The January transfer window opened on New Year’s Day for the Premier League, English Football League and the Women’s Super League.
Here, the PA news agency takes a look at five players who will come under the spotlight as clubs consider moves to strengthen their squads.
Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah’s future has come under increasing speculation this season and this will only intensify until Liverpool’s talisman decides whether or not to sign a new contract. His current deal expires in the summer and the Egypt striker claimed after Sunday’s 5-0 win at West Ham that he was “far away” from agreeing a new one. The 32-year-old’s statistics place him among the Premier League’s all-time greats – he has been involved in 30 goals already this season (17 goals and 13 assists) – and Reds fans are desperate to keep him.
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Salah’s Liverpool team-mate Trent Alexander-Arnold is another fans’ favourite whose uncertain future has cast a shadow over their Premier League title charge. Anfield is braced for a second approach from Real Madrid for the England wing-back – he will also be out of contract at the end of the season – amid reports the club turned down an initial enquiry from the Spanish giants on Tuesday. Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen has claimed it is only a matter of time before the 26-year-old switches to LaLiga.
Chloe Kelly
England winger Chloe Kelly has found herself on the periphery at Manchester City this season, making just one WSL start as she struggles to force her way into boss Gareth Taylor’s plans. Kelly, the Lionesses’ match winner in the Euro 2022 final, has been linked with a move to Paris St Germain, while a loan move to a Super League rival could materialise in January. The 26-year-old is out of contract in 2025 and is anxious for game time to ensure her place in Sarina Wiegman’s squad for this summer’s European Championship.
Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford this week dismissed reports he had met with a leading sports agency to try to hasten a move away from Old Trafford as “ridiculous” but – having said in an interview last month that he was ready “for a new challenge” after falling out of favour under new boss Ruben Amorim – fevered speculation is hardly surprising. The 27-year-old, yet to recover his best form which deserted him last season, returned to Manchester United’s bench in Monday’s home defeat to Newcastle after being left out of the squad for the previous four matches.
Alexander Isak
Alexander Isak in the @premierleague in December:
Played – 6Goals – 8Assists – 2
Exceptional 🤯 pic.twitter.com/3dOF4w018o
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) December 31, 2024
Newcastle’s record £63million signing has been in sparkling form after a slow start this season, notching 11 goals in his last 11 Premier League appearances and it has been reported that Arsenal, Chelsea and Paris St Germain could be ready to make a huge bid for the Sweden striker. Alexander Isak, under contract until 2028 after arriving from Real Sociedad in 2022, became the first Newcastle player to break the 20-goal barrier in a Premier League season since Alan Shearer, finishing with 25 in all competitions in 2023-24.
