Once again, we turns our attention to potential transfer targets as we approach the midway stage of the January Transfer Window. Sam Cole and Will Oakley take a closer look at five players who are available this month and whether they’d be the answer to boost both the squad and our season…
DANIEL AMARTEY
Age: 25.
Position: Defensive Midfield/ Right Back.
Current Club: Leicester City.
Former Clubs: International Allies, Djurgardens IF, Copenhagen.
Professional Club Appearances: 174.
International Appearances: (Ghana U20) 2, (Ghana) 26.
Career Goals: 8.
Career Assists: 6.
Long-term transfer target Daniel Amartey is again being linked to a move to West London this January. The Football Insider is reporting that after a failed attempt in the summer Brenden Rodgers is going to let his player leave on loan so he can get some valuable first-team action. But who is Daniel Amartey? Amartey is a Ghanaian defensive midfielder and right back who started his career at International Allies in Ghana. In 2013 he got a move to Swedish club Djurgardens IF where he impressed so much, he had talks with Liverpool during his first full season with the club. A move to Copenhagen followed where he spent two years before leaving for Leicester for around £6 million. Despite only featuring five times during his first season at the club he became regular the following season after the departure of N’Golo Kante. A broken ankle in his third season has limited any recent first-team action and been used mainly in his club’s youth sides. Overall, I think he would be a very handy player to have due to his versatility however can’t see him getting the game time Rodgers would want.
Rumour Rating: 7/10
TERENCE KONGOLO
Age: 25.
Position: Centre Back/ Left Back.
Current Club: Huddersfield.
Former Clubs: Feyenoord, Monaco.
Professional Club Appearances: 228.
International Appearances: (Netherlands U15) 2, (Netherlands U16) 4, (Netherlands U17) 16, (Netherlands U18) 2, (Netherlands U19) 10, (Netherlands U20) 1, (Netherlands U21) 6, (Netherlands) 4.
Career Goals: 11.
Career Assists: 11.
Kongolo has made just over 10 appearances so far in the championship this season for Huddersfield. It is quite surprising the lack of appearances he has made, considering he is playing for a struggling Huddersfield team. Kongolo is a player that is going to challenge Bryan for his spot, as they play in the same position but play differently. We all know about Bryan’s qualities going forward, which Kongolo may lack. However, he makes up for it in his defensive skill, which you could say Bryan lacks. It will be interesting to see what happens with this deal and if he will be part of Parker’s plans, with Bryan still at the club for now, despite rumours linking him to Watford.
Rumour rating: 7/10
YOUSSOUF SABALY
Age: 26
Position: Right Back/ Left Back
Current Club: Bordeaux
Former Clubs: Cellois FC, Paris Saint-Germain, Evian, Nantes
Professional Club Appearances: 228
International Appearances: (France U17) 11, (France U18) 7, (France U19) 2, (France U20) 7, (Senegal) 18
Career Goals: 2
Career Assists: 19
As I’m sure some of you will remember, last January Fulham got so close to signing Sabaly. He even had a medical for the club. Fulham activated his release clause in 2018 however Bordeaux didn’t answer any emails or calls meaning the deal fell through. This season Sabaly has only made 6 appearances, making 1 assist. He came back from a knee injury at the end of November and played 3 games, where he played further forward up the pitch, as a wingback/midfielder. He has been left out the last few games meaning he could want a move away from the French league. He would have to take a step down, but he could be a great signing in our push for promotion.
Rumour rating: 7.5/10
ANDRE GRAY
Age: 28.
Position: Striker.
Current Club: Watford.
Former Clubs: Wolverhampton Wanderers, Shrewsbury, A.F.C Telford United, Hinckley United, Luton Town, Brentford, Burnley.
Professional Club Appearances: 375.
International Appearances: (England C) 6.
Career Goals: 146.
Career Assists: 53.
Andre Gray is one of those players who has seemed to be around for ages. Gray is perfect for Championship level, he has an excellent record playing 88 games, scoring 41 goals, and assisting 18. With Mitrovic out injured for a while, Gray would be a great replacement, as well as being great off the bench with his pace, or partnering Mitrovic up top. Gray would be a great signing, a loan until the end of the season would most likely be the most ideal contract for us. He would really help in the push for promotion and can definitely score goals!
Rumour rating: 9/10
BILLY SHARP
Age: 33.
Position: Striker.
Current Club: Sheffield United.
Former Clubs: Rotherham United, Sheffield United, Rushden and Diamonds (Loan), Scunthorpe United, Doncaster Rovers, Southampton, Nottingham Forest (Loan), Reading (Loan), Leeds United.
Professional Club Appearances: 560.
Career Goals: 239.
Career Assists: 62.
Following Mitro’s recent injury a lot of concern over the severity of the injury it has become clear that we need a striker and I think Billy Sharp could be that man. Having fallen down the pecking order at the Blades I think would be available until the end of the season on loan due to his lack of game time. But who is Billy Sharp? Sharp is a prolific EFL journeyman who started his professional career at Sheffield United. He has represented nine clubs at either youth or professional level in his career including three different spells at current club Sheffield United and Doncaster Rovers. During his time at those clubs, he has established himself as one of the greatest players the EFL has ever seen with his industrious style of play and incredible goalscoring record. In 2019 Sharp became the leading English Born goal scorer in the 21st Century overtaking Rickie Lambert’s record of 219 goals. Overall, I think that Billy Sharp would be an ideal replacement for Mitro until the end of the season but with no reports of a possible deal, it might be unlikely we move for him.
Rumour Rating: 3/10
