8 Big Premier League Stars Most Likely to Leave in January – including Kovacic, Gabriel Jesus & Richarlison
Every club among the Premier League’s so-called “Big Eight” could see movement when the January transfer window swings open.
But here, we’ve singled out one standout player from each side who looks the most likely to be on the move when the deals start flying.
Federico Chiesa (Liverpool)
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In January, should Liverpool try to get rid of Chiesa? No, as one of their few bright spots amid their current predicament, he truly deserves a lot more playing time.
However, it is evident to all that head coach Arne Slot, who appears to favour Liverpool’s other attackers, does not admire the Italy international, who has overcome his injury difficulties.
After appearing to be a useless addition last season due to his slow start, Chiesa deserves praise for persevering and silencing his detractors. This is especially true given that he had the easy-out of a summer return back to Serie A.
Chiesa, meanwhile, is fighting a losing battle at Anfield and could easily join any of the top Italian teams starting in January to demonstrate his abilities.
Joe Gomez might also move to Serie A in January, but if Liverpool does not sign Marc Guehi in the same month, it would be an absurd move to let him go in the middle of the season considering their defensive problems.
Ross Barkley (Aston Villa)
Was Barkley’s summer departure from Aston Villa assumed by anyone else? The former England international was a logical signing for Aston Villa as they bolstered their roster in preparation for their Champions League comeback in 2024–2025.
But it was scarcely surprising that the center-midfielder, who had experienced a comeback at Luton Town, was merely a bit-part player under Unai Emery.
The 31-year-old has only made three Premier League substitute appearances for the Villans this season, so it has been a similar tale.
As Aston Villa juggles many competitions, Barkley is undoubtedly a useful asset, but he stands out as the team’s most disposable player.
Therefore, if the appropriate chance presents itself, it’s possible that he will go a few months before his contract expires next summer.
Mateo Kovacic (Manchester City)
The Croatian international went on to thrive for Man City in their 2023–24 Premier League victory, thus Chelsea’s choice to cash in on him for almost £30 million in 2023 has not held up well.
The 31-year-old Kovacic, who recently returned from Achilles surgery, was also one of Man City’s best performers during a dismal 2024–25 season.
Kovacic has been strongly linked to a possible transfer to Aston Villa and other teams while he has been out, and Tijjani Reijnders’ arrival in the summer is probably going to limit his options. Another contender is Kalvin Phillips, but it doesn’t seem like anyone wants him.
Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal)
While Jesus has been sidelined, a lot has changed at Arsenal. The soon-to-be fit striker will be joining a far more formidable team than the one he was a part of in January.
Arsenal’s success rate with their £250 million summer acquisitions appears to be significantly higher than Liverpool’s with their £400 million+ investment; the Gunners are assembling an almost flawless team with ridiculously high calibre players at every position.
The gunners has struggled in recent seasons due to their lack of depth in the striking area, but when Jesus returns, he may be Mikel Arteta’s third-choice forward.
The Brazil international, who might also be below stand-in Mikel Merino in the hierarchy, will undoubtedly lose out to Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz.
Naturally, this puts the 28-year-old in a very challenging situation because Arsenal can afford to let him go in January in order to raise money.
Although he has stated that he plans to remain at the Emirates, Arteta and others may disagree.
Joshua Zirkzee: (Manchester United)
If there are any departures at all, it appears like Zirkzee, Kobbie Mainoo, or both will depart Manchester United in January.
While opportunities are still hard to come by at Manchester United under head coach Ruben Amorim, Zirkzee and Mainoo are in a similar situation in that they must play more frequently starting in January if they are to have any chance of competing at the World Cup.
It is currently difficult to envision Zirkzee and Mainoo making it into the starting lineup before the end of January because Amorim’s favourites are currently making an impression and the once-sinking Old Trafford ship has stabilised with a three-game winning streak.
Unfortunately for Mainoo, Man Utd has significantly more attacking options than center-midfield.
As a result, Zirkzee’s departure appears more likely at this time, and he may follow Chiesa to join a major Serie A team.
Richarlison: (Tottenham Hotspur)
One of the more unexpected features of the 2024–25 season’s start was Richarlison’s inclusion in Tottenham’s starting lineup.
However, the Brazil international has already contributed to five goal involvements in nine Premier League games.
After being strongly linked to a summer transfer to the Middle East, Richarlison has had more opportunities than anticipated since head coach Thomas Frank is “not fancying” another Spurs striker.
Despite this, rumours of a January departure are gaining traction ahead of the winter transfer window, and if he doesn’t like the Saudi Pro League or MLS, a “sensational” return to Everton appears to be on the table.
Although Richarlison’s recent performance should increase their negotiating power in a few months, you can believe that the north London team will want another striker to leave before approving his departure.
Axel Disasi: (Chelsea)
Disasi and Raheem Sterling, two members of Chelsea’s explosive squad who missed out on an exit in the summer and whose unsatisfactory loan stints at Aston Villa and Arsenal, respectively, limited their options, were flipped.
I chose Disasi because it seemed like Sterling was especially fussy in the summer, rejecting the Turkish Super Lig and the Saudi Pro League. His enormous salary is another barrier.
Disasi, on the other hand, has no future at Chelsea because head coach Enzo Maresca struggled with a centre-back injury issue and he hasn’t even been called up.
His age and lesser salary make him a more alluring alternative than Sterling, therefore he might wind up in Turkey during the winter.
William Osula: (Newcastle United)
The 22-year-old’s narrative includes the near-miss on a surprising summer transfer to Bundesliga team Eintracht Frankfurt. He has had quite the journey over the last 18 months.
Frankfurt was willing to pay £30 million for Osula, who appeared to be well below the required level when filling in for Alexander Isak last season, therefore this failed deal raised questions.
But in recent months, Osula has grown so quickly that Newcastle would have every right to try to keep him, making that once-unbelievable price tag more reasonable.
Even so, Osula has been greatly eclipsed by Nick Woltemade, a summer acquisition who has been a revelation since joining Newcastle. Once Yoane Wissa is fully fit, Osula’s opportunities will be further restricted.
