It’s good to dream, and fans of every Premier League club are dreaming of signing a superstar (or three!) in January that will take their season to new heights.
But who would be the perfect signing for each club?
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“Will we be able to give up those opportunities and sign a clinical forward to realize our dreams of European domination and titles?” “Will that No. 10 come along who will be the catalyst for our attacks to move up the table? ” “Can we find a solid center back to shore up our leaky defence?”
These are the kinds of questions you’re asking yourself right now, and below are the answers and suggestions for what transfers might make sense for each Premier League club come January.
Complete transfer to Premier League teams in January
Arsenal – central striker
Mikel Arteta’s side are missing one player, a target forward who is good at tapping in and occupying space in the box. Before you scoff at this, consider how ruthless Man City have become since Erling Haaland arrived. Arsenal have everything but a poacher in the box and Ivan Toney is a dream signing, but is he too expensive? Arsenal have spent big in recent years when they needed it, and Toney could be the final piece of the jigsaw.
top target:Ivan Tony
Aston Villa – right back
Villa have a huge problem at right-back with Matty Cash out injured. Ezri Konsa is doing well outside of his position, but manager Unai Emery wants more depth in this area as he looks to push into the top four and into the Europa Conference League later in the season. They have been linked with Bayer Leverkusen right wing-back Jeremy Frimpong, who would be a perfect fit for Villa’s style of play.
top target:Jeremy Frimpong
bournemouth – forward
Dominic Solanke needs a bit of help to carry the attacking load at Bournemouth and Maxwell Cornet could be a very good option. Although he has not received any playing time at West Ham, the Ivorian forward is extremely flexible and can play in multiple positions in Iraola’s system. He would be the perfect signing for Bournemouth.
top target: Maxwell Cornet
Brentford – left-back
With Rico Henry out injured, Brentford have used an out-of-position player at left-back, and Thomas Frank has said he wants to strengthen this position. Sergio Gomes, on loan from Man City, would be a great addition and a very Brentford signing.
top target: Sergio Gomez
Brighton – right-back
Right-back seems to be a problem area, as the Seagulls are very injured, with Lamptey and Veltman frequently sidelined. Brighton always unearth gems from everywhere, but perhaps Premier League experience would be a solid move to add depth in this area. Callum Chambers is a versatile player who can fit into so many positions in Roberto De Zerbi’s system and is likely available on loan.
top target: Calum Chambers
Burnley – central striker
Vincent Kompany needs a lethal finisher and former Burnley star Danny Ings should be available on loan in January. That would be a smart pickup.
top target:Danny Ings
Chelsea – Goalkeeper
It’s true that Jorde Petrovic has been in good form since joining, but if free agent David de Gea is still available by the end of January, even on a short-term deal until the end of the season, he could be at Chelsea. should consider acquiring him. Arsenal want to keep Aaron Ramsdale, but he doesn’t want to remain as a substitute, so it will be a more difficult deal to land.
Top targets: David De Gea, Aaron Ramsdale
Crystal Palace – central midfielder
Roy Hodgson loves Eric Dier and the Spurs utility man is underrated under manager Ange Postecoglou. This is a smart move for everyone involved.
top target: Eric Dyer
everton – central striker
They almost signed Che Adams at the end of the summer, but he only has six months left on his contract with Southampton. Adams would be a great back-up option for Dominic Calvert-Lewin, but Beto’s arrival at Goodison is yet to materialize. Otherwise, Wilfried Gonott’s future at Leeds is uncertain, with Everton also tracking him. The Italian international has great potential and his pace is perfect for counter-attacking, so it would be a wise acquisition.
