January Transfer Window: 5 potential last minute deals

With just over a week remaining of the January transfer window 2011, teams around Europe are busy scrambling around looking for the last big purchase or bargain buy of the season, desperately grabbing onto whatever they can and shoving their fellow shoppers out of the aisle like contestants on Supermarket Sweep. Before the window closes shut here are some of the main transfer targets, sitting in Aisle 12, fourth shelf up next to the bread counter, waiting to be snapped up:

1) Luis Suarez

Current club: Ajax

Wanted by: Liverpool

Liverpool sent representatives over to Amsterdam to negotiate with Ajax a possible deal that would take Luis Suarez to Anfield, after new Reds boss Kenny Dalglish asked for a marquee signing that will ‘whet the appetite’ of all at the club. Damien Comolli, Liverpool’s director of football strategy, met with Ajax general director Rik van den Boog to discuss terms, but it is understood that Ajax want at least £25 million for the Uruguayan international, who is captain of the club. It remains to be seen whether Liverpool’s owners will release the funds necessary to complete the deal, but Fernando Torres and Luis Suarez upfront remains a mouthwatering partnership in prospect.

Chances of a move: 5/10

2) Charlie Adam

Current club: Blackpool

Wanted by: Aston Villa, Liverpool

Another player coveted by Liverpool, Charlie Adam has had a fantastic debut season in the Premier League with Blackpool. Adam has been instrumental to Blackpool’s remarkable campaign with 4 goals, 4 assists and 42 chances created. He also ranks within the league’s top ten for total passes with 1185 passes made thus far. Liverpool’s offer of £4 million was described as ‘unacceptable’ by Tangerines boss Ian Holloway, but Adam has handed in a transfer request, consequently rejected by Blackpool. This one looks set to run – a bid of around £8 million could be enough to force a deal through. Aston Villa are also interested.

Chances of a move: 6/10

3) Ruud Van Nistelrooy

Current club: Hamburger SV

Wanted by: Real Madrid

The same proposed transfer as exactly one year ago, but in reverse. Real Madrid are desperately seeking a striker to compensate for the prolonged absence of Gonzalo Higuain through injury. Hugo Almeida was a target but he left Werder Bremen for Besiktas and several other candidates have been linked with a move to the Bernabeu. The search for a striker has caused some conflict at boardroom level at the club, with Jose Mourinho reportedly angry his demand has not yet been met.

Ruud Van Nistelrooy is seen as a short-term answer, and is very keen on returning to Madrid, but Hamburg are digging their heels. Real’s offer of €2 million Euros and a pre-season friendly guarantee was rejected. “I want to finish my career at the Bernabeu, money means nothing to me,” Van Nistelrooy has stated, offering to play for free to make the transfer happen.

Chances of a move: 4/10

4) Roman Pavlyuchenko

Current club: Tottenham Hotspur

Wanted by: Real Madrid

With the Van Nistelrooy deal looking increasingly unlikely, reports in Spain indicate that Real will turn their attentions to Spurs striker Roman Pavlyuchenko. The Russian is out of favour at White Hart Lane and Spurs boss Harry Redknapp is keen to offload the player, report AS.com. Real Madrid were keen on signing Pavlyuchenko when he was still at Spartak Moscow according to AS, and may go for the 29-year-old now as a stop-gap measure to ease their striker crisis.

Chances of a move: 4/10

5) David Luiz

Current club: Benfica

Wanted by: Chelsea

Despite Chelsea’s recent misdemeanours in the transfer market it looks as though this is one deal that will definitely go ahead. Chelsea are close signing Benfica’s David Luiz for a fee in the region of £21.5 million according to The Guardian, and a work permit hearing for the Brazilian international has been scheduled for Wednesday. All a matter of dotting the ‘i’s and crossing the ‘t’s.

Chances of a move: 9/10

If you know of any other impending transfers around Europe, let us know by leaving a comment!

Blackpool, Charlie Adam, Chelsea, David Luiz, English Premier League, Liverpool, Luis Suarez, Real Madrid, Roman Pavlyuchenko, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Transfer News