Table of Contents
- The 2025 January transfer window is now open
- Clubs are looking forward to boost their squads in the second half of the 2024/25 season to avoid relegation or maintain title challenge
- Dusan Vlahovic is one of the stars who could be on the move in the coming days
The 2025 January transfer window was opened on the first day of the year and there are several high-profile moves that could happen. Clubs are looking forward to boost their squads in the second half of the 2024/25 season to avoid relegation or maintain title challenge.
From Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee to Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold, a good number of top stars have already been linked to a move from their current clubs. As we wait to see how things unfold in the coming days, here are several footballers who could be on the move:
1. Joshua Zirkzee
Six months ago, Joshua Zirkzee arrived at Manchester United from Serie A club Bologna for £36.5 million. Despite having a promising start and being seen as one of the future stars, things have completely fallen apart for the 23-year-old forward. A few days ago, the Dutchman left the pitch in tears as he was sarcastically cheered off by United fans following his substitution in the 33rd minute during the 2-0 loss to Newcastle United.
Joshua Zirkzee. Photo/ Transfermarkt.
Zirkzee has only scored four goals in 27 appearances since joining Manchester United. He has struggled to adapt in the Premier League, something which has led to him not being a regular in Ruben Amorim’s lineup. According to various sources, he is more out than in at Manchester United.
2. Dusan Vlahovic
Dusan Vlahovic is one of the stars who could be on the move in the coming days. As per reports circulating on the internet, Juventus have offered him to Manchester United as part of a swap deal for Zirkzee. The Serbian, who joined Juventus in the 2022 January transfer window for £62 million, has 18 months left on his contract and the Italian giants are willing to trade him than lose him for free in the summer of 2026.
Also, Juventus are willing to let him leave because he doesn’t seem to fit in manager Thiago Motta’s playing style. Despite being Juve’s top scorer this season with 12 goals, he ranks second in Serie A for big chances missed and clashed with a section of the club’s fans earlier this season following a 2-2 draw against Venezia. A move to Manchester United is likely to happen for Vlahovic considering Juventus sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli has been in discussions with Man Utd forward Zirkzee in the past few days.
3. Trent Alexander-Arnold
Trent Alexander-Arnold. Photo/ The Economic Times.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has been on the radar of La Liga giants Real Madrid for some time now. Reports claim that the Los Blancos could come for him this January or wait to sign him on a free transfer at the end of the season. As things stand, signing the England international now might be the better option for Real Madrid because Liverpool might convince him to extend his contract before the season ends.
Liverpool have reportedly made efforts to keep him at Anfield with a new deal but Trent has remained tight-lipped on his Liverpool future. The football world remains keen to see what will happen before the end of this January.
4. Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford last played for Manchester United on December 12, 2024 during a 2-1 win over Victoria Plzen in the Europa League. After reports that he had fallen out with manager Ruben Amorim emerged, the English winger expressed a desire to leave.
“For me, personally, I think I’m ready for a new challenge and the next steps. When I leave it’s going to be ‘no hard feelings’. If I know that a situation is already bad I’m not going to make it worse.” Rashford said last month, as per TEAMTALK. The website reports that Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund and French giants Paris Saint-Germain are keeping tabs on Rashford’s situation.
5. Casemiro
Casemiro. Photo/ Sky Sports.
Manchester United are willing to offload Brazilian midfielder Casemiro in the January transfer window. The former Real Madrid man is the highest-paid United player with a weekly salary of £350,000. He has faced a lot of criticism for his performances this season and has struggled for playing time under manager Amorim, something which could lead to his exit.
Casemiro has been linked with a move to Saudi clubs Al-Nassr and Al-Qadsiah this January. However, both clubs have their full quota of foreign players and must offload some to make new signings.