Top targets: Che Adams, Wilfried Gnont
Fulham – 10th place
Fulham’s squad looks pretty set up, but with Fabio Carvalho recalled to Liverpool from a loan spell at Leipzig, perhaps a return to Fulham makes sense? Carvalho made his breakthrough as a teenager at Fulham and now returns to the place where he is loved and admired.
top target: Fabio Carvalho
Liverpool – left-back
Injuries to Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas have left Liverpool’s left side exposed and Klopp will need to think about Robertson’s long-term replacement. USMNT star Robinson is in excellent form at Fulham and has been named to several big clubs.
top target:Anthony Robinson
Luton Town – central defender
Rob Edwards’ side have had good, experienced PL players on good terms (Andros Townsend and Ross Barkley have been great) and Eric Dier is perfect for the way the Hatters play with a back three. He could be a reinforcement or he could step into that position. Midfield too.
top target: Eric Dyer
Manchester City – Left-back
It’s hard to know who will upgrade City’s squad, but with Pep playing in a back four and many centre-backs playing out of position, they need a natural left-back. It’s obvious. Even when playing as a back three, defenders on the left often feel uncomfortable. Marc Cucurella would be a smart pick-up candidate and would be a much better fit for City’s system than Chelsea’s. Cucurella should be back from injury in about a month, but the other option is Villa’s Lucas Digne. They have Alex Moreno back and it looks like he will be the starter against Digne. Technically, Digne is good enough to be included in City’s squad, and he has plenty to offer in attack.
Top targets: Marc Cucurella, Luca Digne
Manchester United – Central Striker
United are not planning to do any big business in January, but letting Jadon Sancho out on loan would free up a spot. Timo Werner would have been a pretty decent option given his ability to play on the counter, but he’s headed to Spurs. Erik ten Hag needs a striker and Stuttgart’s Selhou Guirassi seems to be a great fit, with a very low release clause, but it would be difficult to conclude a deal in January from a financial fair play perspective right.
top target: Seru Guirassi
Newcastle United – Central midfielder
Eddie Howe needs extra support in midfield and Kalvin Phillips needs minutes. He will start alongside Bruno Guimarães, and Phillips’ long-range passing will be perfect for keeping Gordon, Isak and Almiron away on the counter.
Top target: calvin phillips
Nottingham Forest – Goalkeeper
Forest have struggled in the goalkeeping department this season, and Keylor Navas solved the problem by joining on loan from PSG last season. A similar move is likely and additional experience always comes in handy before relegation is expected. On-loan Aaron Ramsdale could be a good option if Arsenal approve.
top target: Keylor Navas, Aaron Ramsdale
Sheffield United – Goalkeeper
The Blades need more creativity to have any chance of survival and the arrival of Ben Breton Dias on loan from Villarreal is a great short-term option. Kasper Schmeichel rumored to return to Premier League as goalkeeper will be the next big focus and Chris Wilder needs experience and should only sign players who will make an immediate impact has been done. Arsenal could also sanction the loan move of Aaron Ramsdale, who has strong links with the Blades, to Sheffield United.
Top targets: Kasper Schmeichel, Aaron Ramsdale
Tottenham Hotspur – Central Defender
With Timo Werner about to arrive to strengthen the attack, Ange Postecoglou needs defensive reinforcements to ensure Spurs are not exposed mercilessly when defensive injuries appear again. Romanian centre-back Dragusin is a key target. Trevor Chalobah was previously linked to the Spurs. The smart move of introducing a centre-back as a full-back is not a long-term solution for Angeboal.
Top targets: Radu Dragusin, Trevo Chalobá
West Ham United – Central Striker
Like most teams, all West Ham need is more goals. David Moyes needs more quality in attack and Anthony Martial appears to be a good fit for the Hammers, allowing Moyes to get the best out of the French forward. Martial is out of contract at United this summer and while there is no doubting his quality, he needs to be in the right team. He will be a completely different player for West Ham.
top target: Anthony Marchal
Wolverhampton Wanderers – Central Striker
Like Everton, Wolves are cash-strapped, but Che Adams offers a cost-effective solution and they attempted to sign him at the end of the summer.
top target: Che Adams