The January transfer window is now open and clubs will be working around the clock to improve their squads over the next month.
Also burning the candle at both ends is our transfer expert, Simon Jones, who will be on top of every deal.
Here, he runs through each Premier League side, where they’re looking to strengthen, who the top targets are and which players could find themselves departing over the next four weeks.
ARSENAL
The league leaders would like an out-and-out left winger, but ideally need to sell before they buy.
They passed on Antoine Semenyo, but manager Mikel Arteta says they are looking for opportunities in the market.
They have scouted Elche midfielder Rodrigo Mendoza, Marseille’s Darryl Bakola, AC Milan full back Davide Bartesaghi, Eintracht Frankfurt forward Jean-Matteo Bahoya and Cologne’s Said El Mala. Juventus forward Kenan Yildiz remains on the radar.
Juventus star Kenan Yildiz is a player on Arsenal’s radar and they passed on Antoine Semenyo
ASTON VILLA
Unai Emery is after a versatile forward and the club are among admirers of Newcastle United’s William Osula. Tottenham’s Brennan Johnson has been discussed while they have already wrapped up the signing of 19-year-old winger Alysson, who will join from Gremio for around £10m.
Profit and Sustainability Rules remain an obstacle, so sales may be necessary to cover more buys. Villa could yet pay a fee to terminate Harvey Elliott’s loan from Liverpool, while they may also consider offers for Ross Barkley, who is out of contract in the summer.
BOURNEMOUTH
They have asked about Leicester City winger Abdul Fatawu and Tottenham’s Brennan Johnson as they seek a replacement for Manchester City target Antoine Semenyo — they have had ample time to find someone given the Ghanaian almost left in the summer.
With Marcos Senesi out of contract in the summer and on Barcelona’s list, the Cherries have looked at Sassuolo’s Tarik Muharemovic and old boy Nathan Ake at Manchester City. They also want another goalkeeper. Full back Julian Araujo is in talks to join Celtic on loan.
Leicester’s Abdul Fatawu was asked about by Bournemouth prior to the January window
BRENTFORD
The Bees want a new defensive midfielder, with Vitaly Janelt due to leave in the summer unless a new contract can be agreed.
Feyenoord’s Quinten Timber — twin brother of Arsenal’s Jurrien — and PSV Eindhoven’s Joey Veerman are two they admire.
Coventry’s Bobby Thomas has been scouted as centre back is another position that needs strengthening in case Kristoffer Ajer departs, while Michael Kayode is attracting attention from Inter Milan. Max Beier from Borussia Dortmund is a forward Brentford like.
BRIGHTON
Fabian Hurzeler is looking for a right back, left-sided centre back, midfielder and a striker. Manchester United continue to court Carlos Baleba, so the Seagulls have watched Milton Delgado at Boca Juniors and Nordsjaelland’s Caleb Yirenkyi.
Evan Ferguson is likely to stay on loan at Roma as it stands while Danny Welbeck, James Milner, Joel Veltman and Adam Webster are all out of contract in the summer. Brighton may struggle to hold on to defender Jan Paul van Hecke.
BURNLEY
The Clarets are looking to help boss Scott Parker avoid relegation, so will explore the loan market to strengthen the spine of the team.
They do have money to spend, but are wary of being burdened with hefty fees and wages if they ultimately go down.
They could allow Hannes Delcroix to join FC Lugano, while Ajax are discussing a move for left back Quilindschy Hartman. Martin Dubravka, Josh Laurent, Vaclav Hladky and Ashley Barnes are all free in the summer.
CHELSEA
Don’t expect any major arrivals in January, but Chelsea are always open to market opportunities.
They checked on Nottingham Forest’s James McAtee, perhaps with sister club Strasbourg in mind, while they maintain interest in Forest’s Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace and Newcastle target Kees Smit at AZ Alkmaar.
Their focus is on finding new homes for Axel Disasi, who is interesting Roma and Lyon, Tyrique George and Raheem Sterling.
