And the January transfer window is officially open!

With Christmas out of the way, the football world can focus on its very own gift-giving season. It's time for panic buys, overspending and transfer rumours that are seemingly made on a random generator.

Last January was the month of Mykhaylo Mudryk, Enzo Fernandez, Cody Gakpo and Anthony Gordon in what was a typically expensive few weeks for English clubs. It was also the month of Wout Weghorst replacing Cristiano Ronaldo on loan at Manchester United.

Expect many names thrown about the continent during the next four weeks, starting with this column-hugging selection…

One last note: you may be wondering where a certain Kylian Mbappé is. The reality is we've been down this road with the French star, but the dalliance with the World Cup winner and Real Madrid has been ongoing for years now. Wake us up when he's playing with Los Blancos.

Ivan Toney, Brentford

You'd suspect Ivan Toney would have already secured his move from Brentford if it wasn't for his eight-month ban from playing football after breaching the Football Association's betting rules. The England international is available again from Jan. 16 and has the proven quality to spark any misfiring team into life.

Toney netted 20 goals in the Premier League last season. He holds the ball up well, can turn his man, and most vitally, is lethal in a variety of situations. He was at his peak before the ban, so if he can return with that kind of gusto, there's a talismanic striker up for grabs.

What are we saying, Arsenal, United or Chelsea?

Victor Osimhen, Napoli

Talking of talismanic strikers, every window Victor Osimhen remains at Napoli is a major win for the Serie A champions.

Walter Mazzarri's side are putting up a pathetic title defence at a time when they need to push on to keep their best players long-term. The fact is Napoli are struggling to recapture Champions League football, let alone make up the 17-point gap between them and leaders Inter.

That's going to leave Osimhen, who scored 26 in Serie A last season and has seven this campaign, with an obvious decision. Where Toney seems like he'd punch well for the English clubs, Osimhen's availability would likely alert European giants as well.

Jadon Sancho, Manchester United

Whether you think Jadon Sancho deserves being isolated at Manchester United or not, one thing is for sure: He must move on.

One of England's hottest prospects is rotting away and won't be reinstated at Old Trafford unless he apologises to Erik ten Hag for a dispute regarding the 23-year-old's effort, per The Guardian. It's been months since an amicable make-up was suggested and Sancho's presence is nowhere to be seen.

There has to be a club willing to take a punt on the former Dortmund star, right? Sancho is a clever winger whose close control can open games up. When confident, he is a dynamic asset with serious goal contributions in his locker; let's not forget he stumped up 17 goals and 16 assists in the 2019-20 Bundesliga season.

As ever, expectations of high wages and a high fee will hinder United's ability to move the big name on.

Kalvin Phillips, Manchester City

Across town at the Etihad Stadium is another Englishman who has plenty to offer. Kalvin Phillips' transfer to Pep Guardiola's juggernaut side has been odd to say the least. He has made just 31 appearances in all competitions, with six of those being starts, since getting his big move from Leeds United in 2022.

Bear in mind Phillips was a key cog for his hometown club and has played a major role in Gareth Southgate's England success. He is now 28 and in need of finding a club who will utilise his excellent defensive midfield qualities. Pep recently said he is "so sorry" to Phillips for how he's been treated in what are, quite frankly, very strange quotes. He literally bought him and hasn't played him.

Expect a loan move to an English side. Ironically, United could do with his presence, but that may be an opportunity too far-reaching for the former Leeds hero.

Jean-Clair Todibo, Nice

A lot was expected of Jean-Clair Todibo when he left Toulouse to join Barcelona in 2019. His pitch as the Blaugrana's long-term replacement for Gerard Piqué never took off, but the 24-year-old has benefitted massively from moving away from such an intense spotlight.

The Frenchman now has multiple seasons of quality work behind him and is ready for the next step. His aggression and front-footedness should make him an attractive prospect to sides who want to set the tempo. The likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United are linked; two teams where his presence would make total sense, albeit for different reasons.

Ange Postecoglou's Spurs are at their best when attacking the ball all over the pitch, while United have looked defensively most solid when Harry Maguire manages to step out of defence to win the ball. Keep his price tag reasonable and Todibo would be a great pick up.

Serhou Guirassy, Stuttgart

Few players have a breakout season at the age of 27.

Serhou Guirassy has been a decent goalscorer throughout his career, but his loan move (later made permanent) to Stuttgart has proven to be a real spark. Anyone close to matching Harry Kane's ridiculous output deserves to be taken seriously, especially without the world-class Bayern Munich talents backing him up.

Guirassy has 17 goals this campaign, including hat-tricks against Mainz and Wolfsburg, plus goals in two wins over Dortmund. He would likely be a reactionary signing for most who wouldn't be looking his way before the season began, but a major injection for those willing to take a calculated punt.

With a $19.4 million release clause, the 27-year-old could be good business for a side desperately looking for goals.

Conor Gallagher, Chelsea

Another Englishman in a weirdly precarious position? Conor Gallagher is both regular Chelsea captain and linked with a move away, a perfect window into the volatility of a club that has spent a ridiculous amount in recent windows. The Blues were the defining club of this transfer period in 2023 and are yet to see any significant payoff from investments made.

Gallagher is a quality player whose work-rate should make him popular with fans of any club he's at. We're not seeing the creative output he displayed during his loan spells with West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace, but he continues to wear his heart on his sleeve and battle for one of the worst Chelsea teams in recent memory.

It really feels like there's a player to still be moulded here; someone who needs a manager to spot his best qualities and actively elevate them.

Gallagher is only 23, and despite not scoring this season, has netted six and eight in previous Premier League campaigns while away from Stamford Bridge. Can Mauricio Pochettino get the best out of him? Should he continue to play Gallagher more defensively? Big questions that need to be answered soon.