5 World Cup stars who could move in January

As fans, and indeed players, around the globe try to get over their World Cup 2022 blues, the Premier League and the rest of Europe’s top divisions are preparing for their return.

In England, the first tier will kick off again on Boxing Day – for others, the wait will be a little longer. The January transfer window, however, opens on the first day of the new year for everyone and, given the timing of this year’s World Cup, it could be a busy one.

Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Luka Modric were the obvious stars of the tournament, but the chances of them transferring this winter are slim to none. Others, though, put themselves in the shop window with their performances in Qatar, and could have earned themselves a big move over the coming few weeks.

Here, we take you through five players who could have a new club by January 31st.

Read More: January Transfer Window 2023: When Does It Begin, Rumours and Everything You Need To Know

Sofyan Amrabat

Morocco were the surprise package of the competition, reaching the semi-finals to become the first African side to finish in the World Cup’s top four. There were many star performers for the Atlas Lions, but Amrabat was perhaps the standout.

The 26-year-old central midfielder patrolled the middle of the park throughout his country’s seven matches, and was equal to every world-class talent he faced, whether it be Mbappe, Kevin De Bruyne, or Bruno Fernandes.

Amrabat has been a regular for Fiorentina since moving to the club in 2020, and has previously attracted attention from Tottenham. The former Club Brugge man has surely added a few zeros to his transfer value over the past month or so – it remains to be seen just how much La Viola want for his services. Interest in the player, though, is likely to be high.

Cody Gakpo

Gakpo was heavily linked with a switch to Leeds United during the summer, but ultimately ended up staying at PSV. He was already in top form before the World Cup, scoring 13 goals and providing 17 assists for the Dutch outfit this season (as per Transfermarkt), and his stock has only risen since his trip to the Middle East.

The 23-year-old scored in each of the Netherlands’ group stage matches and, while he didn’t find the back of the net in the two knockout games, he still caught the eye. PSV manager Ruud van Nistelrooy failed to deny his star man could be playing somewhere else in February when recently asked, which has only added fuel to the fire.

Manchester United are one of the many clubs interested in his services, but the Red Devils should be cautious – Memphis Depay was the last Dutch star to burst onto the scene at the World Cup, and his subsequent move to Old Trafford did not live up to expectations.

Dominik Livakovic

Croatia are never to be discounted when it comes to the World Cup. Despite only being an independent country since 1991, the Balkan state have reached three World Cup semi-finals and one final with a population of fewer than four million people.

They reached the last four in Qatar and, while Modric picked up most of the plaudits, goalkeeper Livakovic was crucial. The 27-year-old conceded just once in the group stage, and put in a great display against Belgium to secure progression to the knockouts. In the Round of 16, he saved three spot-kicks in the shoot-out versus Japan, and saved another against Brazil as Croatia beat the Selecao after going the distance.

Livakovic and Croatia’s journey ended at the hands of eventual winners Argentina, but the shot-stopper became a household name. Bayern Munich were said to be interested in the Dinamo Zagreb man after Manuel Neuer broke his leg, and now Leeds have been linked. Watch this space.

Azzedine Ounahi

Alongside Amrabat in the middle of the Morocco midfield, Ounahi was another revelation. While his teammate sat back and marshalled the space in front of the back four, the Angers ace was tasked with breaking the lines and putting opponents under pressure higher up the pitch, both of which he accomplished with apparent ease.

His showings belied his 22 years, and it is hardly a shock to hear that a number of Premier League clubs are keeping a close eye on his situation. One of those is Leicester City, and we know just how well they have utilised the Ligue 1 market in the past.

Replicating the impact of N’Golo Kante is a far bigger ask, but Ounahi could well have the chance to try very soon.

Goncalo Ramos

Had it not been for Cristiano Ronaldo‘s tantrums and fall from grace, Ramos would not have started Portugal‘s Round of 16 encounter with Switzerland. However, when given the opportunity, he grasped it with both hands, scoring the 2022 World Cup’s first hat-trick as he and his teammates hammered the Swiss 6-1.

That earned him another start in the quarter-finals against Morocco and, while Portugal were on the end of an unexpected defeat to Morocco, Ramos showed there is life beyond Ronaldo. After all, the Benfica striker is just 21, and his best years are ahead of him.

He could follow in Ronaldo’s footsteps at club level, too, with Manchester United reportedly looking at signing him, although the forward’s £100m+ release clause, as per Record, could be a stumbling block. Still, if a deal could be struck, United supporters may have another Portuguese hero to worship.

You can find out more about the latest transfer rumours at GiveMeSport.

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