WHO NEEDS WHAT FROM THE JANUARY TRANSFER WINDOW?

 WHO NEEDS WHAT FROM THE WINTER TRANSFER WINDOW

-Mitansh Kagalwala

Photo via: skysports.com

It's that time of the year again. Christmas trees, ornaments, mistletoe, New Year's countdown, and, of course, the Winter transfer window. We've finally entered that one-week stretch from Christmas to New Year's Eve, and with most of the world on holiday, transfer speculation among Europe's elite clubs has really taken off. Several teams will look for reinforcements in January, even more so with the looming threat of another league postponement due to Covid, and a crunched schedule. 

The January transfer window is perhaps the most crucial time of the season, with teams allowed to sign players for a month and fill gaps in their squads. Good signings lead to success and trophies, while bad ones end up as a waste of money. Speculation is already rife, with several high profile transfers all but complete. Ferran Torres is basically a Barcelona player at this point, and Kylian Mbappe's free transfer to Real Madrid is set in stone. 

As we enter the second half of the season, we review what 10 of the biggest clubs in Europe will and should look to from the Winter transfer window. 

1) ARSENAL

Another midfielder to accompany Thomas Partey as part of the double pivot, because we just don’t see Arsenal being able to really challenge with Granit Xhaka holding his place in the side. Renato Sanches is currently linked with a move to the London outfit. Following the recent exile of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, another striker is also in the cards for the Gunners, with Mikel Arteta’s side reportedly interested in Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Fiorentina’s Dusan Vlahovic, and Manchester United’s Mason Greenwood.

L to R: ex-Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Manager Mikel Arteta, target Dusan Vlahovic

Photo Via: inews.co.uk

2) BAYERN MUNICH

An injury free rest of season. That’s it.

3) CHELSEA

With star defenders Antonio Rudiger and Cesar Azpilicueta’s contracts expiring in the summer, Chelsea will be on the market for a defender, despite the depth they have available in that position. Barcelona’s Sergino Dest, Paris Saint Germain’s Presnel Kimpembe and Juventus’ Matthijs De Ligt are rumoured to be the Blues’ targets. In the short term however, the London side will be in the market for a midfielder, as recent injuries to Ngolo Kante and Mateo Kovacic have coincided with a drastic drop in form, with Wolves’ Ruben Neves reportedly being targeted.

Chelsea transfer target Ruben Neves

Photo Via: skysports.com

4) FC BARCELONA

That Catalan giants will have to battle crumbling finances and strict La Liga regulations to register any new signings, but the Spanish side are in desperate need of winter reinforcements. A striker would be the first requirement, but with the signing of Ferran Torres from Man City all but done, the Catalans will look to their backline. With both Sergino Dest and Sergi Roberto linked with a departure, Ajax’s Noussair Mazraoui and Chelsea’s Azpilicueta are Barca’s reported targets. Barca have already added another right-back to the fold in 38-year old Dani Alves, and hence a new center-back must be the Blaugrana’s priority now, as shown by the shaky defensive displays Barca have put up in recent games. City's Aymeric Laporte and Juve's Matthijs De Ligt are reported targets. Where they will find the space in their wage bill, though, only Joan Laporta knows.

Barcelona-bound Ferran Torres

Photo Via: khaama.com

5) JUVENTUS

A striker is what Juventus need, understandably so, given Cristiano Ronaldo left the club in the summer. There are several other gaping holes all around the pitch, but goals are what Juve need most right now having scored just 27, the least in the top 10 in Serie A. Juve have been linked with a whole host of strikers, including United duo Edinson Cavani and Anthony Martial, Inter’s Lautaro Martinez, Fiorentina’s highly sought after Vlahovic and Real Sociedad’s Alexander Isak. Whether they sign anyone or not, remains to be seen.

6) LIVERPOOL

Same as Bayern, an injury free spell, especially for Virgil Van Dijk. However, given that both Mo Salah and Sadio Mane are set to be absent when they travel for AFCON and Harvey Elliott and Roberto Firmino both injured, we could see Liverpool targeting another forward. Porto’s Luis Diaz has been heavily linked. The duo and Naby Keita will only been gone for two league games, though, and Liverpool might choose to abstain from any transfer dealings altogether. 

7) MANCHESTER UNITED

Manchester United’s priority should be a central midfielder. Despite Fred’s recent resurgence, we just don’t think a duo of him and Scott Mctominay will be good enough to compete with Europe’s elite. The Red Devils are reportedly interested in acquiring Wolves’ Ruben Neves or RB Lepizig’s Tyler Adams. They have also been strongly linked with Milan’s Franck Kessie, who will likely be available on a free transfer in the summer. Another center-back would also go a long way to solving the Red Devil’s recent defensive problems.

8) MANCHESTER CITY

In truth, given that they have scored 50 goals in 19 Premier League games, the Cityzens do not really need anyone. However, given Ferran Torres’ imminent departure, and the fact that the striker position is the only position City are somewhat lacking in, we’re going to put them down for one world-class forward. Moves for Dusan Vlahovic, Tottenham’s Harry Kane and Dortmund’s Erling Haaland are strongly linked. Already top of the table, if City manage to get one of these goal-machines, we doubt anyone could really challenge their title claim.

Manchester City targets Harry Kane (left) and Erling Haaland

9) PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN

PSG had one of the best transfer windows of all time in the summer of 2021, snapping up Gigi Donnarumma, Achraf Hakimi, Nuno Mendes, Gini Wijnaldum, Sergio Ramos, and, of course, Lionel Messi. However, they have failed to truly set the world alight, with the French outfit struggling to find balance. In recent games, a trend has become clear. A fit Marco Verratti means PSG play well. However, when the Italian has been injured, the French outfit have struggled. Another midfielder is required, to balance the side, if PSG want to finally win the Champions League. They may even look for another forward, given Kylian Mbappe’s imminent departure for Real Madrid.

10) REAL MADRID

Speaking of the Spanish giants, we arrive at Los Blancos. The gaping hole on the right side of Madrid’s attack will seemingly be covered following Mbappe’s arrival. However, Los Blancos have an ageing squad, with the spine of their team well into their thirty’s. The Madrid side do not need a specific position arrival, rather an influx of some young blood. Another young midfielder would be good for the Whites, and so would a young forward to compete with the ageing Benzema, as would a defender. Both Antonio Rudiger and Erling Haaland are linked with a move to the Spanish capital, the former for free, the latter for what would be a high fee and astronomical wages.

Sources: 

www.skysports.com

www.juvefc.com

www.transfrmarket.com

www.goal.com