January transfer window: Which stars could be on the move as Saudi clubs eye swoop for Mohamed Salah?

The winter transfer window brings the chance for clubs to strengthen their squads for the second part of the season and for wantaway stars to get their moves.

Newcastle signed Yoane Wissa from Brentford, while Marc Guehi’s expected transfer to Liverpool from Crystal Palace fell through at the last minute.

What drama awaits this time around, and who could be on the move?

Mohamed Salah

The stand-out story of the Premier League season so far was Mo Salah’s very public falling out with Liverpool – and their manager Arne Slot – when he claimed to have been thrown “under the bus” following the 3-3 draw at Leeds.

Salah was subsequently left out of Liverpool’s UEFA Champions League clash with Inter Milan, but returned days later to provide an assist from the bench in their Premier League victory over Brighton.

The fallout put Saudi Pro League clubs on high alert and a number of sides remain keen on swooping for Salah.

Al Ittihad failed with a £150m bid for Salah late in the summer window in September 2023.

‘No issue to resolve’ – Slot on Salah’s future

Video credit: SNTV

Marc Guehi

Everything was seemingly ready to go. Deadline day, summer 2025. Marc Guehi was apparently a Liverpool player in every possible way… apart, crucially, from a deal being signed.

Crystal Palace’s failure to secure a replacement for the England centre-back meant they pulled the plug on their captain leaving Selhurst Park.

Guehi will be available on a free transfer when his contract expires in the summer, so Palace’s resolve could be tested again in January.

As well as Liverpool remaining keen on Guehi, Manchester City and Bayern Munich are reportedly keen suitors too.

Marc Guehi was close to joining Liverpool in the summer

Image credit: Getty Images

Antoine Semenyo

Ghana international Antoine Semenyo has again been Bournemouth’s talisman this season, which has increased the number of eyes on him.

Semenyo put previous rumours to rest in the summer by signing a new four-and-a-half year deal with the club.

However, a £65m release clause means the interest in Semenyo has not gone away with Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham all linked to the winger.

City appear frontrunners for his signing.

Kobbie Mainoo

It has been a frustrating season so far for Kobbie Mainoo, whose game time at Manchester United has been limited – despite the club not allowing him to move to Napoli last summer.

Mainoo was greeted with a huge ovation from United fans when he came on as a substitute in their recent league meeting with Bournemouth, with the England midfielder remaining a clear fans’ favourite. However, he does not appear to be a favourite of head coach Ruben Amorim.

Napoli are believed to remain keen on taking Mainoo to Italy and, with a World Cup summer approaching, the midfielder will be desperate for game time in a bid to impress England boss Thomas Tuchel.

McCoist on ‘bizarre’ lack of game time for Mainoo at Man Utd

Video credit: TNT Sports

Raheem Sterling

After being thrown into Enzo Maresca’s bomb squad at Chelsea, Raheem Sterling has not featured for the Blues yet this season. Indeed, he has been training alone at Cobham and is weighing up his next move.

Sterling’s huge wages mean a permanent January exit is unlikely, but he could catch a break with a loan deal.

The former Manchester United did go on loan to Arsenal last season. But that was a move that proved to be less than successful.