Mohamed Salah has set tongues wagging by again discussing interest in him from Barcelona and Real Madrid, but you suspect that the Liverpool star won’t be going anywhere in January.

For other big names, that is less certain.

Lionel Messi is about to enter the final six months of his deal at Barca, and having almost left the Nou Camp in the summer there is plenty of attention focused on just what he’ll do next.

Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain remain interested in Messi, and he could officially start talking to both clubs over a free transfer move at the beginning of next month, before making the switch in the summer.

Messi’s decision could be the one which dominates the January transfer window, while elsewhere there are some big decisions to made for less high-profile players as they target a move.

Joan Laporta wants to take Hector Bellerin back to Barcelona if he wins his bid to be re-elected as president at the Nou Camp.

Laporta, who spent seven years in Barca’s big office until 2010, is the favourite to land the role next month.

And sources in Spain say an agreement is already in place between him and Bellerin’s representatives to try to negotiate a deal with Arsenal that would see the right-back return to the club with whom he began his youth career.

Valencia’s Maxi Gomez could soon be available in a cut price deal as Valencia brace themselves for exits.

The Spanish club have seen a host of key players leave this year with the exodus poised to continue.

Gomez is on Arsenal’s radar and his apparent £125m release clause may be redundant with president Anil Murthy ready to sanction exits.

Liverpool retain an interest in Sporting wonderkid Nuno Mendes, despite reportedly having a €22million rejected.

Mendes is one of the most sought after youngsters in European football after breaking through for the Portuguese giants.

The 18-year-old is understood to have a €45m release clause in his current contract, with his club wary that won’t be enough to fend off potential suitors.