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No winter break, a shorter season, and injuries pile up.
Whether a team is fighting for the title, aiming for a European spot or looking to avoid relegation, reinforcements may be needed for that push in the second half of the season.
Will clubs decide to spend money or try to attract players in short-term deals? BBC Sport takes a look at the players who could be moved when the transfer window opens on January 4.
Premier league
PAUL POGBA (27, midfielder, Manchester United)
Linked to: Juventus
It will go? He will not go? It’s been a recurring theme during Pogba’s time at Manchester United and this transfer window is no different.
France’s World Cup winner has been a regular for United this season, making 19 appearances, but his agent said earlier this month that the player is “unhappy” at the club and “has to change teams” at the next transfer window.
MESUT OZIL (32, midfielder, Arsenal)
Linked to: Fenerbahce, DC United, LA Galaxy, Inter Miami
Ozil has been banished by coach Mikel Arteta, unable to join the Arsenal team for both the national and European campaign this season.
Winner of the World Cup with Germany in 2014, Ozil is one of the Gunners winners. His contract expires next summer, but he can leave earlier if an agreement is reached.
DELE ALLI (24, midfielder, Tottenham)
Linked to: Paris St-Germain, Everton
The future of England international Alli at Tottenham has become increasingly uncertain; he’s fallen out of favor with José Mourinho and has only made one Premier League start so far this season.
Paris St-Germain tried to sign Alli last summer, but owner Daniel Levy refused to settle. The French champions look ready to make another try in January.
OLIVIER GIROUD (34, forward, Chelsea)
Linked to: West Ham, Atlético de Madrid, Marseille
Olivier Giroud’s career at Chelsea seemed to be coming to an end this summer as boss Frank Lampard beefed up his attacking options with players like Timo Werner.
However, the veteran French striker has been in great shape for his club and his country, scoring 14 goals in 23 appearances, including all four in a 4-0 win against Sevilla.
That form has apparently alerted several clubs, including Atlético de Madrid. The Spanish team released Diego Costa recently and could see Giroud as the ideal replacement.
DIVOCK ORIGI (25, forward, Liverpool)
Linked to: Wolves, Newcastle, Leeds
Anfield’s cult hero Origi has seen his playing time at Liverpool shortened following the summer arrival of Diogo Jota, playing just eight games and scoring one goal.
The wolves have long held interest and may well push as they seek cover for forward Raúl Jiménez, who is recovering from a skull fracture.
FIKAYO TOMORI (22, defender, Chelsea)
Linked to: Leeds
English international Tomori made 22 appearances for Chelsea last season, but has barely appeared this season, playing just three games in all competitions.
Leeds looks like the most likely destination with the West Yorkshire side needing cover for Robin Koch absent in the long run.
ADAMA TRAORE (24, winger, Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Linked to: Leeds
Adama Traore had a hugely impressive season in 2019-20, but he hasn’t been able to bring that form to this campaign and has struggled for playing time this season.
The Spanish international has started just nine games this season and has failed to score a goal or provide assists. With Euro 2020 on the horizon, a switch to new pastures could be what the winger needs to rediscover its shape.
OLEKSANDR ZINCHENKO (24, winger, Manchester City)
Linked to: Southampton, Wolves, Leicester, West Ham
Ukrainian winger Zinchenko has slipped down the pecking order at the Etihad Stadium, playing just 12 minutes of the Premier League this season.
With no guarantee of first-team football, City will “listen to offers” for the player and will not be short of suitors.
YVES BISSOUMA (24, midfielder, Brighton)
Linked to: Liverpool, Manchester United, Monaco
Mali international midfielder Bissouma has been a regular in Brighton’s lineup since signing from Lille in 2018.
But as Georginio Wijnaldum has yet to sign a new contract with Liverpool, Bissouma has been touted as a possible replacement for the Dutchman.
JAMES TARKOWSKI (28, defender, Burnley)
Linked to: West Ham, Leicester
Center-back Tarkowski has been a fixture in the Clarets’ defense and has also won two games for England.
But he has so far failed to agree to a new contract at Turf Moor, and his current contract expires in 18 months.
JAMES MCCARTHY (30, midfielder, Crystal Palace)
Linked to: Celtic, Aston Villa, Burnley
Republic of Ireland international McCarthy has been unable to maintain a first-team spot at Crystal Palace and has only played four games this season.
The experienced midfielder has played more than 250 games in the top flight, but is out of contract at the end of the season and could secure an exit in January.
EF.L
JOSHUA KING (28, forward, Bournemouth)
Linked to: Aston Villa
King almost moved to Manchester United last summer, but ended up staying at Bournemouth after relegation to the Championship.
The Cherries are flying high in the second tier and could cash in on King, whose contract expires at the end of the season.
EMILIANO BUENDIA (24, midfielder, Norwich)
Linked to: Arsenal, Atlético de Madrid, Valencia
Buendía has been in excellent shape this season, scoring six goals and providing six assists as Norwich looks to rally to the Premier League on the first try.
