beginnings and clubs looks to fill gaps halfway through the season.
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Ahead of New Year’s Eve, we take a look at five players likely to headline the 2025 January Transfer Window:
Marcus Rashford
Ruben Amorim has largely benched Marcus Rashford since taking over the reins of Manchester United from the sacked Erik ten Hag, with the 27-year-old forward having not represented the ‘Red Devils’ since 7 December. While Rashford, a product of United’s Academy, was expected to leave Old Trafford by the end of the season, he could end up headlining the January transfer window and find himself a new club where he will be in the thick of things instead of watching his teammates play from the sidelines.
Among the clubs like to make a move for the Englishman is Paris Saint-Germain, who have been looking for more firepower up front ever since star forward Kylian Mbappe parted ways and went to Real Madrid.
Victor Osimhen
Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen is currently on loan from Galatasaray from three-time Serie A champions Napoli, but is expected to part ways with the Turkish club sooner rather than later. While Galatasaray are reportedly doing everything they can to try and keep him in their roster, the fact that United are expressing strong interest in signing him, possibly as a replacement for Rashford should he be on his way, is what makes him one to keep an eye on next month.
PSG could also make a move for him if they are unable to land Rashford in January. But a move back to Napoli is highly unlikely, especially after the 26-year-old had threatened to sue his own club last year over an “unacceptable video.
Dani Olmo
FC Barcelona had signed Spanish attacking midfielder Dani Olmo for €55 million ahead of the ongoing season, but could only sign him for the first half of the season due to a financial crunch. With Blaugrana unable to cough up more funds to retain him until June next year, Olmo is expected to be on his way out next month. Arsenal, who had finished runners-up in each of the last two Premier League seasons, are currently competing with struggling English champions Manchester City and PSG, and are the strong favourites to sign the player who is likely to become a free agent.
Randal Kolo Muani
Randal Kolo Muani hasn’t been much of a success ever since he joined Paris Saint-Germain from Eintracht Frankfurt, and it would perhaps be in best interest for the French forward as well as for the French champions that they part ways – the earlier the better. A move to England appears likely for now with iconic clubs such as Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal currently on the lookout for quality options up front.
Trent Alexander-Arnold
While the contracts of Liverpool stars Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold will be up for renewal at the end of the season, reports suggest that while Salah and van Dijk are likely to sign extensions with the ‘Reds’ – who have had a smooth takeover since Jurgen Klopp’s departure with the team currently on top of the Premier League table under new manager Arne Slot, it is English right-back Alexander-Arnold who might be on his way out.
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Spanish and European champions Real Madrid reportedly are favourites to sign Alexander-Arnold, possibly as early as next month. Additionally, Liverpool are believed to be making moves for his replacement by now.