With the 2025 January transfer window coming to an end, Europe still has a lot of issues to resolve.
This season, the winter window will not close on January 31; instead, deadlines will be moved to February 3. As everyone knows, January is a notoriously difficult month for business, with teams even less eager to deal with their most valuable assets and players not too interested in moving halfway through the season.
However, as heretofore stoic negotiators teeter toward desperation, much of the winter pandemonium usually emerges in the last few days of the window.
Here are six players to watch in the last week of the January transfer window as big deals are being negotiated.
Christopher Nkunku
Nkunku had a challenging first season at Chelsea due to a serious injury, and the gifted French attacker had a lackluster experience in west London. Despite his lack of goals, Nicolas Jackson's Premier League minutes have not decreased, while Nkunku has been used nearly entirely as a starter for Enzo Maresca in the cup tournaments this season.
Bayern Munich is considering a late transfer window move after the former Leipzig star became dissatisfied with his position at Stamford Bridge.
Bayern would only pursue Nkunku if Mathys Tel leaves on loan, despite the fact that Nkunku has had tremendous success in the Bundesliga.
Alejandro Garnacho
Earlier in the window, we were informed that INEOS was willing to consider offers for Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo. It seemed that Sir Jim Ratcliffe couldn't resist the prospect of making "pure profit" from the sale of academy graduates.
Garnacho, who is trying to win back Amorim's favor, may be moving, but Mainoo won't be leaving this month.
Despite having the Argentine in his starting lineup for Sunday's match against Fulham, Amorim would not rule out the Argentine's departure. Chelsea appears determined to spend an additional £60 million on a wide player, while Napoli has identified the nimble winger as a successor for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
The Blues might consider a trade including Nkunku.
Benjamin Sesko
In news conferences, Mikel Arteta keeps putting pressure on the board, making it obvious what Arsenal needs in the transfer market.
The Premier League title contenders lack striking depth as Gabriel Jesus begins 2025 by damaging his ACL and Bukayo Saka is sidelined until March (at the latest). Although the Gunners are in dire need of a striker, it seems unlikely that their top targets will be moved this month. While RB Leipzig does not want to let go of Benjamin Sesko, Newcastle would laugh at any attempts to get Alexander Isak.
Before Sesko signed a new contract in Saxony, Arsenal made an attempt to sign him last summer. This winter, he seems to have resurfaced as their top striker option. Leipzig is holding their ground, though, so any possible deal is much more likely in the summer.
Patrick Dorgu
Manchester United is in dire need of a top-tier wing-back, and Amorim believes that Patrick Dorgu, who is raw but flexible, is the man who can liven up the Red Devils' out wide play. But United isn't willing to overpay for the Danish international, and Lecce has turned down a few of United's bids.
The Italian club is holding out for €40 million, whereas the two clubs are now valued at €10 million apart.
Napoli is also closely monitoring the situation, but United is anticipated to make another bid. Alvaro Carreras of Benfica is being examined as an alternative.
Matheus Cunha
Every Premier League team appears to be closely monitoring Matheus Cunha's circumstances at Molineux. So much so that it wouldn't be shocking if Southampton contacted Wolves to find out how crazy things were.
Although the Brazilian has had a fantastic season so far, he has looked frustrated in recent losses to Chelsea and Arsenal, and speculation over his future has been rampant. Wolves is determined to keep their most valuable asset amidst a relegation struggle, and manager Vitor Pereira has stated that Cunha is focused on the work at hand in the west midlands.
The maverick forward hasn't signed a contract extension yet, which is concerning for Wolves as it leaves the door open for possible purchasers in the closing days of the window. In a desperate attempt to strengthen their frontline, one of the interested parties might be forced to overpay for Cunha.
Marcus Rashford
Rashford has been discarded by Ruben Amorim, and the Englishman will undoubtedly never be able to return. Most recently, the new manager of Manchester United stated that he would rather play his 63-year-old goalie coach on the bench than a player who wasn't willing to provide "the maximum."
Rashford apparently needs to find a new residence before the deadline, and considering the winger's stated wage at Old Trafford, a loan move is probably in order.
Foreigners are showing interest, but funding any deal will be difficult. Barcelona appears to be ahead of the competition, but their financial problems have been well-documented for years, even though they have improved. Is it truly within their means to bring Rashford in, even on loan?
Milan and Borussia Dortmund have also been mentioned, but as the deadline draws nearer, more may be added.
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