The stars of the Premier League who could not move this transfer window

With less than a week to go until the start of the January transfer window, it’s getting late for Premier League clubs and players to make their moves.

It’s been a quiet month so far, but there’s plenty of potential for this final episode to explode into life, and there are a number of players who still need to make a move.

Whether they’re ostracized from their club, asking for a move, plagued by difficult contract situations, or needing a few minutes before the 2026 World Cup, here are the biggest names in the Premier League who need to find a new solution before the window closes on February 2.

Other first-time housekeeping: Lucas Paquetá (West Ham), Oscar Bobb (Manchester City) and Oleksandr Zinchenko (Arsenal) also need a move, but are not included in this list as they all look well on their way to getting one. Paquetá is expected to return to Brazil with Flamengo, Bobb looks set to join Fulham, and Zinchenko is on his way to Ajax.

Let’s not beat the bush; Sterling is the headline name on this list and the man most in need of a change of scenery. He has not played since May, back when he was on loan at Arsenal. That move was not made permanent, and Chelsea have not signed him up since then, leaving him to train away from the first team.

The biggest hurdle, of course, is the 31-year-old’s reported earnings (£325,000 a week). Given that his move will cost so much money, he hasn’t played in nearly eight full months and he hasn’t impressed when he arrives at Arsenal, Sterling represents a gamble – unless, of course, he is willing to terminate his contract at Stamford Bridge.

There is a clause in Elliott’s loan agreement at Aston Villa that makes his departure permanent for about $35 million after 10 appearances. The problem? He will not be able to reach that goal. Unai Emery seemed to have decided that he didn’t want him, so he hasn’t given him a single minute since October 2.

Another irony is that Elliott only made one appearance for Liverpool before joining Villa, so he is now unable to play for another European club this season (two maximum). It means that he can choose to go further, to a team in North America or Asia, if he wants to do so.

Ideally, Liverpool and Villa come to an agreement, perhaps removing the loan clause would convince Emery to use him more. Otherwise, Elliott’s career will remain on hold until next season.

Given Spurs’ predicament, the thought of losing anyone in their squad right now would be tantalizing. However, Tel is not happy.

The Frenchman has started six Premier League games so far this season, never made a run for the club, and was not named in the Champions League squad at the start of the campaign. He was promoted to the matchday squad in December due to Dominic Solanke’s injury but was dropped when the England striker was fit.

There would be plenty of interest in taking Tel on loan for the second half of the campaign, with Paris FC among the clubs in line.

After reported interest from Juventus and Aston Villa last week, Mateta told Palace he wanted to leave. Since then, however, both clubs have gone their separate ways, leaving the French striker stranded.

This week, Nottingham Forest emerged as an option, with reports suggesting they are willing to pay $35 million for his services, despite Palace asking for $40 million. Mateta will be praying that the two sides reach an agreement, as this may be his only way out.

Transfer windows are like dominoes. If Mateta leaves Palace, they will need a new striker. This news should make the ears of Strand Larsen, who clearly wants to jump ship from Wolves, who are scheduled to compete next season.

The 25-year-old Norwegian has had an excellent Premier League campaign in 2024-25, scoring 14 goals, but has scored just once so far this season and has been left out of the regular XI. You are ready to go this last week, but where are you going? Apart from Palace, Leeds United have also shown interest.

Strand Larsen isn’t the only Wolves player to draw good looks; Gomes has performed well in midfield despite his side’s struggles this season, racking up 65 tackles in total — the sixth highest in the Premier League.

Manchester United is reported to have shown interest, and it is possible that if Gomes takes that step, he will be filling the shoes of one of his idols, Casemiro, a Brazilian who will also leave Old Trafford at the end of the season.

There would be an advantage to United signing early, to bed him, and there is a clear advantage to Wolves in ensuring that Gomes avoids a demotion on his CV.

Have you forgotten about Phillips? Well, you are not alone. Amazingly, the 30-year-old is still on the books at Man City and has only played seven minutes of football this season, coming off a 2-0 Carabao Cup win over Huddersfield Town.

There were some signs of health for him last season when he was on loan at Ipswich Town, but a move to the Premier League seems beyond him at this stage. If the stumbling block of his reported £150,000-a-week wages can be overcome, he should literally take any move that is offered to him.

Like Tel and Spurs, it may be difficult for Liverpool to deal with the thought of losing Chiesa this month, with the injured Alexander Isak needing coverage after breaking his leg. But since Isak’s injury, Chiesa has only played a handful of minutes – and that was while Mohamed Salah was away on Africa Cup of Nations duty.

The 28-year-old has started just one Premier League game this season, although Liverpool fans have won him over for his work rate and commitment. If he wants to play at the World Cup with Italy — even though they still have to qualify for the UEFA finals in March — does he need to play more?