Three January transfer targets to keep in mind for Football INDEX

With the January transfer window fast approaching, teams across Europe will already be devising their recruitment strategies for of the second half of the season. Signing new players midway through a campaign is usually an indicator a club are looking to correct their mistakes from the summer, while others dip into the window as a result of a serious injury. We have picked out three players that could make a move involving Premier League clubs at the start of 2019 that should be considered for your Football INDEX portfolios.

Declan Rice (West Ham) - Football INDEX share price - £2.26

West Ham haven’t done a lot right on or off the field in recent years and losing Declan Rice would only enrage supporters further. West Ham fans have been raving about Rice’s capabilities for some time now and the teenager has shown more than flashes of his potential for Mauricio Pellegrini’s side this season.

Rice spent most of last season as a centre-back but Pellegrini has pushed the 19-year-old further forward into midfield, where all nine of his Premier League appearances have come this term. Not only is Rice in the middle of an international tug-of-war between Ireland and England, but Manchester United are reportedly monitoring his future at the London Stadium.

Rice’s current deal is due to expire at the end of the season, and while his preference is to prolong his stay at West Ham, he is yet to feel valued by the club’s renewal terms. The Hammers are now seriously at risk of losing their best young player for nothing at the end of the season or for a cut-price fee in January. With that in mind, Rice should prove a useful addition to your Football INDEX portfolios. Not only that, but if Rice does elect to represent the England national team, expect a further spike in his share price.

Nicolas Pepe (Lille) - Football INDEX share price - £4.13

Arsenal have reportedly earmarked Lille forward Nicolas Pepe as a top January transfer target as a result of Danny Welbeck’s serious ankle injury. Arsenal have not put a timeframe on Welbeck’s recovery period but it would be a surprise if the England international featured again this season after requiring surgery twice for a broken ankle sustained at the start of the month.

Unai Emery’s side are now planning to dip into the January transfer window to replace Welbeck and ensure they remain on course in the Premier League and Europa League this season. One name that has made Arsenal’s shortlist is Ligue 1 whizz Pepe. The 23-year-old has made a stunning start to the season with Lille, netting eight goals in 13 league appearances. Lille are surprisingly in second place and much of their early-season form has been down to Pepe.

Not only has the Ivory Coast international netted eight times, the versatile forward has also provided five assists in the league and has an impressive WhoScored rating of 7.60, bettered only by four players in the division. Pepe’s had the most shots in Ligue 1 this season (55), while only Ismaila Sarr (43) and Neymar (36) have drawn more fouls than the Lille star (35). He isn’t cheap on Football INDEX but he is certainly worth warranting, even if Arsenal pass on his services in January.

Danny Drinkwater (Chelsea) - Football INDEX share price - £0.83

Danny Drinkwater’s career has come to a complete standstill since leaving Leicester to join Chelsea just over 12 months ago. The former England international is completely out of the picture under Maurizio Sarri, yet to make a single appearance for the Blues since March.

The former Premier League winner was not even included in Chelsea’s Europa League squad, telling you everything you need to know about his future at the club, or lack of. However, Drinkwater has three-and-a-half years left to run on his £90,000-a-week contract and he could prove hard to shift, particularly if Chelsea want to recoup some of the £35m they spent on his signature in the summer of 2017.

Nevertheless, it would still be a huge surprise if there was not at least any interest in Drinkwater in the January transfer window. Drinkwater was once an integral part in Leicester’s title-winning side during the 2015/16 campaign and would be a valued member to many Premier League sides if he can recapture that form.

Perhaps Fulham, where his former Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri has just taken charge? Fulham have made a disastrous start to the season and funds will reportedly be made available to the Italian. At just £0.83 a share on Football INDEX, Drinkwater could prove a bargain.