Top 5 players who should move in this transfer window

The winter transfer window has seen big names switch sides in the past and while clubs are reluctant to let go of their assets, anything can be sold for the right price.

With transfer records being shattered by the day and the prospect of challenging for major trophies appealing to both clubs and players alike, the chances of mega-money deals happening are high.

While clubs will find it fairly difficult to sell some players, it seems logical for them to make these moves sooner than later.

Here are 5 top players who should move in January rather than wait until the summer.

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#1 Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)

The Chilean is out of contract come summer and his intentions regarding a renewal with Arsenal are out in the open. While it would be advisable for someone of his quality and stature to honour his contract, a winter transfer would benefit both parties.

With Manchester City the favourites for his signature, Sanchez will reunite with Pep Guardiola and help them win an imminent title this season.

What do Arsenal get? They get the money, rather than letting Sanchez go for free, and a bonus would be the fact that Sanchez stays cup-tied and doesn't feature in other competitions, especially Europe, despite the fact that it won't affect Arsenal.

#2 Leon Goretzka (Schalke 04)

Leon can have his pick of any big club in Europe, such is his talent

What does a 22-year old German with frequent call-ups to the national team, great game sense and composure add up to? A transfer to Bayern Munich!

While Goretzka looks more than sure to go to Munich come the summer, it would be a good deal for Schalke 04 to make some profit on his transfer now, rather than letting him go for free.

To face reality, Goretzka will almost definitely win the Bundesliga next season if he does go to Bayern, while Schalke will only get praise for putting on pressure.

With a player of his standard needed all across Europe, Schalke should weigh the offers that benefit both the club and the player and have a win-win situation by neither directly selling to a rival, nor allowing him to leave for free.

#3 Diafra Sakho (West Ham)

Sakho may want to move now rather than wait until summer

Diafra Sakho plays as a striker for Premier League club West Ham United.

Aged 28, the Senegalese international should leave in this transfer window, rather than trying to go out as a free agent in the summer.

The fact that Senegal has qualified for the 2018 World-Cup in Russia, makes it very important for the striker to get maximum game time, if he wants a spot in the national squad. West Ham have been underperforming for the past two seasons and Sakho was injured for the majority of the last season, thus forcing the manager to sign reinforcements in the attacking department.

With West Ham having multiple options up front this year in Hernandez, Carroll, Arnautovic, and Ayew, Sakho just might be surplus to requirements. While he may not be getting the game time to prove himself at West Ham, a player like him always brings something special to the team.

#4 Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United)

Fellaini may not be the most popular but Mourinho seems to trust him

A living testament to the Moyes era at Manchester United, Fellaini has always had the masses divided upon his position in the squad.

Surprisingly, the Belgian has stood the test of time and pleased managers with his work rate, ability to shoulder opponents in the face, being a force in the air, and escaping from bookings.

While the best part of his career at United seems to have come under Mourinho, with the fans and manager applauding his game and efforts in the midfield and in front of the goal, he is 30 and is due one last big transfer.

With fees playing a major part in his contract negotiations, it would be advisable to pin him down to a contract as a player of his quality (hairstyle included) is a rare find. If that doesn't happen, he should be sold for whatever money can be recouped as a list of clubs across Europe and China seem interested.

#5 Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Manchester United)

Mkhitaryan's fall has been as rapid as it has been sad

The Armenian came to Manchester United in 2016 as one of the most exciting attacking prospects in world football.

Fast forward to today, Mkhitaryan isn't even a shadow of his own former self. Consistency has been a major problem in his game and Mkhitaryan isn't able to fulfil the huge expectations the club and fans have from him.

From starting frequently on the bench in the recent game weeks to being completely excluded from the first team, he seems to have lost his goodwill with the manager.

A transfer away from the club would work for both parties, as the player would try to salvage his career, and the club, a part of their initial investment.

With the likes of Jesse Lingard outclassing him and with clubs like Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan showing interest, it could well be time for the Armenian to move on.