Draxler To Arsenal, Falcao To Chelsea, Reus to Manchester United – Top 5 Rumors That Won’t Happen This January

The January transfer window may not be as long as the summer transfer window, but it has seen its fair share of big moves in the last few years, none bigger than Fernando Torres’ record-breaking deadline day move from Liverpool to rivals Chelsea. Here’s a look at some of the most persistent transfer rumors that won’t happen this January.

5. Iker Casillas to Manchester City/Arsenal

The Real Madrid skipper has been frozen out of the starting eleven by manager Carlo Ancelotti, and has made his appearances only in the Champions League and the Copa del Rey. With the World Cup coming up in six months’ time, Casillas may miss out on a starting berth for the national team if he continues to sit on the bench any more, fuelling rumors of a January exit to one of the Premier League teams.

Joe Hart had been dropped in favor of Costel Pantilimon, and the press started linking the Spaniard with a move to the Etihad stadium to replace Hart, or to the Emirates to provide a world class keeping option to Arsenal’s title challenge. However, with Madrid challengeing on all three fronts this season, Casillas will get sufficient games at the Bernabeu to keep his place in the Spanish starting eleven safe, and the same has been hinted by the Spanish Football Federation president Angel Maria Villar.

4. Julian Draxler to Arsenal

Multiple sources stated that Draxler had grown frustrated of life at Schalke and was looking for a move to greener pastures, paving the way for a move to Arsenal. He said:

“I’ve always said English teams are very big clubs and Arsenal are one of them. I sometimes speak to Mesut or Per about the team, about the club, and they always have good words.”

Yet, those rumors seem to have cooled down a bit recently following Schalke making it clear Draxler would not be sold during the January transfer window. Another major reason against a move in January is that the €45.5 million release clause does not become active until the end of the season.

3. Marco Reus to Manchester United

Marco Reus has been linked with an exit from Dortmund ever since the close of the transfer window, and had been linked with a move to Old Trafford in an exchange deal involving Shinji Kagawa. While United have been linked with attacking reinforcements, a move for the German international seems unlikely owing to the uncertainty over United’s ability to offer Champions League football.

Recent reports from Dailystar in the media suggest that the 24-year old would prefer to stay in Germany than make a move to the Premier League. Even though Reus’s contracts is reported to have a buy-out clause believed to be around £29.4 million (as per the same report from Dailystar), Reus’ unwillingness to move could mean any deal will have to wait till after the World Cup.

2. David Luiz to Bayern Munich/Barcelona

One of the more recent developments has been the linking of Chelsea’s Brazilian centre-back David Luiz to two Europe’s biggest clubs- Bayern Munich and Barcleona. Reports suggest that Pep Guardiola had scouted Luiz during his time as boss at Barcelona, and is still interested in working with the Brazilian defender.  On the other hand, Barcelona have also been reported to have made enquiries over the availability Luiz, having made an offer for the Brazilian in the summer.

The Brazilian has been in and out of Chelsea’s line-up this season, but he remains an integral part of Chelsea’s defensive line. He is one of the three recognized central defenders at the club and Mourinho will be loath to losing a player as versatile as the Brazilian, having deployed him in defensive midfield in the crucial game against Liverpool.

1. Radamel Falcao to Chelsea/Real Madrid

Since his move to the nouveau-riche French side Monaco in the summer, the Colombian hitman has been linked with a move back to one of the European powerhouses. Both Real Madrid and Chelsea have been linked with a move for the former Atletico striker amidst reports that the striker was unhappy with life at Monaco and had a falling out with manager Claudio Ranieri.

The Colombian recently stated that he was happy at the club and there was no rift with the manager, quashing rumors of an impending January exit. Since then, Monaco vice-president Vadim Vasilyev has also said that the striker is not leaving Monaco in January.

“He is very happy here, he feels very good in Monaco,” he said. “He loves this club.”

With a bid in excess of £50 million required to take him away from Monaco, both the clubs will have to wait till the summer to free up the necessary funds.