The Argentine could well be looking for a return to the top flight and would be a creative force for Arsenal, who desperately need inspiration in the final third.
MATTHEW SORINOLA (19, defender, MK Dons)
Linked to: Leeds, West Ham
Teen defender Sorinola has drawn attention in his big season for MK Dons in League One, playing 19 games.
A host of scouts have been impressed with his progress and several clubs are said to be chasing his signing next month.
Scotland
ODSONNE EDOUARD (22, forward, Celtic)
Linked to: AC Milan
Many expected the French U21 international to leave in the summer, and Edouard himself was among them. As transfer noise whipped through him, the forward’s form earlier in the season was disappointing at best. There were no offers before the summer window closed and Edouard has been somewhat far from his best ever since.
Celtic is unlikely to be looking for suitors, but if one comes up with an attractive offer, it is very possible that a deal can be reached.
ALFREDO MORELOS (24, forward, Rangers)
Linked to: Lille
At this time last year, the Colombian was in good condition. Goals followed goals in the first half of the domestic season and the striker was rampant in the Europa League as well. Clubs across the continent cast greedy glances. Then it stopped. Goals dried up when the Rangers’ title challenge faltered.
Lille was nosing around in the summer and, with the Rangers eager to generate revenue from player sales, Morelos would seem like a likely candidate to leave after a frustrating first half of this season.
Across europe
DAVID ALABA (28, defender, Bayern Munich)
Linked to: Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Barcelona, Real Madrid, PSG
Austrian international Alaba won the hat-trick with Bayern Munich last season, but he is in the final year of his contract and has yet to agree on a new one.
The defender can start talking to other clubs in January. A large number of major clubs across Europe are interested in your signing.
PAPU GOMEZ (32, forward, Atalanta)
Linked with: Juventus, Inter, AC Milan, Napoli, Roma, PSG
The Argentine attacking midfielder appears to have fought with his coach Gian Piero Gasperini. He is 32 years old, but he is one of Atalanta’s most important players and much of their recent success in the Champions League, reaching the round of 16 in the last two seasons.
CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN (28, midfielder, Inter Milan)
Linked with: PSG, Arsenal, Manchester United
The Danish star’s move to Italy from Tottenham 12 months ago has not worked and he has a strained relationship with Inter coach Antonio Conte. At 28, he is at a key moment in his career and wants regular football in the first team.
HOUSSEM AOUAR (22, midfielder, Lyon)
Linked with: Real Madrid, Juventus, PSG, Arsenal
French midfielder Aouar, 22, was strongly linked to Arsenal in the last transfer window.
With Lyon challenging PSG for the title this season, he is more likely to move in the summer than in January.
LEANDRO PAREDES (26, midfielder, PSG)
Linked to: Inter Milan
According to Italian media, a swap agreement between Marcelo Brozovic and Leandro Paredes collapsed on the deadline in October. Paredes was in and out of PSG’s starting XI before the recent firing of manager Thomas Tuchel, and they could let him go to free up space and money to bring in one of their targets.
ISCO (28, midfielder, Real Madrid)
Linked with: Sevilla, Juventus, Arsenal, Everton
Zinedine Zidane no longer seems to regard Isco as one of his key players and Spanish media are reporting that the 28-year-old sees his future outside of La Liga. Their contract doesn’t expire until 2022, so any interested party would still have to pay a hefty fee.
DIEGO COSTA (32, forward, free agent)
Linked to: Arsenal, Wolves
Costa’s departure from Atlético de Madrid in December has paved the way for a possible return to the Premier League.
However, the 32-year-old will be interested in regular soccer after making just three appearances as a substitute since mid-October. The Spanish forward scored 59 goals in 120 games for Chelsea between 2014 and 2017 and still has the aggression to annoy defenders, even if he is not as prolific as before.
MERGIM BERISHA (22, forward, RB Salzburg)
Linked with: Parma, Sassuolo, Turin
When it comes to this time of year, RB Salzburg is the premier supermarket for European football. Takumi Minamino and Erling Haaland left the Austrian club 12 months ago and Dominik Szoboszlai has already agreed to transfer to RB Leipzig, to pass officially once the January window opens.
Berisha has attracted attention, especially with goals against Bayern Munich and Lokomotiv Moscow in the Champions League.
RENATO SANCHES (23, midfielder, Lille)
Linked to: Liverpool, Inter Milan
The Portugal international midfielder, who burst onto the scene as a teenager at Benfica, has rebuilt his reputation after life at Bayern Munich didn’t work out.
Like many French clubs, Lille is struggling financially and, with new owners in charge, it may be allowed out to raise funds.
ARKADIUSZ OWNED (26, forward, Napoli)
Linked with: Roma, Juventus, Fiorentina, Everton, Tottenham
The Polish forward was excluded from Napoli’s Serie A and Europa League teams this season after a contract dispute. He has scored 48 goals in 122 appearances in all competitions for the Italian club, having joined from Ajax in 2016.
