We’re past the midway stage of January and the transfer window has been suspiciously quiet.
Now, this could be as a result of good work done last summer which means clubs remain satisfied with their squads.
Or more realistically, that January prices are extortionately high and deals could be dragged out until the final week of the month.
What you can be sure of, though, is that some of the biggest sides in the Premier League require a dip into the market and we’ve examined the top-six to discover what they need, who they can realistically bring in and whether they will do business.
LIVERPOOL
Jurgen Klopp
What they need?
Defenders, and lots of them at this rate. Jurgen Klopp loathes striking deals in the winter market and uses any opportunity to chastise the media, and by extension supporters, for our infatuation with the January window.
However, the German should consider altering his stance with his title-chasing Liverpool side entering a defensive injury crisis.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (knee) is ruled out for a month, Dejan Lovren (hamstring) is a major doubt to play again in January and Joe Gomez (ankle) likewise. With Nathaniel Clyne loaned to Bournemouth, Klopp is a little short at right-back and most definitely centre-back despite Joel Matip back in the first-team fold.
Who they should look at?
There’s a distinct difference between who they should look at, and who is actually available.
You could throw out elite options like Matthijs de Ligt but the Ajax star has numerous admirers and in any case is unlikely to leave until the summer.
So, who is around? Chelsea’s Gary Cahill represents an experienced and low-cost option. He’s been linked to Fulham and in theory Liverpool could jump the queue.
Conor Coady is another one to look at with the Wolves skipper of course a former Liverpool player. Porto’s Eder Militao, who can play right and centre-back, has been linked but would cost a fair whack.
Will they do business?
Probably not. Klopp prefers to deal in the long term even if that means taking a short term hit.
Given Matip and Lovren’s injury record this season he should find better cover for Virgil van Dijk and Gomez, yet he is likely to stand firm.
Liverpool supporters will hope that stance doesn’t see them lose their feet in the title race.
TOTTENHAM
Mauricio Pochettino
What they need?
Mauricio Pochettino is beginning to feel the strain of Tottenham’s restricted summer window. Spurs didn’t make one signing going into the new season and while the first XI is immensely talented, support from the squad is bare with numerous first-team stars out.
Now, hold your breath…Harry Kane is ruled out until March with an ankle complaint, Son Heung-min is away on Asian Cup duty, Moussa Sissoko suffered a soft-tissue injury after an exhausting run of games, Mousa Dembele sealed a move to China, Victor Wanyama is out indefinitely while Serge Aurier was recently arrested on suspicion of assault.
Where do you even start?
Who they should look at?
A striker is the first port of call. Fernando Llorente is their only genuine back-up and his inclusion would mean fitting a rather robust square peg in a round hole.
Off the bench the Spaniard is a useful option but the 33-year-old is just not mobile enough for Tottenham’s fluid style. Marko Arnautovic is a rumoured target and has been the subject of a £35m bid from a Chinese club. The West Ham forward is a smart option and crucially has a skillset which fits the bill. If they don’t want to spend, Giuseppe Rossi is short-term solution with the free agent former Italy striker currently training with Manchester United.
In midfield, Borussia Monchengladbach’s all-action star Denis Zakaria is an enticing choice to replace Dembele, the only issue there is Bundesliga clubs don’t really do business in January.
AC Milan’s loan man Franck Kessie has also been touted as has the more attack-minded Lyon playmaker Nabil Fekir.
Will they do business?
It all depends on Pochettino’s aims for the second half of the season. The Premier League title looks beyond them and if anything they could be dragged into an unwanted four-way fight for two Champions League spots.
They have a tricky and winnable last-16 clash with Borussia Dortmund but with all due respect, it’s unlikely Spurs will truly challenge in Europe this season.
The Argentine will probably persevere with what he has to deal with Kane’s absence. Where he might explore the market is in midfield now Dembele has departed.
MANCHESTER CITY
Pep Guardiola
What they need?
Difficult to comprehend Pep Guardiola needing to plug any holes in his vast squad yet there is one absolutely pivotal position reinforcements are demanded.
A dire December saw City lose their league lead, then lose ground on Liverpool and it is not a coincidence their struggles coincided with Fernandinho’s absence.
And it’s no wonder. There are not many players out there who can perform the multiple jobs City necessitate from the Brazilian.
If you need any justification, watch his performance against Liverpool. His energy overworked two midfielders and his technique on the ball made it easy labour for those ahead of him.
He defends the ball, wins it then generally makes the best pass available. City have no legitimate back-up for the 33-year-old and if they don’t get one in January, they most certainly will in the summer.
Who they should look at?
The list starts and ends with Frenkie de Jong. The Ajax metronome is tailor made for a Guardiola side but the problem there is that he’s practically perfect for just about every top side.
Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain want him, City probably need him the most, though. Naturally, the 21-year-old will command a massive fee with his enormous potential likely to see Ajax demand a price north of £75m.
The Dutchman faces a decision. Will it be the riches PSG can offer, the charm of Guardiola or the allure of Barca?
Reports suggest money talks loudest in this case and if that is the reality, City must look elsewhere with Lyon’s prized asset Tanguy Ndombele and Napoli’s Allan two possible alternatives.
Will they do business?
