The January window preview: five moves that could actually happen

Every window generates a hundred rumours for every completed deal. Strip away the noise, and five storylines have real momentum heading into January.

First, the centre-back market: two of Europe’s top ten have expiring contracts and no extension talks, which is how January moves happen. Second, a Premier League club is quietly shopping a high-profile midfielder it cannot register in Europe.

Third, the Saudi pipeline has reopened for players over thirty with one year left on contracts. Fourth, expect at least one surprise loan-to-buy involving a South American teenager.

And fifth, the striker domino: one move at a Champions League club will unlock three others. Nobody knows the first domino yet, but every agent in Europe is staring at it.