Premier League Transfer news: The traditional ‘Big six’ clubs – what do they need this January?

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Big window for Man City? 

©TM/IMAGO

The January transfer window officially opened this week, with Europe’s top clubs able to bring in talent who can push them on for the second half of the season to reach their goals. Some major deals have been completed across the last few January windows, including Chelsea splashing a combined €191 million for Enzo Fernández and Mykhaylo Mudryk in 2023, and perhaps the most iconic Premier League January signing of recent years in Liverpool’s acquisition of now club captain Virgil van Dijk from Southampton in 2018 for €84.65 million. The Dutchman went on to lift the Champions League and Premier League with the club within just two years at Anfield. 

The traditional ‘big six’ clubs have had mixed starts to the season, with Liverpool sitting top of the table, whilst Tottenham and Manchester United are loitering in the bottom half in 12th and 13th respectively. Champions Manchester City endured a disastrous December, and are now 12 points behind the league leaders in fifth. However, it could be argued all of the ‘Big six’ clubs could make improvements to their squads this January, with no side looking like the complete finished article yet – even Liverpool could maybe add more depth. The ‘Big six’ slubs had a fairly quiet summer by their usual lavish standards, but many of them look sure to have their chequebooks out this winter. Now is the time to act, but where do each of these sides need to strengthen this January? What area is the priority?

Arsenal – Priority: Striker / winger

It feels like a big transfer window for Arsenal. It’s been a difficult season, as their title challenge has taken a huge blow following serious injuries to key players Martin Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka. The Gunners are six points behind Liverpool, who also have a game in hand. Goalscoring and creating chances has become a consistent problem for Mikel Arteta’s team this season. Kai Havertz is Arsenal’s top league goalscorer with seven goals, whilst no other player has more than five in the Premier League this season. Neither Bukayo Saka (5), Gabriel Martinelli (5), Gabriel Jesus (3) have been prolific and with Saka expected to be out until at least March, and Raheem Sterling and youngster Ethan Nwaneri also facing time out with injury, Arsenal need a goal scoring attacker or at least someone who can provide some genuine competition in those forward places. Martinelli has been underperforming for a long time, with nobody really putting serious pressure on his place in the starting eleven.

Potential targets

There have been a number of attacking names consistently linked with the Gunners in recent weeks – perhaps none more so than Wolves’ Matheus Cunha. The Brazilian has been on fine form at Molineux, scoring 10 Premier League goals, and could have the ability to play off the left or through the middle for Arsenal. However, rumours of a potential new contract at Wolves could be a blow to Arsenal’s chances of bringing him in this January. Another Premier League star linked with Arteta’s team is Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, who scored against Arsenal on new years day. He has 13 league goals this term, although the Bees are likely to demand a huge fee for the Cameroonian’s services. In recent days, some reports have also suggested that Arsenal have made an approach for Botafogo striker Igor Jesus.

Chelsea – Priority: Centre-back

Despite spending over €1.5 billion since Todd Boehly took ownership of the club, there still appears to be some gaps in Chelsea’s squad. Although they have certainly over-achieved under new manager Enzo Maresca so far, currently fourth in the Premier League table, their defence has at times looked vulnerable and the latest injury to Wesley Fofana will be a huge blow to the Blues. Axel Disasi and Benoît Badiashile have been riddled with mistakes. Levi Colwill has been Chelsea’s most consistent centre-half but may need a more reliable partner for the Premier League run-in. The club recently recalled teenage Argentine centre-back Aarón Anselmino from Boca Juniors, but the 19 year old is unlikely to be ready to go straight into the demands of the Premier League.

Potential targets

The Blues have reportedly made centre-back their main (and probably only) target for this January. Reports suggest they are monitoring the situation of Crystal Palace captain Marc Guéhi, who has just 18 months left on his contract with the Eagles, and was close to a move to Newcastle last summer. Another potential option could be to recall Trevoh Chalobah who is himself currently on loan at Crystal Palace.

