The Premier League transfer window is soon open for business on New Year’s Day as clubs prepare to race around the globe looking for football’s top talent in a bid to refresh their squads.
As we near the halfway point in England’s top tier, it is starting to become more apparent which teams will be fighting for the title, the European spots, and to avoid relegation.
Some sides such as Manchester City and Tottenham will be in search of reinforcements in an aim to turn their campaigns around.
Meanwhile, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Co will be looking for solutions as they aim to aid Ruben Amorim in his attempt to turn their dismal season around, despite PSR problems at Old Trafford.
Premier League clubs will have just over a month to get their business done, with the window coming to a close at 23:00 on February 3.
With the shopping set to commence, Mail Sport’s Simon Jones has put together a club-by-club guide revealing the moves each Premier League club are looking at making during the winter transfer window.
Premier League clubs will be able to make signings from New Year’s Day until February 3
Pep Guardiola (left) will be hoping Man City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak (right) can aid him in bringing in reinforcements after a dismal first half to the season
Sir Jim Ratcliffe will be busy during the winter window despite Man United’s PSR problems
ARSENAL
Arsenal’s cutting edge has been blunted by injuries to Bukayo Saka and back-up option Raheem Sterling. Mikel Arteta is looking to utilise the players at his disposal as finding the quality to improve his side is difficult in January.
Interim sporting director Jason Ayto is assessing a number of options. Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, Newcastle’s Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting are all admired but won’t leave next month while Wolves’ Matheus Cunha has been on their radar for months especially with a new contract still to be agreed.
Randal Kolo Muani has been discussed yet failed to impress at Paris St Germain. Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams has a buy out clause but does not want to move in this window.
Cover is also wanted in midfield and goalkeeper with Sevilla’s Lucien Agoume and Atalanta’s Marco Carnesecchi touted but for summer. On the departure front, Kieran Tierney may yet agree a return to Celtic, while striker Nathan Butler-Oyedeji is wanted by Zurich.
Newcastle’s Alexander Isak is on Arsenal’s wish list although he will not leave during January
ASTON VILLA
Unai Emery needs a versatile forward with the likes of Lille’s Jonathan David and Malick Tillman of PSV Eindhoven admired but difficult to finalise in January.
Turkey U21 international defender Yasin Ozcan from Kasimpasa is a potential arrival for £6.6million that has been discussed. The centre back, 18, can play left wing-back also. Emery wants cover at right-back too and in the number ten position.
Villa have recalled striker Louie Barry from loan at Stockport and he has interest from Leeds United and Sheffield United. Emi Buendia may depart as he wants more game time. Jhon Duran could yet attract fresh offers.
Aston Villa are keen on Lille star Jonathan David who has scored 17 goals this season
BOURNEMOUTH
Andoni Iraola’s high-flying side are attracting interest from rivals with Manchester United eyeing Milos Kerkez, Newcastle and Atalanta keen on Antoine Semenyo and centre-backs Dean Huijsen and Ilya Zabarnyi being considered by Chelsea and Paris St Germain.
Getafe would also like to take Enes Unal on loan. With that in mind, Bournemouth are weighing up options to replace where necessary should big offers arrive. They have agreed to bring in 18-year-old centre back Matai Akinmboni from DC United while Lanus full-back Julio Soler is another possible.
Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen (left) and Milos Kerkez (right) are targets for top European sides
BRENTFORD
It is expected to be a reactive window for Brentford. Sunderland midfielder Jobe Bellingham is one they admire though he is a target for Borussia Dortmund. Thomas Frank also needs cover at left-back and centre-back so could explore a loan such as Sergio Reguilon from Spurs once again.
Bryan Mbeumo is drawing attention from Premier League rivals but Brentford are reluctant to deal this window barring a very substantial offer.
Brentford will be focused on keeping star forward Bryan Mbeumo, who is attracting interest
BRIGHTON
Midfielder Diego Gomez will complete his move from Inter Miami for £11m this week and Brighton want a right-back and centre-back as they look to freshen up their squad and replace the ageing Lewis Dunk.
Olivier Boscagli at PSV Eindhoven, a target last summer, could come into play again. Evan Ferguson may leave at the end of the window on loan for more game time but only if they have sufficient cover and not to a rival.
Millwall’s attacking midfielder Romain Esse is admired. Brighton will recall Valentin Barco from his loan at Sevilla ahead of a new move.
Brighton’s newest recruit Diego Gomez was introduced before their defeat by Crystal Palace
CHELSEA
A striker is still the priority and Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap is an attractive option with a release clause but there is competition. Chelsea also want a centre-back with the possibility Axel Disasi could yet move on. Cesare Casadei is expected to return to Italy with Monza, while Lazio are among those to have enquired.
There has been interest from Premier League clubs for Carney Chukwuemeka but Chelsea will demand his £40m release clause or loan to sister club Strasbourg. Ben Chilwell and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall could also depart but options for Chilwell this month are limited. Harvey Vale is wanted on loan at Sunderland.
