TWELVE players who could join Premier League teams in January

Football writer Ben McAleer identifies 12 overseas stars who could headline the Premier League’s January transfer window.

The January transfer window is open, and teams will be looking to dip into the market to strengthen their squads.

Here, we run through 12 players who could make the move - or in some cases return - to the Premier League from overseas in the New Year.

Ruben Neves | Position: Central midfield | Club: Al-Hilal

Yes, the same Ruben Neves who spent six years on the books at Wolverhampton Wanderers and moved to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal in June 2023.

A spell outside of Europe may have seen the 28-year-old drop out of the spotlight, yet Neves, who has been linked with a move to Manchester United and Newcastle United by The Times, is still considered one of the better ball-playing midfielders in the game.

Neves remains a regular feature under Roberto Martinez for Portugal, and if he’s good enough to play alongside the players such as Vitinha and Joao Neves, then he must be doing something right.

A Premier League side in need of a progressive passer would be wise to consider Neves this month.

Man Utd, who rank second for accurate long balls per game (24.2) in the Premier League this season, are reportedly considering a central midfielder, and one with experience in a three-man backline could prove transformative for Ruben Amorim’s side.

WATCH: Neves curler stuns Man Utd in 2019

Player: Mike Maignan | Position: Goalkeeper | Club: AC Milan

Chelsea reportedly wanted Mike Maignan over the summer, but the deal was ultimately blocked by head coach Massimiliano Allegri. Even so, the France No 1 is out of contract at the end of the season and AC Milan are resigned to losing their prized shot-stopper. In all likelihood, he’ll depart in January.

The Blues are again being credited with an interest in "Magique Mike" by Sky Sports, with a January move on the cards. The Frenchman boasts the sixth-best save success rate (74.5 per cent) in Italy’s top tier this season, with AC Milan understandably reluctant to lose their first-choice goalkeeper in the New Year.

Watch: Maignan's best saves v Inter

However, with time running out to convince Maignan to remain in Milan, he’s a world-class 'keeper who could well rock up in west London over the next four weeks.

Player: Kees Smit | Position: Central midfield | Club: AZ Alkmaar

Any player likened to Barcelona sensation Pedri will be immediately courted by some of Europe’s heavyweight sides. Kees Smit is no exception. The teenage midfielder was compared to the Spaniard by Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman and it’s only a matter of time before the AZ Alkmaar star receives international recognition.

The Dutch side want to retain Smit’s services beyond January but a club-record bid may be enough to convince AZ to sell the 19-year-old, who has created more chances (25) than any other teenager in the Eredivisie this season.

The Athletic say he’s high on Newcastle’s New Year’s wishlist, though the Magpies would need to act aggressively to lure Smit to St James’ Park.

Watch: Smit's run and dribble v Palace

With central midfield a priority position for Eddie Howe’s side this month, a move for Smit is not out of the question despite hefty interest in the Dutchman’s services.

Player: Rodrigo Mendoza | Position: Central midfield | Club: Elche

Another who has been likened with Pedri, Rodrigo Mendoza has established himself as a regular feature in the Elche first team. The 20-year-old may not be the first name on the Spanish side’s teamsheet – seven of his 12 league outings have come from the bench – yet his performances in Spain’s top tier have certainly attracted Premier League interest.

Arsenal have been scouting Mendoza recently according to ESPN as the Gunners consider bolstering their midfield in January. The north London side enjoyed a transfer window for the ages over the summer as the title considers sought to give Mikel Arteta the best possible chance to land silverware.

Watch: Mendoza's goal for Spain U-21s v San Marino

Mendoza, whose average of 1.7 successful dribbles per 90 minutes ranks fifth of central midfielders in La Liga this season, is able to cover a couple of midfield roles in Arteta’s favoured 4-3-3 set-up.

With a reported £17.5million release clause, Arsenal may add another promising youngster to the ranks in the New Year.

Player: Jeremy Jacquet | Position: Centre-back | Club: Rennes

The France conveyer belt continues to churn out elite talents, the latest of which is Rennes youngster Jeremy Jacquet. The 20-year-old may have struggled for game time last season, yet is one of their star performers in what’s been a solid start to their Ligue 1 campaign.

And the showings for the French side haven’t gone unnoticed. Jacquet is being watched by defending champions Liverpool, according to Sky Sports.

It’s no secret that the Reds are looking to bolster at the back having missed out on Marc Guehi on Deadline Day. The Crystal Palace star reportedly remains a target for Liverpool, but they are said to be keeping tabs on Jacquet in a bid to strengthen their defence.

Watch: Jacquet's highlight reel for Rennes

Jacquet is one who is destined for a bright future in the game, and for good reason. The youngster does, after all, boast the best tackle success rate (92 per cent) in France’s top tier this season.

Player: Konstantinos Koulierakis | Position: Centre-back | Club: Wolfsburg

Wolfsburg are enduring a tough Bundesliga campaign, and went into "Die Winterpause" in 14th spot, just three points clear of the relegation playoff spot. That said, their sub-par form hasn’t impacted interest in one of their top-performing players.

Konstantinos Koulierakis has cropped up on Premier League radars in recent months, with TBR Football reporting that Tottenham Hotspur are ready to rival Liverpool for the Greek centre-back, which shouldn’t come as a shock.

