5 outrageous transfer rumours doing the rounds right now

The January transfer window rarely provides the same sort of fun as we get in summer, but that doesn't mean the rumour mill slows down.

The fun is already in full swing. Some clubs are making new signings and others are setting their sights on potential summer acquisitions, opening the door to a whole host of lines vying for a spot in the gossip column.

Here's our take on five of the wildest rumours currently doing the rounds.

Jhon Duran to Barcelona

The rumour

Barcelona sporting director Deco has been meeting with the agents of Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran, according to SPORT in Spain. He could be available for up to £60m in the summer.

Our take

Will Barcelona ever learn their lesson? Sure, they're back at La Liga's 1:1 spending rules, but they've only made it there by triggering every lever in a 50-mile radius. They've scrambled to register last summer's big-money signing but seem happy to take even more risks to land Duran's signature.

This is no knock on Duran, who has established himself as a genuine attacking powerhouse this season with Villa. He's good enough for a club like Barcelona, but the cost of winning this race is likely to send the Blaugrana spiralling back into financial uncertainty.

Virgil van Dijk to Real Madrid

The rumour

Relevo claim Virgil van Dijk's agents have been speaking with Real Madrid about a blockbuster free transfer during the summer, only for the Spanish side to decline the opportunity to seal a deal.

Our take

A weird one, this. Firstly, the fact Liverpool have let Van Dijk's contract wind down to such a point that he could even talk to Madrid in the first place is mental, but Los Blancos' reluctance to do a deal is equally as perplexing.

Sure, at 33 years old, Van Dijk is getting on a bit. He's clearly a short-term fix in a problem position, but is that such a bad thing? Carlo Ancelotti has been operating with one fit senior centre-back for what feels like an eternity, so why not take a year or two of Van Dijk while you find a long-term solution?

Alexander Isak to Arsenal

The rumour

The rumours of Arsenal's interest in Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak are nothing new, but the fact they haven't gone away after the Swede was valued at £150m is noteworthy. Football Insider continue to describe Isak as a "key target".

Our take

Let's just get this straight. There isn't a footballer on the planet worth £150m, so can we just stop with the silly transfer fees?

Isak is great and he's exactly what Arsenal need - somebody who can actually score goals from open play - but the Gunners simply aren't going to spend £150m on anybody in the current PSR climate that has left every club in England's top flight terrified to loosen the purse strings.

That being said, if Newcastle fail to qualify for the Champions League again and Isak decides he's had his last Brown Ale, his price tag could drop. One to watch, for sure.

Cole Palmer to PSG

The rumour

El Nacional state Paris Saint-Germain have identified Cole Palmer as their dream transfer target, with a bid of €200m (£166m) set to arrive on Chelsea's desk imminently.

Our take

Nope.

PSG have been burned in the past by big transfer fees and have closed the door on their past of reckless spending in favour of building a group of equals who can share the load, rather than play second fiddle to one main star.

It's easy to claim Chelsea wouldn't sell Palmer for any price, but let's be real. £166m is the sort of money even Premier League clubs wouldn't say no to, particularly when there are South American teenagers who need snapping up.

Kobbie Mainoo to Chelsea

The rumour

With concerns over the lack of progress in talks over a new contract, Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has been linked with Chelsea by the Daily Mail, who state the Blues are already "leading the race" for the 19-year-old.

Our take

Is there even a race to lead at this point? Mainoo is under contract until 2027 and also has a 12-month extension clause in his £20,000-a-week deal that United will 100% trigger even if it's just to spite their rivals. Just cancel a few more staff bonuses and it'll pay for itself anyway.

Chelsea are already overflowing with midfielders. Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo are the preferred starters - as they should be after costing a combined £222m - while Romeo Lavia is doing a solid job as backup, and Andrey Santos is stealing hearts over on loan with Strasbourg.

A cut-price deal for Mainoo is one any club would consider regardless of the make-up of their current squad, but it's hard to see Chelsea putting any real effort into a hypothetical move which wouldn't happen until 2027 anyway.

Plus, the claims that he is 'no longer untouchable' sound far more dramatic than necessary. United don't want to sell, but could be tempted if a club arrives with silly money. That's the case for literally every player in the world.

READ THE TRANSFER RUMOURS OF THE PAST WEEK HERE