Premier League: Possible transfers of the top Premier League clubs in January transfer window
The World Cup provided a medium for rising stars as they exhibited high-level skills and turned heads, and consequently, Europe's elite are looking to make big purchases over the upcoming January transfer window.
Jude Bellingham: A sought-after transfer targetHere's what the top Premier League clubs might do!
Arsenal
Arsenal want to bolster their frontline, so they tried to sign Raphinha from Leeds United. According to coach Mikel Arteta, the club are still looking for new signings, and now that Gabriel Jesus got injured at the World Cup with Brazil, they need reinforcements.
Arsenal are currently five points clear of champions Manchester City at the top. Over the summer, they raked in young but promising players like Jesus (the most expensive arrival at £45million), Portuguese playmaker Fabio Vieira (£34million) from Porto, and Oleksandr Zinchenko (£32million).
As of now, Mudryk's arrival seems likely, and the Gunners also need an out-and-out striker.
Chelsea
Todd Boehly's takeover has given Chelsea a new vision that involves new young talent, and Graham Potter was hired with the same target in view. Based on a pre-contract summer agreement, they will most likely welcome France international Christopher Nkunku.
However, they are looking to bolster their midfield and forward this January. Over the summer, Chelsea spent £278.4m on 10 new players becoming the highest-spending club.
A lack of creativity and goals hounds Chelsea, so they are expected to make big signings again this time.
Liverpool
Liverpool were pining for Jude Bellingham's signature during the summer, and his value has surged even further after the World Cup. The Reds want to improve their midfield, and the rumour is that the frontline will have new players too.
They are reportedly interested in signing Enzo Fernandez, who is available for £105 million, which is the asking price. Klopp is concerned about the left-hand side of the front three because of Luis Dias' injury that will keep him off the field till March 2023, and acquired Cody Gakpo earlier this week to fill the void.
Left attacker Diogo Jota is also sidelined due to a long-term hamstring injury. They also need options in the park's centre as Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Artur Melo are prone to injury.
Manchester City
Manchester City are a well-oiled machine that is, most of the time, at the top of its game. However, they could strengthen their left-back and central midfield.
Reports suggest that England's star midfielder Bellingham's arrival at the Etihad seems feasible. In January, they could bring in a fullback, but after 18-year-old Rico Lewis' rise in the academy, they might put it on hold.
The Citizens had a summer spend of £128.8 million but also offloaded 26 players, including Jesus and Raheem Sterling. Although they're self-sufficient as a team, the arrival of a new fullback and creative midfielder could improve things.
Manchester United
Manchester United are eyeing forwards and right-backs after Cristiano Ronaldo's departure. However, coach Erik ten Hag admitted they might have yet to make any new signings for the remainder of the season.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jude Bellingham was given a hero's welcome at Birmingham City.<br><br>Only 19 and already a club legend at his boyhood club 💙 <a href="https://t.co/dgXhFxOQrS">pic.twitter.com/dgXhFxOQrS</a></p>— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNUK/status/1604106874344849414?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Despite big-money transfers for Casemiro (£70 million) and Antony (£86 million), a good chunk of their squad left on free transfers, leaving many positions to be filled.
In addition, Antony and Jadon Sancho have both had an injury-filled season. Interestingly, Ten Hag has revealed that he would only sign people if a worthy candidate is available.
Tottenham Hotspur
Manager Antonio Conte is respected for his decision-making after he snapped up Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski over the summer. So he could make intelligent purchases this January.
They are currently in need of a defender and central midfielder. They wanted Yannick Carrasco, but his position is not an area of weakness in the team.
Speaking of which, Emerson Royal nor Matt Doherty need to be in better form which has left a gaping hole in the right flank. Some players linked with the club include Inter Milan's Denzel Dumfries, Sporting Lisbon's Pedro Porro, Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot, Leicester's James Maddison and Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni.