Every Premier League team's plan and top target for the January transfer window
As the calendar turns to 2024, the January transfer window officially opens.
The next month marks the last occasion managers can improve their squad before the end of another season. The Premier League always leads the way when it comes to transfer spending and January '24 promises to be no different.
With a thrilling title race on the cards, the battle for the top four heating up and the fight for survival including a clutch of teams, all 20 teams need some help for the final months of the campaign. It will take some going to match last January's spending - which set a new record of £815million - but there should be plenty of intriguing deals before the window slams shut at the start of next month.
The usual suspects will dominate the headlines, with the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool all likely to strike deals, but Mirror Sport has taken a look at every top-flight club's plan for the next month....
Arsenal - John Cross
Arsenal fans are crying out for a new striker - but it is unlikely they will get their wish in January. The problem for Arsenal is that they do not have much scope to do a big deal in next month’s window unless they make a significant sale.
Marcel Sabitzer completes Man Utd transfer after last-minute deadline day dash
Like a few clubs, Arsenal have spent big in recent times and are having to be careful to stay within strict spending rules. It will be a “must sell before we can buy” mandate in the window.
That does not mean they will do nothing because they are actively looking and it may be that a defender is their No1 priority with a loan deal very much an option.
Arsenal moving for Ivan Toney this month is looking increasingly unlikely (Getty Images)It is impossible to overstate just what a blow losing Jurrien Timber was at the start of the season. Now Takehiro Tomiyasu has been out and will probably go to the Asia Cup with Japan.
That leaves them horribly short in the full back positions. If a deal could be done for a versatile defender then that would be ideal.
The fans are crying out for a striker - dare I say it, Ivan Toney - because they want a finisher, a killer who will take chances. But Brentford do not want to sell because of their own issues - losing players to AFCON and a worrying run of bad results - and Arsenal could not do a deal like that unless they sell.
Aston Villa - Neil Moxley
Unai Emery says he has the backing of his owners at Aston Villa - and knows where he would like to strengthen.
But his problem is three-fold: He cannot find what he is looking for. He doesn’t have much money to play with. And he has to find someone prepared to be an understudy to Ollie Watkins.
Villa have cover in almost every position - bar keeper Emi Martinez and spearhead Watkins. Injury to either would place significant question marks against a sustained challenge on the top four during the course of the rest of the season.
During an entertaining exchange ahead of the clash with Burnley, he was asked specifically about a back-up to Watkins with this reporter. “Tell me names,” he said.
Stories are already circulating that Villa can only work with a loan player due to Financial Fair Play regulations which cuts down their options still further.
Man Utd deadline day live updates as Sabitzer completes loan move
Emery also said: “Last year, we were thinking about a lot of things in January but the most important thing was to reduce the squad. We only added two players - Alex Moreno and Jhon Duran - and we were successful. We are watching everything. But to improve upon our two strikers in the current circumstances, is very, very difficult.”
Bournemouth - Ryan Taylor
Bournemouth are poised to keep Hamed Traore at the club this winter amid his battle with malaria.
Andoni Iraola confirmed on Friday that the 23-year-old attacking midfielder had been hospitalised by the infectious disease having missed the club's past four matches. Traore has been attracting strong interest in recent weeks from both Italy and Spain but he will now miss the Africa Cup of Nations in his homeland, Ivory Coast as he continues his recovery.
Sevilla wanted to take Traore on loan until the end of the season while Fiorentina, Lazio, AC Milan and Napoli have also made enquiries. Traore, who arrived from Sassuolo for £21million on deadline day in January, has played just 44 minutes of Premier League action this season and is now set for a prolonged period of absence.
Meanwhile, David Brooks is wanted by Championship promotion hopefuls Leeds and Southampton after struggling to nail down a starting berth following his remarkable return to action. Leeds have done their fair share of business with Bournemouth in recent times even though relations were soured when the Cherries snatched Max Aarons from the Whites' clutches last summer.
Despite recent speculation, Arsenal are not targeting Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke, who has 12 Premier League goals to his name this season.
Brentford - Ian Winrow
Bryan Mbeumo’s injury has only underlined the need for a striker. FC Cincinnati’s US international Brandon Vasquez is a target along with Real Betis’ Spain U21 winger Assane Diao.
Toney is sure to dominate headlines as well, but Thomas Frank has been clear that he wants his returning talisman to remain with the club: "I really, really would like to keep him. As a coach I'd love to have my best players with me all the time. From my perspective, I don't want to sell him because I think he's fantastic."
