Osimhen to Man United, Ziyech to Newcastle, Kessie to Chelsea: Which Africans could still move in January?
We’ve entered the final days of the January transfer window, with teams across Europe looking to add the finishing touches to their squad, solve problem areas, or give themselves an on-field boost, before the decisive run-in.
African talents such as Dango Ouattara, Lyle Foster and Youssouf Ndayishimiye have secured exciting moves, while Noni Madueke, who remains eligible for Nigeria, moved to Chelsea in a €35 million transfer from PSV Eindhoven — the biggest move of January so far.
Which other African players may still move during the final days of the window?
More African talent at AFC Bournemouth?
The Cherries secured one of the biggest transfers of the window by parting with €22.5 million to sign Burkina Faso international Ouattara from sister club Lorient.
The 20-year-old was one of the revelations of the first half of the French Ligue 1 season, having a hand in 11 goals in 18 matches as Les Merlus from Brittany staged an unlikely continental push.
Lorient’s loss should prove to be Bournemouth’s game, with Ouattara registering an assist less than half an hour into his debut against Nottingham Forest last weekend.
Expect more from Bournemouth during the final days of the window, with Senegal wideman Nicolas Jackson set to be the next arrival.
Billed as a potential replacement for Sadio Mane at the World Cup, the Villarreal winger ultimately played only 17 minutes in Qatar but he has demonstrated with the Yellow Submarine this season that he’s a talent on the rise; he has had a hand in four Spanish LaLiga goals during the first half of the campaign.
Southampton had been expected to sign Jackson but they had a bid rejected and Bournemouth look to have moved ahead of their South Coast rivals in the race to recruit the wideman.
Both clubs are working towards a deal, amid reported interest from elsewhere in the Premier League, but the Cherries are expected to secure the 21-year-old’s signature providing he passes a medical after reported concerns about hip and hamstring injuries.
Southampton, meanwhile, are reportedly looking also at Ghana and Stade Rennais wideman Kamaldeen Sulemana, who certainly fits the profile of players the Saints have recruited in recent windows. Marseille and Senegal striker Bamba Dieng, whose projected move to Leeds collapsed on Deadline Day in September, has also been tipped for St Mary’s.
Will any World Cup star move?
There was intense speculation after the World Cup last year that some of Africa’s stars of the tournament would secure a big move in 2023, but, more than a month after the tournament ended, we have seen little movement.
Azzedine Ounahi shot to prominence with his performances in Morocco’s midfield — particularly as Spain were eliminated — and he has been the subject of intense paper talk in recent weeks.
Angers were understood to be demanding around £26 million for the 22-year-old, with the likes of Napoli and Leicester City having been named as potential suitors. Leeds United director of football Victor Orta also namechecked Ounane in December, but RNC Sport reported this weekend that the midfielder was staying in France after a €10m to join Marseille, who are third in Ligue 1, on a four-and-a-half year deal.
Ounahi’s midfield partner for Morocco, Sofyan Amrabat, was another who appeared poised for a transfer after starring in Qatar, but he remains at Fiorentina as the end of the trading approaches.
Liverpool have been linked with the 26-year-old as they look to bolster a clear area of weakness, but Fiore’s unwillingness to dismantle their team mid-season means a summer move appears more likely.
Ghana’s Mohammed Kudus was also tipped for a change of scene, after he scored twice in Qatar.
Everton were interested in his services in the summer, although he ultimately remained at Ajax Amsterdam and proceeded to flourish as a false nine.
His previous working relationship with Erik ten Hag fuelled rumours of a move to Manchester United, although reports in the British media indicated the Red Devils were baulking at the £40 million asking price.
The dismissal of Ajax head coach Alfred Schreuder may change the outlook for Kudus, but don’t expect a deal in the coming days.
Red Devils want Osimhen?
Nigeria forward Victor Osimhen is another African superstar linked with United, having taken his game to new heights at Napoli this season.
He’s leading the Serie A scoring charts with 13 goals in 15 league games, spearheading the Partenopei’s title charge.
SoccerNews believe that United are plotting at £105 million swoop for the striker, but it’s highly unlikely that any approach will be explored in January.
