With the transfer window upon us, football correspondent James Tompkinson assesses each Premier League club’s potential buys.
Arsenal
With the transfer window upon us, football correspondent James Tompkinson assesses each Premier League club’s potential buys.
Arsenal
All attention at the Emirates appears to be centring around whether Theo Walcott will put pen to a new contract rather than new buys. Arsene Wenger is short of options up front, especially with Gervinho struggling for form.
Who they could buy: Wilfred Zaha seems like a viable option if they want a younger player, and you never can rule out a return for Thierry Henry.
Aston Villa
Villa need experience. Woefully short of both form and confidence, Paul Lambert’s men are real relegation candidates and need to do something in the window if they want to avoid the drop. Lambert has placed trust in young players but will need experienced calm heads to stave off the fear of relegation.
Who they could buy: There has been talk of a short term loan move for Robbie Keane, which would add a calm head up front. Matthew Dawson is out of favour at Tottenham and could do a job at the heart of the Villa defence. If Lambert feels like gambling on a young midfielder, Brighton’s Liam Bridcutt could add some steel.
Chelsea
With managerial uncertainty an ever present factor, signings will probably be kept to a minimum. Current boss Rafael Benitez may be given the £12 million that the club received for Daniel Sturridge and could use that to bring in a replacement striker.
Who they could buy: Wilfred Zaha may well have caught the attention of the Stamford Bridge scouts, and Athletico Madrid’s Fernando Llorente could also be an option. Michu has impressed at Swansea this year and could be tempted by a big money move.
Everton
As ever, David Moyes will be given little money this January so expect minimal activity at Goodison Park. You feel that if he can keep both Leighton Baines and Marouane Fellaini at the club then it will be a job well done. However talks of a release clause in Fellaini’s contract may force Everton into looking for a viable replacement, which will not be easy.
Who they could buy: It is very difficult to see where Everton could get a replacement for Fellaini. I’m conceding my hand on this one and saying that Moyes will probably pluck someone unknown and make him brilliant.
Fulham
Still reeling from the double loss of Clint Dempsey and Moussa Dembele in the summer, attacking midfielders must be the priority this January.
Who they could buy: Aston Villa may be tempted to cut their losses and sell Stephan Ireland, who could be tempted with a move further south.
Liverpool
The sense is that Brendan Rogers has moved early to avoid the mistakes made at Anfield in recent Januaries. The acquisition of Daniel Sturridge will add firepower up front and provide support for Luis Suarez.
Who they could buy: Bringing Tom Ince back to the club where he began his career seems likely. A £6 million move is set to be completed soon, and with it Liverpool’s business for the month.
Manchester City
Could it be possible that the club who have signed or been linked with just about everybody might have a quiet January this year? It seems not only probable but highly possible. Mancini will want to concentrate on what he has rather than adding the risk of disrupting the squad with further signings.
Who they could buy: Javi Garcia has struggled for form and Mancini may want to move for Marouane Fellaini as a replacement if City can trigger his release clause.
Manchester United
Like their rivals, United seem pretty content with their squad. However one notable weakness is the goalkeeper slot, with neither David de Gea or Anders Lindegaard cementing a slot. There is talk that de Gea may move back to Spain and United could really do with a long term number one.
Who they could buy: Alex Ferguson has been linked with a move for Stoke’s impressive ‘keeper Asmir Begovic, and Birmingham’s Jack Butland could also be an option after impressing in the recent GB Olympics team.
Newcastle United
Newcastle are in freefall at the moment and Alan Pardew will have to prioritise key areas. Bringing in Methieu Debuchy from Lille will add quality at right back, but the loss of Demba Ba has overshadowed proceedings at St James’ Park. Pardew needs to bring in a replacement and quickly.
Who they could buy: Darren Bent would be an excellent choice and Aston Villa may be prepared to let him go for around £8-10 million. Loic Remy has also been linked with both the Magpies and QPR, who will both be battling for his signature.
