One Signing Each Premier League Club Should Make In January

The Premier League returns this weekend and once Christmas is done and dusted, the January transfer window lurks. Clubs from top to bottom will be desperate to improve their squads for the second half of the season, so we’ve picked out one player each club should look at signing this January. 

Arsenal 

After Gabriel Jesus was ruled out for several months through injury, the table toppers are in desperate need of a striker. Eddie Nketiah simply isn’t good enough and after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette left the club, they have no depth. 

In January, the Gunners have to target a striker if they are to win the Premier League, but they also must be willing to be second choice when Jesus returns. Our suggestion is Spanish forward Fran Navarro, who at 24, is the perfect age. He’s scored eight goals in 13 for Gil Vincente in Portugal’s top flight, and given they sit in the bottom three, that’s quite a return. He’s only been outscored by Goncalo Ramos, and could turn into a gem for his countryman Mikel Arteta. 

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Manchester City

Manchester City don’t need to buy anybody, they just need to keep everybody fit. The best squad in the division by a mile could be on course to win another Premier League title. 

Newcastle United

James. Maddison. Newcastle fans have been desperate for him to sign in a while but as of yet, the club haven’t truly made a statement signing. Now they are in the hunt for the top four, they need to start poaching big talent and who would be better than Maddison. He’d cost a lot of money, around £60-70m, but could add the x-factor to Eddie Howe’s midfield.

Tottenham Hotspur

It may be controversial given he is the club captain, but if Tottenham want to progress under Antonio Conte, they need to replace Hugo Lloris as number one. The manager may have come in for some criticism for playing the likes of Emerson Royal, but he has plenty of strength in depth in all areas, except in goal. 

Our big money choice to inspire Spurs to Champions League football is Diogo Costa. The Porto man may not have enjoyed a successful World Cup, but at 23, he is clearly emerging as one of the finest goalkeepers on the planet. Manchester United have been quoted a price of £65m, but for Spurs I think it is a price well worth paying.

Manchester United

Cristiano Ronaldo’s exit has left Erik ten Hag in need of a striker, and who better to replace Ronaldo than the man who has already done it once before this winter. Goncalo Ramos. He’s just 21, the top scorer in Portugal and has shown no signs of crumbling on the biggest stage of all. He’d cost £50m+, but could be the perfect addition at Old Trafford. 

Liverpool

MIDFIELDERS! Anyone! Jurgen Klopp must be tearing his hair out with his side in 6th place and unsure of their spot in next season’s Champions League. Clearly they need to address their central midfield spots and if they can organise a deal for Jude Bellingham this winter, it will be well worth the wait. He’s unlikely to join in January, no matter how often Jordan Henderson texts him, but he should be number one priority. 

If not him, they could go for a big name in Marco Veratti. His contract is up at PSG in 2024 and they are unlikely to tie him down to a bigger deal, leaving the door open for him to be poached. It would be a tough one to pull off however, so they might be better just going all out for Bellingham. 

Brighton

Brighton still need a top class striker to make the difference in tight encounters. Dropping down into the Championship might not be such a bad idea and given they sold top scorer Viktor Gyokeres to Coventry City, it makes little sense to go and get him back. Nobody will be able to tempt Sheffield United to sell Iliam Ndiaye, so Brighton should instead go for Watford’s Joao Pedro. They’d have to pay through the nose for him, at least £20m, but he has proven himself to be one of the finest forwards around. Plus, he’s still only 21! 

Chelsea

Where to start with Todd Boehly? I could write down half the players in Europe and he’d probably sign them after this summer’s madness. Their squad is stacked full of overpaid players so avoiding Cristiano Ronaldo would be my one recommendation. There seems to be no plan at all, but if Graham Potter wants to make his mark, how about picking up World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister from former club Brighton? The big boss has already said he is willing to spend big, but he must do so sensibly. 

Fulham

There’s a lot to like about this Fulham squad. They’ve exceeded all expectations so far so not that much needs to change. If they do want to invest, how about revisiting the French league and trying to tempt Seko Fofana back to Craven Cottage. He had a loan spell from Man City in 2014/15 but has now developed into one of the finest players in Ligue 1 with Lens. He’d cost £30m+ but Marco Silva needs to make hay while the sun shines as this could prove to be a big window for the club. 

