January Transfer Rumour Round-Up: Part 1
Written by Cameron Ramsey on 19th December 2019
Come one, come all, the January transfer market is coming to town and a crammed month of repetitive rumours and frenzied fabrications is destined to consume every single second of our lives until Sky Sports’ Jim White digs out his customary yellow tie once again.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Turkey aplenty and numerous beer bottles emptied, we’ll be sure to keep you up to date and blissfully informed amid the festivities as Fulham’s stats-bashing recruitment ranks wade their way through the perennial mid-season madness.
Unbuckle that belt, whack the fire up to an unbearable degree and bless each soul that graces this article right here. It may be a little too early for presents and Lynx shower sets, but tenuous tales and wanting whispers will always have a central seat round our table. Spread this on your cream cracker.
James Justin – Leicester City
Think Ryan Fredericks, just younger. Acquired for £7m – a sum that could inflate to £10m in the summer transfer window – from Luton Town before the start of the 2019-20 campaign, Leicester City’s James Justin could make a temporary mid-season move, with Fulham being pinned as an alleged suitor.
A report published by Football Insider states that Brendan Rodgers is willing to support the 21-year-old right-back’s development. The England U21 international is Ricardo Pereira’s understudy and has only made two first-team appearances for the Foxes this term, both coming in the Carabao Cup. Helping the Hatters claim promotion to the Championship, James was justly drafted in the 2018-19 League One team of the year and is an exciting prospect to say the least.
Jack Clarke – Leeds United (On Loan From Tottenham Hotspur)
Another Football Insider scoop suggests that the Whites are tailing Tottenham Hotspur’s Jack Clarke, who returned to his former employers Leeds United on loan during the summer of 2019. Clarke broke through at Elland Road last season but has only mustered 3 competitive outings so far upon his return under Marcelo Bielsa.
Signed by the north-Londoners for £9.5m, It’s believed that Spurs are ready to recall the neglected 19-year-old winger and the Whites could make a January swoop to salvage the youngster’s stuttered season. Clarke’s a raw talent but has ultimately failed to oust Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Helder Costa from Leeds’ starting XI.
Macauley Bonne – Charlton Athletic
A three-way skirmish between Newcastle United, Leicester City and Fulham is said to be on the cards for Charlton Athletic’s Macauley Bonne. As per a report published by talkSPORT, the Magpies are supposedly edging the race for the Zimbabwe international’s services, but there’s certainly tangible interest from all cited parties.
Bonne joined the Addicks from fellow Londoners Leyton Orient for just £200k in the summer transfer window and has impressed during Lyle Taylor’s absence, netting 6 Championship goals to date. The 24-year-old dispatched 46 goals in two seasons for Orient, a remarkable record that highlights his naturally lethal prowess.
Florent Hadergjonaj – Huddersield Town
Kosovo international Florent Hadergjonaj, subject to an article circulated by Kosovan outlet Telegrafi, is rumoured to be on three notable transfer radars. The trio that are believed to be tracking the driven right-back are Super Lig giants Fenerbahce SK, Serie A titans Atalanta BC and plucky old Fulham, of course.
Hadergjonaj, 25, has seemingly been on the Whites’ wish list since the summer and it’s thought that the Terriers will allow the fullback to depart the Kirklees Stadium in January if they attain at least £5m for his signature. Featuring against England for his nation in both Euro 2020 qualification clashes, Hadergjonaj has certainly gone from strength to strength during his career on English soil and is an electrifying live wire along the flanks.
Flynn Downes – Ipswich Town
One of Paul Lambert’s Ipswich Town hotshots may be on their way to SW6, apparently. Anglican informant TWTD is under the impression that the Tractor Boys’ classy 20-year-old craftsman could ditch the League One high-flyers after the Cottagers’ assistant director of football operations, Brian Talbot, evaluated his performance against Lincoln City in the FA Cup.
An ingenious playmaker, Downes – dubbed ‘Flynedine Zidownes’ by Ipswich’s imaginative fan base – is held in high regard at Portman Road and his slick creative skill set would certainly thrive within Fulham’s free-flowing system, which undoubtedly needs rejuvenating over the next 5-6 weeks or so.
