The goal market is already moving

In a period still of pandemic and after a very contained last window of transfers due to the effects of the coronavirus, January will be an opportunity to continue adjusting templates. It will obviously be done in a measured way. The clubs continue to express financial problems and many players have been putting off decisions about their future, pending how a bear market would evolve.

As always, the goal is the most precious asset and in the middle of the season it is almost a question of survival for many. It is the vaccine for many sports crises. In that sense, the center forward is the sought-after piece, the reference above that can change an inertia and help the team in the most decisive area of ​​the field. In this sense, there is an extensive list of battering rams whose future needs to be resolved and whose situation we are going to analyze.

Olivier Giroud (34, Chelsea)

The French international ends contract in June. Lately it has happened to have more prominence in Chelsea. Above all, after the four goals he endorsed against Sevilla. He has played only 523 minutes with the English club so far, but his average is to take into account. A goal every 65 minutes. In France they want him back. Marseille has him in their sights. In Italy he has a very good poster, there the greats have been interested in him.

Milik. (26 years old, Naples)

One of the most sought after forwards. Naples has already said publicly that it is going to leave and to do so in January it asks for 18 million. In June it is free. Atlético has been behind him for a long time, but so has Juventus. He is a player who intends to sign a contract of at least three seasons.

Llorente. (35 years old, Naples)

In a situation similar to that of his partner Milik. Naples also opens the door for him. He has yet to debut this season. His great impediment is taking charge of his salary. Llorente has also signed until June. Offers were not lacking already during the past summer, but finally he stayed in Naples.

Sory Kaba. (25 years old, Midtjylland)

The former forward of Elche is one of the rams for which there are already movements. His performances in the Champions League and in the Danish competition have attracted the attention of both teams in the Spanish league and important clubs in Europe. An affordable operation, despite the fact that he has a contract until 2024. He is a forward in clear progression who has passed the Champions League revalidation with a very good note. He has seven goals and five assists this season.

Depay. (26 years old, Lyon)

“If we have ambition, he should continue with us in the second half of the season,” said Rudi García, Lyon coach this week on the question of the more than possible departure of his star in January. Barcelona continues to be a firm candidate, it is Koeman's favorite, but for this window there is not much room for maneuver. Juve has also come closer. Depay is another who ends his contract in June, so Lyon is at a crossroads.

Hulk. (34 years old, without team)

The Brazilian finished his adventure in China and is looking for a team. It has already been offered to several large teams in Europe. It seems that his return to Brazil is assured, but if he could, he would still like some more experience in the old continent. Porto dreams of his return, but there are some more covered. He has been playing less competitive football for years, but he maintains his qualities. To take into account to reactivate any depressed team, by its name and its quality.

Origi. (25 years old, Liverpool)

Completely secondary in Klopp's schemes. The Belgian has only played 318 minutes this season and has only scored one goal. A valuable piece that is being devalued and from which Liverpool would like to profit. For now, there are already approaches by teams from the Bundesliga, where he already played for Wolfsburg. He has experience in France, too. Add 38 matches in European competitions.

Sturridge. (31 years old, without equipment)

Ex of Liverpool, precisely. Although his last experience was in Turkey. In summer he left the Trabzonspor and is free. In 2013, Liverpool paid Chelsea 15 million for him. Another tank looking for an opportunity. He has become an English international in 26 games and has scored 8 goals.

Mandzukic. (34 years old, without team)

It might be a bargain, but it has a cache. The Croatian flirted with Celta, but there was no agreement. He still does not commit to anyone after leaving Qatar football. Always spirited, hardworking. In Juventus he left a fantastic image from where he left as one of the captains. The uncertainty is knowing your physical state, since you live a lot from it. If you find the point, it's a safe bet, although you have to deal with his character.

Caicedo. (32 years old, Lazio)

The former Espanyol striker is Lazio's 12th player. Much appreciated by Inzaghi as a resource in the last half hour. Tare, the sports director, would not want to part with him, but it is also true that in the summer Muriqi was signed in case he got tired of his situation. It could happen and its performance is more than remarkable. A party agitator who wants continuity. This season he has five goals in 582 minutes and has the gift of being decisive.

Jovic. (22 years old, Real Madrid)

His career is at a standstill. It is an investment of 60 million that Real Madrid has not taken any game and that needs to reactivate. Play in a place where you are given confidence to recover, first your sports self-esteem. It already happened to him at Benfica. It was yielded to Germany in another waning phase of his career to find the lost confidence. It depends a lot on that feeling to perform, since mentally it is more fragile, according to the technicians who have handled it. Milan already tried in the last window and returns to the charge.

Piatek. (25 years old, Hertha Berlin)

In Italy there is still speculation about his return to revive teams in an emergency situation such as Fiorentina. It will be difficult. In recent weeks his level has improved somewhat, although it is still not what it was at Genoa. Hertha disbursed 24 million for him during last January and signed a contract until 2025.

Diego Costa. (32 years old, Atlético de Madrid)

He has just returned and his future is one of the things to solve. Either renew or leave in June. Atlético already put him on the market during the last window, but no teams came for him to take over his record. He has happily recovered from a physical problem and is now a few days away from being able to commit to another free team starting in June. Atlético, which has explored options like Milik, could let him go if he finds that replacement.