Some of these players are unable to play, while others are playing for a squad that is unable to win to rescue itself, and a couple are shining for a team that is way below their means.
Here are ten Premier League players we believe should be rescued during the winter transfer window.
Borussia Dortmund’s Youssoufa Moukoko
This piece was inspired by news about Moukoko’s desire to depart Dortmund in January.
The highly-rated 18-year-old played a little more than half an hour in his side’s opening-day triumph over Koln. And, given that the score was 0-0 when he came on, he was undoubtedly pleased with the outcome. However, minutes have been few after that victory on August 19. Moukoko played 16 minutes in the following three Bundesliga games before becoming an unused replacement in the following three.
A kid of Moukoko’s potential should be playing regularly, and this is a rare instance of a teenage prodigy failing to progress at Dortmund, a club known for cultivating young talent.
Both Liverpool and Chelsea have been connected with the Germany international, though the former is unlikely to sign him in January. After signing a new three-and-a-half-year contract last winter, a loan agreement appears to be the most likely eventuality. Brentford, Wolves, Lazio, Fiorentina, Lens, and Lyon are also thought to be interested.
Napoli’s Victor Osimhen
There aren’t many transactions of this caliber during the winter transfer window, so it’s a bit of a long shot. Having said that, transfer specialist Ben Jacobs says it can’t be ruled out, so that’s good enough for us.
There are several top clubs looking for a new No. 9, and it is safe to claim that Osimhen is the finest in the world in that position. It’s probably not correct, but you wouldn’t be shot down for suggesting it.
Outside of the Premier League, Real Madrid could be interested in the Nigerian striker, who is projected to cost at least £150 million. Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain appear to have strikers covered, so the battle for Osimhen’s signature is likely to be between Los Blancos – who are unlikely to pursue him in January – and Liverpool, Arsenal, and Chelsea.
Following an incredible 2022/23 season for Osimhen and Napoli, the 24-year-old’s relationship with his club is strained after a bizarre TikTok video seemingly mocking him was followed by a statement explaining the clip but not apologizing to the man who fired them to their first league title in over three decades. Furthermore, Osimhen has yet to sign the new contract that was put on the table months ago, and Napoli are struggling under new manager Rudi Garcia.
Osimhen has six goals in eight Serie A games this season, but he is not enjoying life in Naples at the moment.
Hugo Ekitike of Paris Saint-Germain
You’ve heard his name hundreds of times, but have you ever seen him kick a football? Ekitike is back, and we’re here to tell you that he should come to the Premier League and show us what he’s all about.
PSG is furious that they had to sign Randal Kolo Muani without Ekitike as a makeweight in the negotiations with Frankfurt. After paying €95 million for the 24-year-old, the club’s executives dropped him from their Ligue 1 squad, meaning Ekitike’s eight minutes against FC Lorient on matchday one will likely be his sole game time for his current club this season.
It is uncertain whether Ekitike will be sold or loaned out, but he is expected to depart PSG in January. West Ham United require a striker. Chelsea is also desperate, and Ekitike is only 21 years old, so Todd Boehly is probably salivating.
As previously stated, it would be good to have the Frenchman visit England only to prove he exists.
Rayan Cherki (Lyon)
From one failing Frenchman to another, Chelsea target Rayan Cherki is yet to score for Lyon this season, with the French giants sitting at the bottom of Ligue 1 with zero victories, three draws, and six losses from their first nine games.
It’s grim, and despite his lack of performance, Cherki will almost certainly try to go in the winter transfer window. It would be admirable if he chose to stay instead of joining Lyon in a relegation struggle. However, Boehly has a spending problem and need his latest fix.
Borussia Monchengladbach’s Manu Kone
Gladbach have been utterly terrible this season. Furthermore, Kone is back to full strength and is the type of player that several elite teams require. It makes sense for him to depart, and it makes even more sense for Premier League clubs to seek him.
Piero Hincapie
This season, Bayer Leverkusen has been Europe’s most stunning team. Xabi Alonso is doing an excellent job in Germany, and it is quite evident that he is destined to be a top-tier coach, maybe at Real Madrid or Liverpool.
When something isn’t broken, there’s no reason to fix it. With Leverkusen on fire, talented young defender Hincapie has been relegated to the bench, which is unsuitable for a player of his quality and potential.
Even with three central defenders in Alonso’s system, the Ecuadorean’s minutes in the Bundesliga have been limited. Tottenham have been connected in the past, and despite the signing of Micky van de Ven this summer, Ange Postecoglou may need another player in that position.
In the meantime, Jurgen Klopp is looking for a youthful center-back. Hincapie or Sporting’s Goncalo Inacio are the most likely candidates.
Dani Ceballos (Real Madrid)
Ceballos understands his position at Real Madrid, but struggling for minutes, especially in a team obsessed with winning football matches, can’t be pleasant. After signing a new four-year contract in June, the former Arsenal loanee has only played 73 minutes in all competitions this season.
He has been strongly connected with a move to Aston Villa, which makes sense but is also a very easy story to fabricate given Unai Emery’s role at the club. Nonetheless, it makes logic. As a result, it must be true. On the internet, no one ever lies.
Dani Ceballos, former Arsenal midfielder and head coach, and Unai Emery.
(Paris Saint-Germain) Keylor Navas
Last season, we learned that Navas was one of the Premier League players we didn’t realize we needed to see before they retired. He assisted Nottingham Forest’s survival and has returned to Paris to back up Gianluigi Donnarumma. He might be content with that role at the age of 36. However, we are not. A goalkeeper of his caliber should be on the field.
A return to the City Ground is ruled out. Maybe Mikel Arteta should bring in a third world-class goalkeeper just for kicks?
Navas should look for a new club if he cannot join a Premier League club.
Serhou Guirassy (Germany)
that wouldn’t want a striker that scores almost two goals per game? Stuttgart, it appears. Guys, a £15 million release clause? Really?
Guirassy will be one of Europe’s most sought-after players when the transfer window reopens. According to reports, the 27-year-old does not want to leave the German club in January, but we believe he should depart while his stock is high.
This is a patch of purple. At the age of 27, he did not become world-class overnight. Come to the Premier League while you still have the chance, fella. Anything outside of Our League is utterly meaningless.
Summerville, Crysencio (Leeds)
We had intended to focus on players based outside of England, but Summerville deserves some credit for propelling Leeds United to the top of the Championship league.
The teenage winger has done exactly that, with four goals and two assists to start the season, which is some good karma after being the only one of the club’s three top wingers (along with Willy Gnonto and Luis Sinisterra) who did not seek for a move in the summer.
A few Premier League clubs might use Summerville, but the 21-year-old should only leave for the right team. He deserves to be playing in the Premier League, but leaving a club in a good position to move up for someone like Bournemouth or Burnley, who are in trouble, is not an option.
