Well it’s that time of year again as the January transfer window is about to open and not even a global financial crisis has prevented the Premier League’s transfer rumour mill going into overdrive as what all the comings and going could be in the next few months.

But despite the whirlwind of rumours, the harsh financial reality means this could be one of the quietest new year buying and selling periods on record as clubs opt to make do with the players they already have on their books.

Several clubs could change all that in an instant though. Moneybags Manchester City could spark things into life with one big signing from a Premier League rival, while Portsmouth and West Ham may be forced to sell their more valuable assets simply to balance the books.

Arsenal

Potential Budget: £20-30m

January previous: A mixed bag. In 2006 Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger signed Emmanuel Adebayor, Abou Diaby and Theo Walcott for a combined £14m. Two years previously he spent an initial £10.5m to bring in Jose Antonio Reyes from Sevilla.

What they need: A central midfielder and a domineering centre-half - particularly if William Gallas is sold. “They desperately need leaders,” says BBC London commentator Nick Godwin. “Arsenal’s lack of strength in depth was horribly exposed against Burnley in the Carling Cup, when their midfield was blown apart.”

Who they might buy: Midfielders Xabi Alonso (Liverpool) and Yaya Toure (Barcelona) have again been linked with the club, as has Zenit St Petersburg’s Andrei Arshavin. Former Gunners defender Matthew Upson (West Ham),Brede Hangeland (Fulham), Philippe Mexes (Roma), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus) and Steven Mouyokolo (Boulogne) could be options to bolster the centre of defence. 

Who they might sell: Questions marks surround the futures of Gallas, Kolo Toure,Emmanuel Eboue and Nicklas Bendtner. A number of younger players such as Gavin Hoyte, Kieran Gibbs and Jay Simpson are set for loan spells in the Championship and Godwin believes midfielder Alex Song might go out on loan, while Philippe Senderos, on loan at AC Milan, could leave permanently.

Aston Villa

Potential Budget: £10-12m

January previous: Manager Martin O’Neill pulled off a pair of cracking deals in January 2007, with hitman John Carew and the “world-class” Ashley Young both arriving at Villa Park. Last year, only Wayne Routledge came in.

What they need: A good-in-the-air striker as back-up for Carew, who has only played around half of Villa’s games this season. Essentially, a plan B when the pace of Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor does not work.

Who they might buy: Rumours abound that the club will bid up to £16m for Portsmouth striker Jermain Defoe, while Wigan’s Emile Heskey is out of contract in the summer and Villa could be in pole position to snap him up on the cheap. Failing that, Tottenham’s Darren Bent or Reading’s Kevin Doylemight be an option.Who they might sell: Unless Real Madrid bid £27m or so for Ashley Young, the flying winger is staying put. Back-up striker Marlon Harewood is interesting Stoke and West Brom, while Spurs have been linked with midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker.

Blackburn Rovers

Potential Budget: As much as £25m if in-demand striker Roque Santa Cruz leaves but a whole lot less if he does not.

January previous: While at Bolton, Sam Allardyce made only minor tweaks to his squad in January but with Blackburn deep in the mire, it looks like the Rovers boss will have to brave the sales this time.

What they need: A creative central midfielder, a right midfielder and a striker (if Santa Cruz leaves)

Who they might buy: Defender Nedum Onuoha could be used as a makeweight if Santa Cruz goes to Manchester City, while Allardyce could be in for a host of his former Bolton players including striker Kevin Davies, midfielderKevin Nolan and forward El-Hadji Diouf (now at Sunderland). 

Who they might sell: With a price tag of about £20m on his head, Santa Cruz seems almost certain to leave - probably for Manchester City. Full-back Stephen Warnock may also want to link up with former manager Mark Hughes at Eastlands.

Bolton Wanderers

Potential Budget: £8m

January previous: Gary Megson made several decent buys last year to help keep Bolton up, bringing in Gretar Steinsson, Matthew Taylor and Gary Cahill. But he had less success after acquiring Nathan Tyson, Julian Bennett, Grant Holt and Sammy Clingan at Nottingham Forest in 2006 - he was sacked two weeks after the window closed.

