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Premiership Football News: Transfer Window

Andy Greeves looks at the January transfer window

A Guide to the Premiership January transfer window - Part One

Arsenal

With Cesc Fabregas ruled out for four months with a knee injury and Tomas Rosicky also out for the season, an attacking midfielder will be top of Arsene Wenger's shopping list. The Gunners, who also lost the experience of Mathieu Flamini, Gilberto Silva and Alexander Hleb to summer transfers, have been linked with the likes of Xabi Alonso, Didier Zokora and Andrei Arshavin.

Arsenal spent just £200k in last year's January last year, but with David Villa, Karim Benzema and Daniele De Rossi also reported targets, the north Londoners could be one of the big spenders this time around.

Aston Villa

As Villa's push to keep pace with the Premiership's big four continues, Martin O Neill will be looking add pace to his front line to keep up the charge. Jermain Defoe, Michael Owen, Emile Heskey and Craig Bellamy - all high coveted strikers this January, are on the wanted list at Villa Park this January.

Blackburn's Roque Santa Cruz has a £17m release clause in his contract at Ewood Park and O'Neill may be tempted to break the bank for the Paraguayan should his pursuit of less costly front men fail.

Blackburn Rovers

Blackburn must add experience and quality to their squad, if they are to survive in the Premier League.

The transfer kitty available to new manager Sam Allardyce will be dependent on whether or not Rovers keep Roque Santa Cruz. Should he move on, the likes of James Beattie, El-Hadji Diouf and Kevin Davies have all been mentioned as possible replacements. A dependable midfielder is highly sought after, with targets Jimmy Bullard and Kevin Nolan certainly falling into that category.

Jermaine Pennant would offer width and creativity if he can be prized away from Anfield.

Bolton Wanderers

Like Blackburn, Bolton's spending will be dictated by the money the club can generate in sales.

Megson has his eyes on the Hearts trio of Andrew Driver, Laryea Kingston and Christophe Berra as he looks to add strength in depth to Bolton's squad. Their search for a holding midfielder could see the likes of Nicky Butt or Joe Ledley brought to the Reebok.

Gelson Fernandes, now surplus to requirement at Manchester City, could be moving to Bolton this January.

Chelsea

The Blues were the biggest spenders in the January transfer window last year, with an outlay of £27.4m. Investment this time around is likely to be far more modest, with the only likely target a replacement for the unsettled Didier Drogba.

Andrei Arshavin, Luis Fabiano, Amr Zaki, Michael Owen and Emile Heskey are all possible signings. Other than that, expect a surprisingly quiet month at Stamford Bridge.

Everton

Given the lack of strength in depth at Goodison Park, manager David Moyes would ideally like to reinforce all areas. A limited budget may somewhat restrict his movements in the transfer window however.

Henrik Larsson, who is available on loan while the Swedish season stops for its annual winter break, would be a good short-term signing. Joe Ledley represents a greater long term investment, if Everton are able to agree a fee for his services with Cardiff City.

Little known Alessandro Rosina (Torino), Szabolcs Huszti (Hannover) and Peter Odemwingie (Lokomotiv Moscow) have also been touted as possible signings. YouTube and Wikipedia at the ready for more information on those players, Evertonians!

Fulham

The west-Londoners have been one of the surprise success stories of the season so far and Roy Hodgson will be praying for a quiet January, as he battles to keep hold of his star players.

England international Jimmy Bullard is reported to be unsettled at Craven Cottage, with Tottenham and Blackburn monitoring his situation, while Clint Dempsey and Brede Hangeland's recent performances have made them players in demand.

Martin Stranzl (Spartak Moscow), Christophe Berra (Hearts) and Kagiso Dikgacoi (Golden Arrows) are bargain basement targets for Fulham as is the talented Crystal Palace youngster Ben Watson.

Hull City

Phil Brown admits he is unlikely to do much business during the transfer window, delighted overall with the performance of his Hull City squad this season (just don't mention the recent Manchester City away game).

Michael Turner is a possible target for Liverpool - interest Hull will hope isn't forthcoming. Nacho Novo, who has been told he can leave Rangers, could be bound for the KC Stadium, as could former Leeds and Everton midfielder Oliver Dacourt.

Liverpool

They may be sitting pretty at the Premiership and progressing in the Champions League, but Rafa Benitez will be more than aware of the importance of filling gaps in Liverpool's squad if they are to maintain their title challenge.

The Reds full-back options looked limited, with Glen Johnson or Brede Hangeland possible solutions in these areas. A back-up for the injury prone Fernando Torres would also be a shrewd investment, with old-boys Emile Heskey and Michael Owen touted for possible returns to Anfield.

Manchester City

Where do you even begin to sum up Manchester City's possible transfer activities in the January window. They spent £13.2m on players this time last year, a figure likely to be dwarfed by their forthcoming investments this January.

Over 50 players have been linked with a move to Eastlands over the last month. The most realistic targets including the likes of Jermain Defoe, Craig Bellamy and Roque Santa Cruz.

But the real intrigue lies in whether the club can pull off a true fantasy football-style signing. Kaka, David Villa, Franck Ribery, Lionel Messi etc.

Given the madness of August 31st 2008, you never say never with Manchester City.

January Transfer Window Part Two

Andy Greeves

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