CRYSTAL PALACE
After a disappointing summer transfer window, Palace are chasing a winger, striker, midfielder, centre back and right back as they look to strengthen Oliver Glasner’s hand.
A fee has been agreed with Spurs for Brennan Johnson, but the player has still to decide if he wants the move. Palace will rival West Ham for Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen and like
Manchester City’s Oscar Bobb plus Auxerre’s Kevin Danois. Bayern Munich’s Sascha Boey is a target at right back. Marc Guehi has Liverpool and Manchester City ready to sign him in the summer. Jean-Philippe Mateta and Adam Wharton are likely to follow him in leaving at the end of the season.
Marc Guehi’s contract with runs out in the summer, with Liverpool and Man City interested
EVERTON
Manager David Moyes wants a striker and a right back as priorities this month, but the club have been struggling to find the right profile of player.
There is interest in Brennan Johnson, but finding a finisher is the main objective to help Moyes kick on.
Wolves’ Jorgen Strand Larsen has been discussed, but he has struggled to recapture his hot form of last season, while the wages of Al Ahli’s Ivan Toney are beyond reach. Roma’s Artem Dovbyk has also been floated.
Scouts watched Strasbourg right back Guela Doue, but a proven Premier League performer is preferred. Talks have begun over a new deal for midfielder James Garner.
There is interest in Dwight McNeil, but Moyes is reluctant to sell the winger just now.
FULHAM
The Cottagers are pondering a new bid for PSV Eindhoven striker Ricardo Pepi after their initial £26m offer was rejected. They reverted to the 22-year-old after initially discussing Fiorentina’s Moise Kean.
They are also looking to bring forward the permanent purchase of Samuel Chukwueze from AC Milan, with Adama Traore expected to join West Ham.
Chelsea’s Tyrique George, who they lined up in August, could come back into play. Signing a new midfielder is another priority, as is discussing a new deal with Harry Wilson.
Ryan Sessegnon, Raul Jimenez and Tom Cairney are all out of contract in the summer.
LEEDS UNITED
The priority is a No 10 such as Fulham’s Harry Wilson, who they tried to sign in the summer. A robust, mobile forward and a centre back — following injury to Joe Rodon — are also sought by manager
Daniel Farke and sporting director Adam Underwood. Union Berlin’s Danilho Doekhi, out of contract in the summer, is one of the centre backs Leeds like. They have also asked about Sevilla’s Swiss international attacking midfielder Ruben Vargas. Valencia are keen on winger Jack Harrison, but may struggle to find the necessary finances.
LIVERPOOL
The champions need another defender and forward option. They had been in talks with Antoine Semenyo’s advisers since October, but Manchester City are the ones to have made approaches official.
Injuries could dictate whether they buy this month. Centre backs are being scouted and an agreement has still to be found over a new deal for Ibrahima Konate. It is more likely, though, that they wait for Palace’s Marc Guehi in the summer. Aston Villa are expected to curtail Harvey Elliott’s loan which has piqued interest from the MLS for the England Under 21 international.
Liverpool have watched RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande and Cologne’s Said El Mala. They have also made an offer for Sheffield Wednesday’s 17-year-old left back Yisa Alao. Another Crystal Palace player, Adam Wharton, is on Liverpool’s radar for summer.
Ivory Coast and RB Leipzig star Yan Diomande has been watched by Liverpool this season
MANCHESTER CITY
Terms are being finalised for Bournemouth’s £65m winger Antoine Semenyo and City are ready to let Oscar Bobb leave for around £30m.
Dortmund are speaking to Bobb while Tottenham, Palace and Fulham also admire the Norway international.
Nathan Ake has rejected a move to West Ham but has other offers. In the summer, City would like another midfielder, such as Forest’s Elliot Anderson, and Newcastle full back Tino Livramento. Kalvin Phillips could secure a move away this month.
Semenyo is on the brink of joining Manchester City for £65million in a major January move
MANCHESTER UNITED
Among the many clubs to pitch for Antoine Semenyo, but they are now asking about RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande, who also has interest from Tottenham and Bayern Munich.
