There are a host of high-profile players who may be tempted by a move to England this month amid a lack of minutes at their current clubs
The 2024 January transfer window was the most boring in recent memory, with Radu Dragusin's £25 million ($31m) switch to Tottenham from Genoa ending up being the biggest deal conducted in the Premier League. Purse strings were tightened due to new Profit and Sustainability Rules that came with the threat of potential points deductions, which both Everton and Nottingham Forest fell foul of.
But that doesn't mean more tumbleweeds are guaranteed over the next four weeks. English clubs will have the opportunity to arrange some bargain permanent deals or clever loans in the winter market, and the bank could even be broken for the right target, if money is raised through sales beforehand.
Several household names across La Liga, Ligue 1, Serie A and the Bundesliga are being linked with moves to the Premier League after falling out of favour in their current surroundings. Some desperately need a fresh start, while others have been transfer-listed after failing to live up to expectations, and England could be seen as the ideal escape route.
GOAL is on hand to run down the top eight European outcasts who might be priority targets for Premier League sides this month…
GettyEndrick (Real Madrid)
Endrick followed in the footsteps of fellow countrymen Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo by moving from the Brazilian top-flight to Real Madrid in the summer, and thusly arrived at Santiago Bernabeu with a lot of pressure on his shoulders. The former Palmeiras wonderkid could scarcely have asked for a better start as he marked his debut with a goal in a 3-0 La Liga win over Real Valladolid, before becoming the youngest Madrid player to ever score in the Champions League with a spectacular solo effort against Stuttgart, but he has been unable to build on those dream milestones.
Unfortunately, Endrick joined the club at the same time as Kylian Mbappe, who has hogged the limelight and the No.9 slot since his arrival. As a consequence, the 18-year-old only made Carlo Ancelotti's starting XI once in the first half of the season. Ancelotti has repeatedly insisted Endrick will eventually get his chance, but Madrid are reportedly open to loaning him out in January, with Tottenham and Southampton mooted as potential destinations.
It seems more likely that Endrick will join another La Liga club if Los Blancos do sanction a loan, but a Premier League move cannot be ruled out. He would certainly see plenty of minutes at Southampton, who are in desperate need of a goalscorer to boost their slim chances of avoiding relegation.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportRandal Kolo Muani (PSG)
Paris Saint-Germain saw off competition from a host of top clubs to sign Randal Kolo Muani in 2023, having seen him emerge as one of the most exciting young forwards in Europe at Eintracht Frankfurt. Kolo Muani didn't come close to justifying his €75m (£62m/$77m) fee during his maiden season at Parc des Princes, though, and now finds himself on the fringes under Luis Enrique.
PSG are reportedly ready to offload the 26-year-old permanently or on loan in the current window, with Manchester United and Chelsea said to be among his admirers. However, claims Arsenal is a more realistic move as Mikel Arteta desperately tries to find cover for injured talisman Bukayo Saka. Kolo Muani is not in the same class as Saka, but a loan deal might help boost the Gunners' title chances, especially since Raheem Sterling's move from Chelsea hasn't worked out as hoped.
Getty Images SportLeon Goretzka (Bayern Munich)
For the best part of six seasons, Leon Goretzka was a vital cog in the Bayern Munich system, but he's slipped down the pecking order since Vincent Kompany's appointment as head coach. Goretzka has long been linked with a switch to Old Trafford, and according to , Manchester United have been monitoring his situation again in recent weeks.
A lack of quality in midfield has been a big reason for United's well-documented struggles, and adding a proven winner like Goretzka to their ranks would be a shrewd move. The 29-year-old could come cheap, too, given his contract at Bayern is due to expire next year, though he has expressed a desire to stay and fight for his place at Allianz Arena.
Getty Images SportDonyell Malen (Borussia Dortmund)
Donyell Malen may be the first big name to secure a transfer in the January window, with reporting that Aston Villa are working to sign the Borussia Dortmund forward. Villa have seen an opening offer of €18m (£15m/$19m) rebuffed, but negotiations are still ongoing, with Unai Emery eager to bolster his frontline after a disappointing start to the season.
claims that Malen is pushing for an exit after being restricted to just six starts in Dortmund's first 15 Bundesliga games. The 25-year-old is a versatile player who carries a real goal threat, and would be a useful addition for Villa as they juggle Premier League and Champions League commitments if a deal is pushed over the line in the coming days.