A few things are guaranteed this time of year: New Year’s resolutions are hanging by a thread, as is the tinsel on the Christmas tree that has overstayed it’s welcome. In the world of football, it is the patience of the strugglers’ supporters that continues to wear thin.

For them, the answer is simple: “buy a striker that can put the ball in the back of net” and year after year it is those gems that separate the survivors from the sufferers. Nantes forward Emiliano Sala is that man going into the business end of 2019.

With 12 goals to his name in just 16 appearances this season, exactly half of Nantes’ overall Ligue 1 tally, Les Canaris will be desperate to hold onto their talisman, who has now scored 12 in each of the last three seasons. Unfortunately for them, Sala is like a half priced TV on Black Friday and there are plenty teams ready to scrap for his signature this transfer window.

The French club have likely accepted their fate, but with a potential £24 million increase on their £1 million purchase from Bordeaux in 2015, they’ll be laughing if any offers in that region are received.

The combination of physicality, fantastic aerial ability and an eye for goal makes the 6″2 Argentine a must have for any teams in the bottom half of the Premier League and he could well mean safety for any of the struggling sides, or even a spot in Europe for those higher up the table.

With Cardiff, West Ham and Palace amongst others coming knocking, a move becomes increasingly inevitable for the 28-year-old. However, there is no guarantee he can replicate the performances he has produced in a sub-par league; but as fans know all too well, £20-plus million is the price it takes to bring in goals and it’s a rarity that the fairytale outcome is produced.

Will one of the most feared forwards in French football prove to be the real deal? Only time will tell.