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From Rashford to Esse: 10 players who could be on the move in January

Romain Esse (left), Marcus Rashford (centre) and Rayan Cherki will all be in demand when the transfer window opens. Composite: Guardian Picture Desk; Getty Images/Action Images/Getty Images

Romain Esse (left), Marcus Rashford (centre) and Rayan Cherki will all be in demand when the transfer window opens. Composite: Guardian Picture Desk; Getty Images/Action Images/Getty Images

Marcus Rashford

Age 27 Nationality English Club Manchester United

There appeared to be no way back for Rashford at Old Trafford after his declaration that he is “ready for a new challenge”, with the Manchester United manager, Ruben Amorim, making it clear that he is not part of his plans. Yet he was back in the squad against Newcastle and, with a salary estimated at £300,000 a week, finding a new home may not be so easy. Paris Saint-Germain have a longstanding interest in Rashford and would be one of the few clubs who could afford to pay his wages, although it remains to be seen whether United would be prepared to subsidise some of the costs as they have done with Jadon Sancho’s loan to Chelsea.

Ben Chilwell

Age 28 Nationality English Club Chelsea

The England defender was left out of Chelsea’s Premier League and Conference League squads this season and has managed just 44 minutes so far as a substitute in the EFL Cup against Barrow back in September. Unsurprisingly he and his fellow exile Carney Chukwuemeka were described by Enzo Maresca as “the first that want to leave” in January, although Chilwell – who cost Chelsea £50m from Leicester in 2020 – earns about £200,000 a week and may take some shifting. West Ham, Brentford and Marseille have been linked with the 28-year-old and he will be desperate not to spend another six months on the sidelines.

Rayan Cherki

Age 21 Nationality French Club Lyon

Lyon’s financial problems could force them to cash in on one of their prized assets, with the France Under-21s forward having been linked with Liverpool in recent weeks. A move to a club lower down the Premier League table seems more likely, however, with Crystal Palace, Everton and Fulham thought to be among his suitors. Lyon’s Ernest Nuamah – the Ghana forward who was left in tears after his transfer to Craven Cottage in the summer collapsed on deadline day – is another potential target for English clubs.

Randal Kolo Muani

Age 26 Nationality French Club Paris Saint-Germain

The France forward has rarely been seen in Ligue 1 this season, having made only two starts under Luis Enrique and he is expected to leave PSG on loan in January. A host of Premier League big-hitters have been linked with Kolo Muani, with Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham said to be in the running for the 26-year-old, who remains a regular for his country under Didier Deschamps. His versatility and strength on the ball would make him a useful addition to any squad.

Matheus Cunha

Age 25 Nationality Brazilian Club Wolves

The attacker has been in red-hot form for Wolves despite their struggles this season but could he be the answer to help replace Bukayo Saka at Arsenal? The England forward’s hamstring injury may well force Mikel Arteta into the market and Cunha would certainly provide a different option in attack, although there is an acknowledgment that prising him from Molineux while Wolves are fighting against relegation will take a hefty fee. That and a return to form for Gabriel Jesus may also rule out a move for Sporting’s Viktor Gyökeres until the summer.

Antony

Age 24 Nationality Brazilian Club Manchester United

The much-maligned forward has racked up a grand total of 77 minutes in five substitute appearances in the Premier League so far this season and it is no surprise that Manchester United are hoping to loan him out. “If the club thinks it would be a good idea to loan Antony out in January so he can get more minutes and regain his trust, we will work together on that option,” said his agent, Junior Pedroso. A potential return to Ajax has been mooted for the player who cost a staggering £82m from the Dutch club in August 2022.

 

Antony (centre) has struggled to make an impression with Manchester United this season, unlike the in-form Matheus Cunha (left) at Wolves. Photograph: Ryan Crockett/Every Second Media/Shutterstock
Antony (centre) has struggled to make an impression with Manchester United this season, unlike the in-form Matheus Cunha (left) at Wolves. Photograph: Ryan Crockett/Every Second Media/Shutterstock

 

Jonathan Tah

Age 28 Nationality German Club Bayer Leverkusen

Bayer Leverkusen are still in the running to retain their Bundesliga title yet Xabi Alonso’s side appear to be facing a losing battle to hold on to the Germany defender. Tah’s contract expires at the end of the season and he had been expected to join Bayern Munich on a free transfer in the summer. But Barcelona have also entered the race, with the 28-year-old reportedly expected to make a firm decision on his future in the coming weeks.

Milos Kerkez

Age 21 Nationality Hungarian Club Bournemouth

Kerkez has been one of the standout performers in Bournemouth’s impressive rise up the table under Andoni Iraola, with the Hungary left-back having started every game so far in the Premier League. Liverpool and Manchester United have been heavily linked with a move for the 21-year-old who joined the south coast club from AZ Alkmaar in 2023 and is under contract until 2027. That means Bournemouth will probably demand about £50m for Kerkez, while interest is also rapidly growing in their teenage centre-back Dean Huijsen after his displays in recent weeks.

Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez (left) gets the better of Manchester City’s Phil Foden. Photograph: Matthew Childs/Action Images/Reuters
Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez (left) gets the better of Manchester City’s Phil Foden.Photograph: Matthew Childs/Action Images/Reuters

 

Abdukodir Khusanov

Age 20 Nationality Uzbek Club Lens

There has yet to be an Uzbekistan international in the Premier League but that could change in January. The 20-year-old central defender began his career at Bunyodkor in his homeland before arriving in France via a spell in Belarus. He is thought to be on the radar of Manchester City, Tottenham, Leicester and Newcastle thanks to some impressive performances for Will Still’s side at the heart of a three-man defence. “He’s a monster, he scares me,” said the Lens captain, Brice Samba. “For his age, what he does … ”

Romain Esse

Age 19 Nationality English Club Millwall

The 19-year-old England youth international could become one of the few players to make the move across south London from Millwall to Crystal Palace if Oliver Glasner’s side follow up their interest, although they face competition from Nottingham Forest. Esse, a winger who has started all but one of his side’s games in the Championship this season having come through the academy, signed a new contract in August but that is believed to contain a release clause of about £12m. A brilliant goal against Norwich on Boxing Day will only fuel speculation he could depart the Den.

Author: Editors Desk, Ed Aarons

Source: The Guardian

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