Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho was the subject of at least three official bids by Barcelona in the summer of 2017. Carl Recine / Reuters
Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho was the subject of at least three official bids by Barcelona in the summer of 2017. Carl Recine / Reuters
Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho was the subject of at least three official bids by Barcelona in the summer of 2017. Carl Recine / Reuters
Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho was the subject of at least three official bids by Barcelona in the summer of 2017. Carl Recine / Reuters

Coutinho, Luiz, Mahrez and Barkley could be high-profile departures in January transfer window


Steve Luckings
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The European winter transfer window opens on Monday, meaning clubs can bolster their squads as they gear up for the final half of the 2017/18 season.

Liverpool have raised the bar before it has even opened. On Wednesday Jurgen Klopp's side agreed a world-record fee for a defender after finalising their long-held interest in Southampton's Virgil van Dijk. The Dutchman's £75 million (Dh369.6m) fee is 50 per cent more than the next most costliest defender in history.

We take a look at other high-profiled players who may be on the move when the January sales begin.

Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool)

The Brazilian was the No 1 target of Spanish giants Barcelona in the summer after the Catalans looked to fill the void left by Coutinho's compatriot Neymar's move to Paris Saint-Germain for a world-record fee. Barca had at least three bids rejected by Liverpool for Coutinho in the summer. The player tried to pave the way for the clubs to negotiate by handing in a transfer request, but Liverpool rejected it, stood firm and have been rewarded for their resistance with some eye-catching performances by the playmaker of late, with four goals in December alone.

Barca have coped without Coutinho in their ranks, currently top of the Primera Liga and through to the knockout stages of the Uefa Champions League. But only a fool would think Ernesto Valverde's team are not primed to test Liverpool's resolve again. The Anfield club have a habit of persuading their want-away stars (think Luis Suarez) to give them one more season before allowing them to move in the summer, so even if Coutinho does not move in this transfer window he almost certainly will the next.

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David Luiz has not played in the Premier League for Chelsea since November 5. John Sibley / Reuters
David Luiz has not played in the Premier League for Chelsea since November 5. John Sibley / Reuters

David Luiz (Chelsea)

Plenty of heads were turned when Antonio Conte brought David Luiz back from Paris Saint-Germain, but the affable Brazilian was a stalwart of last season's Premier League title-winning team. Recognising a lack of discipline to operate as a holding midfielder, Conte identified Luiz's ability to mop up as the last man in a back three as well as confidently bring the ball out to set up attacks as potent weapons.

Luiz has been largely marginalised this term though since falling out with Conte during a Champions League defeat to Roma and has not played a single Premier League minute since the victory over Manchester United on November 5. The official line peddled by Chelsea is that Luiz is carrying a knee injury, but it seems his questioning of the Italian's tactics, along with the emergence of Andreas Christensen as a front-line defender, could mean he has played his last game at Stamford Bridge.

Seeing Luiz play in anything other than the blue of Chelsea in the Premier League is hard to imagine, but he will need to be playing regularly to convince national team manager Tite he should partner Thiago Silva at the heart of the Brazilian defence at next summer's World Cup in Russia. Reports in Spain have credited Real Madrid with an interest, though Luiz would be ineligible to play in the Champions League having already appeared in it this term for Chelsea. A move back to Portugal with Benfica could be on the cards.

Manchester United's versatile defender Daley Blind has been restricted to appearances in the League Cup and Champions League. David Klein / Reuters
Manchester United's versatile defender Daley Blind has been restricted to appearances in the League Cup and Champions League. David Klein / Reuters

Daley Blind (Manchester United)

Daley Blind's season has been a mixed bag. After starting the first three league games, the Dutchman has played only four additional minutes in the Premier League since. In contrast, he has played every minute of United's Champions League campaign.

Able to operate at left-back, centre-back and in central midfield Jose Mourinho seems to value the Netherlands international's versatility and tactical nous for important European games more than domestic assignments. With players returning from injury, and Luke Shaw seemingly back in favour at left-back under Mourinho, Blind's avenues back to the first team, at least domestically, seem blocked at every turn.

It is unlikely Mourinho would want to lose such an experienced member of his squad, but the former Ajax player is too good to warm the bench. Blind, 27, will have plenty of suitors, with Bayern Munich reportedly keen to explore his availability.