What they need: A centre-back is top of Megson’s shopping list but he lacks cover in other areas and will be wary of Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce raiding the Reebok Stadium for some of his old players.

Who they might buy: Bolton are one of several English sides believed to be interested in £3m-rated Hearts defenderChristophe Berra, while Mark Beevers of Sheffield Wednesday is another defensive target. Megson is also an admirer of Fulham’s all-action midfielder Jimmy Bullard and could try to persuade him to move north. 

Who they might sell: Allardyce is believed to be particularly keen on Bolton stalwarts Kevin Davies andKevin Nolan but Megson will do his best to keep them. On the other hand, he could be persuaded to allow some of his fringe players to leave. Nicky Hunt and Heidar Helguson have already been loaned out and appear to have little future at the Reebok Stadium, along with the likes of Joey O’Brien and Danny Shittu, who have barely featured this season.

Chelsea

Potential Budget: Will be determined by whether they sell. If the right player comes along money could be made available.

January previous: Chelsea tend not to be overly active in January, although they bucked that trend last season by signing Nicolas Anelka, Branislav Ivanovic and Franco di Santo for a combined £27m.

What they need: The club want to keep activity to a minimum but if manager Luiz Felipe Scolari gets his way, he is likely to sign a forward and a defender. “Chelsea need a striker because their reliance on Anelka is becoming painful,” says BBC London commentator Nick Godwin. “Michael Essien has a long-term injury but I can’t imagine them signing a midfield replacement as they would have done in the past.”

Who they might buy: On the striker front, Tuncay(Middlesbrough) and Amr Zaki (Wigan) could be pursued, while rumours surrounding a move for Andrei Arshavin(Zenit St Petersburg) persist. Wagner Love (CSKA Moscow) and Luis Fabiano (Sevilla) are also realistic options, while the Blues have reportedly agreed a £4m deal for 21-year-old SC Braga strikerOrlando Sa. “Michael Owen would give Chelsea something different,” adds BBC London sports editor Pete Stevens. “And they may be the only club who can afford his wage demands.” 

Who they might sell: Alex reportedly demanded a move away from Stamford Bridge but Scolari insists the centre-back is staying. Ivanovic has been linked with Inter Milan, Manchester City are said to be tracking Wayne Bridge, Ben Sahar could join Utrecht and Scott Sinclair is set for another loan move. BBC London commentator Phil Parry also believes Paulo Ferreira could be on his way out and goalkeeper Carlo Cudicinimight well go out on loan to Tottenham.

Everton

Potential Budget: Virtually non-existent - sell to buy at best.

January previous: Manager David Moyes is a reluctant operator in the January transfer market. In 2008 he brought in Manuel Fernandes and Anthony Gardner on loan and took £2m youngster Dan Gosling from Plymouth, while Alan Stubbs and James McFadden left. Moyes did break the then club transfer record to spend £6m on James Beattie from Southampton in 2005 and took Mikel Arteta on loan from Real Sociedad but do not expect big buys this time around.

What they need: A striker - desperately. Yakubu is out for the season, James Vaughan will almost certainly not figure again this term and Louis Saha’s injury record needs no introduction. A powerful midfield presence would help but expect Moyes to concentrate on his attack.

Who they might buy: Newcastle’s Michael Owen has been linked but that can be dismissed if Everton’s public cry of transfer poverty is a true reflection of their financial status. It seems CSKA Moscow’s Wagner Love can be struck from the list on similar grounds but BBC Radio Merseyside’s Mike Hughes adds: “There’s a suggestion now that a loan could be a possibility with Love. Mamadou Niang is a player with great potential and would fit the bill but Marseille may be less agreeable to a loan move. I think the favoured candidate is Huyton-born Portsmouth striker David Nugent. He certainly hasn’t set the Premier League alight as yet but maybe a move to Goodison Park could rejuvenate his career.” 

Who they might sell: One player who appears surplus to requirements but is also marketable is left-back Leighton Baines. He has not established a regular place since his £6m move from Wigan in 2007 and Newcastle have been linked with a swoop for him.

