The five January transfers that might just happen

The long-awaited, eagerly anticipated and much debated January transfer window has finally opened and, boy, don’t we just know it. In typically chaotic fashion, the online gossip columns are in full swing, tabloid newspapers are breaking ‘stories’ left, right and centre and Sky Sports reporters are already camped outside club training grounds up and down the country.

It’s just over a week window opened and already I’m struggling to keep up. With so many rumours circulating in the press, how can you tell what to believe? Well, listed below are five January transfers that are as guaranteed as Harry Redknapp insisting on Transfer Deadline Day that he “ain’t intersted in signing nuffink, boys. Honestly.”

1. Lionel Messi to Chelsea

Yes, you have read that correctly. No, seriously, there’s no need to rub your eyes or refresh the screen. Lionel Messi might just be on his way to Chelsea Football Club.

Let me get this straight; this really is the transfer of all transfers, the one that will literally rock the very foundations of the football world, a transfer that will genuinely break the internet.

It all started earlier this week when Lionel Messi’s girlfriend, Antonella Roccuzzo, reportedly followed Chelsea FC on Twitter. I know, right? Huge news. But then, the following day, Lionel Messi himself starting following the Blues account on Instagram. Cue online meltdown.

This comes during the same week that Barcelona have sacked their sporting director, Andoni Zubizarreta, and allowed his assistant, former Barcelona captain and fan favourite, Carles Puyol, to quit.

Messi, of course, was benched during last weekend’s 1-0 defeat to David Moyes’ Real Sociedad and, supposedly, skipped training during the week. Now reports are suggesting Chelsea are prepared to meet a £200million contract-release clause to sign the four-time Ballon D’Or winner.

2. Wilfried Bony to Manchester City

Perhaps not quite as sensational nor as breaking, but this transfer seems to have been nearly completed during the last 24 hours.

Manchester City and Swansea City are, according to BBC Sport, currently in advanced talks over an astonishing £30million deal to sign in-form striker, Wilfried Bony.

The 26-year old, who has scored nine goals in twenty appearances for the Swans this season, is expected to sign a four-year deal worth £100,000-a-week. A number of journalists are calling this deal a “no-brainer” for Manchester City, but I still don’t quite see how he fits.

Sure, he’s big, strong, has a good first touch, scores goals and is proven in the Premier League, but is he truly of star quality? Is he really in same bracket as the world’s best forwards? Jury is out on this one.

3. Saido Berahino to Tottenham Hotspur/Liverpool

According to The Daily Mirror, Tottenham Hotspur are being offered West Bromwich Albion striker, Saido Berahino, in exchange for Andros Townsend and Aaron Lennon.

New boss, Tony Pulis, is thought to be willing to cash in on the club’s top scorer (with 13 goals this season) in order to fund a complete overhaul of the squad.

Liverpool, however, are still in contention and The Daily Star (that wonderfully respectable tabloid) has claimed this week that the Merseyside club are in preliminary talks to sign the forward for £15million.

I wish we sign Berahino, we need someone with pace and who can get in behind. Doubt we will, love it if we do

— Cristiano Ronaldo⚽️ (@Karan_Singh_97) January 8, 2015

Either way, it looks increasingly likely that the England under-21 will exit the Hawthorns this month.

4. Mats Hummels to Manchester United

Ah, the old Hummels transfer to Manchester United. We love this one, it’s becoming a bit of an annual tradition. Once again, the Borussia Dortmund defender has been grabbing the headlines after being linked with a possible move to the Premier League with both the Red Devils and Arsenal interested.

Reports this week claimed United’s representatives have firmed up their interest in Hummels with a £35million bid, but sources in Germany have since claimed that Dortmund have rejected the offer as they battle to keep hold of the defender to aid their fight against Bundesliga relegation.

5. Isco to Arsenal

Have you noticed how the transfers listed in this article have become increasingly less and less likely? Perhaps this has something to do with the fact that this final transfer, between Real Madrid starlet Isco and Arsenal Football Club, is just plain laughable.

Listen to this… According to several reports published yesterday, Arsene Wenger (the same Arsene Wenger who is, at best, reluctant to ever spend big money) has prepared a totally-believable-yet-at-the-same-time-completely-ludicrous £64million fee to acquire the Spanish midfielder.

Haha the Isco to Arsenal rumour is brilliant. Almost as funny as the Cavani one

— Ant (@Ant_Walter3) January 7, 2015

Do you agree with what’s been said here? Or do you disagree? Has a major transfer been overlooked? Have your say in the comments section below.

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