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Riyad Mahrez of Leicester City celebrates scoring the opening goal against Watford at Vicarage Road on December 26, 2017 in Watford, England. Michael Regan / Getty Images
Riyad Mahrez of Leicester City celebrates scoring the opening goal against Watford at Vicarage Road on December 26, 2017 in Watford, England. Michael Regan / Getty Images

Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City)

The Algerian winger is back to his twinkle-toed best following an alarming dip after helping Leicester win the most improbable of titles in 2016. Mahrez has been directly involved in 17 league goals for the Foxes (seven goals, 10 assists) with his trademark trickery, long-range strikes and ability to feed Jamie Vardy propelling Leicester up the table under new manager Claude Puel.

Mahrez handed in a transfer request in the summer and it remains to be seen whether he sees his long-term future at the King Power Stadium. His attacking talents should appeal to a number of suitors, not least Arsenal's Arsene Wenger, who himself knows he is likely to lose one of, if not both, Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez either this transfer window or in the summer. The Frenchman would do well to bolster his ranks now.

Ross Barkley of Everton reacts after failing to score during the Premier League match against Leicester City at Goodison Park on April 9, 2017 in Liverpool, England. Michael Regan / Getty Images
Ross Barkley of Everton reacts after failing to score during the Premier League match against Leicester City at Goodison Park on April 9, 2017 in Liverpool, England. Michael Regan / Getty Images

Ross Barkley (Everton)

The midfielder has yet to make an appearance this season because of injury problems. An acrimonious fallout with previous manager Ronald Koeman, as well as a reluctance to agree fresh terms - his current deal expires in 2018 - seemed to signal the end of Barkley's time at Goodison Park. But could that all change under a new man?

Sam Allardyce has expressed a desire to keep the England international, but with only six months remaining on the 24-year-old playmaker's contract a serious offer could see club and player part ways. Barkley has been heavily courted by Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur in the past and has cited his desire to play Champions League football as a reason for wanting to leave. But whether either of the London clubs still see him as part of their plans remains to be seen. Southampton have cash to burn following Virgil van Dijk's record £75 million transfer to Liverpool, while West Ham United and Newcastle United may also offer him a way out of Goodison.

if you go

The flights 

Etihad and Emirates fly direct to Kolkata from Dh1,504 and Dh1,450 return including taxes, respectively. The flight takes four hours 30 minutes outbound and 5 hours 30 minute returning. 

The trains

Numerous trains link Kolkata and Murshidabad but the daily early morning Hazarduari Express (3’ 52”) is the fastest and most convenient; this service also stops in Plassey. The return train departs Murshidabad late afternoon. Though just about feasible as a day trip, staying overnight is recommended.

The hotels

Mursidabad’s hotels are less than modest but Berhampore, 11km south, offers more accommodation and facilities (and the Hazarduari Express also pauses here). Try Hotel The Fame, with an array of rooms from doubles at Rs1,596/Dh90 to a ‘grand presidential suite’ at Rs7,854/Dh443.

Frankenstein in Baghdad
Ahmed Saadawi
​​​​​​​Penguin Press

England Test squad

Joe Root (captain), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow (wicketkeeper), Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Alastair Cook, Sam Curran, Keaton Jennings, Dawid Malan, Jamie Porter, Adil Rashid, Ben Stokes.

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
 
Started: 2020
 
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
 
Based: Dubai, UAE
 
Sector: Entertainment 
 
Number of staff: 210 
 
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
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If you go:
The flights: Etihad, Emirates, British Airways and Virgin all fly from the UAE to London from Dh2,700 return, including taxes
The tours: The Tour for Muggles usually runs several times a day, lasts about two-and-a-half hours and costs £14 (Dh67)
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is on now at the Palace Theatre. Tickets need booking significantly in advance
Entrance to the Harry Potter exhibition at the House of MinaLima is free
The hotel: The grand, 1909-built Strand Palace Hotel is in a handy location near the Theatre District and several of the key Harry Potter filming and inspiration sites. The family rooms are spacious, with sofa beds that can accommodate children, and wooden shutters that keep out the light at night. Rooms cost from £170 (Dh808).