Premier League clubs are just days away from being able to add to their squads when January transfer window opens in 2022.
The mid-season market is always a hectic time for top-flight clubs as teams look to bolster their ranks for the second half of the campaign.
Premier League clubs are days away from conducting their January transfer activity
And given club’s current struggles fighting the Covid crisis, there is every chance most managers will seize the opportunity to add to their ranks.
talkSPORT.com takes a look at five deals expected to be completed next month…
Kieran Trippier
Newcastle are hoping to make Trippier their first signing under their new ownership with the club looking to secure several other deals.
Manager Eddie Howe could have the Atletico Madrid right-back in his squad as early as January 3 to help stave off the threat of relegation.
Trippier, who was heavily linked to Manchester United in the 2021 summer transfer window, is set to be the first name through the door at St James’ Park with talks at an advanced stage, according to The Telegraph.
The Magpies are willing to make Trippier, who has six months to run on his Atletico Madrid contract, their highest-paid player.
Kieran Trippier is on his way to Newcastle in a £25m dealGETTY
Vitaliy Mykolenko
Everton are set to announce the signing of the Ukrainian left-back, with his current Dynamo Kiev manager confirming a deal has been done.
The 22-year-old looks set to make a £17million move to Merseyside in January, with major doubts over the future of current star Lucas Digne.
“I am glad that a young player from my team is now moving to Everton. I mean Mykolenko,” he spoke with UA Football.
“Another 18-19-year-old footballer will take his place. The rest in defence are 19-20 years old. Therefore, we continue to play as a very young team.
“They have to work much harder than experienced ones.”
Mykolenko represented Ukraine at Euro 2020, helping his nation in their run to the quarter-finalsgetty
Aaron Connolly
The Brighton attacker is closing in on a loan move to Chris Wilder’s Middlesbrough, according to the Daily Mail.
The report adds that Boro boss Wilder wants the 21-year-old to bolster his attack as he looks to earn promotion from the Championship this season.
Talks are advancing between the two clubs for Connolly, whose only two goals this campaign came in the Carabao Cup back in September.
The Republic of Ireland international has struggled with fitness and form and has found himself behind Neal Maupay and Danny Welbeck in the pecking order.
Connolly has found opportunities hard to come by for Brighton this seasonGetty Images – Getty
Ainsley Maitland-Niles
The out-of-favour Arsenal star is nearing a move to join Jose Mourinho’s Roma revolution.
The versatile midfielder has struggled for game-time under Mikel Arteta this season after returning from a loan spell at West Brom last season.
Everton failed in a summer swoop for Maitland-Niles, who is said to be open to joining Tammy Abraham in making the switch to the Serie A side.
He’s started just twice in the Premier League so far this campaign, and hasn’t featured at the Emirates at all since November.
Maitland-Niles has been linked with a move to RomaGETTY
Anthony Martial
Man United have rejected a loan offer from Sevilla for the Frenchman but a deal still looks likely with Martial so keen on an Old Trafford exit.
Martial, who is said to earn £200k-a-week at Old Trafford, has told manager Ralf Rangnick he wants to leave in order to get more playing time elsewhere.
However, according to multiple reports, Sevilla have only offered to pay half of Martial’s wages for in the six-month loan offer and United are said to be unwilling to accept those terms.
The France forward has become a fringe player in recent years, making just two Premier League starts this season and only four in all competitions.
Martial has told United he wants to leave and could go in JanuaryGETTY