Brighton - Ian Winrow
Roberto De Zerbi wants to add a full-back to his squad with Sevilla’s young right-back Juanlu Sanchez, 20, on the club’s radar. Hoffenheim striker Max Beier has also been linked.
“About the transfer market, I explained what we need," the Italian boss said last week. “Not only full-back. We need, I think, in three, four positions.
“But, at the end, it is the owner, the club, to decide to bring anyone or not. I can say my opinion, I can say my idea, I can explain what we need if we want to compete in this way. Otherwise, we have to accept the different opinion.”
Burnley - Dave Anderson
Vincent Kompany claims he will not jeopardise Burnley ’s future by spending big in January on Premier League quality.
Burnley are in the drop zone and could do with more proven Premier League players to help their young and inexperienced side survive. But the Clarets have a long-term goal to develop these players to make the club sustainable in the top fight and Kompany will not give up on that plan in the hope of staying up this season.
Vincent Kompany insists Burnley won't panic, despite their precarious league position (PA)“The problem is that final touch in the Premier League, what is that?” said the Burnley boss. “Down the bottom of the league, that’s Dominic Solanke, that’s Raul Jimenez at Fulham. That’s the level we’re talking about that you need for the Premier League.
“So to go out in the market and find that level of players for us is very hard. Other than that, I think we have to be realistic. The biggest way for us to progress is to see the progression in the players we have.
“But if there’s something smart we can do, we will obviously be open to that.
“What we’re discussing at the moment is ‘what if’ moments. What if an offer was to come in for a player, would we be able to do something in the market? What if a player became available on loan, would we be able to do something?”
Chelsea - John Cross
The biggest story of Chelsea ’s transfer window will undoubtedly be Conor Gallagher and whether they end up selling him.
Let’s not kid ourselves here… Gallagher is a hard-working, determined and battling midfielder. He’s not a glamorous, stylish or even goalscoring midfielder. But it is what he represents to Chelsea fans that is important. He is home grown, academy graduate, a Chelsea fan himself and he clearly loves the club.
The Chelsea fans perceive he has a greater affection and affinity for the club than some of the many foreign imports that they struggle to relate to. And yet… they could end up selling him in this window. It is about balancing the books after their recent spending sprees. And selling a home grown player gives you more relief in Financial Fair Play terms.
Tottenham were keen to insist reports out of Italy - it seems bizarre that they are originating reports about an English domestic deal in Italy - are not accurate that they are in talks with Chelsea about Gallagher.
Will he stay or will he go? Conor Gallagher's Chelsea future is an intriguing storyline to follow (Getty Images)But, clearly, there is interest in Gallagher because he is a super player. Committed, strong and improving. He is nearly always Chelsea’s best player and if he is not then he is in their top three performers.
However, Gallagher has 18 months left on his deal, Chelsea have held talks about tying him down and he could yet stay at the club. But will he be at the level they want to get? From what I’ve see, he definitely will. But that’s another part of the issue.
Him going or staying is not set in stone but Chelsea must decide whether selling is really worth the inevitable backlash that they would receive for cashing in. The point is it would give them some cash to do deals as well but, in reality, this is not going to be a busy window for Chelsea compared to the last few.
Last January, Premier League spending reached a record £830m and Chelsea was a big part of that with big deals, including Enzo Fernandez from Benfica for £105m.
They clearly need a new No9 but it is unlikely they will do that in January and they also want to give Nicolas Jackson a chance while Broja may yet also come good and give them what they need in terms of a centre forward’s profile: goals, presence and focal point.
Chelsea have had so many injuries this season that maybe their squad does not look so bloated after all and, beyond Gallagher, they have not got lots of players to sell.
A new striker is a longer term target so, again, that is unlikely to happen in this window and that is why - Gallagher apart - January could be quiet for Chelsea.
Crystal Palace - John Richardson
Crystal Palace could treble their money if they listen to offers for their coveted central defenders Mark Guehi and Joachim Anderson. Both arrived at Selhurst Park in the summer of 2021, Guehi for £18 million from Chelsea while Anderson was lured from Lyon for £17 million.
Since then Guehi has established himself as an England international and has attracted the interest of his former club Chelsea and Manchester United with Old Trafford boss Erik ten Hag anxious to add some extra defensive stability to a side which is prone to leaking cheap goals.
