Ahead of the January transfer window, Sport360 is running a series of features on the players across European football’s top leagues which look at the players who may be on the move this winter.
This time around, it’s the Bundesliga, with the futures of Bayern Munich stars Medhi Benatia and Robert Lewandowski up for debate.
Also going under the microscope are rumoured moves into the German Christmas market by new Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
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Daniel Didavi
Clubs interested: Wolfsburg
Likelihood: 9/10
The 25-year-old scored a double versus Wolfsburg on Saturday to boost Stuttgart's hopes of survival. Intelligent, left-footed with great appreciation for a pass, Didavi has the ability to play Champions League football. However, the Stuttgart No.10 is still a raw talent, having missed long spells through injury, which is perhaps not a great trait for a player who should be in the peak of his career.
Sport360 understands that Leverkusen have pulled out of the race to sign him and Wolfsburg are the front-runners. The Wolves will consider an approach in January, but with his contract expiring in the summer, a pre-contract agreement looks likely. Stuttgart fans might not take too kindly to that news with half a season still to play.
Neven Subotic
Clubs interested: Liverpool
Likelihood: 8/10
Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp will reportedly drop back into the Bundesliga mix to strengthen his side with a focus on defensive reinforcements and a goalkeeper. Having played just two league games, Neven Subotic looks like the perfect candidate to bolster Liverpool's back-four.
The Serbian international, now 27, has become Dortmund's fourth-choice central-defender with Sven Bender now the most-used back up option. The lack of minutes at Signal Iduna Park only makes a transfer to Anfield even more likely in the January window – and Dortmund appears happy to negotiate.
Joel Matip
Clubs interested: Liverpool
Likelihood: 6/10
According to various reports, Liverpool have made contact with Matip's advisors about a January switch. But with the 24-year-old's contract up in the summer and with Schalke competing for a place in the Champions League, Matip would command a fairly substantial transfer fee.
The Cameroonian international's improvements this season can largely be down to concentration. Matip is dominant in the air and can bring the ball out from the back, but has been prone to lapses in concentration in recent seasons. Still, the Schalke defender would be an excellent addition for the Reds.
Sebastian Rode
Clubs interested: Leverkusen, Schalke
Likelihood: 8.5/10
Given the competition for places in Pep Guardiola's midfield, Rode is a name that comes up often in transfer windows. Bayer Leverkusen and Schalke are in the market for extra players in midfield with Bundesliga and European matters to be settled in the next half of the campaign.
Midfield has been a problem position for Leverkusen with Charles Aranguiz expected to use the next six months to improve his fitness. The Werkself are coy about January deals, but Sport360 expects at least one midfielder to join the club in the window.
Sidney Sam
Clubs interested: Eintracht Frankfurt
Likelihood: 7/10
At 27, Sidney Sam might not have much longer to go in the Bundesliga. Suspended by Schalke at the end of last season, the speedy winger hasn't featured this campaign. What happens in January is surely career-defining for a player blessed with great ability on the ball.
A move to Frankfurt fell through in the summer due to a failed medical, but the Eagles are reportedly still interested in the player. Sam has the match-winning qualities to improve most Bundesliga sides so there will be no shortage of suitors in January or in the summer.
Yunus Malli
Clubs interested: Schalke
Likelihood: 6/10
Mainz's future is uncertain with reports that Christian Heidel, the man who essentially guided the club to their current Bundesliga spot, could become Schalke's next sporting director. That would be a huge loss to the Carnival Club, but it could be compounded by the loss of Yunus Malli.
The 23-year-old was recently given his Turkish national team debut having scored eight goals for Mainz this season. Malli is a canny No.10 with intelligence, technique and a knack for scoring goals. A transfer fee – reported to be around nine million euros – could be the major barrier for Schalke.
Stefan Kiessling
Club interested: Werder Bremen, Hamburg, Augsburg, Ingolstadt
Likelihood: 5/10
Stefan Kiessling's celebrations after scoring a double against Borussia Mönchengladbach last week suggested that he was heading for the exit door. But Leverkusen have made efforts to rule out any possible transfer.
Yet the lack of starts for Kiessling must be a concern for the 31-year-old striker as Javier Hernandez continues his outstanding form. A step-down in standard will come eventually, so perhaps January is the appropriate time to move on to a 'smaller' Bundesliga club.
Medhi Benatia
Club interested: Juventus
Likelihood: 4/10
Benatia came in for some serious flack after the 3-1 defeat to Gladbach. One commentator said he wasn't good enough for Bayern Munich, for example. Juventus have maintained an interest in the Moroccan defender since he joined Bayern from Roma last year.
But Benatia and Boateng is the best partnership at the Allianz Arena. The Bavarians won't want to weaken the squad ahead of the push for European success. If Bayern can't get a replacement, Benatia is unlikely to leave.
Robert Lewandowski
Clubs interested: Real Madrid
Likelihood: No chance!
With 15 goals in 16 league games, and seven in six in the Champions League, Lewandowski is perhaps enjoying his best season at Bayern yet. His five goals against Wolfsburg were the perfect example of great finishing, a dying art among modern centre-forwards.
But despite talk of a move to Real Madrid, Lewandowski will almost definitely be staying put in Germany. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, when announcing new contracts for four players, emphasized “Bayern aren't a selling club” so the chances of losing Lewandowski are almost null regardless of reports from Spain.
Jonas Hofmann
Clubs interested: Hamburg, Mainz, Werder Bremen, Hoffenheim, Gladbach
Likelihood: 9.5/10
Hofmann is almost certainly departing in January with the aim of playing more first-team football. The 23-year-old spent half a season at Mainz, but Borussia Dortmund won't loan him out for a second time, according to German magazine Kicker.
Hofmann's direct play would be a good fit for several top-flight clubs. Mainz again, Bremen, Hoffenheim (his former club) and Werder Bremen would be enhanced by the wide man. Having missed Patrick Herrmann for so long, perhaps Borussia Mönchengladbach would be interested in a new right-sided winger.