Fulham

Potential Budget: £5m.

January previous: Roy Hodgson was a very busy man last year, bringing Jari Litmanen, Paul Stalteri (loan), Tony Kallio, Eddie Johnson, Leon Andreasen and Brede Hangeland into the club and allowing Lee Cook, Steve Davis, Tony Warner, TJ Moncur and Collins John to go.

What they need: A centre midfielder and centre-half, if Hangeland leaves.

Who they might buy: South Africa midfielder Kagiso Dikgacoi will arrive if he can get the work permit that he failed to secure in the summer. Midfielder Benjamin Huggel (FC Basel) and defenderChristophe Berra (Hearts) are also on the radar.

Who they might sell: Hangeland is reported to have a host of admirers, while the club are struggling to tie midfielderJimmy Bullard to a new contract.

Hull City

Potential Budget: £5-10m

January previous: This will be Phil Brown and Hull’s first taste of the Premier League’s January transfer window. He wasn’t a big winter spender in the Championship, although five players were shown the door a year ago.

What they need: A striker, a creative midfielder and central defensive cover.

Who they might buy: BBC Radio Humberside’s David Burns sums up the situation: “The club seems quite relaxed and nothing is urgent but two new faces wouldn’t be a surprise.” The Tigers might be tempted to tie up permanent deals for the on-loan Marlon King and Kamil Zayatte. Brown could weigh up another move for Manchester United striker Fraizer Campbell, having seen a £5m summer bid fall through - but only if Spurs are willing to end their loan deal early.Who they might sell: Defender Wayne Brown, midfielders Bryan Hughes and Ryan France and keeper Tony Warner could leave for the right price. Dean Windass appears set to stay, despite his first-team chances being limited this season.

Liverpool

Potential Budget: Probably sell to buy. Owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks are struggling to find the money to build a new stadium and they may feel they have pushed the boat out far enough.

January previous: Manager Rafael Benitez prefers to do his business in the summer but he has spent in January before. He splashed out £6.3m on Real Madrid’s Fernando Morientes in 2005 and brought in Javier Mascherano on loan two years later.

What they need: Two quality full-backs would be beneficial. Alvaro Arbeloa is unconvincing, while Andrea Dossena and Phillip Degan have failed to get to grips with the Premier League. A striker in the target-man mould would appear to be a priority. Liverpool might also like to add quality on the right side.

Who they might buy: Wigan’s Emile Heskey has been strongly linked to the club but he was hardly Anfield’s most popular figure in his first spell at the club and this may be regarded as a retrograde step. Portsmouth’s Glen Johnsonmight be an outside bet for the right-back slot. BBC Radio Merseyside’s Mike Hughes says: “Spurs’ Aaron Lennon could prove to be an astute buy, given his pace. Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp could be willing to do business, with Jermaine Pennant and Yossi Benayoun as potential swap candidates, plus a cash adjustment. Maybe even more exciting for the Reds would be Standard Liege’s Axel Witsel. He’s quick, powerful, can score goals and can play in a variety of roles.” 

Who they might sell: Liverpool would love to cash in onJermaine Pennant - a poor purchase by Benitez and who has never fulfilled his potential. Yossi Benayoun might also be in the market if Benitez can strike the right deal, either cash or exchange. There are a variety of peripheral figures in the squad but there is hardly a queue of potential purchasers.

Manchester City

Potential Budget: £40m-£80m

January previous: Manager Mark Hughes is a seasoned January shopper. Over the course of his four-year reign at Blackburn he brought Aaron Mokoena, Ryan Nelsen, Robbie Savage, David Dunn, Stephen Warnock and Christopher Samba to Ewood Park in mid-season. If the players he brings to Eastlands have the same impact, then expect City to climb the table.

What they need: A striker, holding midfielder and a left-back are Hughes’ priorities. But he also needs an experienced back-up to goalkeeper Joe Hart and an alternative to Robinho on the left because Martin Petrov is out with a long-term injury.

