5 players who should switch clubs in January 

There are a number of players in Europe in search of a move because they are unsettled at their current club and in need of more playing time or looking to better their pay among a number of other possible reasons.

The football marketplace in the modern game is a truly unique space as there are opportunities and rewards for everybody in various markets. Consistency is a key factor in the big clubs' decisions to buy players while experience plays a big role in smaller clubs acquiring players.

Here we take a look at five of the players who could switch clubs in January.

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#5 Tom Cairney

Cairney applauds Fulham supporters

Fulham sit 12th in the Championship table and are three points off the playoff places. English midfielder and Fulham's creative attacking player has been on top form over the last two years.

The midfielder began his career with Hull City in 2009 and made his PL debut in 2010 against Wolves. After five seasons at Hull, Cairney moved to Blackburn Rovers after a year on loan at the club. However, his stay at the club was brought to end as the midfielder as he opted to sign for Fulham in 2016.

A talented and experienced professional, Cairney could be on the move to secure his future as Fulham and their hopes to gain promotion are hanging by a thread unless something dramatic happens. It would be the easier move for the player to make but since the chances for promotion are slim, Fulham need to do everything in their capacity to retain the services of the player.

Possible clubs Cairney could move to include, Southampton, West Ham United and Burnley to name a few.

#4 Virgil van Dijk

Van Dijk could be on his way out in January

Southampton's wantaway central defender who has been tipped for a move away since the start of the season, Virgil van Dijk could be finally on his way out of St Mary's. The Dutch player was close to joining Liverpool in a summer move worth €30 million.

However, the move was not completed and Liverpool will be back in January eager to sign the defender who will also attract a lot of interest from other clubs in Europe looking to strengthen their backline.

Manchester City, Napoli and a whole host of other top clubs are in the mix to drag to the Dutchman to their club in the January transfer window. Liverpool and Manchester City are currently the front-runners to land the central defender. A tall, robust defender with great game reading ability and technique on the ball, Van Dijk is one of Europe's top defenders on offer in this window.

#3 Felipe Anderson

Anderson celebrates for SS Lazio in Serie A

O rato de Roma, the mouse of Rome, as he is commonly referred to since his move to Lazio, Felipe Anderson is a 24-year-old Brazilian attacking midfielder. A tricky, quick, creative ball player, Anderson could cause the best of defences problems with his swift change of direction and improved finishing.

On the radar of some top European clubs such as Chelsea, Spurs, Manchester United and Bayern Munich, Anderson could be lured away from Lazio provided they hit the fee that the Rome club is asking for.

The Brazilian was linked with a major move to Manchester United before the start of the season and could be an option for the Red Devils if they fail to deliver on number one target Antonie Griezmann. The 24-year-old Lazio midfielder is hot property this January and could fetch a massive transfer fee in his bid to find new employers.

#2 Yaya Toure

City could let go of Yaya Toure

Manchester City and Ivory Coast midfielder, Yaya Toure has found it difficult to find playing time this campaign under Pep Guardiola as the team has been playing brilliantly since the start of the season.

A big, strong attacking force and an influential City player and legend, as many would argue, Toure could be on his way out of the club due to limited appearances. In what is widely considered to be an extended stay at the club since the arrival of his previous manager at Barcelona, Pep Guardiola, Toure could be on the verge of leaving the Citizens.

A fantastic servant of the club and PL ambassador, although controversial at times, the 34-year-old could move to greener pastures in America to continue his career in the MLS or China, with a host of clubs trying to lure the midfielder away.

#1 Angel di Maria

Di Maria in action for Paris Saint-Germain

PSG and Argentina's creative midfielder, Angel di Maria could be on the move yet again, as the player will find it difficult to attain playing time given the number of top young players the club has invested in.

The 29-year-old former Manchester United and Real Madrid playmaker could force a move out of PSG in order to get playing time on a consistent basis and secure his place in Argentina's WC squad for Russia 2018.

With the likes of Moura, Pastore, Neymar, Draxler and Mbappe in the side, the Argentinian finds himself in the thick of the competition for a starting spot. However, there is external competition from the likes of some huge clubs such as AC Milan, Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool, among a few others, who would gladly secure the services of the player.

The market opportunities for the former Champions League winner are quite vast with Chinese and MLS clubs all looking to sign him. A move back to Portugal cannot be ruled out as the player could move back to the country in Europe where it all began for him.