They need a forward option as Roma are ready to take Joshua Zirkzee on loan with an obligation to buy. Kobbie Mainoo remains keen to move on loan to Napoli, but United want a replacement first. Matters are complicated by MLS interest in Casemiro and Galatasaray wanting Manuel Ugarte. Brighton’s Carlos Baleba is fancied, as is Elliot Anderson.
United have discussed Sporting Lisbon right wing back Salvador Blopa and have offered £450,000 for Sheffield Wednesday left back prospect Yisa Alao.
Kobbie Mainoo remains keen on a move away from Manchester United in January
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Defensive cover is urgently required. They are trying for Toulouse defender Dayann Methalie, but may look at the loan market too.
They are firmly in the race for midfielder Kees Smit at AZ Alkmaar, but competition is growing from Real Madrid and Chelsea. Auxerre’s Kevin Danois and Feyenoord’s Luciano Valente are also admired.
Kieran Trippier is free to discuss a pre-contract with foreign clubs from today, while striker William Osula is drawing attention from Eintracht Frankfurt, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace. Youngster Antonio Cordero is switching loans to Cadiz.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Sean Dyche wants an upgrade at left back and left wing and Forest will also join the bidding war for Jorgen Strand Larsen. They know Elliot Anderson is a wanted man so are looking at midfielders too.
Corinthians’ Breno Bidon is one they have watched. James McAtee has interest from BlueCo, Chelsea’s owners, and the likes of Leeds United, Fulham, Bournemouth and RB Leipzig.
Striker Arnaud Kalimuendo has interest from Frankfurt, Nice and more, while defender Morato could also depart. Nicolas Dominguez has interest from Palmeiras, while Angus Gunn and Willy Boly are out of contract in the summer.
SUNDERLAND
This season’s surprise package have thrown their hat into the ring for Brennan Johnson and would like a holding midfielder. But they could be busier on outgoings with Championship and foreign interest in goalkeeper Anthony Patterson, centre back Luke O’Nien and midfielder
Dan Neil. Others such as Ian Poveda, Aji Alese, Joe Anderson, Timothee Pembele, Abdoullah Ba, Leo Hjelde, Ahmed Abdullahi and Ben Middlemas have yet to figure as their regular first team unit has surpassed expectation.
TOTTENHAM
They have agreed to sell Brennan Johnson to Crystal Palace, but he also has interest from Bournemouth, Everton, Sunderland and Aston Villa and is unsure about leaving at all.
Spurs want better forward options, though a fresh move for Manchester City’s Savinho is likely to prove futile. They have checked on Oscar Bobb and Leipzig’s Yan Diomande plus Levante’s Etta Eyong.
Defender Radu Dragusin is keen for more game time after his injury, which has attracted interest from home and abroad. Nice are keen on Ben Davies.
Brennan Johnson looks set to depart, with Spurs willing to take a hit on what they paid for him
WEST HAM
The Hammers want a striker with Niclas Fullkrug joining AC Milan on loan and will bid for Wolves’ Jorgen Strand Larsen, but face competition from a host of clubs.
Their long list of striker options includes Palace’s Eddie Nketiah, Coventry duo Ellis Simms and Haji Wright, Viktoria Plzen’s Rafiu Durosinmi and Pablo Felipe at Portuguese side Gil Vicente. It is understood Nuno Espirito Santo prefers players with experience of English football.
Talks are ongoing for Fulham’s Adama Traore, but Hammers striker Callum Marshall could leave for Bochum on loan. Defender Max Kilman and Guido Rodriguez could also go.
Enquiries have been made for Utrecht left back Souffian El Karouani and Alkmaar midfielder Sven Mijnans.
WOLVES
The basement club are braced for bids for Jorgen Strand Larsen while Paris FC, Nice and Nantes are all keen on signing defensive midfielder Marshall Munetsi.
Wolves have talked about moving for striker Sam Surridge of Nashville and midfielder Niko Sigur, of Hajduk Split. Hibernian striker Kieron Bowie has also been discussed. A goalkeeper, right wing back, winger and a No 10 are all desired.
