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Who will join the Premier League this January?
Transfer Talk: The big names being linked with a move to England - and those who could leave
Carlo Ancelotti may have announced that he will run naked across the Chelsea training ground if he signs anyone in January - but that won't stop the rumours about who's joining Chelsea and their rivals from flying all month. Here are some of the biggest players being linked with a move to the Premier League during the transfer window:
• SERGIO AGUERO, Atletico Madrid. Price: £40m
Who's interested: Chelsea.
Atletico Madrid's Argentine striker may have ruled out a move and Carlo Ancelotti may say that he will not be signing anyone, but in the world of football that counts for little. Aguero, who is still only 21, has been little short of sensational for Atletico since joining them from Independiente in 2006 for £20m. Chelsea and their European rivals will be monitoring the situation.
• MAROUANE CHAMAKH, Bordeaux. Price: £12m, but available on a free in the summer.
Who's interested: Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, Liverpool, Everton, Sunderland.
The Bordeaux striker (above, left) was linked with a host of clubs in the summer but remained in France. He says he is not looking for a move in January and did not enjoy all the speculation over his future during the last transfer window. However, he has attracted attention from several clubs in the Premier League and beyond. Bordeaux also know that they could lose him on a free transfer in the summer when his contract expires, so this is their last chance to cash in.
• EDIN DZEKO, Wolfsburg. Price: £20m
Who's interested: Manchester United, Arsenal
The Wolfsburg striker has been strongly linked with a move to AC Milan, but the Italians will not sign him before the summer. That means Premier League clubs could step in and try to lure the 23-year-old Bosnian striker to England. Dzeko is one of the most promising strikers in Europe and the big clubs will not let the chance to sign him pass them by.
• FRANCK RIBERY, Bayern Munich. Price: £40m
Who's interested: Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City
The French winger has long been the subject of transfer speculation and has consistently been linked with Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City. Arsenal are also admirers but could not stretch to the asking price. Real Madrid seem favourites to land the player though, and it seems as though there may already be an agreement in place, similar to the one that saw Cristiano Ronaldo head to Spain in the summer.
• RUUD VAN NISTELROOY, Real Madrid. Price: Not known
Who's interested: Liverpool, Arsenal, Blackburn, Birmingham, Bolton
The out-of-favour Real Madrid striker is widely tipped to make a return to the Premier League this January. He is now 33 and in the twilight of his career but is still a lethal finisher. If none of the bigger clubs like Arsenal or Liverpool decide to make a move for him as short term cover, he could still be tempted to turn out for a less fashionable team.
• DAVID VILLA, Valencia. Price: £50m
Who's interested: Manchester United, Chelsea
There have been contradictory reports over the deadly Spanish striker's intentions, but it now seems that he would consider playing in the Premier League. Villa (above, right) has 35 goals in 54 games for Spain and was linked with a move to Manchester United last year. He has also attracted the interest of Chelsea. A signing of his quality would be a massive coup for either side.
• OTHER NAMES IN THE FRAME
Manchester City could embark on a massive recruitment drive with Patrick Vieira being named. Highly rated defender Simon Kjaer is being monitored by both Manchester City and Manchester United, but would cost as much as £12m. Arsenal could be tempted by Toulouse striker Andre-Pierre Gignac while the Gunners and Liverpool are both interested in Rafael van der Vaart of Real Madrid.
• ON THE WAY OUT?
There has been a net outflow of big names from the Premier League in recent years and there could be more to follow – but maybe not until the summer. Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas is being targeted by Barcelona. Real Madrid are said to be lining up bids of £60m and £20m for Wayne Rooney and Nemanja Vidic of Manchester United while Liverpool will have to fight to hold on to Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, who could both end up elsewhere in Europe or at Manchester City or Chelsea unless the Reds make the top four. ·