Norwich City
Chris Hughton has already placed on record his reluctance to venture into the market this January, and the only place that Norwich really need to strengthen is attack. However, the problem with strikers in January is that they come at a premium and it is very hard to find quality players without paying extortionate prices, which the Canaries won’t do.
Who they could buy: I’m going out on a limb here and saying that nobody will come into Carrow Road this window, provided that nobody leaves.
QPR
They need quality and badly, but having spent so much money in the last two years it may be a case of getting rid of some players before making any moves.
Who they could buy: Robbie Keane, Michael Dawson, Loic Remy and Nicolas Anelka have all been linked with a move to Loftus Road.
Reading
Reading are in trouble and need to be extremely careful about spending money in January because I really feel they will go down this year. Some experience would help but where they get that from I don’t know.
Who they could buy: Much like Villa, Michael Dawson and Liam Bridcutt would be worthwhile ventures. If Reading are watching Bridcutt on the south coast they may also want to look at Craig Mackail-Smith, who could add quality up front.
Southampton
Kelvin Davis still remains one of the worst goalkeepers I have ever seen and it can’t be long before the Saints decide to bring in a replacement.
Who they could buy: Any out of favour goalkeeper. Shay Given is not starting for Aston Villa and remains a quality player, Jack Butland may fancy a move to a lower premier league club to guarantee first team football. Also watch for Burnley’s Lee Grant, who is an extremely capable ‘keeper and could be picked up cheaply.
Stoke City
Tony Pulis has slowly built one of the most reliable squads in the league and contrary to common beliefs, Stoke play good football and have flair as well as steel throughout their side.
Who they could buy: Pulis has always spent responsibly and won’t enter into panic buying. Like Norwich, I can’t see Stoke adding to their squad unless anybody leaves.
Sunderland
In my mind, Sunderland are the Premier League anomaly because they have all the players needed to cement a strong mid-table finish but can’t seem to make that happen at the moment. It is plausible that Martin O’Neill will look to the loan market for temporary boosts.
Who they could buy: Short term moves for Michael Dawson and Joleon Lescott are distinct possibilities if O’Neill wants to shore his defence up.
Swansea
This window is all about keeping Michu. The striker has been prolific this year and if Swansea can hold onto him until the end of the season they will be just fine.
Who they could buy: Hopefully nobody if the club can hold onto their top players.
Tottenham Hotspur
After a successful Christmas period, Spurs are heading into January in good shape and a solid squad. Andre Villas-Boas now has the luxury of not needing to bring players in unless he really wants to.
Who they could buy: Call it a hunch, but I feel that Spurs may be about to try and lure Marouane Fellaini away from Everton and could trigger his release clause very soon. Danny Welbeck also looks as though he could be making a short term switch to North London to boost Spurs’ front line.
West Brom
The Baggies have performed above all expectations this year and will simply want to keep their existing squad together. Steve Clarke is one of the most level headed men in football and won’t bring anyone in unless he needs to.
Who they could buy: Nobody in and nobody out. That would suit the club perfectly.
West Ham
Sam Allardyce has made a decisive swoop for Joe Cole, who will be his star buy this month. Marouane Chamakh also looks to be an excellent signing if he can regain his confidence. However, ‘Big Sam’ has stated his ambition to further add to the squad he has, so expect movement.
Who they could buy: Allardyce had Nicolas Anelka at Bolton and may look for a short term move if he wants another striker, although wages seem like a sticking point.
Wigan
The most unpredictable club in the Premier League with a manager who has a history of smart buys. Roberto Martinez will probably aim to look abroad for bargains, particularly as he will lose squad members for the African Cup of Nations.
Who they could buy: Hard to say. Expect the unexpected.
What do you think? Is there a buy a team should target? How do you think the teams’ performances will be like after the transfer window? Have your say in the comments section below, on Facebook or on Twitter.
Image courtesy of Flickr user dyobmit.