Do expect “Osimhen to United” to be one of the big transfer sagas of the summer.
What about Ziyech?
Hakim Ziyech was another Moroccan who impressed at the World Cup, excelling in Qatar after struggling to make his mark at Chelsea under either Thomas Tuchel or Graham Potter, but he hasn’t truly managed to turn his fortunes around at Stamford Bridge.
Ziyech has registered just one assist in six appearances since returning from the Middle East — in the victory against Crystal Palace — and Chelsea would appear willing to cash in on the ex-Ajax man.
AC Milan were linked to his services last year, while The Telegraph reported recently that Newcastle United were believed to be eyeing the 29-year-old, whose work rate, creativity and technical prowess could make him an ideal fit for Eddie Howe’s system.
Everton were also linked with the forward, who was signed for Chelsea by Frank Lampard, but their ongoing interest remains to be seen following the head coach’s departure from the club this week.
The Toffees have also been linked with Senegal international Iliman Ndiaye, who’s scored 17 goals for Sheffield United in the Championship. Again, the uncertainty at the top of the club means that transfer plans appear in flux as deadline day looms.
Spanish source Sport reported that Chelsea would be willing to offload Ziyech to Barcelona as part of a deal to take Franck Kessie to Stamford Bridge, although there are questions about whether the Ivory Coast midfielder would be willing to depart Camp Nou after only six months.
Kessie could also be a viable short-term fix for Liverpool as they look to bolster their midfield.
More African talent at Palace?
Crystal Palace have given Premier League gametime to nine African internationals or players eligible for African clubs this season, and they are understood to be looking at VfB Stuttgart midfielder Naouirou Ahamada to make it No. 10.
The Eagles were linked with Arnaut Danjuma earlier in the window, but the Villarreal wideman moved to Tottenham Hotspur so Ahamada may well have been promoted to their top transfer priority.
At just 20, the France youth international — who’s eligible for both Comoros and Madagascar — is surely one for the future, but his work linking defence and attack in Bundesliga midfield battles this term suggests maturity beyond his years.
Linking with a former elite box-to-box midfielder in Patrick Vieira could be a perfect career move for the youngster.
Wilfried Zaha, out of contract this summer, appears primed for a Selhurst Park departure, but expect him to see out the season. Spurs and Barcelona have been named as potential destinations for the attacker, who’s currently sidelined with a thigh injury.
Business for Brighton?
Brighton & Hove Albion‘s recruitment in recent seasons has been among the best in the Premier League, and the sale of Leandro Trossard to Arsenal crystallised a profit on the Belgium international.
Mali international Amadou Haidara could be next through the door at Brighton; he would represent a replacement for, and an upgrade on, Enock Mwepu, who retired prematurely due to a heart condition, but this move might have to wait until the summer due to RB Leipzig‘s unwillingness to sell midseason.
Seagualls fans will be anxious to see what happens to Ghana wideman Tariq Lamptey, who has struggled to establish himself under Roberto de Zerbi. Lyon and Sporting CP are among the clubs linked with the former Chelsea wingback.
Semenyo signed
Bournemouth have signed Ghana forward Antoine Semenyo from Bristol City despite competition from Crystal Palace, Brentford and Southampton.
Like Jackson, he also headed into the World Cup with great expectations after a strong start to the season, but he played for just 19 minutes as Ghana fell in the first round.
He’s scored six goals in 23 Championship outings for Bristol City, and would become the seventh Black Stars player to feature in the Premier League in 22-23.
Any other business?
Jeremie Boga, who emerged from Chelsea’s academy, is linked with a move back to the Premier League in every transfer window.
He’s been thoroughly outshone by new teammate Ademola Lookman at Atalanta this term, and the Daily Mail has reported that both Bournemouth and Leicester have considered an offer.
Naby Keita‘s time at Liverpool appears to be heading towards a low-key conclusion, with the £53 million man never truly realising his promise after moving from RB Leipzig amid injuries and inconsistency.
The Reds may yet offer him a new deal, while a January exit for a cut-price fee is also feasible. More likely, the Guinea international remains at Anfield for the final months of his deal and departs on a free this summer.
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