Chelsea’s priority is to sign a striker and Ipswich’s Liam Delap is seen as an attractive option
CRYSTAL PALACE
Palace were astute in the last January window buying Adam Wharton from Blackburn. They don’t want to lose the midfielder this window but know he is in the thinking for Manchester City.
They are prioritising left wing-back with Slavia Prague’s £10m-rated El Hadji Malick Diouf in their sights. City’s James McAtee, Millwall attacking midfielder Romain Esse and Lyon pair Ernest Nuamah and Rayan Cherki are others they have made regular checks on. Tayo Adaramola is set to be recalled by Palace from his loan at Stockport County.
Adam Wharton was a successful January signing for Crystal Palace during last season
EVERTON
The Friedkin Group want to strengthen though restrictions remain under Profit and Sustainability Rules. Everton striker Beto has interest building from Italy and there is potential for him to return there.
That could pave the way for a new winger or full-back as Sean Dyche looks to bolster those positions. Lyon livewire Georges Mikautadze is deemed unlikely but they have options in Italy.
Jarrad Branthwaite remains a target for Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City but Everton expect to fend off offers until summer. Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Abdoulaye Doucoure, Idrissa Gueye and Michael Keane are among those who could sign pre-contracts elsewhere this month. Calvert-Lewin is unlikely to be sold in January.
Jarrad Branthwaite remains a target for a number of clubs but Everton expect to hold on to him
FULHAM
Marco Silva has Fulham punching above their weight again and would like to add another attacking option. Celtic winger Nicolas Kuhn and Lyon pair Ernest Nuamah and Rayan Cherki are options but have been reluctant to join in the past.
Andreas Pereira is wanted by clubs in Brazil and Tom Cairney’s contract is running down so Silva would want cover in midfield too. Wataro Endo has been touted as a possibility should Liverpool consider selling.
Celtic’s flying winger Nicolas Kuhn is a target for Fulham but may not want to leave Glasgow
IPSWICH TOWN
Much will depend on Liam Delap’s future. The striker is wanted by Chelsea, United, Liverpool and Manchester City with the Premier League champions having a buy-back clause in place. There is also understood to be a release clause for other suitors.
Ipswich can ill afford to lose the 21-year-old but need to make plans to replace just in case. Middlesbrough’s Emmanuel Latte Lath and Fotis Ioannidis of Panathinaikos were targets in the summer and remain on their radar. Atalanta’s Ben Godfrey is one they have considered for defence as well as Sunderland’s Trai Hume and Amar Dedic of RB Salzburg.
Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna could look to bring in Atalanta defender Ben Godfrey
LEICESTER CITY
Ruud Van Nistelrooy needs a centre-back and another forward as they look to bring in up to five new players on a tight budget.
They have made enquiries for Argentine defender Valentin Gomez from Velez Sarsfeld, Chancel Mbemba at Marseille, and for Adilson Malanda from MLS side Charlotte FC.
Contact has also been made with Manchester United over potential loans. Midfielder Hamza Choudhury could move on if they bring in enough cover. Goalkeeper Daniel Iversen has six months left on contract and is attracting interest from Premier League and Championship sides.
Leicester have a tight budget but are interested in Marseille defender Chancel Mbemba
LIVERPOOL
The priority is to finalise new contracts for Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk though a deal for Real Madrid target Trent Alexander-Arnold may prove beyond reach.
The league leaders anticipate a quiet window but are ready to react if necessary. With Andy Robertson on the wrong side of 30 and Madrid stepping up their pursuit of Alexander-Arnold they are planning ahead so long-term cover will be sought at full-back with Fulham’s Antonee Robinson among those discussed but emphasis is on holding their nerve and setting up deals for the summer.
Everton’s Branthwaite remains a possibility but for the summer as they consider Van Dijk’s age and Ibrahima Konate’s ongoing contract discussions.
Fulham’s Antonee Robinson (right) has caught the eye but Liverpool expect a quiet window
MANCHESTER CITY
Eintracht Frankfurt’s £40m-rated forward Omar Marmoush is under consideration as is a return for Ipswich’s Liam Delap. There’s a possibility of a deal for Dani Olmo emerging if Barcelona fail to win their appeal to register him by Wednesday.
City are willing to spend this window in a bid to freshen up Pep Guardiola’s squad and reset. They want a centre-back, full-back, two midfielders and two forwards over the next two windows and hope to acquire three targets next month.
Palace’s England midfielder Adam Wharton is admired as is Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi who has a release clause but is reluctant to move this window. Juma Bah, on loan at Real Valladolid from AIK Freetong, and Everton’s Branthwaite are defenders they like.
James McAtee could be sold for £25m with Forest, Brentford, West Ham and Palace among those keen.
Manchester City could make a move for Eintracht Frankfurt forward Omar Marmoush (left)
MANCHESTER UNITED
United have asked about Paris St Germain’s left wing-back Nuno Mendes who has rejected the French club’s contract offer and is with the same agent as Bruno Fernandes.
