Ronaldo, Joao Felix and others who could be on the move in January

Those partying this time of year will hardly have had time to throw away the wrapping paper and put away their weird sweaters in the wardrobe.

Whether they got what they wanted or not, football fans are developing a different kind of desire as January approaches, with the transfer season opening for another month.

Some big names are already linked with potential transfers, the most obvious being free agent Cristiano Ronaldo after his release from Manchester United.

Agreements are already in place for January 1, and Cody Gakpo has confirmed he is on his way to Liverpool from PSV.

Before the chaos of the January transfer window began, Stats Perform took a look at some players who could be in the middle of a tussle and finish the first month of 2023 at a new club.

Cristiano Ronaldo

It seemed like a strange thing for Ronaldo to do, but whether it was his intention or not, the Portuguese star effectively ended his relationship with Manchester United when he decided to launch public attacks on club figures , including manager Erik ten Hag, via an interview with Piers Morgan ahead of the World Cup.

This led to the strange situation of his great rival Lionel Messi lifting the World Cup at the same time Ronaldo didn't even have a club.

Theoretically, there should be plenty of people to offer him a deal, even though he turns 38 in just over a month. Ronaldo scored 24 goals in 38 games for United last season and left the club with just four former United players having a better overall Premier League goals-per-game ratio than his 0.44 (Ruud van Nistelrooy - 0.63 , Andy Cole - 0.48, Wayne Rooney - 0.47 and Eric Cantona - 0.45).

However, with his wage demands and the reputational damage caused by the nature of his acrimonious exit from Old Trafford, it doesn't look like Europe's biggest clubs are eager to budge, despite the likes of Bayern Munich , Chelsea and arguably former club Real Madrid seem to be looking for a striker.

So it seems likely that Saudi side Al Nassr could face him unopposed with his mega-money bid, although Ronaldo needn't rush a decision as his free agency status means that he can make a transfer at any time. .

Joao Felix

Another Portuguese striker who is expected to play elsewhere by February, Joao Felix is ​​at the other end of his career, needing to find a place to fulfill his first promise.

Joao Felix moved to Atletico Madrid from Benfica for a fee of 127 million euros in 2019 at the age of 19 after contributing 22 goals in 26 Primeira Liga appearances (15 goals, seven assists decisive) but despite brief flashes, he never really came close to living up to those huge fees in Spain.

The 23-year-old has managed 33 goals and 16 assists in 129 appearances for Atletico, but has reportedly fallen out with head coach Diego Simeone, and is now being offered at a host of clubs in England.< /p>

Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Newcastle United and Aston Villa are believed to be among those agent Jorge Mendes has approached, and all no doubt have room in their squad for another striker ahead of the second half of the season. season.

Wherever he finds himself, Joao Felix hopes he can finally realize the promise many saw in him as a teenager and find a long-term home to thrive in.

Enzo Fernandez

In theory, most of Europe's elite clubs should be kicking each other right now.

Fernandez only joined Benfica from River Plate at the start of this season for a fee of €12m, where he shone in performances both domestically and in the Champions League.< /p>

It earned the midfielder a place in Lionel Scaloni's Argentina squad for the World Cup, and despite starting the tournament on the bench, he established himself to become a key part of the team who lifted the trophy in Qatar, earning himself the Best Young Player award in the process.

Unsurprisingly, the Sharks are now in circles, and Fernandez - who led all players in touches (118), passes completed (77) and tackles (10) in the World Cup final - could make a quick exit from Lisbon.< /p>

Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man Utd and Newcastle have been credited with interest, although Benfica agree to do mid-season deals as they top the Primeira Liga and with a Champions League last 16 game against Club Brugge to come, you'd think they'd want a huge fee approaching or beyond nine figures just to pick up the phone.

Mykhaylo Mudryk

Like Fernandez, Mudryk is a player who has seen his profile rise rapidly in a short time.

Before the start of this season, the 21-year-old winger was courted by Brentford and Everton, but his performances - notably in the Champions League - caught the attention of...