Ten Premier League players who could be on the move in January | OneFootball

With just under two months until the January transfer window opens, Premier League clubs are already hunting for smart opportunities in the market.

The biggest deals are usually completed in the summer window, but January also gives clubs a chance to bring in reinforcements and plug any gaps in their squads.

The 2026 World Cup is another factor that could impact the coming January market.

Players who aren’t getting consistent minutes will be desperate to jump ship to boost their hopes of receiving call-ups to their respective international teams.

That said, here are 10 Premier League players who could be on the move this January.

Axel Disasi – Chelsea

Axel Disasi is one of a few Chelsea players looking to jump ship in January. The Frenchman is part of the “bomb squad” at Stamford Bridge and is yet to play a single minute for the Blues this season.

The 27-year-old still has a contract with Chelsea that runs until the summer of 2029, but the Blues are ready to pull out all the stops to get him off their wage bill in January.

Disasi is attracting interest from clubs in Italy and Turkey.

Joshua Zirkzee – Manchester United

Joshua Zirkzee has started just one of his five Premier League appearances this season and could be on the move in January.

The Manchester United striker is attracting interest from Serie A clubs, and the Red Devils are ready to listen to offers for a loan or a permanent deal.

Zirkzee wants more playing time to improve his chances of making the Netherlands’ World Cup squad.

Kobbie Mainoo – Manchester United

Kobbie Mainoo could follow Zirkzee through the Old Trafford exit in January. He told United that he wanted a loan move last summer, but Ruben Amorim wanted to keep him.

Not much has changed for the 20-year-old since then, and he has been linked with a January move to Napoli.

Despite being one of the finest young players to come through United’s academy, he has struggled to establish himself under Amorim.

Kalvin Phillips – Manchester City

Kalvin Phillips marked his return from an Achilles injury against Huddersfield Town in the EFL Cup back in September, but hasn’t featured for Manchester City since then.

He was an unused substitute against Swansea City and hasn’t been named in the squad for any Premier League game so far.

He’ll likely be one of the first names to leave the Etihad Stadium once the transfer window opens.

Federico Chiesa – Liverpool

Federico Chiesa has made it clear he wants to fight for his place at Liverpool, but he hasn’t gotten enough chances to prove his worth under Arne Slot.

With Liverpool going through their worst run of form in decades, changes are expected in January, and Chiesa could be one of those players to make way.

Niclas Fullkrug – West Ham United

Niclas Fullkrug was considered a shrewd signing when he first joined West Ham United last summer, but his time at the London Stadium hasn’t gone according to plan.

The German striker has struggled with injuries. But he has also failed to establish himself, and his agent has admitted he would be on the move in January.

Nathan Ake – Manchester City

Nathan Ake has fallen down the pecking order at Manchester City and could be on the move in January.

With Ruben Dias, John Stones, Josko Gvardiol, and even Abdukodir Khusanov ahead of him, Ake has started in just one of his five Premier League appearances this season.

Raheem Sterling – Chelsea

Chelsea have struggled to offload Raheem Sterling for the past couple of years, and his wages have been the major stumbling block.

Despite being exiled from the first team, he remains one of the highest-paid players in the Premier League. Chelsea will try to ship him off in January, but his salary will likely remain a problem.

Jadon Sancho – Aston Villa

Jadon Sancho’s loan move to Aston Villa hasn’t worked out as well as the Englishman would like. He’s yet to open his account in 10 games in all competitions, although he has started just four games.

Rumour has it that Sancho is desperate to return to Borussia Dortmund in January, and United are open to any deal that gets him off their wage bill.

Harvey Elliott – Aston Villa

Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott has also struggled to impose himself since he joined Villa on loan.

He has made just five appearances for Villa and could be looking for greener pastures elsewhere when the January transfer window opens.