Who they might buy: Where do you start? Over 60 players - including Kaka (AC Milan), Fernando Torres (Liverpool) and Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus) have been linked with a move to City since the last transfer window slammed shut but the fans might have to wait until the summer for those sort of superstar signings. Roque Santa Cruz (Blackburn), Craig Bellamy (West Ham) and Wayne Bridge (Chelsea) or Stephen Warnock(Blackburn) might be more realistic. 

Who they might sell: Midfielder Elano has fallen out of favour with Hughes and would be allowed to leave - on loan if necessary. Fellow Brazilian Jo could also be farmed out to try to gain some confidence after struggling since his big-money arrival in the summer, while Nery Castillo’s unsuccessful spell at City will finish when his loan period from Shakhtar Donetsk ends.

Manchester United

Potential Budget: £20m, although United manager Sir Alex Ferguson claims he will not use it.

January previous: Sir Alex Ferguson generally avoids doing business in January - his only significant permanent signings were Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic arriving in 2006 - and both took time to settle in. He is capable of springing a surprise, however. Remember when Henrik Larsson joined on loan in 2007?

What they need: How do you improve a squad that won the Premier League, Champions League and Club World Cup in 2008? Midfielder Owen Hargreaves is out for the season but United have plenty of cover in that position, although they may need a back-up goalkeeper if Ben Foster leaves.

Who they might buy: The big talking point is whether on-loan striker Carlos Tevez will be signed permanently, given his struggle to get in the starting line-up on a regular basis. The club have been in talks with Partizan Belgrade wingerZoran Tosic and have also been linked with another youngster inAxel Witsel (Standard Liege). 

Who they might sell: Foster needs first-team football to enhance his England prospects and, with his future still uncertain, Tevez has been linked with Arsenal and Manchester City.

Middlesbrough

Potential Budget: Zilch. Manager Gareth Southgate has been told he will have to sell before he buys.

January previous: In 2007 the club used January to get rid of Massimo Maccarone and Ugo Ehiogu, while last year they paid £12m to bring in Afonso Alves and sold Jonathan Woodgate for £8m.

What they need: Alastair Brownlee of BBC Radio Tees believes that the centre of midfield could do with strengthening. “They are a bit thin in that area,” he says. “If they were to lose the likes of Gary O’Neil they would be relying on a youngster like Josh Walker to fill in.”

Who they might buy: ”Up and coming players from the continent,” adds Brownlee. “The Serbian Nemanja Matic, who has been on trial, is the sort they are looking for.”

Who they might sell: Several of their key players have been linked with moves and Brownlee says: “Much to Gareth Southgate’s frustration, Stewart Downing has once again been linked with moves to various Premier League clubs - especially Tottenham. O’Neil has been suggested as a potential for a move back to the south coast with Portsmouth, while Tuncay has been linked with Chelsea.”

Newcastle United

Potential Budget: About £12m

January previous: The club have opted against any major moves in January in recent years - unless you count Fabio Zamblera, Ben Tozer and Oguchi Onyewu.

What they need: Manager Joe Kinnear has earmarked two players to bolster their squad - at least one is likely to be a left-back.

Who they might buy: Kinnear has his eyes on Premier League experience and ex-Liverpool defender John Arne Riise’s name has cropped up persistently, while West Ham’sMatthew Upson and Stephen Warnock of Blackburn have also featured.Who they might sell: Not Michael Owen if all the noises coming from player and manager are correct. Owen is one of seven players whose contract ends in the summer but looks set to see out his current deal. Charles N’Zogbia has hinted at leaving, while midfielders Joey Barton and Nicky Butt have also been linked with moves away.

Portsmouth

Potential Budget: Minimal, although the coffers received a boost with the £20m sale of Lassana Diarra.

January previous: Former boss Harry Redknapp was a notorious wheeler-dealer, with Jermain Defoe and Diarra joining in January last year. His replacement Tony Adams faces a vastly different financial situation now though, with the club reportedly £32m in debt.

What they need: Not to lose any more of their best players. A right-sided midfielder and a Diarra replacement would come in handy too.