Yes, but it’s a matter of when. De Jong will likely remain at Ajax until the summer but if his mind is already made up, City could begin work on other targets now.
A big money transfer looks unlikely but the wheels could turn very quickly and this is a position City desperately need to look at.
MANCHESTER UNITED
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
What they need?
There is work to be done but you suspect most of it won’t be completed until a new long-term boss is appointed in the summer.
The wishlist hasn’t changed following Jose Mourinho’s exit with a world-class centre-back and a modern No10 the two priorities.
Phil Jones and Chris Smalling must be moved on and a dynamic playmaker capable of unlocking defences has long been in short supply.
Players for these positions will be procured in 2019 and you certainly can’t rule out any deals being made over the next week or two, especially considering Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men are now pushing hard for a top-four spot.
Who they should look at?
Kalidou Koulibaly and Virgil van Dijk stand shoulder to shoulder – both metaphorically and physically – as the two best centre-backs in Europe.
That is the calibre United must be looking at to partner the now settled Victor Lindelof. Koulibaly is an immaculate defender, an imposing presence who mixes his hulking physical gifts with an intelligent disposition on and off the ball.
The 27-year-old is exactly what they need and regardless of an exponential fee, which could ring up £90m, he is a necessity. As Liverpool have shown with Van Dijk, massive prices can look relatively cheap when the player is guaranteed to improve a problem position.
The other gap to be filled has a couple of options. Barcelona’s brilliant-but-struggling club-record buy Philippe Coutinho was linked earlier this month, although you suspect the headlines of “talks opened up” means United initiated a conversation, whether that’s listened to or not remains to be seen.
Leicester’s elegant talent James Maddison is an enticing prospect as is Bayer Leverkusen’s Kai Havertz.
Will they do business?
Koulibaly should be brought in regardless of who is manager. If United sense a deal can be made – important to remember Napoli are tough negotiators – then they will no doubt get to work. To continue the parallel with Van Dijk, the Dutchman was brought to Anfield in January so a move of this magnitude is not totally unrealistic.
In fact, Koulibaly is actually reportedly considering his future at Napoli then a bid could see him push through a move.
For the two other discussed options, Leverkusen’s model means they would welcome a move for Havertz who has again stepped up another level this season. Maddison likewise has taken the Premier League by storm and there’s rational for the 22-year-old’s signature.
CHELSEA
Maurizio Sarri
What they need?
The club making most of the noise in an otherwise quiet January is Chelsea. Maurizio Sarri is linking back up with his former Napoli hitman Gonzalo Higuain as they take over his AC Milan loan deal for the rest of this season.
Long-time club target Christian Pulisic €64m has been recruited from Borussia Dortmund, although he won’t feature in Chelsea blue until the summer.
Yet there is still more work to be done. Indeed, a full-back and replacement for the recently departed Cesc Fabregas are paramount.
Who they should look at?
Zenit midfielder Leandro Paredes is the ideal choice to fill the boots of Fabregas. The 24-year-old is a graceful passer of the ball and he thrives in deeper areas of the pitch which means he is a far more suitable back-up for Jorginho.
Zenit want €40m for the Argentinian and Chelsea are yet to meet that asking price. PSG are reportedly sniffing around but you suspect once the cash is put on the table, handshakes will be completed.
He’s already said to have agreed personal terms and Sarri will likely get another player he has pleaded for.
Right back is the other key area and Sarri has been tipped to raid former club Napoli once more with Elseid Hysaj a prime target. Although the talk is any deal would be likened to Pulisic and agreed now with him joining fully in the summer.
Will they do business?
Most definitely and this we can say with certainty. Higuain’s switch looks like it will be completed any day now.
Once the financial package is agreed for Paredes that deal is sure to be finalised quickly. The only question mark is in the full-back slot but if Davide Zappacosta is poached by Lazio then expect that to be sorted, too.
ARSENAL
Unai Emery
What they need?
What they need is different to what they will get. Unai Emery has already revealed he won’t be able to bring in any permanent additions so is hunting the loan market instead.
Naturally that limits their options and it’s proving to be a difficult January as a result. Emery desperately needs a defender or two and his unbalanced attack is crying out for a wide man.
Rob Holding is out for the season and now Hector Bellerin is set to join him after both suffered significant knee injuries.
They currently only have three fit centre-backs in their ranks and Laurent Koscielny has only just got back to full fitness with his injury record hardly inspiring confidence.
Who they should look at?
It’s slim pickings when you don’t have a budget. Barcelona midfielder Denis Suarez is available on loan and it’s pretty certain he’ll link back up with Emery whom he worked with at Sevilla.
The 25-year-old would temporarily help out in midfield with the Spanish boss reluctant to trust Mesut Ozil.
In terms of defenders, it’s been reported that both Chelsea’s Gary Cahill and Manchester United’s Eric Bailly are on their radar.
That would mean a Champions League qualification chasing rival doing business with them and that remains a long shot.
Fernando Calero of Real Valladolid fits Emery’s profile and his asking price of €10m would surely mean he’s worth a look even if it means parting with some cash for his services.
Will they do business?
They have to if they’re serious about reaching the top four. With no money being made available that really does restrict Emery’s maneuverability in the market.
Regardless, Suarez appears close to completion and if they can free up some funds then they will hope at least one defender can be brought to the club.