Newcastle lead the clubs on the trail of Danish international Anderson who has linked up well with Guehi at Palace. It’s unlikely that they would be tempted to sell in the January transfer window but next summer could be a different matter.
But owner Steve Parish who has already beaten off an August transfer deadline move from Manchester City for Eberechi Eze and kept Michael Olise despite considerable interest, won’t allow either defender to leave unless he receives offers he can’t refuse.
In both cases their values have tripled to around £60 million as he attempts to keep the impressive Anglo-Danish double act.
Everton - Dave Anderson
Everton expect a quiet January after director of football Kevin Thelwell said: “financial prudence is crucial”.
The Blues have appealed their 10-point penalty for breaking the Premier League’s FFP rules and are in the middle of a takeover by 777 Partners, making it virtually impossible to do much.
Boss Sean Dyche knew he had to redress imbalances in his squad when he took over nearly a year ago and he is more focused on hanging on to his key players.
Amadou Onana has been linked with Arsenal, while Jarrad Branthwaite is attracting much interest, and Dyche does not want to lose anyone with the club’s Premier League safety still in the balance.
“I knew when I got here the squad was overloaded in certain areas and it had to be skinned down,” he said. "We knew that both for literal reasons because it was too many bodies and for financial reasons. Finding the balance and correcting that, I think we’ve done that pretty well.
“It’s fair to say with such a slim squad we don’t want to be losing players. I don’t think there’s much reality in those situations of people going to be honest. We move forward with the group we’ve got and we believe in the group we’ve got. That’s the biggest thing for me to stay focused on what we’re doing and how we’re working.”
Fulham - Alan Smith
The window will be defined by whether Joao Palhinha stays or goes. Bayern Munich are expected to renew their interest as Thomas Tuchel craves a central midfielder.
And should the Portugal international leave for Bavaria, the Cottagers will be desperate to reinvest in an immediate replacement. They will be looking for £70m for the 28-year-old.
Aside from that dilemma, Marco Silva’s team looks badly in need of a centre forward - although that is applicable to half the league. The loss of Aleksandar Mitrovic to Saudi Arabia in the summer has appeared increasingly significant due to a recent dry spell.
Watch out too for bids for centre back Tosin Adarabioyo, who is out of contract in the summer and has been a standout performer of late.
Liverpool - Dave Anderson
Liverpool need a centre-half and a left-back - but Jurgen Klopp claims he is no rush to splash the cash this month.
The Reds have done business before in the January transfer window and skipper Virgil van Dijk, Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo were all signed this month. Wolfsburg’s French centre-half Maxence Lacroix is available for around £25million, while the Reds have also been linked with Sporting Lisbon’s Portuguese international Gonçalo Inacio.
Liverpool like Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, but are expected to wait until the summer when the Eagles are more likely to be willing to sell the England international.
Antonee Robinson has been linked with Liverpool, but January is expected to be quiet at Anfield (Getty Images)Liverpool are short at centre-half after Joel Matip was ruled out for the rest of the season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, leaving them with just van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and rookie Jarell Quansah.
The Reds have no senior left-back after Kostas Tsimikas broke his collarbone against Arsenal to join Andy Robertson on the sidelines. Robertson is due to return this month from his dislocated shoulder, but Jurgen Klopp claims he is still weeks away because the Scotland defender has yet to resume full training with the team.
Liverpool have been linked with Fulham’s USA international full-back Antonee Robinson. Liverpool will move in January if they feel there is a danger of missing out on a target and this is why they bought Diaz two years ago from Porto for £37.5million because Tottenham came in for him.
Klopp has always talked down January signings to replace injured players and insists the Reds will not deviate from their long-term targets. The Kop boss quashed talk of Liverpool replacing Matip in January and says it is extremely hard to get the right calibre of player.
He is also delighted with Quansah in his first season with the senior team and would not want to block the 20-year-old’s progress with a short-term signing.
Luton Town - Alan Smith
Rob Edwards would love to find another free agent in the mould of Andros Townsend and Ross Barkley because the Hatters do not have much money to spend. But first they should be trying to tie Townsend down to an extension after he initially agreed to a short-term deal.
That Luton are in with more than a puncher's chance of staying up - an achievement that would be as remarkable as any in Premier League history - will not see the club gamble by spending their TV money. That is a mistake too many before them have made.
The absence of captain Tom Lockyer means Edwards would also desire a new defender but, again, at a knockdown price.
