The 2024 summer transfer window was a bit…meh.

Kylian Mbappé's move from Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid was known before the dawn of time, and few moves—aside from a surprise Jadon Sancho/Raheem Sterling shuffle on deadline day—really got the blood pumping.

Big names who were expected to move stayed put, or were banished. Some remain in the wilderness.

The cold winter months are creeping ever closer, the frosty grip of panic slowly inching its way over clubs who will need something a little extra in the expensive mid-season market.

January is a sellers' market, unless the insidious spectre of a vital asset only having six months left on their current contract waves from the distance. It's a time in which situations need to be sorted quickly without the multi-month build-up of the summer. The desperation can't lead to a window as boring as the one we've just witnessed, can it?

Here's 10 names whose next move will likely be in focus when 2025 slaps itself across the calendar.

Mohamed Salah, Liverpool

Front-runners: Any Saudi club

Dark horses: A new Liverpool contract

Mohamed Salah has started brilliantly under new Liverpool manager Arne Slot. Even so, three goals and three assists in three Premier League matches doesn't tell the entire story.

The Egyptian is leading the way with Slot's precise style of play, taking a little more time on the ball to maintain possession while ensuring the cutting edge of Jurgen Klopp's era remains.

Salah seems incredibly focused and purposeful, his brilliance often not applauded as much as it should be because it's so regular. His two assists in the 3-0 destruction of Manchester United were formidable. He made them look easy for away supporters who sang his name around the crumbling arena of their biggest rivals.

However, his post-match comments will have made those chants dull slightly:

Salah's contract ends at the conclusion of the current season. He appears to be slowly letting everyone know he expects to move on once it's done. Losing him on a free isn't the greatest end to his tenure for Liverpool, speaking from a business sense, even if he will be 33 by the time next season begins.

The Saudi Arabian league is a no-brainer from the player's point of view. Huge money, plenty of chances to score and the opportunity to be the face of the Islamic world's huge investment in football.

Victor Osimhen, Napoli (On Loan at Galatasaray)

Front-runners: Chelsea, Al-Ahli

Dark horses: Arsenal, Manchester United

Nobody wins from the Victor Osimhen situation—except Galatasaray, who offered him a loan lifeline this week. Napoli don't get the money they want, largely through greed, and the player doesn't get the move up.

Napoli originally struck a deal with Al Ahli in the region of £67 million, only to increase its demands and eventually lose out altogether, per Sky Sports.

The Serie A side lost out on vital funds, the Saudi club didn't land their main target and Osimhen has now been condemned with Romelu Lukaku coming in to replace him. He also missed out on earning a lot of money, with Ivan Toney and Brentford grabbing the bag instead.

So Napoli, a side who Osimhen led to the title in 2022-23 before they finished 10th last year, now have one of the world's best strikers doing nothing for them in an important season. This is a player who finished eighth in last year's Ballon d'Or vote, higher than Salah, Harry Kane, Robert Lewandowski and Karim Benzema.

Chelsea did attempt to land the Nigeria international, albeit with an offer that reportedly angered him, per Sky Italia (h/t Football Italia). Offering him €4 million in confirmed wages (with extra in performance-related add-ons), when he'd just accepted ten times that with Al Ahli, is extremely unserious.

At a time when there's a great striker shortage, it's a huge shame we're going to witness one of the best frozen out until Napoli finally cave on a permanent transfer.

Ademola Lookman, Atalanta

Front runners: PSG

Dark horses: Arsenal

Another exiled Nigeria international in Serie A, although Atalanta are now working to bring Ademola Lookman back into the fold after transfer speculation led to nothing.

Late reports picked up that Arsenal were tempted by the UEFA Europa League final match-winner. That speculation ended as quickly as it started, though, with Mikel Arteta securing a smart deal for Raheem Sterling, whose bizarre treatment at the hands of Chelsea and Enzo Maresca provided an opportunity for a cheap loan.

Lookman, 26, could provide a solution for the Gunners when Sterling is sent back to Stamford Bridge next season.

However, Paris Saint-Germain appear to be circling, with Atalanta reportedly upset an approach was made to the player before the clubs spoke. He'd be a solid addition in an Mbappé-less world, even if an out-and-out goalscorer should be prioritised by the French champions.

Nico Williams, Athletic Club

Front-runners: Arsenal, Barcelona

Dark horses: PSG, Liverpool, Chelsea

A terrific Euro 2024 for Nico Williams didn't quite turn into a big-money move.

The flying winger was heavily linked with Arsenal and Barcelona in what would have been one of the transfers of the summer. In the aftermath, the player has made his commitment to Athletic clear, even amid major interest.

"There were approaches from many clubs," Williams said, per Mundo Deportivo. "My heart is with Athletic. I have a contract here, but who knows what happens in the future. I wanted to stay because playing in Europe with Athletic Club was what I was most excited about."

The 22-year-old was a pivotal figure in his boyhood team's run to fifth in La Liga, scoring five goals and assisting 11 times in 31 appearances.

Williams possesses incredible pace and dribbling ability while improving his end product to a point where he's consistently impacting matches for club and country. A real superstar for whoever eventually lands him, with rumours likely to pick up as January approaches.

Rodrygo, Real Madrid

Front-runners: Manchester City

Dark horses: Arsenal

This will be a slow-burner.

