Finding a January bargain

With the transfer window about to open again Andy Hampson looks at who will be buying and who will be selling over January

ARSENAL

Injuries to Kieran Gibbs and Andre Santos, and a recent link to Wayne Bridge, suggests a left-back is a priority for Arsene Wenger. The Gunners have also been heavily linked with Cologne’s Germany forward Lukasz Podolski and are close to completing a loan deal for club legend Thierry Henry during the Major League Soccer close season. Andrey Arshavin’s future at the club appears uncertain.

ASTON VILLA

Alex McLeish says he must sell before buying due to Villa’s “astronomical” wage bill but has already made clear he has no intention of letting striker Darren Bent — just a year after his £18million arrival — leave. He may look at the loan market but will have to be shrewd as he has just one such Premier League deal left. Jermaine Jenas, despite being ruled out for the season, still counts on this quota.

BLACKBURN

While media have speculated about Steve Kean’s future, the Rovers manager himself says he has been discussing transfer targets with the club’s owners. Due to injuries, defenders are required and Manchester City’s Nedum Onuoha is possibly in the frame. A new striker would also help. The problem for Rovers is their lowly league position may make key players such as Chris Samba, Junior Hoilett, Paul Robinson and Steven Nzonzi targets for other clubs.

BOLTON

Owen Coyle resisted overtures for England defender Gary Cahill in August but he looks almost certain to leave in January after the manager revealed a transfer fee had been agreed with Chelsea, with the player out of contract in the summer. He will be tough to replace but selling him now may give the debt-hit club some flexibility to find a replacement or a much-needed goalscorer. Coyle could also utilise the loan system again.

CHELSEA

Andre Villas-Boas may want to freshen up his squad after a disappointing opening half of the campaign. Bolton defender Gary Cahill now seems a strong possibility to sign after a fee was agreed between the clubs while there has also been reported interest in Milos Krasic, Jack Rodwell and Kaka. Another striker may also be wanted with Nicolas Anelka departing and the future of Didier Drogba uncertain. Florent Malouda, Salomon Kalou and Alex could leave.

EVERTON

The Toffees have not paid any significant transfer fees since the summer of 2009 and there are few indications January will be any different, unless the club accept a big offer for someone such as £25million-rated Jack Rodwell. Yet with recent windows remembered for the departures of Steven Pienaar and Mikel Arteta, that would be another major blow. Despite grabbing Landon Donovan on loan manager David Moyes would like to bring in another striker.

FULHAM

With the futures of Bobby Zamora and Andy Johnson uncertain, Martin Jol may need to find another forward. Doncaster’s Billy Sharp has been mentioned as a possibility. A winger might also be a target, with the Londoners having been linked with Bristol City’s Albert Adomah.

LIVERPOOL

It seems highly unlikely that Liverpool will make the waves they did a year ago when they sold Fernando Torres for £50million and bought Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez for a combined £57million. Yet Kenny Dalglish may still be on the lookout for another striker, with Rangers’ Nikica Jelavic reportedly of interest.

A wide midfielder is also a possibility, especially if Craig Bellamy is pushed forward during Suarez’s looming ban.

MANCHESTER CITY

Considerable speculation inevitably accompanies big-money City into any transfer window. Yet this time main activity could be outgoing with Carlos Tevez set for a high-profile departure. Defenders Wayne Bridge and Nedum Onuoha are both surplus to requirements.

Roberto Mancini has few weaknesses in his squad but the odd addition may help, possibly in central midfield.

MANCHESTER UNITED

Alex Ferguson has said he has no intention of spending massively in January but any further additions to a lengthy injury list may prompt some activity. The champions continue to be linked with big-name players such as Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Wesley Sneijder. Dimitar Berbatov’s future remains the subject of speculation despite his recent flurry of goals while Federico Macheda and Mame Biram Diouf may go out on loan.

NEWCASTLE

The Magpies may have impressed in the first half of the campaign but Alan Pardew has admitted his squad lacks depth. Serious injury to Steven Taylor has made a centre-back a priority with Jan Vertonghen of Ajax and Birmingham’s Liam Ridgewell linked. A new striker would also increase Pardew’s options particularly with Demba Ba missing for the African Cup of Nations.

NORWICH

Paul Lambert says he is no fan of the January transfer window but may strengthen “one or two areas” to ensure the Canaries build on their good start. He may look at defenders to address a lack of clean sheets while another striker would offer back-up to Steve Morison and Grant Holt. Any additions would have to fit within a tight wage structure.

QPR

Ambitious club chairman Tony Fernandes appears willing to spend to keep QPR in the top flight. The west Londoners have been linked with a number of big-name strikers including Darren Bent, Jermain Defoe, Bobby Zamora and Nikica Jelavic. A defender may also be on the wishlist with Blackburn’s Chris Samba linked. Adel Taarabt, star of last season’s promotion campaign, could move on.

STOKE

After a busy summer in the transfer market and an excellent first half of the campaign, Stoke seem unlikely to make much impression in January. Blackburn’s Junior Hoilett has been mentioned as a possible target while Kenwyne Jones has been linked with a move away but Pulis is generally satisfied with his squad.

SUNDERLAND

Martin O’Neill could make a number of moves in the market to stamp his impression on the Black Cats’ squad and ensure they pull clear of relegation. A void still remains up front following the losses of Darren Bent, Asamoah Gyan and Danny Welbeck while a left winger and an attacking midfielder could also be priorities.

SWANSEA

The Swans may want to add to their numbers to ensure survival in the Premier League. A loan move for QPR’s Adel Taarabt would add more bite and could be a possibility if the Moroccan does not secure a permanent move away from Loftus Road, but Brendan Rodgers’ targets could be more modest. Midfield and up front are the areas he will be looking at and the Welsh club have agreed a fee and personal terms with teenage Cliftonville striker Rory Donnelly.

TOTTENHAM

Spurs stood firm as Chelsea attempted to lure Luka Modric to Stamford Bridge in the summer and they may again have to repel interest in the coveted midfielder from elsewhere. The Londoners have no intention of selling any big names and fringe players such as Roman Pavlyuchenko and Giovani dos Santos are more likely departures.

WEST BROM

Roy Hodgson appears happy with his squad at The Hawthorns and will only bring in bargain buys or loan players. Peter Odemwingie has been linked with a big-money move back to Russia but his recently-signed new contract should end speculation over his future.

WIGAN

Latics must find goals and their need could become more pressing if Hugo Rodallega, out of contract at the end of the season, leaves for one of the many clubs with which he has been linked. A loan move for Manchester United’s Federico Macheda has been mooted. An experienced defender or midfielder could also add substance in the continuing relegation fight.

WOLVES

Mick McCarthy has already made an early move by agreeing a deal with Hearts for versatile Iceland midfielder Eggert Jonsson to join in January. McCarthy may also want to add further strength to midfield with former Birmingham player Craig Gardner, reportedly unsettled at Sunderland, also linked.