Top 5 January transfer targets: Rashford, Salah, Osimhen, Alexander-Arnold

The clocks ring out in Europe when the first January transfer window opens, welcoming us all to 2025.

With it comes the typical mid-season battle for clubs trying to fix their problems, which are frequently short-term issues that need immediate fixes rather than long-term strategic decisions.

Which clubs are vying for their signatures, why, and what are the top five names chosen for the most lucrative deals:

Marcus Rashford (Manchester United). Interested: Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Saudi Pro League

Even with his drop-off in form, Rashford and what might be one of the biggest January transfer moves in history have one name to start with.

Since the local lad made his debut in 2016, Rashford has been Old Trafford's darling. The now-27-year-old has experienced the most difficult career milestones, including those at Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain as well as other elite clubs in Europe.

At his peak, he was regarded as an obvious Galactico for Los Blancos to target in Spain - in some regards, a long-term successor for Madrid's former United forward, Cristiano Ronaldo. More recently, with Kylian Mbappe's protracted move to the Bernabeu, Rashford has also been linked with filling the gap the Frenchman has left in Paris.

Now, the future is wholly unclear. Ravashford was one of the first players to feature for his country on the national team sheet for so many years and is now at the height of his career, losing his place in the England squad last year. Since replacing Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford, new Manchester United coach Ruben Amorim has handled Rashford with brutal and directness. Rashford has been a better player than the Portuguese, but four matchday squads have been eliminated without the forward, who has unmistakably indicated that his time at United is about to end.

Victor Osimhen (Napoli). Interested: Manchester United, Chelsea, PSG.

There is still no known end to Napoli's drawn-out sale of the Nigerian striker, which has already dragged into another transfer window. After guiding the Italian team to the 2021-22 season with 26 goals, Osimhen was linked to all of Europe's elite, including providing an alternative to Kylian Mbappe for Real Madrid. Ultimately Osimhen has ended up missing out on a move to the continent's top table because of Napoli's valuation of the forward, who turns 26 on Sunday. The player's bitter standoff with his parent club, which started last season when a move away from Napoli was in doubt, has always been resolved in Galatasaray, where Nigeria's record goalscorer is currently on loan.

United could be left vulnerable in a pitch with no resources in place because of concerns about Rashford's future at Old Trafford. As the new Red Devils coach tries to change the culture at Old Trafford, Osimhen's work rate would undoubtedly fit Ruben Amorim's philosophy. Although Chile has an already expanding squad, it has been a long time since they were interested in Osimhen. PSG, who haven't yet replaced Mbappe in the attack, are one club with deep enough pockets to put an end to Osimhen's Turkish exile.

Viktor Gyokeres (Sporting Lisbon). Interested: Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal

Gyokeres, a Swedish international, is another option Manchester United have in their bid to increase their offensive line. The 26-year-old has previously played for Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League before making his move to Sporting Lisbon in 2023. The striker did have some impressive loan spells with Swansea City and Coventry City before making the first team for Brighton in a three-year spell on England's south coast. The latter made Gyokeres's move permanent, which is where he caught Sporting's eye. Most of the top Premier League clubs have now been linked with a return to Sporting, with a number of clubs prepared to secure what might be regarded as one of the better or, for lack of a better word, lower returns for their investments.

Erling Haaland's attack is understudy, and Gyokeres scored a hat-trick in Lisbon's 4-1 victory over City in the Champions League in November. United, who has also been heavily linked with a move, may be too much resentful about the chance of reuniting the tried-and-true partnership with Amorim. The injury sustained by Bukayo Saka, which has added to Mikel Arteta's concerns for the Gunners, may force the Spaniard's hand in January if he wants to go one step further than last season's second-place finish. Although PSG might call, Gyokeres might be able to play the lead in a forward line that once had Mbappe, Lionel Messi, and Neymar.

Nico Williams (Atletic Bilbao). Interested: Barcelona, Manchester United, PSG

Another transfer that is more likely a case of when, rather than if, is Spanish wonderkid Williams, who has scored four times in 21 international appearances. During the successful Euro 2024 campaign, the 22-year-old provided a shining example for the international team of Spain, along with Lamine Yamal, and it was surprising that none of Europe's top players intervened quickly to secure one of the continent's most exclusive properties.

Instead, the Pamplona-born forward has continued to excel at one of Spain's more modest clubs. Atletico Madrid, who undoubtedly is one of the front-runners to sign Williams, are currently fourth in LaLiga, and five points clear of them. While the number of major clubs looking for young, talented, and ready runners in the attack is innumerable, it's difficult to say whether Barcelona will permit a club and country partnership with Yamal.

The greatest predicament for the Barca switch, however, is the current appeal the Catalan club have submitted to extend their registration of their playmaker Dani Olmo, given LaLiga's spending limitations. In January, Olmo and Williams might be moving, but neither could travel to the Bernabeu. Barcelona will make every effort to stop this from occurring. Since Williams has only scored two goals this year, January may be a great opportunity for Bilbao to capitalize on a player who will cost a lot while not significantly lowering the team's current output in a stellar year.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool). Interested: Real Madrid, PSG

The Liverpool's expiring contract saga is another factor to take into account when looking at potential January sales. Three major names are all up for grabs on free transfers in the summer: Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold. The former partners are thought to be considering signing extensions as the Anfield club seeks its second title since the English Premier League was renamed. At the ages of 32 and 33, respectively, both Salah and van Dijk have suitors all over Europe, and while sizable paychecks are likely to be offered in the Saudi Pro League, they also appear to have a burning desire to challenge at the highest level of European football.

Both the Reds' current trophy struggles, which have them currently at the top of the domestic and Champions League, are likely to continue. In contrast to their on-field presence, Liverpool's lack of the transfer fees that they would be expected to pay are less of a problem given their ages. Both considerations will be a huge concern, however, when it comes to Alexander-Arnold.