Winter Transfers In The English League Get Acquainted With?

The January transfer window is officially open - allowing all 20 Premier League clubs to tinker with their squads ahead of the second half of the season.

The winter window opened on New Year's Day and will close for English clubs at midnight on Thursday February 1, 2024.

Mikel Arteta has admitted Arsenal "need players" and - despite growing calls from supporters of a striker like Ivan Toney - we understand they are focusing more on the defence.

They only have one out-and-out left-back in Oleksandr Zinchenko and backup right-back Cedric Soares has not played in the Premier League this season, with his contract expiring in June. 

There is also interest from other clubs in midfielders Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny so changes there have not been ruled out.

As for a striker, they come at a premium especially in January and Arsenal have to be mindful of FFP. They deferred their permanent payment to Brentford for David Raya until next summer for this season, bringing him in on an initial loan instead. This would need to be addressed if they are to try and sign Toney, for example.

There has also been speculation over the future of goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale but it would take a big offer to tempt the Gunners into a sale.

Aston Villa

Aston Villa are understood to be in the market for several positions as the look to capitalise on their superb start and cement a Champions League place.

Right-back, given centre-back Ezri Konsa has been covering for Matty Cash, and attacking midfielders are thought to be the priority, with Unai Emery wanting to be versatile with his systems.

According to Sky in Italy, AC Milan are interested in signing on-loan centre-back Clement Lenglet, but he has been needed recently after an injury to Pau Torres.

Players who have not played much such as Calum Chambers may be allowed to go elsewhere

Liverpool

As it stands, Liverpool are unlikely to sign any players in the January transfer window.

Sports News understands that Jurgen Klopp would be open to signing a top-class right-back to allow Trent Alexander-Arnold to move permanently into midfield.

That would leave little room for a new player in this position, and interest in Andre finished when they signed Waturo Endo in the summer.

They are definitely looking for a new centre-back, with Joel Matip's future shrouded in doubt following serious injury and his contract expiring in the summer.

Liverpool recalled winger Fabio Carvalho from his loan at RB Leipzig on New Year's Eve and Leicester lead a number of clubs keen to take him for the rest of the season.

Man City

Manchester City are unlikely to bring in a first-team player next month, although they are on the hunt for a replacement for Kalvin Phillips, who is likely to leave.

Sports News has already reported that Juventus have held initial talks with City over a potential loan deal, while Newcastle are also keen, although City would rather sell.

Either way they are assessing targets to replace him and would prefer to sign someone young and homegrown if they can.

They are also, as ever, in the market for top young talent and remain in talks with River Plate over a deal for Argentina youth star Claudio Echeverri  

Chelsea

Manager Mauricio Pochettino has made it clear he would like to do more work in the transfer market and striker is a priority for him.

There are obvious top targets in Ivan Toney and Victor Osimhen but they are valued at £100m-plus and tremendously difficult to get out of their clubs in January.

Chelsea are looking at other more attainable options and are understood to have watched players like Serhou Guirassy, Santiago Gimenez and Benjamin Sesko among others.

They would also be open to more changes in other positions but that will depend on outgoings to free up space in the squad, with the likes of Ian Maatsen, Trevoh Chalobah and - surprisingly - Conor Gallagher among those they will listen to offers for.

Man Utd

It is likely to be a quiet window for Manchester United as far as incomings are concerned but areas they are looking at are in the striking position and in central defence.

Stuttgart striker Serhou Guirassy is someone they are aware of and the release clause is understood to be in the region of €17m.

Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo is a player they have scouted for a while but his valuation could prove prohibitive in this window.

United have to be wary of FFP obligations so - like they did last January - could look at the loan market, but manager Erik ten Hag has been quick to point out a number of injured players are expected to return this month.

Raphael Varane has entered the final year of his contract and is free to talk to clubs outside England ahead of a move in the summer.

United have the option to extend his contract by a further year, but - as it stands - are unlikely to do so on the current terms, so talks are continuing over a new contract and he remains part of Ten Hag's plans.

Casemiro is unlikely to leave this window amid speculation over his future. Ten Hag has been talking up his imminent return from injury. Casemiro has two and a half years left on his contract - with the club holding the option to extend for a further year.

On Jadon Sancho, there is no sign of a reconciliation with and there is already tentative interest from a number of clubs at home and abroad. As with all potential incomings and outgoings, INEOS will need to be consulted.

Anthony Martial has entered the final six months of his contract. United have the option to extend for a further 12 months but, as yet, there is no sign they will trigger the extension. It is thought suitable offers for the player will be considered.

Also, United are expected to trigger the one-year option in Hannibal Mejbri's his contract with his current deal running out in the summer. A number of European clubs are interested in taking him on loan but United will assess all options before deciding what is best for the player and the club.

The likes of Casemiro and Mason Mount are returning from long-term injuries, which could further limit Hannibal's game time. Donny van de Beek has already joined Eintracht Frankfurt on loan.

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Newcastle

Newcastle's squad is another battered by injuries and the priority for them this month has always been replacing the suspended Sandro Tonali with a loan midfielder.

Ruben Neves had been a mooted target due to playing in Saudi Arabia, but he seems to be staying put, so Kalvin Phillips is now at the forefront of their thinking.

Other positions they are looking at are understood to be a right winger and goalkeeper, with Nick Pope injured.

Inevitable links have been made with Aaron Ramsdale, who has worked with Eddie Howe before at Bournemouth, but FFP is also a concern for the Magpies.

Tottenham

Tottenham's priority is a centre-back given a raft of injury problems, and they are very interested in Genoa's £26m-rated Radu Dragusin.

Spurs are also keen on Nice's Jean-Claire Todibo and Marc Guehi but deals are thought to be very unlikely to achieve next month as they look more towards

 the summer.

Among the other players they admire are Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite, Atalanta's Giorgio Scalvini and Bournemouth's Lloyd Kelly.

In an ideal world they would also make some changes in midfield and sign another winger.

Sky Sports News has already reported that they remain interested in Chelsea's Conor Gallagher and the principles of a deal were agreed in the summer.

The idea of taking Ange Postecoglou's former Celtic player Jota on loan from Al-Ittihad has also not been ruled out.

Giovani Lo Celso and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg are wanted by Barcelona and Juventus respectively, while there is uncertainty over the future of Eric Dier and Bryan Gil.

Hugo Lloris already said his goodbyes on New Year's Eve as he joined Los Angeles FC.