Who they might buy: Who comes in depends on who goes out. Tony Adams says he is expecting a “boring January” with perhaps one or two signings - but he will surely be forced to dabble a bit further if any more of his star players are sold. He could consider makingNadir Belhadj’s loan deal permanent, while Le Mans keeperYohann Pele has also been linked to the club. Gary O’Neil is thought to be keen to return from Middlesbrough, while Adams is also said to be a fan of young Chelsea defender Jack Cork.

Who they might sell: Pompey fans will be praying key players Glen Johnson, Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoedon’t follow Diarra out of the door. They may not shed too many tears if misfiring striker David Nugent and unhappy defender Lauren find new homes. The departures of Kanu and/orSol Campbell would significantly reduce the wage bill.

Stoke City

Potential Budget: £5-8m - or more if the right player is available

January previous: Tony Pulis hasn’t been shy to dabble in the January market. He splashed out £6.2m a year ago to put the finishing touches on Stoke’s promotion push, although several players were also shipped out.

What they need: A striker, a winger and ideally a centre-half and a creative central midfielder.

Who they might buy: Having missed out in the summer, Stoke could return with another £6m bid for Cardiff wingerJoe Ledley, while Andrew Surman (Southampton) andMiles Addison (Derby) have also been linked with moves. A £3m bid could tempt cash-strapped Watford to part with 12-goal striker Tommy Smith, with Marlon Harewood (Aston Villa) another option. A move for Ghana midfielder Haminu Dramani may also be revived.Who they might sell: Pulis may listen to offers for Dave Kitson,who has failed to score since his £5.5m summer signing from Reading. Fringe players such as Andy Wilkinson and Carl Dickinsoncould also be sacrificed.

Sunderland

Potential Budget: New manager Ricky Sbragia has been promised some funds but is unlikely to be given the blank chequebook afforded to previous boss Roy Keane.

January previous: Keane rarely let a transfer window shut without first throwing a suitcase of cash through it, with mixed success. Carlos Edwards and loans for Jonny Evans and Danny Simpson in 2007 proved fine additions, while £8m was spent last year. But it will be a step into the unknown for Sbragia.

What they need: BBC Radio Newcastle’s Nick Barnes says midfield and defence are the priorities. “Someone who can sit on the ball, disrupt things and is a bit more aggressive than they have already is needed. They don’t dominate that area enough. Sbragia has earmarked a centre-half but possibly some cover at full-back could also be on his list.”

Who they might buy: Matthew Upson has been tipped to join fellow ex-Hammers Anton Ferdinand and George McCartney in Sunderland’s defence and Leeds youngsterFabian Delph has been mentioned, while Barnes believes they would jump at the chance to sign Fulham midfielder Jimmy Bullard. The club could try to make the popular Djibril Cisse’s move permanent, while Michael Chopra is returning from his loan at Cardiff. However, another loan spell at the club for Evans seems unlikely. 

Who they might sell: Kieran Richardson has been linked with Bolton but it seems unlikely he will be moving after he was recently made captain. With an enormous squad it is expected there will be some exits - both on loan and permanently. Ross Wallace appears keen to remain at Preston, while fellow loanees Paul McShane, Graham Kavanagh and Roy O’Donovan are unlikely to be recalled.

Tottenham Hotspur

Potential Budget: £15-20m

January previous: Despite consistently maintaining January is not the best time to pick up bargains, chairman Daniel Levy has always put his hand in his pocket post-Christmas. Pascal Chimbonda and Mido have all arrived in Januarys past, while last year Gilberto, Chris Gunter, Alan Hutton and Jonathan Woodgate were signed at a cost of about £20m.

What they need: Striker, central defender, full-back, left winger, keeper.

Who they might buy: Take your pick… Portsmouth quartetJermain Defoe, Glen Johnson, Niko Kranjcar and Sylvain Distin may fancy a reunion with Harry Redknapp, whileStewart Downing (Middlesbrough), Emile Heskey (Wigan),Brede Hangeland, Jimmy Bullard (both Fulham), Matthew Upson(West Ham), Carlo Cudicini (Chelsea) and Fernando Cavenaghi(Bordeaux) join a list as long as your arm. 

