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The 2020-21 edition of the Premier League has been a surreal one in many ways.
In a year ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Premier League, like many other competitive football leagues around the world, had a belated conclusion last season. That meant that the new Premier League season came about after a very short turnaround, and the results have been there for all to see.
The two most dominant teams in recent times in the Premier League - Manchester City and Liverpool - have looked out of sorts and have already suffered uncharacteristically heavy defeats this season. Even the other 'big' teams in the Premier League - Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal - have had indifferent starts to the Premier League season.
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Manchester United have gone winless in their first four home league games in a season for the first time in almost five decades. An expensively-assembled Chelsea have only just begun to hit their stride, while Mikel Arteta's Arsenal have already stumbled to four defeats in the Premier League this season.
5 players who could move to the Premier League in January
As if the congested domestic schedule was not enough, Premier League clubs in European competitions have also had to deal with three Champions League/Europa League matchdays in as many weeks.
Add two international breaks to the mix, and most teams in the Premier League have been stretched to breaking point, as they have been massively hindered by a slew of injuries to key players.
In that regard, the January transfer window cannot come soon enough for Premier League clubs, and most of them need urgent replenishments in their squads to sustain their campaigns.
On that note, let us have a look at five players who could arrive in the Premier League in the upcoming January transfer window.
#5 Isco
Since arriving at Real Madrid in the summer of 2013, former Malaga midfielder Isco has won 16 trophies with the Merengues - a title haul that includes two La Liga and four Champions League titles among a bevy of domestic and continental honours.
However, since the return of Zinedine Zidane for his second stint as the Real Madrid manager, the 28-year-old Isco has fallen down the pecking order at the Santiago Bernabeu. The player's attacking output has also greatly diminished during this period. Since the start of the 2019-20 season, Isco has only scored twice and provided as many assists in over 30 games in all competitions.
Real Madrid are apparently ready to 'listen' to offers for Isco, who has had interest from two Premier League clubs - Arsenal and Everton - among other top club teams from around the continent.
Everton have emerged as a very enticing destination for the playmaker, as Isco could be reunited with his former Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti and teammate James Rodriguez at the Premier League club.
Considering his quality and pedigree, Isco would almost be an automatic starter at the club, who were the early pacesetters in the Premier League this season before slightly falling off the pace in recent weeks.
#4 Dominik Szoboszlai
Salzburg midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai has attracted interest from a number of teams in Europe like Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Everton.
The 20-year-old Hungarian has already scored 22 times and provided 33 assists since arriving at the Austrian club as a free agent in 2018. He has also been in sterling form for his country - Szoboszlai's late winner against Iceland sealed Hungary's berth in the 2020 European Championships.
Szoboszlai has hit the ground running in the 2020-21 season - he has scored a goal and provided six assists. With the player rumoured to be edging closer to an exit from the Austrian league, Arsenal have emerged as a very likely destination for the talented midfielder.
Salzburg have a good recent track record of honing talents like Sadio Mane and Takumi Minamino, who have gone on to flourish in the Premier League. Szoboszlai could be headed in that direction too, as he seeks to continue his growth at a bigger club.
The player, who has already drawn comparisons with Hungarian legend Ferenc Puskas, could land up at Arsenal in January, as the Premier League club could have a significant cash injection and may trigger Szoboszlai's release clause.
However, Arsenal are set to face stiff competition for the signature of Szoboszlai, who apparently has no dearth of suitors.
#3 Kalidou Koulibaly
Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly has evolved into one of the finest defenders and most sought-after players since his arrival in the south of Italy in the summer of 2014.
The 28-year-old Senegalese centre-back, who has a market value of €65 million, has been a bulwark in the heart of the Napoli defence, making over 250 appearances in all competitions while also registering ten goals and five assists.
Koulibaly was strongly linked with a move to the Premier League this summer, with the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool all interested in his services. Although he has stayed back in Naples for the start of the season, it is quite plausible that he ends the season in the Premier League.
Liverpool have been jolted by long-term injuries to their first-choice central defensive duo of Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez. Koulibaly could be a like-for-like replacement for the Dutchman, and could immediately bolster the club's unusually creaky defence this season.
Despite interest from the three Premier League heavyweights, Napoli sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli does not want Koulibaly to leave for cheap, saying:
"He is a great footballer and the club has the right to ask for the price it wants. They say negotiations will change, but in my opinion this is an alibi. I don't think the coronavirus issue can change the price of Koulibaly or other top players."
#2 Dayot Upamecano
Despite his young years, Dayot Upamecano has been one of the most impressive players at RB Leipzig since his arrival at the club in the 2016-17 season.
The 22-year-old centre-back has already racked up over 120 appearances in all competitions for the club. He has been particularly impressive this season, as his exploits in the Leipzig defense has helped one of the newest top-5 league teams to the Bundesliga summit ahead of serial winners Bayern Munich.
Upamecano was strongly linked with a move to the Premier League this summer, with Manchester United interested in his services. However, in the aftermath of their latest defensive crisis, reigning Premier League winners Liverpool have also reportedly entered the fray for the Frenchman.
With Leipzig ready to 'listen' to offers in excess of £40 million for their much sought-after defender, Upamecano could be headed to the Premier League in January, as both United and Liverpool need to bolster their rearguards.
#1 Ousmane Dembele
One of several players identified as deadwood at Barcelona in the summer, Ousmane Dembele was on the cusp of joining Manchester United before the move didn't materialise.
Despite not being in the plans of Ronald Koeman, the player stayed back at the Camp Nou and sought to work his way into the manager's preferred starting XI. That did not enthuse the club hierarchy, as Barcelona hoped to utilise the funds from his sale towards landing one of their top transfer targets - Memphis Depay.
Since arriving at the Catalan club on a mega transfer following his blistering exploits at Borussia Dortmund, the Frenchman has largely failed to live up to expectations during an injury-riddled stint.
Out for almost ten months, Dembele returned to the Barcelona fold in September but hasn't managed to set the ground ablaze with his performances.
Injuries apart, the 23-year-old is a fine player who is able to conjure moments of brilliance. Unfortunately, such moments have been too few and far between at the Camp Nou.
With Manchester United still interested in the player's services and Arsenal also reportedly in the fray, Ousmane Dembele could leave Barcelona in the upcoming transfer window and arrive in the Premier League.
If that happens, Barcelona will hope to recoup a part of their initial investment on Dembele, as the player becomes a free agent in the summer and could leave the club for free.
