The January transfer window is notoriously tricky for buying clubs to manoeuvre in. Sure, willing teams may have the money to spend and financial wiggle room to squeeze some deals in, but their rivals may be less inclined to do business midway through the season with trophies and other honours still up for grabs.
That's why January is also an opportune month for players seeking a fresh start. It's the chance to put their clubs under pressure and make their demands clear for the second half of the campaign, particularly with the World Cup kicking off six months from now.
- Getty Images Sport
Kobbie Mainoo
In case you've been living under a rock for the last six months, Kobbie Mainoo wants to leave Manchester United. Not necessarily in the long term, but enough that it's no secret he's willing to go out on loan.
The young midfielder, who started for England in the Euro 2024 final, has played less than 14 percent of available Premier League minutes this term, despite the Red Devils hardly stumbling into a winning formula of any kind (as best demonstrated by the longevity of The United Strand's gimmick). He also foresaw such a drought coming having tried to force a move at the back-end of the summer transfer window too.
The saga came to a head in mid-December when the academy graduate's brother wore a T-shirt with the phrase 'FREE KOBBIE MAINOO' emblazoned across it at Old Trafford. Though head coach Ruben Amorim insisted this was not necessarily the player's fault, it's hard to imagine that went down well with those inside the club.
Amorim has claimed he has no personal issue with Mainoo and has backed him to be the face of the club for years to come. "Kobbie Mainoo will have the opportunity, he has all the time," he said. "He played in different positions – we talked about the position of Casemiro, he can do that. If you play with a three, he can play like we did in the last game with the position of Mason Mount, he can play there. He is going to be the future of Manchester United, that is my feeling, he just needs to wait for his chance and everything can change in football in two days."
Regardless, there's clearly a talented player in Mainoo waiting to spring back into the spotlight immediately. He is only 20, sure, but he is obviously good enough to be playing regularly at the top level, be that with United or elsewhere.
Advertisement
- Getty Images Sport
Raheem Sterling
A Premier League great such as Raheem Sterling hasn't deserved the shoddy treatment he's received this season. Cast aside by Chelsea and sent to train with the 'bomb squad', he hasn't played a competitive minute of football since the expiry of his loan to Arsenal at the end of 2024-25.
The 82-time England international, who turned 31 in December but wasn't wished a public 'happy birthday' by his club, is said to be holding out for a move close to his family base around London, which rules out many of the suitors he could potentially have further afield. The likes of Fulham and Crystal Palace have been touted as potential destinations before but those links have since gone cold.
Sterling's career should never have come to this, but there may not be an end in sight to this spell if he is unable to secure a move as soon as possible.
- Getty Images Sport
Omar Marmoush
It's a controversial pick up next. Sure, Omar Marmoush has done little wrong ever since signing for Manchester City 12 months ago, but he's somehow dropped way down the pecking order at the Etihad Stadium despite his obvious talent.
The Egyptian scored seven goals in 16 Premier League games last term after joining from Eintracht Frankfurt, including a ridiculous effort from 25 yards against Bournemouth, though his rhythm has been severely disrupted in recent months by injuries and competition for places, with his only strike this season coming in a Carabao Cup win at Championship side Swansea.
It's unlikely that City would allow Marmoush to leave mid-title challenge unless he kicked up a fuss, especially with Savinho and Oscar Bobb seemingly seen as the dispensable options ahead of Antoine Semenyo's arrival, though given how many of Europe's top sides are in need of attacking reinforcements, it's a stance the 26-year-old should consider taking.
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
- Getty Images Sport
Ethan Nwaneri
Should Arsenal listen to permanent offers for Ethan Nwaneri? Absolutely not. Should Nwaneri look to leave the Gunners for good? Absolutely not. He does, however, need more minutes than he's currently getting.
Even despite the north Londoners battling another injury crisis, Nwaneri has been limited to merely 165 Premier League minutes and wasn't even in the matchday squad for Tuesday's hammering of Aston Villa. The teenage sensation reached nine goals in 37 matches across all competitions last season, but has found the net only once so far this term.
With Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard all returning to the fold, Nwaneri is unlikely to feature much in any of his preferred positions down the stretch of the season. Many of the Premier League's mid-table pack could do with a versatile goal threat just chomping at the bit to impress.
