Back in November, Wales manager Rob Page called for a number of his players to consider moving clubs to play regular football ahead of their Euro 2024 play-off game against Finland in March.
The winner of that fixture will play either Poland or Estonia for a place in this summer’s tournament, however, several members of the Wales’ squad are finding game-time hard to come by so far this season at their respective clubs, prompting Page’s plea for some of his players to go and find first-team football.
"We have to be on the front foot with it... we need to take every advantage into these games in March," he said.
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"If that means we have to try and influence some of the players to go and play and get minutes then we'll be having those conversations. We have to be selfish; we have to think of ourselves in this as well and get the players playing as many games as they can.
"We need to get all of us [coaches] in the room and have a plan, go through the squad - the potential squad - who needs to get out playing games, who needs more minutes, and we'll try to determine how healthy the bodies are coming into camp in March."
With the January transfer window now more than halfway complete, the rumour mill is in overdrive regarding several members of Page’s squad and with that in mind, we’ve looked at those Welshmen linked with moves away from their current sides.
Ben Davies
According to The Athletic, Leeds are looking at Tottenham Hotspur defender Ben Davies in their search for a left-back, however correspondent Phil Hay stressed that a move seems unlikely for the 30-year-old. Davies may not have been a major part of Ange Postecoglou plans when the Australian took the Spurs job, yet due to injuries and suspensions in the Tottenham defence the defender has appeared 14 times this season, and with his versatility across left-back and the left-hand-side of a three-man defensive unit, it seems doubtful that he will depart the Premier League side in the January window.
Jordan James
It was reported earlier in the window that Birmingham City’s Jordan James had agreed shock terms with Italian side Atalanta. The midfielder has been a shining light in what has been a pretty dismal season for the Blues, scoring six goals in 25 games as well as breaking into the Wales setup, playing every minute of the national team’s games against Armenia and Turkey in their bid to qualify for this summer’s tournament. The 19-year-old originally had a hard time breaking into the Birmingham starting XI but has become one of the first names on the team sheets, something that is bound to please Page with James being one of Wales’ best young prospects. His immediate future is one to watch before the deadline.
Kieffer Moore
Wales’ number nine has been linked frequently with a return to Cardiff City over the past few weeks, with manager Erol Bulut making no secret of his want to bring the 31-year-old back to south Wales. However several more Championship clubs are vying for the striker’s signature. The Sun report Middlesbrough, Leeds United, Ipswich Town, Sunderland, West Brom and Birmingham City are all showing interest in the target man. Cardiff seems to be the preference of the player, who has only featured seven times for Bournemouth this season and the Premier League side seem keen to offload.
Danny Ward
Wales’ number one is in desperate need of a move in this window, with the shot-stopper currently playing second fiddle to Mads Hermansen at Championship leaders Leicester City. Ward was Brendan Rodgers’ first-choice goalkeeper in the Premier League last season, playing 26 times and keeping six clean sheets. However, he hasn’t featured since the Foxes relegation to the Championship. According to the Sun, Cardiff are interested in the keeper on a loan deal until the end of the season, which would give him some much-needed playing time ahead of Wales’ play-off in March. The Bluebirds may face competition however, with Premier League strugglers Sheffield United also said to be interested.
Connor Roberts
Connor Roberts is the second player on this list to be linked with a move to Daniel Farke’s Leeds United, and won’t be the last. The full-back was a vital part of Burnley’s promotion to the Premier League last season, making 50 appearances across all competitions. However he has found playing time limited so far this term, only making 15 outings. According to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Roberts has been a long-time target for the Whites in their hunt for defensive reinforcements after Luke Ayling and Djed Spence both left the club this month.
Neco Williams
Another right-back linked with Leeds this window is Nottingham Forest’s Neco Williams. The Athletic’s Phil Hay revealed at the start of the window that Leeds were looking at the Welshman on a loan deal until the end of the season, however it is understood that Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo is reluctant to let the 22-year-old leave the City Ground. Williams played a big part in Forest’s first season back in the Premier League last season, but like many players on this list has fallen down the pecking order this season, only making 14 appearances so far, with most of those being off the bench.
David Brooks
Brooks is also linked with a move to Leeds, according to talkSPORT's Alex Crook, with Farke’s side interested in securing a loan move for the 26-year-old for the second half of the season. The winger made a sensational return to football last season after his battle with cancer, and has appeared 16 times so far this season, however the majority of these have been off the bench. Brooks’ potential transfer to Yorkshire may impact Daniel James in some way, with both players mainly playing on the right wing.
Chris Mepham
Like his national team manager has outlined, Mepham has already spoken of his desire to play more first-team football, with the defender only making five appearances so far this season for Bournemouth. The 26-year-old has been linked with a switch to Premier League strugglers Sheffield United in the transfer window which would give him some much-needed playing time. Mepham is clearly a vital part of Page’s plans, and has almost appeared more for his country this season than his club.
Charlie Savage
Son of former Welsh international Robbie, Charlie Savage is currently plying his trade in League One with Reading, however with the club’s future uncertain teams are taking notice of the midfielder who could be on his way out in the January window. The 20-year-old has been linked with Derby County and Stockport County, and with Reading’s difficult financial situation, the Royals may be forced to part ways with him. Savage made his senior Wales debut in the 4-0 win over Gibraltar in October, and then was named amongst the substitutes for his country’s Euro qualifier game against Croatia.