However, hamstrung by PSR, United have little room for manoeuvre financially. Marcus Rashford will be traded if they can find a taker. A loan deal with fee and obligation has been floated but gives little relief in PSR terms for new arrivals.
Generally, most of their players have a price with United also struggling to reach agreement on new deals for Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho.
Teenage left-back Diego Leon will join from Cerro Porteno and United are also in the market for a new striker, midfielder and cover at goalkeeper. Christian Eriksen and Victor Lindelof, free in the summer, would be offloaded if suitable offers arrive in January.
PSG’s Nuno Mendes has rejected a new contract offer at PSG, amid links to Man United
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Eddie Howe expects a quiet window but a right sided-forward, centre-back and goalkeeper are on their wishlist. Miguel Almiron, Sean Longstaff and Martin Dubravka, out of contract in the summer, could be sold this month.
Burnley’s James Trafford remains a target but that seems destined for summer. Lens centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov and Juma Bah have been watched, while Southampton’s Tyler Dibling, Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga, Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, Antoine Semenyo of Bournemouth and PSV Eindhoven’s Johan Bakayoko have all been discussed as potential forward options along with Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche.
What they can bid for will hinge on what they raise from sales. Almiron is valued around £10m and has interest from Olympiacos, Santos, Botofago and Charlotte FC.
Newcastle’s Miguel Almiron is out of contract this summer and could be sold in January
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Forest have been looking to bolster their attacking options with much hinging on Chris Wood’s form and fitness.
After missing out on Feyenoord’s Santiago Gimenez in August, they have asked about Yuri Alberto of Corinthians.
There is interest in Jota Silva so they could look at replacing him with the likes of Manchester City’s James McAtee.
Defensive cover has been discussed with Palace and Brentford target El Hadji Malick Diouf of Slavia Prague and Atalanta’s Ben Godfrey among the names mentioned.
Corinthians’ Yuri Alberto could provide another option for a side reliant on Chris Wood
SOUTHAMPTON
There is plenty of interest in young winger Tyler Dibling which Southampton will try to fend off to boost their survival chances.
Chile international Ben Brereton-Diaz is also fancied for a return to Sheffield United while Ajax could try again for Kamaldeen Sulemana.
Palmeiras left-back Vanderlan is one potential incoming on Southampton’s radar for incomings as they look to give Ivan Juric a fighting chance of survival. West Ham will likely recall Maxwel Cornet from his loan.
Eighteen-year-old Tyler Dibling is the latest Southampton youngster to attract suitors
TOTTENHAM
Ange Postecoglou says the club have been working hard to give him more depth with injuries decimating his defence and a sharper edge needed in attack.
Ben Godfrey has been offered but they won’t be pursuing while Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite has been discussed and former Manchester City defender Ko Itakura of Borussia Monchengladbach has been floated as an alternative.
Paris St Germain’s Milan Skriniar is available but expensive and 29. Forward Yang Min-hyeok has arrived early from Gangwon FC, and Tottenham have made checks on Barcelona forward Vitor Roque on loan at Real Betis, who have an option to buy.
PSG’s striker Randal Kolo Muani is another available on loan while PSV Eindhoven’s Mallick Tillman is fancied but difficult to achieve in January. They have a first option on holding midfielder Jonny Cardoso at Betis but that is not active until the summer.
They want cover at goalkeeper but are prioritising funds for attack and defence as it stands.
Milan Skriniar is an option for Tottenham but the Slovakia captain might prove too expensive
WEST HAM
Michail Antonio’s injuries following his car crash and the form of Niclas Fullkrug have left them looking for two forwards this window. Full-back, midfield and left wing are also positions they want to strengthen.
They are aware of growing interest in winger Mohammed Kudus but he can only leave for £85million. Midfielder Guido Rodriguez is wanted by River Plate and could be allowed to leave after failing to settle as with Cornet who will return from loan at Southampton.
Andy Irving has interest from Celtic while Danny Ings could also move on for more game time. Defender Luizao is likely to return to Brazil. Galatasaray winger Hakim Ziyech has been offered while Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu is being monitored.
Manchester City’s James McAtee is fancied and they have asked about Corinthians Yuri Alberto. They have been alerted to Milan looking to offload Fikayo Tomori also.
Danny Ings has struggled for gametime and may be allowed to leave in the January window
Wolves are interested in Sunderland’s 25-year-old centre-back Daniel Ballard
WOLVES
A centre-back is top of their list with Borussia Monchengladbach’s Nico Elvedi still on their radar and Atalanta’s Ben Godfrey. Lens defender Kevin Danso and Sunderland’s Daniel Ballard have also been discussed.
Vitor Pereira also wants another left-back amid continued interest from rivals in Rayan Ait-Nouri and he wants another winger. Matheus Cunha has plenty of admirers with Arsenal and Newcastle among them but Wolves hope to keep him until the summer at least.
