5 players that could be on the move in January

Isco
Isco was heavily linked with a move away from the Bernabeu

This summer's transfer window was arguably the greatest and most hectic we've ever seen; Premier League clubs alone elapsed the £1 billion mark for the first time in history. Of the 20 clubs in England's top flight, 13 of them broke their record transfer fees paid.

Real Madrid were surprisingly quiet while Italian giants Juventus compensated for the lack of spending in Spain; forking out close to £140 million, £76 million of which was spent on forward Gonzalo Higuain.

A big story broke every day and, although it seemed that all of them ran into a transfer, there were still a handful of players who saw deals fall through or who didn't seal their dream move. Luckily for them, the mid-season window is just under five months away. Here's a look at who could be angling for a move in the January transfer window...

#1 Isco

Aside from buying back Alvaro Morata from Juventus, Real Madrid have been uncharacteristically quiet in this summer's window and, yet, they are still looking to offload a select number of talents.

After returning from his loan at Espanyol, 20-year-old Marco Asensio has started forcing his way into Los Blancos' first eleven, creating further competition for an increasingly unpopular Isco. The former Malaga man now has to battle with Asensio, James, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic in the club's overloaded midfield.

Despite playing on 31 occasions for Real Madrid last campaign, Isco was on the verge of a move to Tottenham Hotspur this summer. The deal didn't materialise and the North London club instead opted for Newcastle's Moussa Sissoko. Now the Spaniard is struggling to convince Zinedine Zidane that he's worthy of a place in Real's ranks and it seems only a move away would rejuvenate the 24-year-old's career.

#2 Axel Witsel

Axel Witsel
Axel Witsel saw a deadline day move to Juventus collapse at the last minute

Now across to St. Petersburg in Russia, where Belgian midfielder Axel Witsel requested to leave his club Zenit earlier this summer, only for all potential moves away to fall through. The 27-year-old's contract expires at the end of this season, meaning he could leave on a free come January.

After Zenit and their boss Mircea Lucescu failed to persuade Witsel to put pen to paper on a contract extension, a mammoth price tag was slapped on the Belgian and multiple clubs expressed an interest.

From Everton and Napoli to the almighty Juventus, it looked a certainty that Axel would be plying his trade elsewhere by September. The Old Lady looked the most likely destination, perhaps he could supersede the extortionately priced Pogba, but now the former-Benfica midfielder will have to wait until 2017 for a transfer away to solidify.

#3 Saido Berahino

Saido Berahino
Saido Berahino has been actively seeking a way out of West Brom since last summer

It may be the fact the 23-year-old's contract expires this summer, or that West Brom chairman Peter Coates announced in an interview with 'The Express' that Stoke will have another opportunity to sign the English forward but Saido Berahino is almost definitely on the move next transfer window.

When Salomon Rondon made the switch to the Hawthorns last year, it was clear that Berahino would move down the Baggies' pecking order. For a side renowned for defensive grit and grinding out results, frontmen seldom play a priority and if they can receive an offer close to their £20 million valuation, we can expect they'll accept it.

New additions Nacer Chadli and Matt Phillips may not be out-and-out strikers but they certainly give more reason for West Brom to cut down on the attacking players in their squad. Berahino himself will be keen to cement a place in Sam Allardyce's plans and it may be easier to do just that at a club away from Black Country.

#4 Ander Herrera

Ander Herrera
Ander Herrera may have to seek greener pastures to feature more regularly

The multi-million-pound arrivals of Paul Pogba (£89 million) and Henrikh Mkhitaryan (£26 million) were met with a roar of ecstasy from everyone in the Manchester United camp, everyone except their current midfield contingent at least. Of course, the arrivals could improve their own game and therefore there is a reason to celebrate, but Ander Herrera is among a select group of supposed 'dead wood' who will be fearful of now being axed by merciless Mourinho.

Herrera's biggest let down is the fact he formed the midfield pivot alongside Marouane Fellaini for the last few seasons, which failed to get into second gear under Louis Van Gaal. Juventus and Real Madrid are among some surprise suitors but the potential for any kind of deal materialising is dependent on the number of appearances the Spaniard gets between now and January.

#5 Renato Sanches (Loan)

Renato Sanches
It is going to be tough for Renato Sanches to seek out playing time at Bayern Munich

Having impressed during his nation's victory at Euro 2016, 18-year-old midfield magician Renato Sanches claimed that, despite forking out £28 million for his signature, Bayern Munich should be 'looking forward' to him. That confidence is exactly why the Portuguese international believes he is destined to start regularly this season but the extensive depth of the Bavarians' squad would say otherwise.

Thiago, Xabi Alonso, Javi Martinez, Douglas Costa, Arturo Vidal and Joshua Kimmich are among the players Sanches will have to compete with for a regular place in the heart of the Bayern midfield and do a short term move away in January would come as no surprise. Where exactly the Euro 2016 winner would go on loan is unknown but, given his eager attitude and excelling confidence, he's certainly not one to accept too much time on the bench so he could himself force through a move if game time doesn't come.

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Edited by Staff Editor
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