Who they might sell: Former Tottenham boss Juande Ramos, now at Real Madrid, is said to be keen on Didier Zokora, Aaron Lennon and David Bentley - although only the former, if any of those three, is likely to go. Otherwise, fringe players Ricardo Rocha, Adel Taarabt and Kevin Prince-Boateng could all seek transfers.

West Bromwich Albion

Potential Budget: Chairman Jeremy Peace says no money will be made available.

January previous: Baggies boss Tony Mowbray has not been a compulsive January spender, with two ins and two outs in both 2007 and 2008. Snaring Robert Koren on a free two years ago, however, was a stunning bit of business and he will want to wave that magic wand once again.

What they need: Goals, goals, goals. Only 16 from 20 games tells its own story but who will sell them a 15-goal striker in January? Also, a get-stuck-in midfielder. A Robbie Savage circa 2005 would go down a treat at The Hawthorns.

Who they might buy: Options for the league’s bottom club might be limited. Marlon Harewood could come in from Villa, while Arsenal duo Carlos Vela and Jay Simpson are loan options. Doncaster midfielder Brian Stock could also arrive.Who they might sell: No-one they cannot do without. Though the fact that left-back Paul Robinson is rumoured to be interesting Celtic might cause a few heart murmurs in the West Midlands.

West Ham United

Potential Budget: £0

January previous: Sales have been the order of the day for longer than West Ham fans care to remember. Christian Dailly, Bondz Ngala, Hogan Ephraim all left last January, while Valon Behrami - signed in the summer - is the only big-money arrival at Upton Park in 2008.

What they need: Given the club owners’ financial problems and the threat of the Carlos Tevez case being settled in favour of Sheffield United soon, January looks likely to be about attempting to replace outgoings rather than strengthening.

Who they might buy: Loans will be the order of the day, if manager Gianfranco Zola is able to bring anyone in at all, with the Italian hoping to pip Arsenal to the signing of Juventus midfielder Sebastian Giovinco. 

Who they might sell: West Ham supporters await the January transfer window with an overwhelming sense of fear amid rumours of an Upton Park firesale. Craig Bellamy,Dean Ashton, Scott Parker, Lee Bowyer, Nigel Quashie,Luis Boa Morte and Danny Gabbidon have all been linked with departures, as has Matthew Upson, although the latter’s sale would cause uproar among the club’s faithful.

Wigan Athletic

Potential Budget: Depends if Emile Heskey, who is out of contract in the summer and could leave then for nothing, is sold now. He could fetch £4m and that would all go on a replacement striker.

January previous: The £1m that boss Steve Bruce paid for Wilson Palacios on 11 January 2008 looks a bargain. The £5m he spent on Marlon King a couple of weeks later was not quite such good business.

What they need: ”If Heskey goes, they will need a striker,” says BBC Radio Manchester reporter Paul Rowley. “Tottenham and Aston Villa are supposedly interested and, if they make a decent offer, the chairman could accept it even if the manager wants to keep him.

Who they might buy: As far as replacements for Heskey go, there has been plenty of talk about a possible swoop for Reading frontman Kevin Doyle, while Marko Pantelic (BSC Berlin) and Peruvian hitman Christian Benitez (Santos Laguna) have also been heavily linked with deals. Veteran Newcastle midfielder Nicky Butt could link up with Bruce, an old team-mate of his at Manchester United, too. 

Who they might sell: As well as Heskey, there are no shortage of admirers of goalkeeper Chris Kirkland, Luis Antonio Valencia and Palacios - with reports in Spain linking Real Madrid with a £15m bid for Valencia. The future of on-loan striker Amr Zaki is uncertain too. Rowley adds: “It’s bizarre really; there is talk that it is possible for another club to buy out his loan deal at Wigan.”

Rik

Main source of transfer information:BBC

Related Posts

1. Arsenal And Wenger Silence Critics
2. English Premier League Highlights Week 16
3. English Premier League Transfer Talk
4. English Premier League Saturday Review
5. English Premier League - Man Utd Beat Chelsea