Liverpool – Priority: Left-back / New contracts for stars

Liverpool have been superb this season under Arne Slot and lead the Premier League table, six points ahead of Arsenal with a game in hand. However, if one issue is to derail their title bid then it could be the uncertainty around the futures of three of their star players. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk are all out of contract in July and free to talk to clubs outside the Premier League from this January. Whilst Salah and van Dijk are in their 30’s, Liverpool could be set to lose a valuable asset for free in Alexander-Arnold, who is reportedly fairly close to agreeing a deal to join Real Madrid. In terms of incomings, a new left-back to add more serious competition to the ageing Andy Robertson could be a priority. 

Potential targets

If Liverpool were to go down the route of bringing in a left-back, then they could also profit themselves from a player running out of contract this summer. Bayern Munich full-back Alphonso Davies’ contract is up with the Bavarians in July, and the Canadian could represent a real improvement to Slot’s back four. It could just be the spark to get the Reds over the line in the title race. Other options could be Fulham’s Antonee Robinson or Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez who have both impressed in the Premier League this season.

Manchester City – Priority: Holding midfielder

One player that this current Man City team can’t cope without is their midfield hub – Rodri. It’s been proved since his ACL injury, with Pep Guardiola’s team essentially falling apart without their main midfielder. Their record with and without their Spanish holding midfielder speaks volumes, and the level of skill and football intelligence to play his role within this City team, makes him a very hard man to replace. The Sky Blues’ priority this January must be to bring in a holding midfielder. Mateo Kovacic, İlkay Gündoğan and Rico Lewis have all struggled in there, and if Man City are to start reaching their usual lofty heights again they will need reinforcements.

Potential targets

Finding anyone anywhere near Rodri’s standard is a gargantuan task, and given the Spaniard is going to play most weeks again when he is back fit next season, this player could spending a lot of time on the bench in the more distant future. The midfielder most heavily linked with City has probably been Real Sociedad’s Martín Zubimendi. The 25 year old actually replaced Rodri in the Euro 2024 final and slotted straight in as a replacement as Spain won the Euros. He has a current market value of €60m and could just be the player to get Guardiola’s team ticking again in Rodri’s absence. City have also been loosely linked with Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton. They have also been linked with a move for Frankfurt forward Omar Marmoush. 

Manchester United – Priority: Resolving Rashford’s future / Bring in attacker

Man United’ current squad feels as though reinforcements are needed in many positions. Whilst some supporters feel Man United need players more suited to Ruben Amorim’s wing-back role, another forward player to spark their front three could be the primary target. Since Amorim’s arrival, United have scored just 11 goals in nine matches. However, their huge €72m investment for 20-year-old Rasmus Højlund could mean they need to show some more patience with the Dane and he has shown that the potential is there. But the biggest issue for the Red Devis this January will be resolving the future of star winger Marcus Rashford. The Englishman has missed a number of matches after disciplinary issues with the new boss, and reports suggest United are willing to let him leave the club this month. Amorim will be hoping the club find a potential suitor – AC Milan are the latest club to reportedly be interested. 

Potential targets

If Man United are to opt to bring a new forward, one striker who has been consistently linked with the club since Amorim’s arrival has been striker Viktor Gyökeres, whom the United boss worked with at Sporting. The Swede has been on fire – no player in Europe’s top 10 leagues scored more goals for club and country in 2024, and he has a current market value of €75m.

Tottenham – Priority: Centre-back

Tottenham’s season has jumped from one disaster to the next in recent months, and one of the primary reasons behind the demise that has seen Spurs drop to 11th in the Premier League table, has been their injury crisis at centre-back. With both first choice centre-halves in Cristian Romero and Micky van De Ven unavailable, Radu Drâgusin and Archie Gray have been filling in, but have struggled in Tottenham’s unique system. Spurs have been shipping goals at an alarming rate. They have already signed goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky from Slavia Prague for €16.5m, and bringing in another centre-half this January will likely be the next priority.

Potential targets

It’s being reported that Tottenham are among a number of clubs considering a move for Lens’ 20-year-old centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov. The Uzbekistan international has a current market value of €12m. Spurs have also in recent days been linked with a move for PSG striker Randal Kolo Muani, who is reportedly going to be allowed to leave the Parisians on loan this January.