The January transfer window is always a busy time for European clubs, and this particular window will be no different, with numerous African soccer players identified as potential transfer targets.
A number of Africans seem destined to leave their current clubs in search for glory with new teams, while many clubs see the opportunity to strengthen their sides with the addition of the players on this list.
In some cases soured relationships between player and coach seem set to force the player out of the club, while in other situations the star player is simply in heavy demand.
We take a closer look at 12 of the African soccer players who are transfer targets in the market window this January.
The powerful Senegalese striker is only 23, and he has a long soccer career ahead of him, though he may continue that career in the Premier League come January. Both Liverpool and Leicester City are interested in the Fiorentina attacker, and 2017 may see him feature in the English top flight.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
The current African Player of the Year continues to tell the media about how happy he is at Borussia Dortmund, but his excellent form continues to attract the attention of the big guns, with English clubs Arsenal and Manchester City, as well as Milan reportedly keen on the 27-year-old Gabon international.
Yaya Toure
The four-time African Player of the Year may leave Manchester City during the transfer window, in search of greener pastures, as his relationship with coach Pep Guardiola is still not at its best, and he would be assured of a solid first team place at another club, such as Inter Milan.
John Obi Mikel
The Chelsea veteran has been the subject of transfer speculation for the last year, with offers coming in from Chinese and Turkish clubs. Chelsea coach Antonio Conte has barely used the Nigerian captain, and it seems that it is time for him to move on.
Mame Biram Diouf
The Senegalese player is doing well at Stoke City, prompting a fair amount of transfer interest from clubs in Germany and China. He seems to be happy at the Potters, but his bosses may decide to let him go if a good offer comes along from foreign lands.
Wilfred Ndidi
The Nigerian midfielder is as versatile as they come, and this dynamic quality has attracted the interest of Leicester City in the Premier League. The RC Genk player could join the English champions in January for an estimated fee of $17.6 million.
Kalidou Koulibaly
The talented Senegalese defender recently signed a new deal with Napoli, but that may not necessarily stand in the way of a move, with the 25-year-old in high demand, especially in England, where Chelsea are potential suitors.
Keita Baldé Diao
Another of the African soccer players who will be a genuine transfer target come January is the 21-year-old Senegalese striker making waves at Lazio. AC Milan is the latest team to be added to the list of his potential suitors, with fellow Serie A rivals Napoli also interested.
Franck Kessie
Atalanta’s 19-year-old Ivorian talent, Franck Kessie, is another of the new generation of African talents who could be on the move in the January transfer window. The list of interested clubs include Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Juventus.
Kelechi Iheanacho
The 20-year-old Nigerian striker has been a revelation over the last year, and while he is valued at Manchester City, he is often seen as a substitute for the likes of Sergio Aguero and Nolito, which may see him explore the interest from clubs such as Barcelona in Spain.
Kwadwo Asamoah
Transfer rumours in England suggest that Premier League club Chelsea are interested in the services of Ghanaian midfielder and African soccer star Kwadwo Asamoah from Italian Serie A side Juventus, where his former manager Antonio Conte is in charge.
Thulani Serero
It has been a tough season for South African Serero, who has been frozen out of the Ajax Amsterdam side, without a jersey number even being allocated to him, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel, with English side Reading and French team Bordeaux keen on his signature this January.