When does the January transfer window 2022 open? Dates and the rumours surrounding Bristol City and Rovers

The January transfer window is quickly approaching as clubs around the world and across various levels will be able to do business again.

There is a general feeling in football that this is the most difficult window to conduct business in given it’s the midway point of the season and the shortened time frame.

Both Bristol clubs are performing below expectations at the moment and fresh impetus may be needed to turn their fortunes around.

There have been a few links prior to the window opening whilst we already have an idea of how Bristol City might operate this window.

Here we take a look at the key dates for the next month and how the window works in January.

When does the January transfer window open?

The transfer window opens on 1 January 2022, the same day Bristol Rovers are scheduled to play away at Brisbane Road against Leyton Orient.

Don’t expect the Gas to throw in any new signings to be fielded though as squad lists have to be submitted to the EFL at lunchtime the day before a game.

When does the window close?

Clubs will have until 11pm on 31 January to conduct their transfer business. Of course if a deal takes place on deadline day there are sometimes mitigating circumstances that allow a deal to run over.

Fortunately this day falls on a Monday meaning that there will be no fixtures scheduled on the same day as we’ve seen in previous years.

What type of deals can be done?

Nothing is off of the table in this window as anything goes. Money can be exchanged for players in the form of transfer fees, as well as loans and free agents.

There are limits however to the amount of loan deals you can make in a season. Currently only Connor Taylor from Stoke City and Sion Spence from Crystal Palace are on loan.

City meanwhile aren’t borrowing any players from anyone and instead have been loaning players out themselves. Most recently they recalled Ryley Towler from Grimsby Town.

The difference there however is that the National League is not bound by a transfer window so Towler is available for selection. For Nigel Pearson, this is a month that any players out on loan could be recalled and sent to a Football League side.

Bristol City rumours

Swansea City left-back Jake Bidwell is a reported target though it is understood that City are not interested in him.

Nesta Guinness-Walker, another full-back, who plays for AFC Wimbledon, was linked with a move to B36 in the summer. At one stage it looked like Portsmouth were going to sign him but Danny Cowley has said they aren’t interested.

Topping off the links to full-backs despite the likes of Cameron Pring and Jay DaSilva waiting in the wings is Tom Flangan of Sunderland.

The former MK Dons defender now plays under former Robins boss Lee Johnson and is a Northern Ireland international.

Another name that won’t go away is Michael Smith but Rotherham United in the midst of a promotion race are keen to keep him at the New York Stadium.

Most recently Motherwell striker Tony Watt was also linked but that is another move unlikely to come off.

Hearts defender Craig Halkett has also been linked in the last month but given the recall on Towler and the desire to play academy players, it seems unlikely that he would join.

Whilst he’s no longer a City player, Lloyd Kelly has been linked with a move from AFC Bournemouth to Newcastle United.

It has been confirmed that City have a sell-on-fee on Kelly so should he move that might put some money into the coffers for January.

As well as incomings, there has been interest in starlet Alex Scott who is being closely monitored by Premier League clubs.

Exclusively we can say that there has been interest from Ipswich Town in Kasey Palmer.

Bristol Rovers rumours

On the top of Joey Barton’s shopping list will be defenders given how so many have been injured over the course of the half season.

He could be dealt a blow that Connor Taylor could return to Stoke City, a situation that will be closely monitored throughout the window.

Taylor has been one of the best players of the season so far but given how COVID-19 has decimated squads, the Championship club may want more personnel to fulfil a fixture.

There hasn’t been as many players linked to the Mem in previous years and no deals seem to be in the pipeline right now.

Rasaq Alamu, who plays for Chippenham Town’s youth team has had reported interest from both Fulham and Rovers, but nothing else has come of that.

Drogheda United right-back James Brown was due to go on trial here and at Blackburn Rovers but looks set to remain in the League of Ireland with Dundalk.

Another one likely to get away is Ipswich Town striker James Norwood, who Joey Barton has been a long-term admirer of.

Norwood as transfer listed by the Tractor Boys but after the recent sacking of Paul Cook, has been given a new lease of life at Portman Road.

In terms of outgoings, it’s recently been said that Plymouth Argyle want Mark Hughes at Home Park. The Pilgrims are under the new manager of Steven Schumacher and the new boss hasn’t ruled out making a move for him.

Hughes has made just six appearances this season having been hampered by injury. He would likely join the coaching staff if he were to move on from the Mem.