Desirable Transfers We Hope to Witness in the Last Week of January Transfer Window

The 2024 January transfer window has, to be frank, been unexciting and lacklustre.

The exception being Tottenham, which managed to sign Timo Werner and Radu Dragusin. Other top European clubs have either abstained from making significant purchases or restricted themselves to transfer deals involving young players returning from loans to be sent to different clubs for the season.

To add a dash of excitement, we at 90min have chosen to manifest some potential signings which could take place before the window closes.

We believe that there is undiscovered talent within Rasmus Hojlund. He has the desirable qualities of a number nine, although Erik ten Hag may have placed too much expectation on Hojlund as the lone centre forward for the 2023/24 season. As a result, Hojlund has not thrived, scoring only two Premier League goals this season.

The solution could be signing 2022 Ballon d'Or recipient and five-time UEFA Champions League winner Karim Benzema. Unconfirmed reports hint at Benzema potentially being available for loan this January, due to disappointment with his current club, Al Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League. If so, Manchester United should be at the front of the queue to sign this eminent forward.

Benzema would boost United’s forward capabilities, reduce the pressure on Hojlund, and his propensity to pull back and create fluid play could restore Marcus Rashford's form. This seems like a logical transfer.

Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate’s partnership at the core of Liverpool’s defence has been striking this season. Aside from these two, Jurgen Klopp has few options, other than the promising Jarell Quansah and the more frequently utilised full-back Joe Gomez. With Joel Matip on the sidelines due to an ACL injury, Klopp’s options are insufficient to compete with Manchester City for the Premier League title.

Liverpool should look at signing Goncalo Inacio this January. The 22-year-old fits the profile to substitute Van Dijk when needed and has the potential to become a regular as Van Dijk's career progresses.

Ivan Toney recently expressed his desire to play for a top club competing for titles. Toney returned to play following a betting ban and immediately began scoring goals in his first match in eight months. Mikel Arteta should be looking into signing the Brentford star this January, given the struggles of his current forwards and considering Toney’s Premier League scoring track record.

Victor Osimhen’s recent contract renewal with Napoli till 2026 has sparked more speculation regarding a transfer. Especially considering his lofty release clause, Napoli’s poor current season, and Osimhen’s expressed interest in moving to the Premier League. Naturally, Chelsea, a team which has long been associated with the Nigerian star and which is currently in need of a striker, are considered the likely destination.

A beautiful narrative would be Thiago Alcantara rejoining Barcelona, a decade after his departure. With Barcelona’s shortage in midfield due to Gavi’s injury, concerns regarding Pedri’s hamstring, and subpar performances from Oriol Romeu, a fit Thiago could be a valuable loan addition for Xavi's team.

Finally, it seems evident that Kylian Mbappe is set to join Real Madrid. Even though the financially logical choice would be to wait for the summer when he becomes a free agent, an immediate transfer this January would add excitement to the transition.

Yeah, we know that, but it'd be funner if Madrid went out and signed Mbappe within the next week instead. And that's, fundamentally, all that matters to football fans.

The forward would also instantly make Los Blancos heavy, heavy favourites to win the UEFA Champions League this season too.