The New Year is upon us, and for most this is a time of reflection, and as the year draws to a close and the new one begins, we are in contemplative mood. We’re thinking about transfers! With endings there is always a new beginning and rumor redux is no different as January heralds the start of one hectic month of speculation and signings that has become an essential part of the European soccer calendar. Many deals already seem to have been concluded, others are still in the mix, some are being reserved for the summer, while there are those that just won’t happen at all. This week, rather than concentrate on one band, the RR elders have appropriately passed a motion to pick out ten songs that have a New Year theme. From all at Fox Soccer.com we wish our Rumor Redux readers a happy and peaceful New Year.

RUMOR: Liverpool to QPR
LIKELIHOOD: Good chance

There’s no doubt Liverpool wants Cole off its hefty wage bill but whether if there is a club out there prepared to match his £100,000 a week salary, it remains to be seen. Step forward QPR and Harry Redknapp, who would be interested in signing the midfielder on loan with the potential for a permanent move in the summer. The Reds may have to split the bill when it comes to wages, but talks have apparently started so if anyone asks Cole ‘What are you doing New Year’s Eve?’ (Ella Fitzgerald) the answer may well be ‘packing my bags for Loftus Road’. Will Nicolas Anelka, Mo Diamd and Loic Remy be joining him?

RUMOR: Chelsea to PSG
LIKELIHOOD: It’s still on, but not this season

New Year’s Day (U2) and the rest of January will prove pivotal in learning the destination of Ashley Cole. We don’t expect the left-back to leave the Blues in January but he, like Lampard, is free to negotiate with other clubs, and according to one source both Real Madrid and PSG are interested parties. We think the Blues are making a big mistake by letting Cole leave, because he is still a world-class defender, but it may surprise you to learn the Chelsea board are not interested in our thoughts! We think Cole is still heading on the Eurostar to Paris (OK, he’ll be driven in a very expensive car).

RUMOR: Arsenal to Liverpool
LIKELIHOOD: Staying at the Emirates

Who would have thought it? Walcott is a center forward after all, judging by his display against Newcastle! The England international’s hat-trick may have gone a long way toward persuading Arsene Wenger to play him in his preferred position and for the board to offer him the sort of deal that would put him on a par with the club’s top earners. Next Year (The Foo Fighters) will be crucial in determining where Walcott will be playing, and we at RR Towers have a sneaky suspicion it will be the Emirates.

RUMOR: Leaving Chelsea
LIKELIHOOD: MLS still seems to be leading the way

Lampard’s hopes of staying at Stamford Bridge were done no harm at all by his match-winning performance at Everton at the weekend. However, the Blues hierarchy has still shown no signs of approaching the 34-year-old midfielder about a new deal. Many Blues fans have urged the club: Let’s Start the New Year Right (Bing Crosby) and keep Lamps at the Bridge. Of course, Lampard is now free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with another club for next season. With David Luiz now patrolling the midfield we are still going with our gut feeling that Lampard will leave at the end of the campaign, probably for MLS, although the Blues’ top brass could end up regretting it.

RUMOR: Inter Milan to Liverpool
LIKELIHOOD: Nope

This one is pretty easy to deal with. If Reds fans think they’re going to start The New Year (Death Cab for Cutie) with the Dutchman pulling the strings in midfield they should think again. As things stand Sneijder says it would be best for all concerned if he left the San Siro in January. Inter have dropped Sneijder since he reportedly turned down their offer of a £1.6million per year pay cut. When asked whether Liverpool was a potential destination he replied: “Again, no truth”. Is there anyone out there prepared to match the £200,000-a-week wages he receives at Inter? His performances with Holland at the Euros and with Inter this season suggest he’s probably not worth that although he is constantly linked with a move to Manchester United. Anyone hear Anzhi calling?

RUMOR: Real Madrid to Premier League
LIKELIHOOD: Staying at Bernabeu

This one came out of the blue, but as the possibility of a Premier League return was uttered by the man himself then Rumor Redux committee members are duty bound to take it seriously. Former Liverpool midfielder Alonso has 18 months left on his contract to run but talks about extending it are seemingly on hold which prompted the Spain midfielder to consider the chance of playing in England again. Alonso may be 31 but he still commands a spot in Real Madrid’s starting XI and whatever problems there are at the Bernabeu we expect them to be ironed out. We think it will be another Happy New Year (Abba) for Alonso

RUMOR: Barcelona to Liverpool
LIKELIHOOD: Er…no

This is an interesting one. David Villa has found first-team opportunities hard to come by at Camp Nou ever since his eight-month lay-off with a broken leg. Liverpool apparently made a move to sign the 31-year-old Spain striker on loan but we don’t think the Reds have a New Year’s Prayer (Jeff Buckley). Daniel Sturridge is already in the bag for January, so it’s up for debate whether Villa would even fit in. Arsenal and Chelsea have also been sounded out, and they seem more likely destinations.

RUMOR: Newcastle to Chelsea
LIKELIHOOD: There’s still a good chance

Not a day seems to go by without the contract details of Demba Ba looming large on the back pages of the national press. Newcastle’s New Year’s Resolution (Otis Redding) is to nail down their star performer before the vultures successfully activate the £7million get-out clause which the Magpies are desperately trying to remove. However, the potential suitors are starting to drift away. Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger said he is an admirer of the Senegal international but is unlikely to make a bid, while Chelsea’s talks on Sunday night proved to be unproductive. Don’t let this early setback fool anyone. Although the parties are miles apart because of Ba’s excessive wage demands we think he’ll set his sights lower to secure a move.

RUMOR: Crystal Palace to Manchester United
LIKELIHOOD: Who could resist?

Let’s get one thing straight. Zaha is talented, exceptionally talented and he is one of Fox Soccer’s ten players to watch in 2013. Why? He has already played more than 100 games in the Championship, but has said that if the opportunity arose in January he would love to play for a Premier League club. Is he good enough? You bet! This boy is going to be big wherever he plays, so where will he be heading? The queue is pretty long. On New Year’s Eve (Tom Waits) Manchester United were linked with the Eagles winger, but they join a list which includes Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham. He’s expected to leave for between £10-15million but where? Zaha actually supports Arsenal so they must have a chance but United must be considered favorites – especially if Nani leaves Old Trafford.

RUMOR: Tottenham to Real Madrid
LIKELIHOOD: Not yet

It would certainly be a Funky New Year (The Eagles) if Bale ended up at the Bernabeu, but we don’t think the time is right for such a move. A few days ago Spanish newspaper Marca reported that Madrid had offered $53million for the Spurs winger, but the Londoners have said it will cost the Spanish champion nearly $100m to prise him away from White Hart Lane. Bale definitely won’t be leaving in January, but summer is a different matter. Let’s wait and see how Spurs’ season pans out – as things stand they’re in a Champions League spot – and let’s not forget that former Spurs Luka Modric is not guaranteed a starting spot at the Bernabeu.