Watch: Koulierakis' highlights reel in the Conference League

The last left-footed centre-back Spurs signed from Wolfsburg – Micky van de Ven – turned out to be a pretty solid addition.

Spurs can repeat the feat in their bid to provide cover and competition for the Dutchman at the back. The 22-year-old is capable of being in the right place at the right time having made the seventh-most clearances (91) in the 2025/26 Bundesliga campaign.

Player: Leon Goretzka | Position: Central midfield | Club: Bayern Munich

Leon Goretzka is another Bundesliga star that could move to Spurs in the New Year, who are in need of a midfield revamp. They took Joao Palhinha off Bayern Munich’s hands over the summer, and may return to Bavaria in January in their bid to add a new face in the middle of the park.

Goretzka, whose contract is up in the summer, is a box-to-box star that Spurs have been lacking this season. Spanish publication Fichajes suggest that, should Bayern sanction his sale, the north London side are the frontrunners to sign the German.

The 30-year-old knows how to find a team-mate with ease, evident in that a 92.4 per cent pass success rate is the 10th-best in the Bundesliga this season.

Player: Angelo Stiller | Position: Central midfield | Club: VfB Stuttgart

Goretzka isn’t the only German midfielder who could swap the Bundesliga for the Premier League in January. Angelo Stiller is one of the most coveted central midfielders in world football, with a host of Europe’s elite sides keeping tabs on the VfB Stuttgart sensation.

The 24-year-old is crucial to the way Stuttgart play, and it’ll take a monster bid to lure him to England in the New Year. Even so, Stiller would be worth the fuss to sign this month. No central midfielder has created more chances than Stiller's 26 in the Bundesliga this season.

Liverpool need cover and competition for Ryan Gravenberch at the base of Arne Slot’s favoured 4-2-3-1 set-up, with Caught Offside previously claiming that the Reds are keeping tabs on the Stuttgart star.

Player: Konstantinos Karetsas | Position: Attacking midfield | Club: Genk

One of the most talented Greek attackers currently plies their trade for Belgian side Genk. What’s more, Konstantinos Karetsas is thriving under German manager Thorsten Fink. Admittedly, Genk are struggling to challenge the more established Club Brugge or Anderlecht, yet Karetsas is thriving regardless.

The 18-year-old has completed the fourth-most dribbles (30) in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League this season, and his showings through the middle or out wide have caught the eye of Chelsea, according to TEAMtalk.

The Blues are always looking to bring in the best young players in world football, and Karetsas fits the bill.

Watch: Karetsas' dribble and finish in the Europa League

The path from Genk to Chelsea has previously been walked by Kevin De Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois and Mike Penders. Karetsas may just follow suit in the January window.

Player: Ivan Toney | Position: Striker | Club: Al-Ahli

Ivan Toney hasn’t exactly flattered to deceive following his 2024 move to Al-Ahli. Rather, the England international is enjoying a commendable Saudi Pro League campaign having struck 12 times in 18 outings.

However, a return to England has been mooted. With FIFA World Cup 2026 looming, the 29-year-old may look to secure a return to the Premier League in a bid to force his way into Thomas Tuchel’s plans.

WATCH: The best of Ivan Toney

talkSPORT believe that Toney would be a "perfect" fit for Spurs and it’s hard to disagree.

A move to Spurs would see Toney reunite with Thomas Frank, his former head coach at Brentford, and provide a welcome attacking boost for the 2025 UEFA Europa League winners.

Player: Quinten Timber | Position: Central midfield | Club: Feyenoord

One Timber already plies his trade for a London side, and Arsenal star Jurrien Timber could well be joined in the capital by twin brother Quinten. The 24-year-old’s current deal at Feyenoord expires at the end of the season and the Dutch side run the risk of losing the midfielder for free next summer.

Brentford are one Premier League side that like Timber, according to Sky Sports, as they looking to add bodies in midfield. With Vitaly Janelt set to leave before long, and key man Jordan Henderson 36 this June, it’s a key area that needs investment.

Watch: Timber's goal in the Rotterdam derby

Timber is able to pry apart opposition defences with relative ease, with 28 chances created ranking 13th in the Eredivisie. Additionally, the Netherlands international works hard off the ball, with his combined total of 48 tackles and interceptions ranks 24th.

Player: Conor Gallagher | Position: Central midfield | Club: Atletico Madrid

Loan moves are commonplace in the January market. Teams are reluctant to spend big on a new player without first properly assessing a target. One of those who may benefit from a temporary transfer is Atletico Madrid star Conor Gallagher.

Gallagher was a key player under Diego Simeone in his debut campaign in Madrid, yet has dropped down the pecking order having started just four league matches.

In need of midfield reinforcements, Man Utd have added the 25-year-old to their seven-man shortlist, according to talkSPORT.

The England international would bring tenacity and athleticism to Man Utd's midfield. His averages of 3.1 tackles and 2.2 interceptions per 90 in the Champions League reflect Gallagher’s impressive work rate.

Watch: Gallagher's best bits from 2023/24

*All stats correct as of 20:00 GMT on Friday 26 December