Mainoo, Sterling & Co - Ten Premier League players that could move clubs in January

Loan & permanent 

It’s still just under two months until the January transfer window opens but clubs are actively trying to find appealing market opportunities. The majority of major deals are completed in the summer window and the winter market is generally used by clubs needing to plug any gaping holes in their squads. Clubs, however, do still invest heavily in January with 15 deals completed for fees in excess of €50 million in history with Philippe Coutinho’s €135 million move to Barcelona in 2018 still the record.

There’s also the major World Cup factor this January as players that aren’t playing regularly will be desperate to move to preserve their hopes of receiving international call-ups. Also, major European clubs will look to snap up emerging talents before their reputations and price tags skyrocket. Therefore, we’ve identified 10 Premier League players that could be on the move this January.

Ten Premier League stars that could move clubs in January

Kobbie Mainoo wanted to depart Manchester United on-loan in the summer but his desires were blocked by the Old Trafford hierarchy. The 20-year-old burst onto the scene to become a star for club and country but he’s never been a regular starter under Ruben Amorim. Mainoo hasn’t started a single Premier League game this season and he will want an opportunity to regain his England place.

Iliman Ndiaye is an outlier on this list as he’s not included due to his lack of minutes but because he’s excelled at Everton. While Jack Grealish has grabbed the headlines, Ndiaye has arguably been their best player with five goal contributions in ten league games. There was tentative interest in the Senegal international in the summer and it’s understood that Ndiaye remains on the shortlist of several Premier League clubs.

Joshua Zirkzee hasn’t started a single game this season and he’s alarmingly only played 90 minutes in total across five appearances. Despite showing glimpses of his unquestionable quality, Zirkzee hasn’t consistently impressed since joining from Bologna in 2024. The 24-year-old will have ambitions of returning to the Netherlands squad for the World Cup but he won’t achieve that by being glued to the bench at United. Zirkzee has admirers in Italy and a loan or permanent move is likely.

The Brazilian international started the season in fine form with a brace against Burnley and an assist against Manchester City. But Richarlison hasn’t scored in his last ten appearances across all competitions and Tottenham could cash in. Everton have been linked with re-signing the striker but there’s also legitimate interest from Saudi Arabia.

Manchester City will allow Nathan Aké to leave in January after rebuffing interest in the summer. The Netherlands international has only started one Premier League game this season but City reportedly want around €30m for the defender. Crystal Palace, Inter Milan and Juventus are all tracking Ake and a January move seems inevitable.

Axel Disasi is part of the ‘bomb-squad’ at Chelsea and he has no future at Stamford Bridge. The French international’s contract with the Blues runs until 2029 but they’ll do everything in their power to move him on in January. Juventus are the latest club to be linked and a loan deal with an option-to-buy could suit all parties.

The Italian international seemed surplus to requirements in the summer but he’s made some notable contributions this season. Federico Chiesa scored a crucial goal in Liverpool’s league opener against Bournemouth and provided an assist against Manchester United. But the 28-year-old remains firmly a bit-part player and Italian clubs are expected to revive their interest in January.

Kalvin Phillips made his return from an Achilles injury against Huddersfield in the League Cup in September but that remains his only involvement this season. The 29-year-old is still contracted to City until 2028 but he has no future at the club. Previous loan moves to West Ham United and Ipswich Town haven’t worked out but Phillips will embark on another loan adventure in January.

There was huge excitement over Niclas Füllkrug's move to West Ham in 2024 when he was battling Kai Havertz to be Germany’s starting striker. But the former Borussia Dortmund star has endured a difficult time in England, scoring just three goals in 27 games. This week, Füllkrug's agent admitted the move hadn’t been successful and he will be on the move in January.

Raheem Sterling is one of the highest paid players in the Premier League but he’s been jettisoned by Chelsea. The former England international barely played during his loan spell at Arsenal last season and he’s been training alone at Cobham. Sterling’s wages make a permanent exit in January near impossible - unless there’s interest from Saudi - but a loan move is feasible.