Brentford 

Ivan Toney’s betting offence and possible suspension means that Brentford need to look for a replacement to fill that gap. Just as they did with Toney, looking at the EFL could provide a gem and they could do a lot worse than signing top scorer Gyokeres from Coventry. He is strong, quick and dribbles with the ball better than most Premier League strikers, but if the Bees want him, they’ll have to pay in the region of £25m. 

Crystal Palace

Patrick Vieira has a whole host of quality in attacking midfield, but it still feels like they could do with an upgrade at right-back, with all due respect to Nathaniel Clyne and Joel Ward. A really sensible pick up on loan would be Djed Spence, who was signed for big money by Spurs, even though Conte was less than keen on him. Some gametime in the Premier League could see his value skyrocket. 

Aston Villa

Unai Emery is in, and now Villa have a World Cup winner in goal. Having a new manager means that he needs to get to grips with the squad, but it is a strong one on paper given recent investment. With centre-back Diego Carlos returning in January that solves one issue and there is little need for many more additions. If Emery wants to make a big statement, he could poach his former star Arnaut Danjuma from Villarreal. They currently sit ninth in La Liga and he might be tempted by a move back to the Premier League. 

Leicester City

Leicester have recovered after a sluggish start, but surely Brendan Rodgers will be thinking a new keeper is still necessary. Danny Ward has improved as the season progressed, but he is not on the same level as Kasper Schmeichel was. How about bringing in World Cup star Dominik Livakovic of Dinamo Zagreb? After his stunning tournament, it is widely thought that he will leave Croatia next month, and the wages and regular football Leicester could offer could make them genuine contenders. It would be a coup, but the Foxes need to aim high. His contract expires in 2024 so there could be a bargain to be had. 

AFC Bournemouth

There's a lot to like about this Bournemouth side, but their defence is the weak point. They have conceded the most goals in the division and lack that dominant force at the back. This needs to be addressed if they are to stay up. Anel Ahmedhodžić has been one of the standout players in the Championship for Sheffield United and they look in a great spot to get promoted this season, but Bournmeouth could ruffle a few feathers with a big bid. Their new owners have already promised funds to spend, and this investment of £15m+ could be crucial to their survival. 

Leeds United

Leeds still need to strengthen and given the disappointment that Junior Firpo has been, left-back makes a lot of sense. Away from Europe and making the most of their manager’s links, Philadelphia Union’s Kai Wagner would make a lot of sense. He would be a risk but at 25 has plenty of room to improve and he has done well in the MLS since joining Union in 2019. This one wouldn’t break the bank, but could be a sensible signing. 

West Ham United

West Ham need to improve under David Moyes to stay in the division. It’s been a sluggish start for last season’s Europa League semi-finalists just a point off the drop. One man who could help them out is a proven Premier League player that is currently out of favour. Aaron Wan-Bissaka. United need to get him off the books having paid £50m and West Ham could pick him up on the cheap, or on loan. It would make sense all round. 

Everton

A striker is needed. Dominic Calvert-Lewin can’t stay fit and Richarlison hasn’t been replaced. Gyokeres again would be a great shout but to mix things up, what about Patrick Schick? His stock has fallen after he scored 24 in 27 in the Bundesliga last term and shone at Euro 2020 and he has only scored twice this season for a mid-table Bayer Leverkusen. Everton could do a lot worse than spend £30m on Schick. 

Nottingham Forest

NO. JUST NO. Forest don’t need to sign any more players after their summer spending spree and actually, it would be even more disruptive if they did. Stop it. 

Southampton 

Nathan Jones has a tricky task to keep Saints in the Premier League, and they need more firepower given Adam Armstrong’s poor form. One option from his former club Luton could be 6ft 4in Elijah Adebayo who has proved himself to be an absolute nightmare for defenders in the Championship. Southampton need to shop sensibly, otherwise the second tier could be calling. 

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Will Julien Lopetegui’s arrival stop the Portuguese incomings at Wolves? Maybe. He’s kind of ruined this little guessing game we’ve got going on by spending £40m on Atletico Madrid’s Matheus Cunha who will join on an initial loan deal in January. Other than that, they probably need more defensive reinforcements. Pepe could probably still do a job right?