Rodrygo continues to perform well for Real Madrid and was an important asset in last season's run to the treble. However, Mbappé's arrival will throw up rumours even if his playing time isn't impacted too significantly.

The 23-year-old has all the qualities to be the star man at most clubs. He misses the podium at Madrid, with Mbappé, Bellingham and Vinicius Jr gaining so much attention. That's probably fine for the player—who previously indicated he isn't looking to leave—but it won't be fine for the media, who will see an easy target to float rumours off.

These will go into hyperdrive if Endrick forces his way into the starting lineup, pushing Mbappé wide and Rodrygo to the bench.

Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti is a good man-manager and should have the experience to bat away any suggestions one of his Galacticos will leave.

The fact remains, if there's any sniff that Rodrygo wants out, clubs will come running. I'm watching you, Manchester City.

Benjamin Šeško, RB Leipzig

Front-runners: Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United

Dark horses: Bayern Munich, Tottenham Hotspur

It seems like years ago that Benjamin Šeško was heavily linked with Arsenal. The summer began with such rumours, but even after decent showings at Euro 2024, he stayed with RB Leipzig.

Šeško's camp may have publicly used one or two clubs to get their player a new contract. He landed the new deal in June, and after scoring 18 goals in all competitions last season, he is ready to show what he can do on a grander stage.

The 21-year-old is well-built, clever on the ball and has that little Zlatan-esque ingredient that makes him fun to watch: endless self-confidence. People often say "Premier League-ready" when talking about physical stature, but it would be doing Šeško a disservice to suggest that's all he can bring.

Those Arsenal rumours make perfect sense. A slightly different option to Kai Havertz could be the spark the Gunners need if they're chasing the title come January.

Jarrad Branthwaite, Everton

Front runners: Manchester United, Liverpool

Dark horses: Newcastle United

Jarrad Branthwaite to Manchester United seemed a shoo-in during the early weeks of the window.

Everton turned down multiple bids in an effort to get the Red Devils to up their offer to Harry Maguire money. United used to give in. This time, they snapped up Leny Yoro, who attracted interest from Real Madrid, instead. Everton need an injection of cash so it's not an insignificant conclusion that Branthwaite still remains at Goodison Park.

A surprise move to Liverpool is now being reported. Aside from the obvious hurdle of Everton selling to their local rivals, everything about the move makes complete sense. Arne Slot will need a successor for Virgil van Dijk before too long and Branthwaite has shown glimpses of having similar attributes.

The 22-year-old is decent on the ball, hard to dribble around and dominant in the air. Slot likes defenders who can be trusted to win their one-on-ones, making Branthwaite a solid long-term candidate for his project.

The fact remains Everton are going to need money soon. If the unthinkable happens—relegation to the Championship ahead of next season's move to their new stadium—it will be even more vital to get top dollar for their main asset.

Ben Chilwell, Chelsea

Front-runners: Manchester United, Brentford

Dark horse: A reunion with Jose Mourinho?

Ben Chilwell's career hasn't gone to plan. Constantly injured since his big move to Chelsea, the former Leicester City left-back is no longer wanted as he doesn't fit into Maresca's tactical style. Or at least the manager isn't willing to give him a chance to do so.

Like Sterling, Chilwell is now publicly known to have zero Chelsea future. Unlike Sterling, he couldn't secure a move away on deadline day. Manchester United were linked, despite having their own injury-plagued left-back in Luke Shaw, and Brentford reportedly made an advance before settling on Jayden Meghoma.

Chilwell needs to be playing regular football. Whoever decides to take the risk will be getting one of the best full-backs in England if he can maintain a season without extended time out.

A big-name player, plus sizable wages, plus injury problems? It's a difficult concoction to swallow for any suitors, although rumblings of Jose Mourinho's interest at Fenerbahce could work out well for all.

Kieran Trippier, Newcastle United

Front-runners: Everton

Dark horses: Eyupspor

Kieran Trippier's stock is definitely waning. He was consistently linked with Everton as the deadline approached in what would have been a reunion with Sean Dyche from his Burnley days.

The 33-year-old would have made perfect sense for the Toffees in what is shaping up to be a difficult season for the club.

Reports have surfaced suggesting Trippier could land in Turkey before the end of September. He still has plenty to give and should be on the radar of more sides considering he has just retired from international football with England. That's a player who has given himself a good chance of prolonging his career.

Trippier remains an expert set-piece taker. He's worth a few goals a season alone from that, although his slowing legs mean he does need more protection than he used to at right-back.

Tino Livramento's emergence into the Newcastle side is Eddie Howe's acceptance of this, and eventually, will be Trippier's route out of St. James' Park.

Casemiro, Manchester United

Front runners: A Saudi club

Dark horses: Retirement

A sad note on a very good footballer (we musn't forget that).

Casemiro had the performance against Liverpool on Sunday. His two mistakes and head loss will be the game spoken about long after he's gone. Which is a shame, because he has done a lot of excellent work for United, particularly during his first season at the club.

What we have here is an ageing great, who needs to be removed from the spotlight.

Things could turn sour if the 32-year-old Brazilian stays with Erik ten Hag's strugglers too much longer. Even though he's a leader in the squad, his lack of composure during difficult moments is alarming and keeps costing United a shot at points.