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Football fans are indulging in the full-on festive football schedule with excitement and drama in abundance.
But there’s a lot to be excited about off the pitch as well as on it.
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The January transfer window spells the chance for football stars to complete switches elsewhere.
Big moves are more commonplace in the summer but past years prove they’re certainly not impossible at the beginning of the calendar year.
Speculation over potential transfers has already begun and some of the biggest names in world football have been mentioned.
talkSPORT.com looks at potential players who could be in line for deals that could generate a January window for the ages.
Mohamed Salah
Liverpool have established themselves as Premier League title contenders this season, and much of that is down to the efforts of their Egyptian king Salah.
The 31-year-old has 18 goal contributions in 17 league appearances this campaign after the Reds rejected the advances of Al Ittihad, who made a world-record offer of £215million in the summer.
Salah scored his 200th goal for Liverpool earlier this month and still has 18 months left on his deal at Anfield, but the Saudi Pro League could be ready to launch a new mega offer for him in the coming weeks.
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Should an irresistible deal be tabled, then he could be presented with the chance to join fellow superstar Cristiano Ronaldo in the Gulf state and bring an end to a glittering career at Liverpool.
Linked with: Al Ittihad and other Saudi Pro League clubs
Ivan Toney
Toney has been out of action for Brentford since May as a result of his eight-month ban for breaching FA betting rules, but he is now so close to making his return.
The striker netted 20 Premier League goals for the Bees last season before his suspension, with only Erling Haaland and Harry Kane able to outscore him.
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Arsenal, a contender for this season’s title, need a reliable scorer up front to help get them over the line. Chelsea are also linked with a move amid their consistent struggles in that department.
Brentford are confident Toney will sign a new deal and hope to keep the £80million-rated striker until the summer, especially given their recent poor form.
But if either of the two London clubs make a ridiculous offer in January, the Bees could find it difficult to turn down.
Linked with: Arsenal, Chelsea
Conor Gallagher
Blues owner Todd Boehly has spent close to £300million on new midfielders in 2023, but it’s Cobham academy graduate Gallagher who has been one of their best players so far this season.
His impressive efforts in midfield may not be enough to keep him at the club though as talkSPORT understands the Blues are prepared to listen to any bids for the 23-year-old to keep in line with Financial Fair Play.
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It’s not the first time Gallagher has been linked with an exit from Stamford Bridge having been touted to leave over the past three transfer windows amid interest from Tottenham and West Ham.
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Gallagher has captained Chelsea this season on nine occasions but if the club do not wish to keep hold of his services, then he could well be one of the biggest moves of the window.
Linked with: Tottenham, West Ham
David De Gea
Manchester United said goodbye to De Gea at the end of his contract in the summer and the Spaniard has been unable to find another club since then.
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He is therefore a free agent but at 33-years-old, retirement may not yet be in the thoughts of a goalkeeper, who has 415 Premier League appearances to his name, the 37th highest tally ever.
De Gea is open to joining Newcastle as they deal with the long-term absence of Nick Pope through a dislocated shoulder. De Gea’s out-of-contract status makes him an affordable option.
Linked with: Newcastle
Lionel Messi
One of the greatest players of all-time completed his move to MLS side Inter Miami in the summer after departing Paris Saint-Germain, and Messi has settled in very quickly.
He scored 11 goals and assisted five others in his first 14 games for the club, who won their first ever trophy with their Leagues Cup victory thanks to the help of the World Cup winner.
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Despite not being in Florida for long, Messi has already been linked with what would be a sensational return to Barcelona, for whom he scored 672 goals, as well as a loan move to Saudi Arabia.
Such a switch may prove unlikely in January, but football is known for it’s unpredictability as Messi plays in the twilight stages of his illustrious career.
Linked with: Barcelona, Saudi Pro League clubs
Kalvin Phillips
Phillips looks destined to leave City in January amid a spell at the Premier League champions that has seen him play just 898 minutes of football since singing from Leeds in 2022.
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The midfielder, who shined at his former Yorkshire club, has made only nine appearances this season and has been increasingly linked with a move away as the campaign has progressed.
talkSPORT understands City have opened talks with Italian giants Juventus over a loan deal, with the treble winners’ rivals United among Premier League sides who could consider a move.
Linked with: Juventus, Manchester United, Liverpool
Aaron Ramsdale
The Arsenal goalkeeper has lost his place in Mikel Arteta’s starting XI and it is no secret he is now unsettled at the Emirates.
Like De Gea, talkSPORT understands Ramsdale is open to joining Newcastle to fill the void left by Nick Pope’s injury.
Chelsea are also considering a move for the £50million-rated star after an injury to Robert Sanchez.
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While Arsenal are reluctant to sell, Ramsdale will have one eye on making the England squad for Euro 2024.
Linked with: Chelsea, Newcastle
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