Man City - Jeremy Cross
It might be that the departure of Kalvin Phillips in the transfer window is the most talked about event to happen at Manchester City.
It's been a long time coming – but will feel like an eternity to the man himself. Phillips had the world at his feet when he left Leeds to join City in a £50m deal in 2022.
But the move has turned into a living nightmare for the midfielder, who turned down a host of clubs to join City, only to find himself left on the outside looking in. Liverpool were keen on signing him last summer, but Phillips wanted one last crack at breaking into Pep Guardiola's side.
Yet nothing has changed.
Kalvin Phillips looks set to finally end his Man City nightmare (Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)The situation has turned Phillips into a standing joke, because he's started more games for England this year than for his club. Newcastle are expected to rescue him, with the offer of a loan move to St James' Park for the rest of the campaign with a view to making the deal permanent.
Guardiola doesn't have the biggest squad in the Premier League, but he has the best one when it comes to quality. Not that the Spaniard ever stops looking for new talent.
And the English champions have been keeping close tabs on teenage sensation Claudio Echeverri, who has been labelled the 'next Lionel Messi '. It's understood Etihad bosses have held provisional talks with River Plate, and could strike a deal in the coming weeks for the 17-year-old.
City have also been keeping tabs on 19-year-old Brazilian Savinho. He has excelled for Girona this season, where he is on-loan from Troyes. Both clubs are part of the City Football Group, although a deal for City to sign him could be put off until the summer.
Man Utd - Jeremy Cross
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has a 'to do' list longer than the queues for the sales on London's Oxford Street. But right at the top of it will be to improve Manchester United's recruitment.
In the last decade United's approach to signing players has been the equivalent of sticking the tail on the donkey while blindfolded. From a distance, lifelong United fan Ratcliffe has sat back and watched the English giants blow £400m on superstar signings under Erik ten Hag, not to mention close to £2billion in 18 years of the Glazers ownership.
And the end result is that Ratcliffe will have to spend next month focusing his energies on offloading those who can't cut the mustard at Old Trafford, rather than lining up new arrivals that will suddenly transform United into title contenders.
January is not the time to land your priority targets - no matter how badly you need them through the door.
Donny van de Beek (remember him?), is expected to be the first to go, with Eintracht Frankfurst heading a very short shortlist of clubs willing to take him off United's hands. A loan deal for the rest of the season is being discussed for the United outcast and Holland international.
Ratcliffe is also keen to broker a deal between Ten Hag and Jadon Sancho. The pair have been at loggerheads for months and there is no winner from the situation. Unless the hatchet can be buried, United will look to send Sancho out on-loan, with a view to the deal becoming permanent. Or even use him as a makeweight in a deal to bring someone in the opposite direction.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has assumed control of football operations at Man Utd (PA)How has it come to this for someone who cost the club almost £80m not too long ago?
United will look to get rid of fringe players, the most high-profile being Anthony Martial, who is out of contract at the end of this season. Raphael Varane and Casemiro could also be allowed to find new clubs if the terms are right, because both of them are not expected to agree to wage cuts in the summer.
FFP restrictions means Ratcliffe's hands a somewhat tied for the time being, so don't expect any fanfare or red carpets to be rolled out in the New Year.
Newcastle - Simon Bird
One big issue that could infuriate rivals: will Newcastle flog unwanted players to Saudi Arabian clubs owned by their owners the PIF? And will they use the four Saudi Pro League clubs in their ownership stable to loan good players, and therefore avoiding big transfer fees?
Newcastle will not be panic buying in January but they need squad upgrades to maintain their rise into the top seven. In the next 12 months Eddie Howe needs upgrades in the right wing and No.6 positions and a robust striker.
In the short term, Manchester City and England midfielder Kalvin Phillips is a top target on loan but even that could cost up to £7m. They could decide to loan a keeper too, with Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale needing first team football, and David De Gea out of contract.
But getting knocked out of Europe and the Carabao Cup means the demands on Eddie Howe’s squad in the second half of the season have been reduced. They hope for a long FA Cup run and to qualify for Europe, and have players due to return from injury.
Last summer’s transfer business is coming under scrutiny. They signed a £54m midfielder in Sandro Tonali, without knowing he has a gambling problem that led to him being banned until the end of August. Committing to spend £28m on teenager Lewis Hall on July 1 also looks questionable in the short term, when ready made players were needed.
