Five Major Transfer Stories of the Day – 17 January

The 2017 winter transfer window turns 18 today. It has already been a busy, and in many ways, a unique transfer window. The Chinese Super League has kept on acquiring major signings, while there have been talks of breaking the record transfer fee again. Obviously, some of the transfers work and some don?t. It isn?t easy to settle into a new team, and in some cases, in a new country mid-way through the season. ?Liverpool have set a prime example of this. They signed Luis Suarez in January 2011, arguably the best winter signing to date. On the other hand, they signed Andy Carroll in the 2013 winters. After the Costa saga, Chelsea has been the team connected to most of the transfer rumours. Here we look at the five major transfer stories of the day.

5) Aleksander Isak

Real Madrid are closing in on the Swedish teenage striker Aleksander Isak. The Swedish media has labelled the 17-year-old AIK Solna forward the ?New Zlatan?. Madrid has tracked Isak from the start of the season. Los Blancos are expected to sign him as soon as this week for a record ?8.6m. Isak has scored 10 goals in 24 appearances for AIK this season, making him an exciting prospect in the future.

4) Memphis Depay

Manchester United flop Depay has never settled into the Manchester United squad since his arrival 18 months ago. The 22-year-old Dutch winger has never impressed at Old Trafford and is expected to move away from the Red Devils. French outfit Lyon are leading the race for Depay. Lyon are preparing a bid of around ?14.75, which reportedly, United is willing to accept. It is ?highly likely that Depay will leave Manchester United in this window.

3) Alvaro Morata

Chelsea are looking forward to sign a striker after Diego Costa has reportedly fallen out with Antonio Conte. The new Blues boss is keen on signing Morata, who has very similar characteristics to that of Costa. Morata hasn?t had the happiest of returns to Real Madrid. He has started just 10 games in all competitions for Merengues. But this deal is unlikely to happen since Bale is injured and Madrid are incapable of replacing him straight away due to a transfer ban.

2) Nikola Kalinic

Nikola Kalinic is close to becoming another high profile player to move to CSL. The money in the CSL has already attracted many big names, including Oscar and Tevez. Fiorentina are very keen on holding onto their star striker, who scored in a 2-1 victory at league leaders Juventus last week. The 29-year-old Croat has been in good form this season, scoring 14 goals in 21 starts for Fiorentina. Tianjin Quanjian have reportedly made a ?39m bid for the forward, offering ?10.4m annually.

1) Antoine Greizmann

Manchester United broke the world record fee when they paid ?89m for Paul Pogba six months ago. And the Red Devils are again ready to break the record for fellow Frenchman Antoine Greizmann. The Atletico Madrid superstar has been heavily linked with a move away from the Spanish capital. Deigo Simeone has claimed that he ?won?t tie anyone down? at Atletico. This will come as a significant boost for Jose Mourinho. Greizmann himself stated earlier this season that he has asked his national teammate Pogba about life at United.