- 6 hours ago
Five summer signings who could already leave in January
Carlo Garganese
- 26 Oct 2022 22:45 BST
- 4 min read
The 2022 summer transfer window was one of the most dramatic and exhilarating markets in football history.
Premier League clubs smashed all transfer records, while three players in Europe moved for €100 million or more.
But not everything was rosy across the continent.
And indeed, less than two months after the transfer window closed, some of the players who moved on are already facing the prospect of having to find themselves a new club in January.
FootballTransfers looks at five high-profile players who could already leave their new club when the January transfer window opens.
Angel Di Maria (Juventus)
“My big dream is to return to Rosario Central. It’s been my dream for a long time.
“Players in Argentina dream of future in Europe, while I dream of return to Rosario Central.”
These were the words of Angel Di Maria this week as the Italian media began to report that Juventus could rescind the Argentine’s contract after the World Cup.
The 34-year-old arrived to much fanfare on a free transfer this summer from PSG but has been a disaster so far. He has not scored since his debut and has barely played due to persistent injury and disciplinary problems.
Juventus themselves are already out of the Champions League and down in eighth in Serie A. It seems Di Maria has no reason to see out the entirety of his one-year contract.
Denis Zakaria (Chelsea)
Denis Zakaria joined Chelsea on loan for the season towards the end of the summer, but his move has been a bit of a disaster so far.
He has yet to play for them in any competition despite arriving with so much promise.
Zakaria was signed by former manager Thomas Tuchel when he was still at the club but after his sacking his chances have been even more limited.
Now it seems as though he set for return to Juventus and it's likely that he doesn't play a single minute for the Blues in the coming months.
"There has been no decision made at all on that," Chelsea manager Graham Potter said recently when asked about Zakaria leaving in January.
"Denis has been in the group and he's been training well. He's ready to help the team but obviously there's competition for places in that area.”
Arthur Melo (Liverpool)
Yet another Juventus-owned player on this list.
Arthur was recruited on loan by Liverpool late in the summer transfer window but has barely featured for Jurgen Klopp’s first team.
Indeed, he was given 13 minutes in a Champions League match against Napoli when the match was already lost.
It was already being reported that Liverpool wished to send him back to Turin in January before he then suffered a serious injury.
He will be out for up to four months following surgery on his right leg, increasing the chance Liverpool and Juventus agree it is best to end the loan early.
Ryan Gravenberch (Bayern Munich)
Big things were expected of Ryan Gravenberch when Bayern Munich shelled out €25m plus add-ons for the midfielder from Ajax this summer.
However, Gravenberch has yet to start a game in the Bundesliga, despite Bayern Munich’s relative struggles.
He has played just 128 minutes across seven substitute appearances in the Bundesliga.
Gravenberch admitted recently he is unhappy with his lack of playing time: “Honestly, yes I am unhappy,” he said.
“You want to play, but the manager picks other players. I have to accept it but it’s difficult. I was hoping for more minutes but I have to stay calm.”
He is already looking for a way out, although Bayern are keen to keep him.
Djed Spence (Chelsea)
There was great excitement among Tottenham fans when they announced the signing of Middlesbrough right-back Djed Spence this past summer for a fee believed to be in the region of €15m) plus add-ons.
But things have not gone according to plan for the youngster, who has made just three brief substitute appearances in the Premier League.
It is now likely he will be shipped out on loan in January to give him some playing time.
Read more about: Serie A, Bundesliga, Premier League, Bayern, Chelsea, Juventus, Liverpool, Tottenham, Angel Di Maria, Arthur
