New year? Same transfer chaos. The dawn of 2024 brings the first light of the January transfer window, where titles can be won or lost.
Virgil van Dijk. Nemanja Vidic. Andy Cole. Just a few January deals that have gone on to define title races in the Premier League years. The race to top spot looks to be a tight one this year and the window could be the deciding factor. With that in mind, where will this season’s title challengers be looking to strengthen their squad?
Liverpool
Sat ninth at this stage last season, Liverpool being first is somewhat of a surprise, with many dubious of their top-four hopes at the beginning of this campaign. The Reds are well and truly in with a chance however, and January could be their key to success.
Defence is somewhere often bolstered in January and with both left-backs out injured, that could be somewhere Jurgen Klopp targets. Joe Gomez had filled in and the Reds have also recalled young Welsh left-back Owen Beck after impressing on loan at Dundee, but inexperience is never ideal in a title race. There are no swirling rumours about Liverpool signing anyone in this position though, with Klopp hoping Beck can be the answer and Robertson will return.
Where the rumours are starting to spice up is in midfield where the Reds are reportedly in for Genoa midfielder Morten Frendrup and Benfica youngster Joao Neves. They did bring in four midfield reinforcements this summer, but Alexis Mac Allister has never really been a number six, while Wataru Endo has only recently came into form. So, signing a defensive midfielder this window seems to be the priority, with plenty of attacking options despite Mo Salah’s imminent departure for the African Cup of Nations.
Aston Villa
You might be wondering why they are here. Me too! But an unbelievable campaign with only four defeats sees the Villains towering in 2nd place, the best chance they’re likely to get for a while at a title.
Villa have the worst defence in the top four, so that will undoubtedly be a priority. Matty Cash has struggled for game time of late, his attacking threat overshadowed by his defensive struggles, with Ezri Konsa getting the nod recently. The Villains could look for experience at right-back, with Thomas Meunier of Borussia Dortmund a stable figure they could and perhaps should consider.
Gaffer Unai Emery is also said to be monitoring Cyril Ngonge of Fiorentina. The winger has five goals in Seria A this season and would provide welcome competition to summer signing Moussa Diaby and the in-form Leon Bailey. A second striker would also be welcome, with Ollie Watkins a vital cog that could prove costly, should anything happen to the man with 9 goals and 8 assists this season.
Manchester City
It wouldn’t be a modern-day title race without Manchester City in the mix, with the Citizens close to getting what will feel like a new signing; the return of Kevin de Bruyne. The midfielder hasn’t been seen in a City squad since opening day, but his return to a matchday squad at the weekend was cheered like a title by many City fans, his involvement having the potential to take City over the line.
It’s hard to suggest where a side like City needs to strengthen, with the new year so often the beginning of ridiculous winning streaks that carry them over the line. City seem to be looking to the future, as Pep Guardiola is said to be close to signing ‘the next Lionel Messi’ in Claudio Echeverri, the Argentine heading to a man who knows a thing or two about that famous number 10.
Arsenal
January is normally all about defenders, with very few notable attackers moving in this period. But a striker is what Arsenal are crying out for, with Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus’ lack of finishing quality the Gunners’ Achilles heal. Plus, Arsenal did pull off a famous January striker signing, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s arrival in 2018 a welcome addition.
Ivan Toney is the one being touted. Toney is reportedly available for between £60 and 80million, but Brentford are being sucked into a relegation battle and are crying out for the return of last season’s 3rd top scorer in the league. Toney’s pace, personality and instinct is just what the Gunners need, but questions over his sharpness after missing the season so far due to his gambling ban, the step-up from the GTECH to the Emirates and of course the price tag will undoubtedly be raised.
Victor Osimhen has also been linked, bringing in Napoli’s number nine will also be no easy task; his new contract at Napoli includes a bumper nine-figure release clause. Mikel Arteta also wants to acquire another defensive-midfielder and a left-back, but financial constraints could see their transfer activity limited to a single incoming unless they decide to sell.
Yes, I am writing Spurs off.
Comments