It is finally here. The January transfer window deadline is now less than a day away. With plenty of deals being confirmed up and down Europe, there is still a lot of time for speculation and discussions between clubs. Interestingly, the busiest teams appear to be those in a relegation battle: Fulham, Sunderland and West Ham United.
Here, Sports Mole considers five players who could be on the move on the last day of the winter transfer window.
1. Toni Kroos
Manchester United's need for a better midfield is not a secret. They have already brought in Juan Mata from Chelsea, who made his debut in the 2-0 win over Cardiff City, but are believed to still be on the lookout for a player who can play deeper in midfield. That player could well be Toni Kroos. The Bayern Munich man is hardly on the fringes at the moment, but could well find himself further down the pecking order when Pep Guardiola has a fully fit midfield.
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When there is speculation surrounding player, a tell-tale sign can often be whether he is currently playing for his club. Kroos started for Bayern in their 2-1 win over Stuttgart on Wednesday night, although he was furious when subbed off and marched straight down the tunnel. Was that a sign? Despite Guardiola hinting that deals can happen quickly, the latest reports suggest that he will stay.
SM's verdict: Move is unlikely.
2. Kostas Mitroglou
Two days ago it was looking like Fulham were about to wrap up the expensive, but relatively straightforward, swoop for Olympiacos striker Kostas Mitroglou. Fast forward to the night before deadline day and a simple capture has turned into what might well be the biggest story of the window. Late on Thursday, reports circulated that West Ham United had launched a hijack attempt for the big forward and on Friday said offer is thought to be more lucrative.
This would leave Mitroglou with a choice to make regarding his future. Either way, he will be in a relegation scrap but could Fulham midfielder Giorgos Karagounis hold the key? He was reported to be a big factor in Mitroglou's initial decision to speak to Fulham and could well sway his compatriot to sign on the dotted line. The other factor is that West Ham will need to sell players in order to raise the £12m fee.
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SM's verdict: Most likely to sign for Fulham.
3. Yevhen Konoplyanka
While the Hammers and Fulham battle out for a big-money forward, the battle for a big-money winger between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool might soon be coming to an end. The Reds were the first team credited with an interest in the winger from Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk and it is an area in which they have been looking to strengthen for some time.
Recently, however, Tottenham - as Daniel Levy likes to do - have emerged as contenders for the Ukrainian's signature, with a fee expected to be in the region of £15m. The interest from the Londoners appears to have waned in recent days, with the player also thought to favour a move to the Reds. However, there have been concerns in Ukraine that the player is not strong enough for the Premier League, which might make the money likely to be spent something of a risk.
SM's verdict: Liverpool to confirm signing today.
4. Pablo Osvaldo
Pablo Osvaldo's time at Southampton looks to be done. He only joined Saints in the summer for big money, but his reputation for being a loose cannon came to fruition after only six months. Eight days ago he was suspended for two weeks in the wake of a training ground clash with a teammate, and his manager Mauricio Pochettino as good as confirmed that the Italian was no longer needed at the club.
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So where now for for the former Roma man? Well, a swift return to Italy looks like the most likely option. Initially there was interest from Valencia, but as of Friday morning the striker is thought to be in Turin to undergo a medical with Juventus. There is not much talk of a fee, but Southampton do want to recoup the £12.8m they spent in the summer. Getting the full amount back seems unlikely.
SM's verdict: Deal all but done.
5. Nani
The Manchester United winger Nani has been linked to a number of clubs this January, with Fulham and Fiorentina linked earlier in the window, but the most concrete interest having come from Tottenham Hotspur and Inter Milan. Spurs' pursuit of a winger has been well covered in January, but up to now they have not brought in anyone and, as above, are likely to miss out on Konoplyanka to Liverpool.
As of deadline-day morning Nani is equally likely, according to the bookmakers, to stay at United or move to Inter. Tottenham's late interest is for a loan deal, which could well be followed up this morning, and might offer a loan fee as well as the cost of his wages. While Inter were planning to only pay his wages, they remain most likely to bring him in, should he leave United at all.
SM's verdict: Staying put.
Matt Domm
