The January transfer lowdown

By Mike Diamente | 30th November 2009

The January transfer lowdown | read this item

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As we approach the month of December, most managers’ plans for their starting eleven and substitutes are set, which inevitably has led to some transfer rumors (and certainties) to come about. Here are five players who have been rumored to be on the move during the January transfer period.

Sergio Aguero to Chelsea

With a ban on all possible transfers looming after the January transfer window, Chelsea is prepared to make a huge move and spend big. Originally Chelsea’s player of choice was Alexandre Pato, however Milan’s current form in Serie A and the Champions League has all but ruled out Pato’s availability.

Chelsea’s target of choice now seems to be Sergio Aguero. Chelsea is reportedly putting together a package that would well exceed Manchester City’s fee for Robinho, which would make Aguero the highest paid player in the Premier League. Aguero has already publicly said that he would approve a move to Chelsea, so in my opinion as long as Chelsea is willing to spend the money that they have said they will, Aguero will be in the Premier League.

Luca Toni to Serie A

Former Italian star Luca Toni’s time at Bayern Munich is at an end. Bayern Munich manager Louis van Gaal and Toni have had a public falling out, with van Gaal excluding Toni from the Bayern Munich squad time and time again, despite Toni scoring 57 goals for the club in the past two seasons.

Toni has said that he desires a move back to Serie A in order for him to earn a place in Marcello Lippi’s Italian World Cup team. Toni enjoyed two very successful seasons with Fiorentina before leaving for Bayern Munich, so perhaps a move back to Firenze is possible. Roma captain Francesco Totti has also reached out to Toni to join him at Roma, which is where I ultimately see Toni going.

Ricardo Quaresma to Manchester City

Ricardo Quaresma is now entering his third straight season of not getting regular playing time, and you have to believe that he wants to end this trend. Despite all of Jose Mourinho’s promises that he would give Quaresma a chance at Inter, he has only featured in two Serie A games this season, both as substitutes. I personally feel that clubs as big as Inter and Chelsea might be too big for Quaresma at this point, and a move to a team like Manchester City would be a perfect fit for the 26 year old.

Patrick Vieira to Liverpool

Another Inter Milan player who has fallen out of the starting 11 is French international Patrick Vieira. Earlier in the season Vieira said he would stay with Inter until the end of the season, but now his place on the French World Cup squad has been jeopardized. Rafa Benitez has expressed interest in Viera, and believes that his experience could be key in helping Liverpool regain form. Lyon and Barcelona are also reportedly interested in Vieira, however a move back to the Premier League – where he spent 9 years with Arsenal – seems more likely.

Guti to Manchester City or Manchester United

Real Madrid’s Guti has fallen out of first team favor with Manuel Pellegrini (notice the trend?) and has expressed his desire for a change. Numerous sources are reporting that Guti has begun to take English lessons, prompting many to speculate that he is preparing for a move to the Premier League. The transfer fee for Guti is reportedly at €4 million, which both Manchester teams feel is low for a player like Guti. In my opinion, while City could outbid United, they do not need another attacking midfielder on a team that already includes Robinho, Wright Phillips, and Carlos Tevez. United certainly could use the help at midfield, as Nani has not filled the hole left by the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Other moves have been reported such as Giuseppe Rossi moving to Juventus and Edin Dzeko moving to Milan, but these moves likely will happen in the summer.

What do you think? Will any of these moves actually occur or will others happen instead?