Kalvin Phillips to Tottenham
Once Pep Guardiola has decided that a player falls short of his elevated standards it would take a considerable amount of minutes, and a considerable number of excellent performances to change his mind.
The chances of Phillips getting those minutes in a Manchester City shirt lies somewhere between none and none.
The club did what they could in the summer to move him on, the midfielder reportedly resisting all advances, including serious interest from West Ham. After another six months on the bench however, and with the Euros approaching, will he now be more amenable?
As for Spurs, their priority is a centre-back but with Rodrigo Bentancur suffering another long-term lay-off, a loan with an option to buy deal for an established England international makes sense.
Marc Guehi to Manchester United
Any big-money move by United or Chelsea for Crystal Palace’s consistently solid stopper will very likely take place next summer, and even then after the Euros when the Eagles could presumably add ten million to the fee should he perform well in the tournament.
For the Reds though, such is their circumstances, needs must right now and with Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez struggling for fitness a recent reliance on 35-year-old Jonny Evans – brought back to Old Trafford to help out with the kids - highlights their lack of options at the back.
Would they be willing to fast-track their interest in the highly-rated centre-back, especially if off-loading Anthony Martial in January frees up funds? What’s the betting that conversation has already been had.
Armando Broja to Fulham
Losing Aleksandar Mitrovic a fortnight into their season was a body-blow for the Cottagers and even if the football betting suggests they will be fine this term regarding staying up, it remains imperative they sign a front-man who knows his way to goal.
Broja fits the bill, in many ways a Mitro-lite, being a physical forward who is as adept at holding the ball up as finding the bottom corner.
A hop and a skip across West London on loan is a logical step for everyone concerned, the player highly rated at Stamford Bridge but unable to dislodge Nicolas Jackson currently.
With Christopher Nkunku returning to fitness, Broja’s path to a Chelsea starting role becomes even more cluttered.
Donny van de Beek to Roma
To refer to the Dutch midfielder as ‘out of favour’ or a ‘peripheral figure’, as has been seen elsewhere, underplays the extent in which he is out in the cold at Old Trafford.
After excelling at Ajax, Van de Beek’s three years in the North-West has been nothing short of disastrous and that’s not going to change anytime soon. He needs to move on for the good of his career and reputation.
Which the player freely admits, revealing this week that a switch to Real Sociedad very nearly transpired last summer, falling through late in the day.
Also showing interest back then was Roma, and with I Giallorossi in the chase for a Champions League spot Jose Mourinho will be keen on cheap, quality re-enforcements to help his cause.
A second attempt to sign the forgotten man of the Premier League could be on the cards.
Aaron Ramsdale to Wolves
No matter how often Mikel Arteta insists he has two keepers on rotation, it is obvious to everyone concerned that Ramsdale has been demoted this term, playing second fiddle to David Raya.
The situation has certainly not by-passed the keeper’s father who was openly critical of the Arsenal boss recently.
Still, Ramsdale is reportedly happy to fight, and Arsenal have no intention of selling. Wolves meanwhile have Jose Sa in nets, one of the most under-rated stoppers in the top-flight.
So, what’s the deal?
Let’s assume that one of the clutch of Saudi Arabian clubs who are chasing Sa follow through with a £40m successful bid post-Christmas. Then let’s assume Wolves choose to parlay that money onto Ramsdale.
Would the Gunners turn down the chance of recouping their fee for a player who now resides on their bench? Would Ramsdale turn down regular Premier League football with the Euros on the doorstep?
*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to Alamy*
