The winter window is a notoriously difficult time for sides to try and get transfer business concluded however with clubs often reluctant to lose players midway through the campaign.
One way clubs can avoid this, however, is by signing players on pre-contract agreements. Premier League sides are able to negotiate a pre-contract with players playing outside of the UK from January 1. This pre-contract means players would join on a free transfer once their existing contract expires in the summer.
It is a good way for clubs, like Newcastle, to navigate Financial Fair Play constraints and with the modern game seeing more and more players opting to run down their contracts in order to gain a lucrative move abroad, there are plenty of talented players available for the Magpies to sign on a pre-contract in January.
13. Lionel Messi
Messi’s contract at PSG expires in the summer, meaning if any clubs do want to secure his signature, they can start that process in January, although there is an option to extend his stay in Paris. Messi has been heavily-linked with a move to the MLS. Photo: Dan Mullan