All set for January sales

As shoppers across Europe search for bargains in the January sales, so the arrival of the new year brings football's season of buying and selling as the January transfer window opens.

Batistuta for sale
Now is the time for clubs to reinforce ahead of the second half of the season, to plug gaps opened by injury or loss of form. For others, it represents an opportunity to offload players to ease wage bills and placate bank managers. If not quite a case of 'Everything must go', there are at least some big names rumoured to be moving during the next month, Gabriel Batistuta among them.

Possible replacement
Batistuta seems certain to leave AS Roma, with Turkey's Fenerbahçe SK, English Premiership side Fulham FC and Kashima Antlers of the Japanese J-League all interested in recruiting the 33-year-old Argentinian. His sale could prompt Roma coach Fabio Capello to move for a replacement, possibly Bologna FC's Julio Cruz, Brescia Calcio's Luca Toni or even Real Madrid CF's Fernando Morientes.

Cafu question mark
Cafu, a FIFA World Cup winner with Brazil last summer, may follow 'Batigol' out of Rome. His contract, like Batistuta's, expires in June and he too is attracting interest from Japan. Across Rome, meanwhile, and there may also be some departures from S.S. Lazio.

Uncertainty at Lazio
Sergio Cragnotti is expected to resign as club president on 3 January at a board meeting where the Biancocelesti will decide exactly how much money must be raised through sales. Dutch defender Jaap Stam and Yugoslavian midfield player Dejan Stankovic seem the most coveted assets.

Portuguese starlets
Of course, there is much conjecture about which players Serie A's big guns are targeting. Valencia CF have denied reports of interest from Juventus FC in Pablo Aimar, while Sporting Clube de Portugal's teenage duo of winger Ricardo Quaresma and striker Cristiano Ronaldo have admirers in Milan and Turin. The pair may not be going anywhere just yet, however, and when they move eventually the presence at Manchester United FC of Carlos Queiroz could prove a deciding factor.

Borriello loan
One player leaving AC Milan this winter is Italy Under-21 striker Marco Borriello, who will provide much-needed firepower to either Reggina Calcio or Empoli FC, the two clubs bidding to take him on loan.

Barça to buy
Over to Spain where FC Barcelona's domestic difficulties may see Blaugrana coach Louis van Gaal busy in the transfer market. Speculation is their shopping list includes Argentina defender Gabriel Milito, AFC Ajax captain Cristian Chivu, Chelsea FC striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Lazio's Juan Pablo Sorín. Barça could raise funds by selling Marc Overmars to Liverpool FC.

Quiet time expected
More concrete are RC Deportivo La Coruña's interest in recruiting a new goalkeeper and Valencia's efforts to employ Stade Rennais FC defender Anthony Réveillère. The evidence of recent years suggests a quiet time in the Spanish market: in the past six years the total spent has dropped from €150m to just €21.5m.

Dugarry to Birmingham
This is English football's first experience of a January transfer window and amid the prevailing mood of caution, one or two big deals may go through. Birmingham City FC are ready to sign French international Christophe Dugarry from FC Girondins de Bordeaux having already acquired Ferdinand Coly on loan from RC Lens, while Leeds United FC are looking to offload Lee Bowyer - the England midfield player whose contract expires this summer - with Tottenham Hotspur FC and Newcastle United FC possible destinations.

Keegan wants Fowler
England striker Robbie Fowler will also leave Elland Road, should Manchester City FC manager Kevin Keegan get his way. Keegan will bid €10.7m for Fowler. Sunderland AFC's French striker, David Bellion, could be headed for Manchester United FC after rejecting a contract with the Wearsiders, while Arsenal FC may seek goalkeeping cover for David Seaman.

French rumours
Across the Channel and French champions Olympique Lyonnais have AJ Auxerre's Olivier Kapo and SC Bastia's Mickaël Essien on their wanted list. Ligue 1 surprise package OGC Nice could move for AC Monaco FC's Marco Simone and the out-of-contract Nigerian Taribo West, while two other Monaco men, Shabani Nonda and Jérôme Rothen, are interesting Olympique de Marseille.

All eyes on Bastürk
The most coveted player in Germany is Bayer 04 Leverkusen's Turkish playmaker Yildiray Bastürk, who had a memorable 2002 with both club and country. His future, on the final day of the old year, remains unknown. Stay or go, the first weeks of the new year should reveal all.