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The 2021 summer transfer window was one of the most exciting ones in recent memory. That's because several world-class talents joined new clubs ahead of the new season. Lionel Messi completed the first transfer move of his career to join PSG, while Cristiano Ronaldo returned 'home' to Manchester United.
The next transfer window is just a couple of months away. The winter transfer window in January promises to be another exciting event, with various teams on the hunt for new recruitments.
On that note, here's a look at five attackers who could be on the move in January:
#5 Anthony Martial
Anthony Martial enjoyed the perfect start to his Manchester United career, scoring an incredible solo goal against arch-rivals Liverpool on his debut.
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However, he has failed to carry on in that same vein of form since then. The Frenchman has been unable to nail down a regular starting spot under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, despite numerous opportunities. Martial has currently fallen down the pecking order behind Ronaldo, Edinson Cavani, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Jesse Lingard.
Martial has only registered seven appearances for United this season, four of them from the bench. The Frenchman is yet to find his best position, as he has played virtually everywhere across the frontline for The Red Devils. This season alone, Martial has featured as a centre-forward as well as a left winger.
The lack of clarity of role may have been a determining factor in Martial's downfall, so he could be better off looking for more first-team minutes elsewhere. According to reports, the likes of Juventus and Borussia Dortmund are interested in the Frenchman in the upcoming transfer window.
#4 Raheem Sterling
Raheem Sterling was one of the first names on Pep Guardiola's team sheet for large swathes last season. But he now features mainly in a substitute role following the arrival of Jack Grealish in the summer.
The Englishman remains one of the most talented wingers in the continent, though. He has played a key role in City winning 11 titles during his six-year spell at the Etihad. Sterling has played an indispensable role in Manchester City's three Premier League titles in the last four years. He has also won four successive League Cup trophies at the club.
This summer, speculation was rife that City would sell Sterling to gather generate funds for Cristiano Ronaldo's signing. However, the Portuguese made a move cross-town to Old Trafford instead, and Sterling remained at the Etihad.
However, Sterling has only made nine appearances for the Cityzens in the Premier League this season, including six from the bench. Out of his four Champions League appearances this campaign, only one of them has been as a starter.
Sterling has enjoyed more consistent game-time in the Carabao Cup, where he played the full 90 minutes in City's third and fourth-round games. It seems like Sterling has fallen out of favour under Guardiola, and could be on the move for pastures anew.
#3 Karim Adeyemi
According to several reports, Liverpool have expressed strong interest in the RB Salzburg wunderkind Karim Adeyemi.
At just 19, Adeyemi is one of the most exciting attacking prospects in the continent. He is said to be the next big thing to come out of Salzburg after Erling Haaland. The former Bayern Munich youth product has racked up 72 appearances for the Austrian champions in his short career.
The 19-year-old has registered a direct involvement in 42 goals (25 goals, 17 assists) in just two years since returning from a loan spell at FC Liefering. Adeyemi has been on the radar of some of Europe's biggest clubs, including Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Liverpool.
That could trigger a bidding war for the youngster in the upcoming winter transfer window. However, RB Salzburg will take some convincing to let their star man leave midway into the season.
In a recent interview, Salzburg's sporting director said:
"Karim will finish the season with us; that is clearly the plan. I don't know what could happen if Karim doesn't finish the season with us."
#2 Andrea Belotti
Torino FC's Andrea Belotti is currently one of the most feared and lethal strikers in the Serie A.
The Italian has been on the wish list of some of Europe's biggest clubs. That includes Barcelona, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United and Chelsea, to name a few. However, he hasn't moved anywhere thus far.
That could all change in the upcoming winter transfer window, though, as the likes of Barcelona and Tottenham are in desperate need of forwards.
During his six-year stint in Torino, Belotti has racked up 236 appearances for the club. He has bagged 107 goals and 27 assists in this period, averaging a goal involvement every 0.56 appearances.
The Italian played a key role in helping Torino survive the drop last season. Belotti was directly involved in 20 goals in the Serie A last season, which comprised 40% of Torino's Serie A goal tally for the season.
#1 Dusan Vlahovic
Dusan Vlahovic was heavily linked with Juventus this summer, but that move could finally materialise in January.
However, Juventus could face tough competition for the Serbian forward's signature. Antonio Conte is said to be an admirer of Vlahovic, and is keen on signing the striker in his first transfer window at Tottenham Hotspur. Tottenham's cross-town rivals, Arsenal, have also been linked with a move for Vlahovic.
According to several reports, the Serbian forward will likely cost around £70 million in the upcoming winter transfer window. Fiorentina has set a steep asking price for their star forward, and it is not difficult to understand why that's the case.
Vlahovic would undoubtedly be a stellar signing for any team across Europe. He is renowned for his dynamism and flair in the attacking third, and also possesses a keen eye for goal. The Serb has already registered 97 appearances for Fiorentina in less than three full seasons at the club.
The 21-year old has scored 39 goals and assisted five for La Viola since his move to the Italian club in the summer of 2018.