The uncertainty over Dan Ashworth, courted by Manchester United, remains until the Old Trafford giants appoint a new director of football.
Nottingham Forest - Neil Moxley
Forest’s management were wary of sacking Steve Cooper during December.
They found a replacement in Nuno Espirito Santo and will be hoping the manager’s close ties to Jorge Mendes come in handy. The super-agent was responsible for the conveyor-belt of talent that helped Wolves not only into the Premier League but also into the last eight of the Europa League.
That tie-up proved crucial to Nuno during his time at Molineux and if players become available of the ilk of Joao Moutinho and Ruben Neves - both signed by Nuno at Wolves - then no-one at the City Ground will be complaining.
An interesting one to keep an eye out for, however, despite keeper Matt Turner’s heroics against Manchester United is a return for Keylor Navas. Neither Turner, not Odysseas Vlachodimos have truly impressed.
The Costa Rica is kicking his heels at Paris St. Germain and helped Forest no end last term when he arrived on a similar loan deal until the end of the season.
Sheffield United - Ian Winrow
Kasper Schmeichel, 37, has been linked with a move to Bramall Lane with Blades boss Chris Wilder keen to bring in competition for Wes Foderingham. Schmeichel is currently with Belgian club Anderlecht.
Wilder has made it clear that any players that do arrive this month, will do so with the remit of instantly improving their squad. "These players have got to go into the first team," he explained.
"There are going to be players who are surplus to requirements who may feel a little bit hard done by, and may not have had the opportunities that others have had. But you've got to make quick decisions and gut reactions and feelings in terms of what you want it to look like and what you want the team to look like."
Tottenham - Ryan Taylor
Tottenham are ready to pay £25million for 21-year-old Genoa central defender Radu Dragusin after talks with Nice over Jean-Clair Todibo hit the rocks.
Spurs had also held positive discussions with the Frenchman's entourage but Nice aren't keen on selling mid-season which could prompt a frustrating drawn out winter transfer saga. But Ange Postecoglou wants a new centre-back through the door as soon as next week and Tottenham have now switched attention to Romanian international Dragusin.
Radu Dragusin is Tottenham's top transfer target (Getty Images)
There has also been interest from Newcastle, AC Milan, Napoli and Atalanta but Spurs are at the front of the queue as Dragusin has already given the move his seal of approval. Tottenham are yet to contact Chelsea over a deal for Conor Gallagher despite suggestions the two clubs had entered talks over a shock transfer.
Chelsea will listen to offers ahead of next month's window as Gallagher is approaching the final 18 months of his deal but the England international is valued at £50m. The 23-year-old played the entirety of Chelsea's 3-2 triumph at Luton Town and while he remains a player of admiration to Spurs, they're yet to make their move.
Postecoglou will be left light on the ground in midfield next month when Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr head to the Africa Cup of Nations. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg's future is also up for debate but the Dane will only be allowed to leave Spurs at the right price and if they can land a replacement. Giovani Lo Celso is also attracting interest from Barcelona.
West Ham - Alan Smith
Do not expect a busy month. Last summer saw significant investment, with the midfield revamped following Declan Rice ’s departure to Arsenal, and manager David Moyes is always quick to caution how difficult it is to do good business in the winter.
Top of their wishlist is a new centre forward but Moyes has repeatedly said since the start of the campaign there is no value for money around the striker market. Serhou Guirassy, the Bundesliga’s top scorer aside from Harry Kane, has been linked - along with at least a dozen other clubs.
Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus, who will be heading to the Africa Cup of Nations next week, have been used up top in recent weeks and enjoyed plenty of success on the break. The Hammers are most likely persist with that approach until the summer before seeking to add a proven goalscorer then.
Wolves - Neil Moxley
Gary O’Neil has admitted for some time that he needs an out-and-out striker. The evidence is already pointing at the fact that the Molineux club will make a move in that area - the only mystery is the identity of that individual.
Sasa Kalajdzic has only just returned following a lengthy lay-off with an injury to his knee and is reported to be interested in a move to Eintract Frankfurt. While Fabio Silva has already made the switch north to link up with Rangers on a loan deal.
Hee-Chan Hwang is Wolves’ leading scorer but he will be leaving the Black Country shortly to join up with South Korea for the Asian Cup. All of that leaves O’Neil short in forward areas.
The only other item of consideration is whether Wolves, who have had issues with financial fair play, will be able to make the deal permanent or whether the cash constraints will leave them eyeing a temporary move.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
