Ten big transfer stories to follow in the final week of the January window

Adama Traoré: Wolves to Tottenham

Tottenham were heavily linked with Adama Traoré over the summer, but the move failed to come to fruition. Fast forward to January and Spurs have changed manager, yet one of the main targets has not. Antonio Conte is keen to land a superior right wing-back to Matt Doherty or summer arrival Emerson Royal. Traoré has made seven successful dribbles per 90 minutes this season – more than any other player in the Premier League – so it’s easy to see why Conte thinks he would fit well as a wing-back in his favoured three-man defensive system.

Arthur: Juventus to Arsenal

If there is one thing Arsenal lack, it’s control in midfield. Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka have returned pass success rates of just 85.3% and 85.8%, respectively, in the Premier League this season. By comparison, Arthur’s pass success rate is 93.2% – the second best of regular starters in Serie A this season. The Brazilian has not nailed down a place at Juventus since his move from Barcelona 18 months ago, but he is still capable of dictating play in the middle of the park and would be a smart addition for Arsenal.

Jesse Lingard: Manchester United to Newcastle

Despite registering only 89 minutes of league action this season, Jesse Lingard has scored two league goals. Callum Wilson (six) and Allan Saint-Maximin (five) are the only Newcastle players to have scored more often than Lingard. Eddie Howe is still scrambling to bring in new faces, with Lingard high on his list of priorities as he tries to add more goals from midfield. The 29-year-old proved how effective he can be when given his chance at West Ham last season. Newcastle are hoping he could do the same at St James’ Park.

Julián Álvarez: River Plate to Manchester City

Julián Álvarez was superb as River Plate secured domestic glory and once the Liga Profesional season drew to a close, they were always going to find it impossible to retain his services. A number of Europe’s heavyweights have been tracking the Argentine and for good reason. The 21-year-old scored more goals (18) than any other player last season, and added an additional six assists. Manchester City have been linked with a new striker after their failed pursuit of Harry Kane over the summer, while the departure of Ferran Torres for Barcelona earlier this month saw them move for Álvarez, who could prove a shrewd addition to this City squad when he joins up with the first team ahead of 2022-23, the striker set to remain on loan with the Argentine champions should the deal be completed.

Rodrigo Bentancur: Juventus to Aston Villa

Aston Villa have already enjoyed an impressive January window, landing Philippe Coutinho, Lucas Digne and Robin Olsen, and now Steven Gerrard is keen to add another midfielder. Rodrigo Bentancur has only started 13 of 23 league games for Juventus this season but the Uruguayan is handy on the ball (averaging 58.5 passes per 90 minutes this season) and he is willing to get stuck in (with his tallies of 2.5 tackles and two interceptions per 90 minutes both ranking among the top 15 players in Serie A this term).

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Christian Eriksen: Unattached to Brentford

It looked as if Christian Eriksen would have to call time on his career after his cardiac arrest at Euro 2020, but he is determined to play for Denmark at the World Cup in Qatar. Eriksen has not played a single minute since last summer and, following the mutual termination of his contract with Inter, he is now a free agent. He has been training with his former club Ajax in preparation for the extensive medical tests he will have to go through before signing a six-month deal with Brentford. If fit, the 29-year-old would be a great addition for Brentford, who have a Danish manager and eight Danes in their first-team squad. He would provide a goal threat, especially from free-kicks, and a creative link between midfield and attack that would benefit Ivan Toney and Bryan Mbeumo.

Dele Alli: Tottenham to Newcastle

There should be some significant incomings and outgoings at Spurs this week, with Dele Alli expected to be granted the opportunity to depart. Newcastle have been credited with an interest in the out-of-favour midfielder, who has started just two league games since Spurs’ 3-1 defeat to Arsenal in September. The 25-year-old has scored just two goals since the start of 2020, one of which was a penalty at Wolves back in August. A change in scenery may be the ideal solution for a player whose career has stagnated.

Tanguy Ndombele: Tottenham to PSG

Tottenham’s record signing has struggled to live up to expectations since his £55m move from Lyon in 2019. There were high hopes for Tanguy Ndombele, but a sub-par performance against Morecambe in the FA Cup earlier this month was the straw that broke the camel’s back for many fans. PSG manager Mauricio Pochettino, who signed Ndombele for Spurs, is supposedly keen on a reunion with the 25-year-old. Perhaps a return to Ligue 1 would suit Ndombele, but he has struggled to adjust to the rigours of English football, playing the full 90 minutes only nine times in two-and-a-half seasons at Spurs.

Sofyan Amrabat: Fiorentina to Tottenham

Sofyan Amrabat may not be the most glamorous midfielder linked with a move to Tottenham, but the Moroccan could be a sensible option until the end of the season. Spurs have been linked with moves for Franck Kessié and Weston McKennie but, in a difficult January window where options are limited, a loan move for Amrabat is a low-risk deal for the club. Antonio Conte needs a progressive ball carrier with a good range of passing and the out-of-favour Fiorentina midfielder is capable of carrying out both duties.

James Tarkowski: Burnley to Newcastle

With a move for Diego Carlos seemingly dead in the water, attention turns to other centre-back targets for Newcastle. Burnley would be reluctant to see another key player swap Turf Moor for St James’ Park, but with James Tarkowski’s current deal expiring in a matter of months, Burnley may have to sell this week or lose the 29-year-old on a free in the summer. Only Newcastle centre-back Jamal Lascelles (5.4) is making more clearances per game than Tarkowski (5.2) in the Premier League this season and his experience would certainly boost the club’s survival hopes.