Potential bargains in the January transfer window

With the January transfer window due to open, there could be some bargains on offer.

We’ve compiled a list of the best players who will be out of contract this summer. All of them are free to talk to any club they wish about a move when their current deal runs out, while their current clubs may look to cut their losses and cash in by off loading them next month.

Dimitar Berbatov – Manchester United

The Bulgarian has been out of favour at Old Trafford in the last 12 months so soon after his £30m United career took off. His laid back yet skilful style may suit foreign leagues, although Fulham have been linked with a loan move in January. Berba may still have a part to play in Fergie’s various squad selections, with the Scot stating in November that he’d like to hold onto him for another year. United have the power to extend his contract for another season if they so wish.

Didier Drogba – Chelsea
33-year-old Drogba has struggled to strike a partnership with Fernando Torres, while his previous partner in crime Nicholas Anelka has agreed a move to China. The Ivorian has also been linked to China as well as Russia, though a move to the continent may be more realistic. With some improved performances of late he may still be of use at Stamford Bridge, particularly in the latter stages of the Champions League.

Florent Malouda – Chelsea
Having suffered a loss of form this season after impressing for the two years prior, the 31-year-old may have to consider his options elsewhere if this campaign doesn’t kick start. Linked with Arsenal and Juventus in the summer, Malouda could provide at many top-level European clubs before age starts getting the better of him. However, Andre Villas-Boas has shown some faith in the French winger since taking over, with Malouda openly stating in the last 12 months that he would like a new contract.

Andrei Arshavin – Arsenal
The Russian’s three years at Arsenal have been hit and miss, with his attitude sometimes getting in the way of his apparent ability. Links with Juventus and a move to Russia have been quashed, with Arshavin saying in August that he was ‘desperate’ to stay at the club. The last few months has seen a slight rise in fortunes, but a move away from the Emirates may refresh the form that gained him a move to the Premiership in 2009.

Salomon Kalou – Chelsea
Having appeared in only a handful of league games this season, the Ivorian forward has witnessed a dip in form that has put him lower down in Chelsea’s frontline pecking order. Kalou recently rejected claims linking him to Olympiakos, but has remained silent on speculation of a move to France with Marseille. A move to another Premier League club could happen, with a return to Chelsea’s regular starting line up unlikely under Villas-Boas.

Gary Cahill – Bolton
After a summer which saw heightened speculation throughout, Bolton look certain to cash in on Cahill in January rather than holding out for a contract. A deal has been agreed with Chelsea and the England international looks likely to move on for a fee in the region of £7m.

Jose Bosingwa – Chelsea
Before Villas-Boas’ arrival in the summer, Bosingwa looked a certainty to depart Stamford Bridge, especially with only one year remaining on his contract. However, Branislav Ivanovic’s move into the centre of defence has paved the way for the Portuguese full-back to play a big part in Chelsea’s season so far. The situation was the same last year, which saw Ancelotti extend Bosingwa’s contract for another year, though ABV may take a different approach.

Tim Howard – Everton
The American, in his sixth season with the Merseyside club, has previously hinted at a return to the MLS in the latter stages of his career. A Premier League ever-present for three consecutive seasons before this campaign, Howard’s consistent performances over recent years will surely attract interest from Europe’s top leagues as well as push Everton to secure his presence for at least another year.

Hugo Rodallega – Wigan Athletic
The Colombian striker has had a stop-start season at the DW with injury and indifferent form, though links moving him away from Wigan have died down since the summer. Nevertheless, Arsenal and Liverpool still remain as the front-runners for £15m-rated Rodallega, who has managed around a goal every five games for the Latics.

Tomas Rosicky – Arsenal
The Czech seems likely to leave Arsenal in the January window, with Wolfsburg the most recent club to be closely linked. Another low-key season, whereby Rosicky has picked up limited game time, may be his last of a frustrating five and a half years at the club. However, his involvement in the Champions League this season may be an indicator that Arsenal are willing to hold onto the midfielder, at least until the summer.

Ledley King – Tottenham Hotspur
It has been rumoured that the injury-ridden Spurs defender will be offered a one year extension to his contract within the coming months, with King stating that he believes he can play on for another year at least. Otherwise, prizing the 31-year-old away from White Hart Lane would be a gamble for most clubs, although his performances have remained high on the occasions that he has appeared.

Michael Owen – Manchester United
Owen’s two-and-a-half-years at Old Trafford have been full of highs and lows with some important goals coming alongside lengthy periods on the sidelines. Even when fit, the 32-year-old is rarely at the top of Fergie’s plans, meaning a move away in January or the summer would make sense. Links have been few and far between in recent months, but Owen insists he still has years left in his tank.

Andrew Johnson – Fulham
Fulham’s 30-year-old striker still maintains a degree of pace that would cause many teams problems, but Johnson has found himself battling with Moussa Dembele and Bobby Zamora for a regular place in the starting line-up. When picked, Johnson’s eight goals in twelve Europa League games this season have showed that he would be a coup for many lower-realm teams in the Premier League, but Fulham manager Martin Jol has expressed his desire to keep the Englishman for another year at least.

David ‘Junior’ Hoilett – Blackburn
The Canadian forward impressed last campaign at Ewood Park, and with Rovers in dire straits this season under Steve Kean, Newcastle and Tottenham have supposedly shown an interest. The winger, still young at 21, may seek a move away from a club that look doomed for a relegation fight. Blackburn will perhaps look to cash in on Hoilett, though Kean has insisted he will fight to keep him at the club.

Louis Saha – Everton
Although denying a recent link to the newly-found riches of PSG, Everton forward Louis Saha may still look for a move away from Goodison Park in the January window. The 33-year-old striker has struggled to score this season, but with competition for Everton’s front line at a minimum, David Moyes may look to keep him until at least the summer unless he strengthens in January.

Mark Schwarzer – Fulham
With Arsenal being continuously linked with the Australian stopper in the past few years, the January window remains an unlikely period for Mark Schwarzer to leave Craven Cottage. It seems Fulham will not let the 39-year-old leave without an organised replacement, and with Wojciech Szczesny consolidating the number one spot at the Emirates, Schwarzer may have to look elsewhere in the summer.

Kevin Davies – Bolton Wanderers
Fans favourite Davies has had an extremely successful eight seasons at the Reebok, but after a quiet season to date, his ninth may spell the end for the 34-year-old’s effectiveness in the top flight. Davies recently stated that contract talks may have to wait until the end of the season, as Bolton struggle to get a foothold in the current campaign. If he was to move, Davies’ aerial ability and strength may be best suited to the Championship, though Owen Coyle has claimed that the English forward still has the ability to perform in the Premier League.

Emmanuel Adebayor – Manchester City (on loan at Spurs)
Currently on loan until the end of the season at Spurs, the Togolese striker has proved that he would be a coup for any of Europe’s top sides with a handful of goals and some superb performances. Although he won’t be going anywhere in January, speculation about his next move will surely begin to emerge in the next few months.

Ben Foster – Birmingham City (on loan at West Brom)
After impressing last season with some fine performances for Birmingham, Foster has had more of a low key campaign this time around on loan at West Brom. It has been suggested that the Baggies will attempt to secure his signature on a permanent basis if they are not in the same division as Birmingham next year.

Nicklas Bendtner – Arsenal (on loan at Sunderland)
The Danish centre forward hasn’t made a big impact on loan at Sunderland, although it remains to be seen how he fits into new manager Martin O’Neill’s plans. However, high wage demands and less than consistent form could make it difficult for Bendtner to find a club that will take a gamble on him.