The January transfer window is so often described as difficult that a fresh Bryan’s Gunn video cannot be far away.
The popular X account takes on football cliches, compiling razor-sharp clips of players, managers and pundits echoing the same phrases time after time, from needing “a reaction” to calling virtually every ground a “tough place to go”.
And should the creator of Bryan’s Gunn find themselves seeking inspiration for a new video to delight their near 100,000 followers, there would be reams of footage down the years of managers calling this transfer window “difficult”.
Already this season Mikel Arteta has spoken of Arsenal’s “very difficult” situation, Unai Emery has expressed the difficulty of adding to his Aston Villa squad, likewise Ange Postecoglou at Spurs, while Jurgen Klopp, well, he opted for “tricky” recently instead.
But difficult, tricky, or otherwise, it appears this mid-season window could yet have a say in the Premier League’s title race. Here’s a rundown of where the current top five could look to boost their prospects…
Liverpool need defensive back-up
Klopp has been in the Premier League game so long he now has to find new ways to answer questions about transfers.
“It was never a wonderland where you can bring in one world-class centre-back until the other is fit again,” he said in December. “As long as other clubs don’t put them under the Christmas tree for us and say, ‘Take it and use it as long as you need it’… I’ve not really thought about it yet.”
And with precious few gifts available, Klopp is right. Liverpool’s need for defensive back-up in light of Andy Roberton’s absence and Joel Matip’s long-term injury will not lead to simple pursuits.
However, Liverpool do have a track record of improving their squad in January, signing Cody Gakpo 12 months ago, Luis Diaz in 2022, and Virgil van Dijk back in 2018, while a more pressing defensive crisis in 2021 led to the signings of Ben Davies and Ozan Kabak – who have both since moved on.
With a view to Matip leaving at the end of the season anyway, Liverpool may press ahead and scour the continent for a young centre-back. Sporting CP duo Goncalo Inacio, 22, and 20-year-old Ousmane Diomande are highly regarded in Portugal, and could be options not just for the short-term but the future.
Premier League table
Diomande will feature for Ivory Coast at the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, and has already been linked with Arsenal and Newcastle ahead of a tournament that often puts players in the shop window.
There may also be the small matter of Liverpool this month starting to address the possible exit of Mohamed Salah at the end of the season. Cue talk of Kylian Mbappe considering a move to Anfield. The France captain is now free to discuss terms with clubs abroad, and Le Parisien claims Liverpool are credible contenders to challenge Real Madrid for his signature.
That would not be until the summer, but it would be some statement.
Aston Villa aware of need for transfers
The surprise package of this title race, Aston Villa know they need some strengthening across the board to sustain a charge they hope at the very least ends with Champions League football next season.
Should Villa lose Ollie Watkins to injury, they would be in trouble, with the England international behind only Mohamed Salah (14/8) and Erling Haaland (14/4) for combined goals and assists in the Premier League this season (9/8).
With only Jhon Duran for back-up, Villa are aware of their need for another forward. “It is very difficult to sign one player who will improve us in these circumstances,” said head coach Emery.
“And it is even more difficult in this transfer window. We have now a really great striker in a very good moment and a young player who is progressing, getting better and getting confidence. Of course, if we can improve our squad in any position with one player to increase our level we are going to do it.”
Yannick Eduardo is one such option, the Telegraph reports, although at 17 the RB Leipzig striker would be a signing with the future in mind. For the present, Villa could look to prise Nico Williams away from Athletic Bilbao, having attempted to sign the winger last year.
Man City likely to watch others squirm
Gone are the days of Manchester City panicking in January, the Robinho and Dimitar Berbatov deadline-day saga now 16 years ago, and so it could be another quiet month for the club who sit third but remain odds-on favourites to win the title again.
City’s last major signing in January was Aymeric Laporte in 2018 (Julian Alvaraz joined in 2022 but immediately returned on loan to River Plate until the end of that season), meaning they are unlikely to blink in this title race given their experience as hunters turned champions.
The return of Kevin De Bruyne is the proverbial new signing that will take them to another level, although the possible departure of Kalvin Phillips would leave them a little lighter in midfield.
Enter Lucas Paqueta? The West Ham midfielder was targeted by City last year, and while a deal would be harder to strike in January, it could be deemed a necessity if Pep Guardiola believes they must strengthen in this area – one made weaker by Ilkay Gundogan’s summer departure.
Either way, beyond the expectancy Claudio Echeverri will join from River Plate and return on loan a la Alvarez two years ago, there will not be a flurry of incomings and outgoings. Guardiola’s side are still the team to beat, boasting a squad that can handle a handful of injuries like no other Premier League club.
Arsenal and the much-hyped pursuit
Ivan Toney. There is little point starting elsewhere with Arsenal, who have been heavily linked with a player whose stock has risen without kicking a football for eight months.
The Brentford striker will be back in action this month, and he is said to be excited by the prospect of joining Arsenal. However, FFP is a concern and Brentford could well price the Gunners out of a January transfer.
An £80m asking price explains why current back-up Eddie Nketiah is being linked with a transfer away from the club, while selling Aaron Ramsdale could also free up some funds.
Either way, Toney alone is unlikely to convert Arsenal into title favourites after back-to-back defeats saw them slip to fourth, with injuries exposing their shortcomings in defence as well. Arteta will hope to address this area in the coming weeks, with the aforementioned Diomande a possibility.
Tottenham set for busy January
Spurs could potentially be the busiest club among the current top five as Postecoglou looks to further make his mark on a squad already dancing to his attacking tune.
This approach has Spurs just three goals off City – who lead the way with 45 goals for – but they also boast defence the worst defence of the top five, conceding 29 goals.
If defences win titles then Spurs simply have to strengthen. Postecoglou has agreed it is a “priority” in the January transfer window, with Cristian Romero adding to the injury pile-up that took a turn for the worse when Micky van de Ven and James Maddison hobbled off against Chelsea in early November.
As a result, Spurs have been linked with Genoa’s Radu Dragusin – the Romania international also wanted by Milan that could cost £26m – with Nice’s Jean-Claire Todibo and Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite other reported targets.
Elsewhere, Spurs have emerged as shock candidates to sign Conor Gallagher from Chelsea, who are reportedly looking to sell for FFP reasons. “It’s difficult for any coach to talk, it’s a decision by the club and the player,” Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino said in December.
Talk of Chelsea wanting £50m could put Spurs off, however, while the possibility of Dominic Solanke joining seems far-fetched unless Bournemouth have a surprisingly low asking price for the striker who is just two behind Salah and Haaland’s league-leading tally of 14 goals this season.
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