Paredes to Chelsea and 10 possible transfers before January window closes

Man City are acutely aware that should something happen to first-choice anchorman Fernandinho, the club's options in the middle of the park are severely limited.

Therefore, speculation is mounting that they could turn to a Premier League rival in order to strengthen that position, in the shape of West Ham wonderkid Declan Rice.

Bookmakers have slashed odds in recent days on him leaving east London, with Pep Guardiola's team said to be a keen admirer of a player who has twice represented Republic of Ireland in friendlies but is now being courted by England.

It is proving to be a busy transfer window for the Blues. While Gonzalo Higuain has arrived, the Londoners are almost resigned to losing one of their most talented youngsters.

Callum Hudson-Odoi has had his head turned by the prospect of regular first-team football with Bayern Munich, who are willing to pay an estimated £35 million ($45.7m) for the teenager's services.

Chelsea have attempted to ward off the Bavarians' interest with a lucrative new contract, but the academy product looks set to follow in the footsteps of fellow winger Jadon Sancho by leaving England for Germany.

Previously touted as one of Barcelona's most promising talents, Denis Suarez has failed to win over coach Ernesto Valverde and, thus, finds himself way down the midfield pecking order at Camp Nou.

Wednesday's news that Frenkie de Jong will be arriving in Catalunya this summer only makes a move away even likelier for the 25-year-old with one Spain cap to his name.

A loan move to Arsenal remains a distinct possibility, although the Gunners' reluctance to accept a compulsory purchase clause for the end of the season has seen talks stall.

Zenit's Leandro Paredes was seen by Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri as the perfect replacement for Cesc Fabregas, who departed for Monaco earlier this month.

The Blues, though, were frustrated by the Russians' dismissal of their €30m (£27m/$34m) valuation of the Argentina international.

As a result, the playmaker is now set to join Paris Saint-Germain, who have missed out on De Jong and are, therefore, willing to pay a whopping €40 million (£34.9m/$45.5m) for Paredes, with a further €5m (£4.1m/$5.7m) to be paid in commissions.

With Adrien Rabiot banished to the reserves and Marco Verratti struck down with injury, PSG could well decide to bring in another midfielder alongside Paredes.

Despite an encouraging return to form at the start of the season, Renato Sanches has once again fallen out of favour at Bayern Munich and is reportedly eyeing yet another fresh start.

Sunderland's Josh Maja has enjoyed a breakout season in League One, netting 15 goals in 24 league games to spearhead his side's quest to return to the Championship.

However, the 20-year-old sensation is out of contract in the summer and the Black Cats are resigned to cashing in on their gem to avoid a free transfer.

Bordeaux have reached an agreement with the youngster and are set to complete a £3.5m ($4.6m) switch in the coming days.

Arsenal ace Aaron Ramsey has already completed a medical with Juventus and a transfer to Turin now looks inevitable.

The timing of that transfer, however, is still to be decided. The Wales midfielder is out of contract in June and it initially appeared that he would arrive in Turin on a free transfer.

Juve, however, are considering a bid to push the move through in January and could offer a player in exchange in order to tempt the cash-strapped Gunners into releasing their star ahead of schedule.

Portugal's enigmatic, much-travelled winger Ricardo Quaresma will soon be on the move again.

The 35-year-old is set to cancel his contract with cash-strapped Besiktas, following the example of Pepe in leaving the Turkish giants as they seek to reduce their crippling wage bill.

And Quaresma may even follow his compatriot to Porto, who are negotiating a deal for Quaresma that would begin once he completes the formalities in Istanbul.

Colombia's Wilmar Barrios gave a good impression of himself at the World Cup and a string of fine performances for Boca Juniors in the Copa Libertadores have only enhanced his reputation in Europe.

Roma now appear favourites to acquire the hard-tackling midfielder, having made an offer that would see him move on loan for the next six months before signing a deal worth an estimated $24 million (£18m).

Tottenham had also been linked with the player prior to the opening of the window.

Fellow Boca star Nahitan Nandez had also been tipped for a move to Italy but the Uruguayan's mooted Cagliari transfer has lost momentum over the course of the month and now appears unlikely.

Gonzalo Higuain's arrival at Stamford Bridge has created a ripple effect in forward lines across Europe.

AC Milan struck quickly to replace the Argentine striker with Genoa star Krzysztof Piatek, whose move to San Siro was announced even before Pipita's Stamford Bridge switch.

Higuain's signing leaves little room for Alvaro Morata, who is now expected to join Atletico Madrid – initially on loan – on Thursday.