Five Serie A players who could make winter window moves to Premier League clubs

Jurgen Klopp’s Reds could use added steel too, but Chelsea (4/7 with Coral to win the PL title) are the club which jump out most. Yes, the Blues already boast pitch-covering N’Golo Kante, but the Frenchman has featured in all but one of Antonio Conte’s PL games in charge and so could benefit from not only a dynamic partner, with Kessie already playing in a system featuring three at the back and four in midfield, but a rotation option.

Although, coveted Kessie did once reveal “Manchester United has always been my favourite team…”

Gregoire Defrel (Sassuolo)

French forward Defrel has been making waves as one of struggling Sassuolo’s standout men come rain or shine this season, as the 25-year-old has scored 10 across 25 appearances in all competitions so far, also providing four assists.

The Meudon-born marksman has proven particularly effective in Europe, notching four from eight in Europa League qualifying and group stages.

Liverpool (4/1 to lift the PL) are the club said to have sat up and taken notice as they supposedly seek a replacement for injury-prone pair Daniel Sturridge and Danny Ings, especially with Sadio Mane due to leave for the African Cup of Nations.

West Ham United, however, have also been linked and would look the smarter move if Defrel, who has only just risen to prominence as somewhat of a late bloomer, if it is a long-term chance of game time he is after.

Antonio Rudiger (Roma)

Germany capped centre back Rudiger is one of Roma’s prized assets and, at still only 23, should be clung onto all costs if the Giallorossi really have Scudetto ambitions.

Money talks, though, and telling whispers are repeatedly tipping the towering defender for an arrival on English shores. Again elite outfits, Chelsea and Man Utd are supposedly poised to go head-to-head for the German, but do they really need him in January?

Both teams have reaped rewards from their current settled backlines and, though they may reevaluate rearguard options in summer, shaking their starting XIs up now could do more harm than good.

Rudiger would only likely leave the Eternal City for a trophy-challenging team, so that leaves leaky pair Liverpool and Man City as arguably better options. Jurgen Klopp has the German connection and the chance to partner the Roma man with Bochum-bron Joel Matip. While, the Sky Blues are really in need of a solid addition at the back.

Lucas Biglia (Lazio)

Across in the light blue half of Rome, Lazio may also find themselves raided for a key performer in the form of Argentina international Biglia.

Long believed to be eyeing a move to the Premier League, the classy and composed midfielder is now 30 and it could be a case of now or never.

Due to Antonio Conte’s Serie A links perhaps, Chelsea are favourites to land the Lazio skipper with the purported £21m asking price supposedly putting off the likes of Juventus and Inter Milan.

With Man Utd relying on the ongoing fitness of Ander Herrera and Paul Pogba, Old Trafford may be a better home for the South American, but no fresh links have occurred.

Geoffrey Kondogbia (Inter Milan)

Still highly-rated midfield man Kondogbia finds himself on the fringes of Inter’s new project following yet another dug-out change, with Liverpool and Chelsea in the frame for the Frenchman, who is still only 23 but seems to have been around for an age.

With his short-lived Nerazzurri career looking likely to end after stints at Sevilla and Monaco too, a move to England could refresh Kondogbia’s career.

So, rather than title chasers, perhaps a lower pressure environment such as with Everton or Leicester City could work wonders, though a mooted pricetag of around £18m could be off-putting.

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