The January transfer window is usually generally quiet, as far as the top clubs are concerned, apart from the rare occasion a big name player becomes available, for example Juan Mata.
The window is dominated by the likes of Sunderland or Swansea City scrapping for players in a desperate bid to avoid relegation. Sometimes it pays off and other times it goes horribly wrong.
However, speculation is rife that some potential plus £20 million deals could come to fruition this time around.
Here are five rumours to keep an eye out for next month.
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Victor Lindelof To Manchester United
Manchester United and Benfica have held initial talks already regarding a £38 million deal to take highly rated 22-year-old Swedish defender Lindelof to Old Trafford.
BREAKING NEWS: Sky sources: @ManUtd have held initial talks with @SLBenfica about a £38m transfer for defender Victor Lindelof. #SSNHQ
— Sky Sports News HQ (@SkySportsNewsHQ) December 20, 2016
There is no doubt the United backline is a priority for Jose Mourinho, who still wants to shape his defence despite some promising displays from Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo.
It was feared United would have to wait until the summer to get their man with Benfica still in the Champions League but the Portuguese side now seem open to a deal.
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Morgan Schneiderlin And Memphis Depay To Everton
Now to two players potentially on the way out of Old Trafford.
It is clear there is no place for Schneiderlin in Mourinho’s plans, with the French man even falling behind Bastian Schweinsteiger in the pecking order. Everton are keen, but United want to recoup the £24 million they paid to Southampton for the midfielder. A reunion with old manager Ronald Koeman could be a good move for the 27-year-old.
Mourinho will not stand in the way of Schneiderlin and Depay if they want to swap #MUFC for Everton https://t.co/JzcUWYUkko pic.twitter.com/ckZBL9jCkU
— Times Sport (@TimesSport) December 14, 2016
Memphis Depay could also follow Schneiderlin from Manchester to Goodison Park next month, potentially on a loan deal, with Koeman an admirer of his Dutch compatriot.
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Julian Draxler To PSG
The German youngster has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal in the past, but there’s more bad news for Gunners fans with PSG said to be closing in on the talented attacking midfielder.
Arsenal target Julian Draxler on brink of joining PSG https://t.co/gwf96nJSAq
— MailOnline Sport (@MailSport) December 20, 2016
The 23-year-old has asked to leave Wolfsburg, with the Bundesliga side looking to cash in on their prize asset for a possible fee of £34 million.
Draxler has been booed by his own fans this season and the chance to reignite a struggling PSG title challenge along with a huge pay rise represents the ideal escape route from his nightmare. The playmaker can give the oil-rich French club the lift they need.
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James Rodriguez To Chelsea
Only whispers about this one but this would be by far the biggest deal of the window. Things have not been good for James at Real Madrid for a while now. He has failed to make the desired impact at the Bernabeu and now the Columbian regularly warms Zinedine Zidane’s bench.
However, James will have a lot of suitors should he depart, with Chelsea reportedly at the front of the queue.
Chelsea emerge as favourites to land James Rodriguez from Real Madrid https://t.co/48mYqpWnvo #CFC
— Express Sport (@DExpress_Sport) December 19, 2016
The Pensioners would have to smash their transfer record though, and stump up £75 million. One must also question where he would fit into Antonio Conte’s perfect system.
The Colombian said (via Goal.com) after Real’s Club World Cup win that he could leave.
“I can’t assure I will stay at Real Madrid. I have offers and seven days left to think about my future. I am happy in Madrid, but I want to play more.
“I have a bitter feeling as I wanted to play the final, but I am happy for the title. It’s my 15th title in my career.”
Vincent O’Shea, Pundit Arena
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