WITH just days left in the January transfer window, time is running out for clubs to conclude their deals.
Christian Eriksen may have finally completed his move away from Tottenham, eventually joining Inter Milan in a £17million deal.
Will Bruno Fernandes finally complete his move to Man UtdCredit: Getty – Contributor
But there are still dozens of big names who have long been tipped for a move but have failed to make the break.
Bruno Fernandes is the big one, with Manchester United fans growing restless as the on-running saga drags on.
We’ve taken a look at the biggest 11 names who were “certainties” to leave, but as yet, haven’t…
BRUNO FERNANDES
Age: 25
Current club: Sporting Lisbon
Linked with: Man Utd
ON, off, on again, off again… football fans, United aside, could be forgiven for giving up on this one.
Fernandes has now said goodbye to Sporting fans more times than Graeme Souness has taken a swipe at Paul Pogba – and that’s saying something.
The latest appears to be that Fernandes’ move is back ON – with the midfielder finally set to head to Old Trafford this month.
United are thought to be paying £46m up front, with a further £12m in add-ons.
For everyone’s sake, can this just be over, already?
PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG
Aubameyang has reportedly agreed to join BarcelonaCredit: PA:Empics Sport
Age: 30
Current club: Arsenal
Linked with: Barcelona, PSG
ONLY recently installed as Arsenal club captain after Granit Xhaka’s X-rated rant at fans earlier this season, Aubameyang is a shock transfer target for Barcelona.
Quique Setien is now without Luis Suarez – possibly for the rest of the season – after he suffered a nasty injury.
Now Barca want to raid Arsenal for Aubameyang – with the Gunners forward “keen” on a move.
However, they now face competition from Paris Saint-Germain, who are expected to lose Edinson Cavani – either this month or in the summer.
EDINSON CAVANI
Edinson Cavani is closing in on a move away from PSGCredit: Getty
Age: 32
Current club: PSG
Linked with: Atletico Madrid, Man Utd, Chelsea
SPEAK of the devil… Cavani is out of contract at PSG in the summer, with the Uruguayan reported to have agreed to join Atletico Madrid in the summer on a free.
But with Chelsea and Man Utd desperate for striking reinforcements with proven quality, his head may have been turned, knowing he may now be able to escape Paris six months early.
Who will win the battle now in the three-way tug-of-war is unsure, what is certain is that he will leave before the end of this window…
PAUL POGBA
Paul Pogba could finally quit United for Real Madrid or JuventusCredit: Reuters
Age: 26
Current club: Man Utd
Linked with: Real Madrid, Juventus
LIKE Fernandes, the situation surrounding Pogba’s future at the club has been up in the air since last summer.
The French ace, who has 18 months left on his contract, has missed most of this season through injury having publicly revealed he wants a “new challenge” in July.
Real Madrid were leading the race to sign the Man Utd star for so long, but now former club Juventus are thought to have overtaken them – thanks to his old ties with the club, including friends Paulo Dybala and Juan Cuadrado.
OLIVIER GIROUD
Olivier Giroud has emerged as a shock target for BarcelonaCredit: Reuters
Age: 33
Current club: Chelsea
Linked with: Barcelona, Inter Milan, Aston VIlla
THE veteran striker is still France’s No1 choice – despite barely playing for Chelsea.
Giroud has featured just seven times in the Premier League this term, failing to score.
He appeared set to join Inter, but the Blues are determined to command a higher transfer fee than the £3.4m offered.
Aston Villa have now joined the race, with Barcelona shock candidates to sign him amidst their injury crisis.
MOUSSA DEMBELE
Man Utd and Chelsea are keeping tabs on Lyon striker DembeleCredit: AFP
Age: 23
Current club: Lyon
Linked with: Chelsea, Man Utd
FORMER Celtic striker Dembele has been in fine form in Ligue 1 – and appears to be the subject of a straight shootout between Chelsea and United.
Lyon will be in no great hurry to sell their star striker.
But with both Premier League sides struggling for goals and depth in attack, they could fork out a huge sum to land Dembele – around £43m.
JAMES RODRIGUEZ
James Rodriguez is a target for a hoard of teams this JanuaryCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Age: 28
Current club: Real Madrid
Linked with: Arsenal, Everton, Man Utd, Wolves
ONE of those players, like team-mate Isco, who seems to be constantly on the way out of the club – but never actually doing so permanently.
Rodriguez was shipped on loan to Bayern Munich between 2017 and 2019, but now could leave for good.
And FOUR Prem sides are in the running, with ambitious Wolves joining Carlo Ancelotti-led Everton in the hunt.
Arsenal could be offered the Colombian as part of a deal for Aubameyang, while he could be used as bait to sign Pogba from Man Utd.
PABLO MARI
Flamengo defender Pablo Mari is a target for ArsenalCredit: Rex Features
Age: 26
Current club: Flamengo
Linked with: Arsenal
ARSENAL technical director Edu arrived at Heathrow Airport with Mari on Saturday, with reports suggesting the Spaniard was set to undergo a medical.
But Flamengo have now claimed the Gunners “changed the terms” of their deal at the last minute, meaning the transfer could be off.
With yet another Arsenal defender going down injured against Bournmeouth – this time Shkodran Mustafi – the club could be convinced to do whatever it takes to sign Mari.
NATHAN AKE
Nathan Ake could move to Chelsea, Arsenal or Man CityCredit: Rex Features
Age: 24
Current club: Bournemouth
Linked with: Chelsea, Arsenal, Man City
CHELSEA have a £40m buy-back clause at their disposal should they move for the now-Bournemouth star.
But they face competition from Arsenal and Man City – both threadbare in defence this season due to injuries.
Ake is expected to move at some stage in 2020, whether that is in January or in the summer is the only real point of contention.
EMRE CAN
Emre Can is at the centre of a five-way battle for his signatureCredit: Getty
Age: 26
Current club: Juventus
Linked with: Man Utd, Arsenal, Spurs, Borussia Dortmund, Everton
A WONDERFULLY talented player, Can is being held back at Juventus as he’s caught in a logjam of star midfielders.
Having signed on a free from Liverpool in 2018, Can could now be off – with a hoard of European giants chasing him.
Dortmund join Premier League quartet United, Arsenal, Spurs and Everton in chasing him this month.
STEVEN BERGWIJN
Steven Bergwijn is on the brink of a move to Tottenham
Age: 22
Current club: PSV Eindhoven
Linked with: Spurs, Man Utd
TOTTENHAM look set to beat United in the race to land the PSV winger.
The Dutch star will land in London today to complete his move this week.
Spurs and the Dutch side agreed a fee thought to be around £27m after the player pushed for a switch to Jose Mourinho’s side.
Bruno Fernandes’ Man Utd transfer ‘imminent’ with midfielder to captain Sporting in last game against Maritimo
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
