In recent years Premier League clubs have spent big in the January transfer window. Chelsea signing Fernando Torres for then-record transfer fee in 2011, Liverpool splashing £35m on Andy Carroll while Manchester United spent over £30m on Juan Mata last January are some of the examples that come to mind.
This winter several top players from Bundesliga could make a switch to the Premier League, if the transfer rumours are to be believed. Here we take a look at five such players who can change clubs in January.
Xherdan Shaqiri (Bayern Munich)
The 23-year-old Swiss international is one of the highly talented attacking midfielders in Europe. However, in the star studded Bayern squad, he has struggled to make a bright impression under Pep Guardiola.
He has made eight appearances so far, but most of them have come as a substitute role, where he managed only 310 minutes of league action so far.
In the summer, Liverpool had a €20m bid for Shaqiri rejected, but the Reds could make a move for him again. However, Liverpool are not alone in the race for Shaqiri and the Reds may face competition from several Italian clubs including Roma and Juventus.
Napoli were also thought to be interested in landing him on loan, but the player’s agent, Ulysses Savini, claimed recently that Bayern are only interested in direct transfer. Shaqiri’s price will drop down considerably because of his lack of game time this season, which puts Liverpool in a strong position to lure him at a lower price.
Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund)
The 25-year-old German international is widely considered as one of the best central defenders in the world at present, if not the best. Naturally for a player of his ability, top clubs have shown a keen interest in him, including the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal.
Although the German international has pledged his loyalty time and again, this time, the situation could be different. Dortmund are flirting with relegation at the moment, and even though it is highly unlikely they would get relegated; their chances of qualifying for the Champions League look very slim.
In such a scenario, Dortmund could be looking to sell him in January and get a handful fee in return. According to The Guardian, Manchester United are considering making an offer for the stylish defender.
Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund)
Reus is currently out injured and won’t return before January 2015. If he gets fit within any time between mid-January, expect the German superstar to get regularly linked with top Premier League clubs like Manchester United, Arsenal or Liverpool.
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has already ruled out of the running for Reus, who has rejected several extension offers from Dortmund. The German forward therefore could leave the club for just €35m, his release clause, that can be trigged in 2015.
Again, all depends on how quickly he recovers from injury and whether Dortmund at all wants to cash in on him.
Klass Jan Huntelaar (Schalke 04)
The Dutch striker has been linked with Arsenal and Liverpool quite frequently by the English press. The 31-year-old has been in terrific form this season, scoring seven goals and managing three assists to his name.
However, it is unlikely that English clubs would make a move for him in January. Arsenal already have a handful of forwards in Olivier Giroud, Danny Welbeck, Joel Campbell and Alexis Sanchez, so adding any other striker to their ranks is all but a luxury.
Liverpool’s case is an interesting one. New signing Mario Balotelli has failed to make any significant impression and there are rumours that the striker could return back to Italy, but such ideas are well wide of the mark and has any iota of truth in it. Furthermore, Liverpool will hoping to get Daniel Sturridge back next month, therefore, any potential move for Huntelaar looks unlikely at this stage.
Roberto Firmino (Hoffenheim)
Firmino is a prolific young talent, who recently scored in his debut for Brazil. The 23-year-old can play in all the attacking midfield positions (right-left and middle) and has scored three goals (three assists as well) already this season.
He has been linked with a host of Premier League clubs, but according to Express, Manchester United are more likely to sign him in January ahead of other Premier League rivals.
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