Man Utd's Harry Maguire to Spurs among remarkable £417m predicted January transfer window deals

The nights are cutting in, there is a chill in the eye and the festive adverts are on television - yes, like it or not, that crucial Christmas period is rapidly approaching.

This is where seasons are defined, title challenges and relegation battles can swing from one emotion to another on a daily basis and the Premier League action seems to arrive on a daily basis as broadcasting companies wreak havoc on the fixture schedule.

Of course, there is also the small matter of the January transfer window to follow and clubs across the league are already formulating their plans for the new year trading. With the window set to open in just under two months, we took to Football Manager 2024 to predict how things could play out in the transfer market in the first month of the new year.

Harry Maguire - Manchester United to Tottenham Hotspur (£21m)

Often maligned, rarely trusted, Maguire's time at Old Trafford came to a predictable end in the final week of the January transfer window. Although his departure was predictable, his destination was certainly not as the England star joined Ange Postecoglou's Spurs in a £21m deal and was placed straight into the Aussie's first-choice lineup.

Ivan Toney - Brentford to Manchester United (£78m)

Back from a ban, but not back with the Bees. There were several clubs keen on England striker Toney when he returned from his suspension but it was the Red Devils that boosted their forward ranks with a big money deal for the former Peterborough United star.

Federico Chiesa - Juventus to Chelsea (£42m)

Often linked with a move to the Premier League, Italy winger Chiesa became the latest big money signing at Chelsea as the Blues saw off offers from Newcastle, Spurs and Atletico Madrid to sign the Juventus star.

Borja Iglasias - Real Betis to Tottenham Hotspur (£28m)

A new striker for Ange Postecoglou's Spurs as he won the race to sign Betis star Iglasias - although the early signs are the Spain international will be used as backup and competition to other players with the Aussie's ranks.

Jamal Musiala - Bayern Munich to Manchester City (£121m)

The biggest deal of the window came from the reigning Premier League champions as Pep Guardiola continued to strengthen an already strong attacking force with the capture of the Bayern Munich winger. The City boss had to see off competition from the likes of Liverpool, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain to add Musiala to his squad.

Simon Kjaer - Milan to Liverpool (£8m)

Jurgen Klopp had a quiet January transfer window with just one deal completed, despite attempts to add more new faces. The Reds boss maintained faith with his squad and the only deal was a cut price move for AC Milan's experienced centre-back Simon Kjaer.

Ferdi Kadioglu - Fenerbahce to Newcastle United (£21m)

It was a surprisingly quiet transfer window for Eddie Howe as he focused on pruning his squad, rather than adding to it. The likes of Matt Ritchie, Paul Dummett and Jacob Murphy all left St James Park - but there was one new face as Turkish international Kadioglu joined the Magpies.

Nico Schlotterbeck - Borussia Dortmund to Aston Villa (£42m)

This is an intriguing addition for Unai Emery as he adds the Germany international to his defensive ranks. Schlotterbeck swapped Champions League for Conference League and Signal Iduna Park for Villa Park with a £42m move and was partnered with Pau Torres in what looks to be a strong partnership at the heart of the Villa defence.

Kalvin Phillips - Manchester City to Everton (loan)

Not a big money deal - it is Everton after all - but a smart one for the Toffees. Money may well be tight at Goodison Park but securing a loan deal for England midfielder Phillips looks to be a smart piece of business from Sean Dyche.

Kaoru Mitoma - Brighton and Hove Albion to Paris Saint-Germain (£56m)

Another transfer window, another major sale at Brighton and the Seagulls accept a big money offer from the Ligue 1 champions for their Japanese winger. No doubt that money will be reinvested in an unknown winger from the Ecuadorian fourth division who will go on to join Real Madrid in a £90m deal in 12 months time.