The January transfer window is on the horizon. It’s not known for being the most exciting of windows but that might just change in January 2023.
One reason for that possibly being the case is the World Cup being held in November and December. It’s a tournament that club managers will be keeping a very close eye on.the matches hoping to find some new possible signings.
Will January see top clubs hoping to get hold of the players that shine in the 2022 World Cup. That’s what happened in 1978 when Tottenham signed Ardiles and Villa.
Clubs that already have interest in players may well be hoping they have an uneventful tournament. The alternative is some impressive performances will see more clubs interested and a potentially higher transfer fee.
January already looks like being an interesting transfer window. One name that will be continually mentioned is that of Cristiano Ronaldo. He didn’t move from Manchester United in the summer but may well do so in January.
Some footballers might be happy to sit on a bench while earning a massive wage. Not so, Cristiano Ronaldo and it’s likely he will leave Old Trafford in January. Who’ll sign him is the big question.
Chelsea are rumored to be interested in signing the Portuguese international. That would give Ronaldo the chance to be playing Champions League football again, something he clearly missed greatly.
Could he go full circle and return to Portugal? 2023 marks 20 years since he left Sporting Lisbon and headed to Old Trafford for the first time. Ronaldo’s career is winding down and perhaps he might fancy returning home.
How he performs in Qatar may influence where he goes to in January. A few goals would spark interest from more clubs. Manchester United might even decide he’s worthy of a place in their starting line-up.
Betting on transfers is popular with gamblers on both sides of the Atlantic. January sees New Jersey mark the first anniversary of launching legal in NJ online sports betting operators and you can expect bets to be placed on what happens in January.
Another player likely to be receiving offers in January is Jude Bellingham. His reputation has been steadily growing in recent years. It’s hard to believe he’s still only 19 years of age. This year has seen him become a key player for England and a good World Cup tournament will see his potential transfer fee rise.
Will Borussia Dortmund want to sell him in January? They are still in the Champions League and that may well see them want to keep hold of the English international. More likely perhaps is a deal that sees Bellingham agreeing to join a top English Premier League team in the summer.
There are plenty interested in acquiring the services of Bellingham. He’s never played in the English Premier League but then again neither had Erling Haaland and look how he’s got on. Liverpool are the favorites to sign Bellingham. They look to be a club that will be wanting to sign younger players in the future.
Both of the Manchester clubs are interested in Bellingham. United apparently made a $20m offer to Birmingham City in January 2020. City can never be ruled out but isn’t their squad more than strong enough already? Perhaps he might move to Arsenal now that they are back in title contention. Whatever happens, January 2023 is going to see a very interesting transfer window.
