January transfer window: Accessing what will be a perfect signing for each top European clubs this winter

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Top clubs in Europe will be out there in January with the aim of strengthening their squad as competitions continue to get tougher in different leagues and in the two or three European club competitions.


We take a look that the players who will be perfect for each of the top teams in the month.

Arsenal - Bruno Guimarães of Olympic Lyon

The Brazilian has been linked with a move to the club and age 24, the midfielder is the perfect fit for a young squad given the current options for Mikel Arteta are much older, and with Thomas Partey is leaving for the AFCON, Guimarães’ best time to become a Gunner might be this month.

Atletico Madrid - Nathan Ake of Manchester City

It is obvious Ake is too low in the pecking order at City and a couple of league appearances he has this season are thanks to injury to their fullbacks, whereas he is a central defender but featured most times as a fullback.

Atletico are also shortage of players in this position or maybe parade too many mediocrity. Ake, who was brilliant with Bournemouth will need playtime to have a case for World Cup games.

Diego Simeone could as well make us of the Dutchman abilities to help them rejuvenate what is becoming a disastrous title defense.

Barcelona - Pau Torres of Villarreal

With a leaky backline, Barcelona’s troubles are far from over even though the likes of Dani Alves and Ferran Torres will be fully involved with the squad starting this month.

Ferran Torres is an experienced and elegant defender, who will be a quick fix to their problem. Do they have the financial buoyancy though ? That is itself is another topic.

Bayern Munich - Raphinha of Leeds United

The Bavarians have been making progress in their pursuit of the talented Brazilian playmaker, and what a great addition that would be, given the status of Kingsley Coman at the club.

Coman is not yet committed with Bayern and getting Raphinha this month will be good business for Bayern, as competitions for his signature might arrive in the summer.

Chelsea - Jules Koundé of Sevilla

The French defender almost joined the club in the summer but the move fell through in the final moments. However, with Chelsea suffering a injury hit season, the time could be right for Koundé to finally arrive.

Chelsea could return for Koundé in January. (Photo Credits: Getty images)

Amidst the unsettled future of Antonio Rudiger, signing Koundé this month will afford him six months to settle into the group, as Chelsea await the decision of Rudiger, whose contract runs out in the summer.

Inter - Bernd Leno of Arsenal

Inter Milan are doing well currently having assume the top of the Serie A. They have a good squad also but an aging goalkeeper in 37year old Samir Handanovic with no strong backup.

Out of favour Arsenal goalkeeper, Bernd Leno is available this month as he will be looking for more playing time to make the Germany squad for the World Cup later in the year so this might just be a match made from heaven, ready to get birth into life.

Juventus - Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal

The Gabonnese has been striped of the captain armband in London and as also fallen out of favour with Mikel Arteta side doing fine him having been axed from the squad.

Currently on international duty with his country, there might not be a home for the 32year old when he returns from the AFCON and Juventus, who have been a long term admirer could take advantage of the situation, since they are also shortage of firepower.

Manchester City - Juan Bernat of PSG

Pep Guardiola side look like a team stacked and not lacking in any area but no denying the fact that they currently have no natural left-back and that might cost them later in the season when the competition are getting tougher and fixtures getting tighter.

Juan Bernat ticks all the boxes for Pep Guardiola. A player who worked with Pep during his spell at Bayern Munich is currently struggling for game time at PSG as coach Mauricio Pochettino prefers summer signing Nuno Mendes.

Manchester United - Corentin Tolisso of Bayern Munich

The French Midfielder is in the final year of his contract and should United come calling in January, Bayern Munich are likely to be willing to sell the player to prevent him leaving for nothing in the summer.

The situation will also allow United to get him on a cheap and solve their Midfield crisis.

Tottenham Hotspur - Frank Kessie of AC Milan

Antonio Conte is a fan of the Ivorian midfielder, whose contract at AC Milan runs out in the summer and the club are not able to meet his wage demands.

In a bid not to lose him for free in the summer, Milan could consider shipping him to North London, where he can help Conte continue his rebuild job at Spurs.

Real Madrid - Unknown

It is clear as day that the Spanish giants are hell bent on landing two of the hottest properties in football in the summer, in Erlin Haaland and Kylian Mbappé. However, their season is being threatened by Covid and they will really need fresh legs in defense.


Author: Kehinde Hassan Afolabi

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