The January market is already simmering into a boil as Manchester United join Manchester City and Chelsea in an escalating hunt for Nottingham Forest midfield dynamo Elliot Anderson.
The 22-year-old England international has emerged as one of the most coveted young playmakers in England, and Forest are digging in — valuing their prize at roughly £75 million — while the big three weigh up a high-stakes summer swoop.
Big names on the move (or on the radar)
Elliot Anderson: A rising star attracting interest from all of Manchester and west London, Anderson stands out amid United’s broader midfield scouting that has also looked at Carlos Baleba and Adam Wharton. Forest’s price tag and desire to keep him mean any transfer will take heavy chequebooks and serious persuasion.
Robert Lewandowski: The veteran striker could become a free agent this summer if Barcelona let his contract run out, opening the possibility of a blockbuster—but sensible—short-term move to Manchester United or even a move to MLS, where Inter Miami looms as an attractive destination late in his career.
Serhou Guirassy: Dortmund’s striker features a sliding release clause that could make him increasingly affordable to Europe’s elite over time, with the fee initially fixed at €50m for a select list of suitors; Barcelona and several Premier League heavyweights are watching closely.
Neymar: Dreaming of a Brazil recall for 2026, Neymar finds European interest thin and faces a crossroads: a short-term extension at Santos or a glamour switch to MLS and possible reunion with former Barcelona colleagues.
Iliman Ndiaye: Everton’s electric winger has multiple suitors across Europe, with Juventus, AC Milan, Atlético and top Premier League clubs all reportedly circling a player Everton won’t let go cheaply.
Notable under-the-radar developments
Harry Maguire: Informal contract talks are underway at Manchester United as the center-back seeks clarity on his future by January while the club pushes for a shorter deal with reduced wages.
Jurrien Timber: Arsenal look close to tying down their promising defender until 2030 after a run of strong performances.
Aston Villa: Progress on a new John McGinn contract; early-stage talks with Morgan Rogers continue.
Contract sagas: Schlotterbeck’s future at Dortmund remains tense if he refuses an extension; Lazio are open to selling fringe players in January.
Youth and free agents: Hoffenheim tracking teen left-back Panagiotis Tsivikos; free-agent winger Cristian Tello reportedly headed to the UAE; Atalanta and Genoa move to lock down young prospects until 2030.
What it means for the summer window
This collection of headlines signals two clear trends: elite clubs are balancing youth investment and immediate firepower, and veteran stars are weighing late-career moves to MLS against short-term European stays.
Big-money midfield and forward targets like Anderson, Guirassy and Lewandowski will shape how clubs plan squad building and wage structure for seasons to come.
Watchlist and likely outcomes
Priority pick: Elliot Anderson’s next step will define Nottingham Forest’s summer business and could trigger a scramble for midfield upgrades across the Premier League.
Veteran swing: Lewandowski to United feels plausible if Barcelona opt against an extension; his arrival would be a short-term, high-impact gamble.
Value move: Guirassy’s sliding clause presents a strategic waiting game for suitors wanting to save on a top-level striker acquisition.
Bottom line
The transfer window is turning into a chess match of timing, money and ambition.
Clubs are circling talent at both ends of the career spectrum — hungry youngsters who promise long-term returns and proven veterans who offer immediate headlines — and the next few months promise frantic negotiations, dramatic bids and the kind of late-Market twists that redefine title races and club trajectories.
