The Premier League title race is taking shape and with that, reinforcements may be required during the winter transfer window to bolster fatigued armouries and rejuvenate squad impetus.
Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City – unsurprisingly – remain unbeaten this campaign, with each side stretching their respected run of results to 12 matches.
Spurs remain deceptively close in the title race despite losing three matches already, and Arsenal have taken up their habitual position just outside the top four, while Manchester United sit eighth having stuttered early on.
There are discernible gaps in some of the top six side’s squad, and there will without question be a certain level of recruitment this January, while there are less obvious holes in some squads.
There is, however, always room for improvement, and Pep Guardiola – a huge advocate of perfection – would certainly agree with that assertion. But what are the dream, realistic, wildcard transfers for each top six side this January?
Manchester United
Dream: Milan Skriniar
Jose Mourinho has made no secret of his desire to strengthen the Red Devils’ defence, and having already conceded 21 goals – the highest total after 12 matches for United since 1966 – the club are in dire need of defensive reinforcements.
Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar would provide Mourinho the ultimate tonic in remedying his current misfortunes at the back, with the Slovakia international blocking more shots (14) than any centre-back in Serie A this term, as well as placing third for total attempted tackles (32), showing he is not afraid to put his body on the line.
Realistic: Marko Arnautovic
Having recently expressed his aspirations to compete in the Champions League, Arnautovic could part ways with West Ham this January, and having already seen a move to Old Trafford fail to materialise over the summer, the Austrian could yet be donning the red and white of United at some point this season.
The 29-year-old is West Ham’s talisman, and has previously worked under the stewardship of Mourinho during his formative years at Inter Milan, but having matured greatly and transformed his game in recent seasons, the Austrian would provide United with some much-needed bite and aggression in the final third.
Wildcard: Djibril Sidibe
An archetypal modern full-back, Sidibe was a part of Didier Deschamps’ World Cup winning France squad, and could be available this January with Monaco desperately struggling near the foot of the table in Ligue 1.
Despite Les Monegasques’ current predicament, Sidibe was still called up to the Les Bleus national squad for this international break, and would provide Mourinho some fresh legs at the back. The 26-year-old is an industrious right-back and would be a ready-made option for United with Ashley Young turning 34 next year, and Diogo Dalot still untested.
Tottenham Hotspur
Dream: Tanguy Ndombele
The 21-year-old exploded onto the scene last season after flourishing at the Groupama Stadium on-loan from Amiens; he was signed on a permanent basis during the summer, but already some of Europe’s elite are on the prowl with the midfielder continuing his fine form this season.
He was one of the standout players as Lyon shocked Pep Guardiola’s Man City in the Champions League earlier this season, and he would provide Mauricio Pochettino immense energy and tenacity in the middle of the park – two attributes solely missing since Mousa Dembele picked up an ankle injury.
Realistic: Abdoulaye Doucoure
On the topic of Dembele’s injury, one player who could make a short journey were they to move to Spurs is Watford midfielder Doucoure, with the Frenchman reportedly in the crosshairs of the north London club.
Doucoure has been a revelation since signing from Rennes two seasons ago, with his real breakthrough campaign coming last year as he netted seven goals and missed just one match in the Premier League for the Hornets. He is a dogged and physically imposing midfielder who would significantly strengthen Pochettino’s midfield.
Wildcard: Kieran Tierney
With Danny Rose struggling to remain injury free and Ben Davies coming in for some criticism this season, Kieran Tierney could prove an astute signing for Spurs. The Scottish left-back would provide the requisite back-up for a Champions League side, though that may not be the case come January.
The 21-year-old is also Celtic’s main man and has been an ever present in the starting XI since making his debut at the backend of the 2014-15 season; since Brendan Rodgers took the helm at Celtic Park, Tierney has gone from strength-to-strength and would not look out of place on English soil.
Chelsea
Dream: Christian Pulisic
Chelsea have been linked with a move for the Borussia Dortmund winger, though given his age, potential and current ability, his fee will likely linger around the £100m mark. However, the Blues need greater options in the final third and Pulisic ticks all the boxes.
With Pedro slowly entering his twilight years and question marks still remaining around the capacity of Alvaro Morata to consistently find the back of the net, Maurizio Sarri may be inclined to revert back to the false nine system he utilised so effectively at Napoli – this could come in the form of placing Pulisic on the wing and Hazard through the middle.
Realistic: Wissam Ben Yedder
As mentioned, Sarri will certainly be tempted to implement a false nine in an effort to replicate the achievements of his brilliant Napoli squad from last season, and there is no player who fits the Mertens mould better than Wissam Ben Yedder.
At 5ft 7in, the Frenchman fits the Mertens criteria to a tee, and given his early potency this season – eight goals and three assists – with Sevilla sitting second in La Liga, Sarri may be tempted to pounce for the pint-sized magician – it would a match-made-in-heaven should it come to fruition.
Wildcard: Dries Mertens
Instead of looking for a false nine in the mould of Dries Mertens, perhaps Sarri should just try and recruit his former star. With the Belgian’s contract due to expire at the end of next season, and having turned 31 in May, he may be a feasible option for the Italian manager.
Mertens has continued his fine form from last term, so far netting eight goals across the Serie A and the Champions League, as well as providing four assists. Should Chelsea come knocking, Mertens may be tempted to reunite his former fling with Sarri.
Liverpool
Dream: Ousmane Dembele
With major concerns still surrounding the discipline of Ousmane Dembele at Barcelona, Ernesto Valverde is reportedly willing to let the Frenchman leave the Camp Nou for a reduced fee, and Liverpool are believed to be lining up a move.
The incisive winger would cost around £85m, but at just 21 his potential remains boundless, and if anyone has the capacity of best accentuating his assets then look no further than Jurgen Klopp – Dembele would provide some substantial competition in the final third and could yet rediscover his former Borussia Dortmund form.
Realistic: Nicolas Tagliafico
With Alberto Moreno’s future in doubt, Liverpool will need options at left-back, especially with their heavy schedule, and Tagliafico could prove a feasible option should Klopp look to invest in a new defender.
The Ajax man has impressed in the Champions League and is exactly the sort of player the German looks for in a full-back: attacking, tenacious and expert at delivering corsses into the box.
Wildcard: Adrien Rabiot
With Rabiot’s contract up in the summer, Liverpool may be tempted to test the water in January, and while they have an abundance of options in central midfield, the Frenchman could offer some real creativity and panache that is perhaps lacking in their current crop, notably Jordan Henderson.
Arsenal
Dream: Raphael Guerreiro
The Portugal international has had his fair share of injury issues, but on his day there can be no denying Guerreiro is one of the most proficient players across Europe. Adept at left-back – his natural position – left wing and central midfield, Guerreiro is a versatile and relentless player.
With obvious help needed at left-back in north London, Guerreiro would be the ideal candidate to elevate the club, though he would not come cheap, and given Dortmund’s current rich vein of form, it would take a lucrative offer to prise him away.
Realistic: Junior Firpo
Unai Emery knows La Liga well, and so will certainly have had his eye on Junior Firpo who has impressed this season, scoring two goals, including the opener in Real Betis’ 4-3 win over Barcelona, as well as providing one assist.
There are doubts over Nacho Monreal and Sead Kolasinac at the Emirates, and so Firpo would certainly alleviate that current frustration were he to relocate to north London, adding real venom and brawn to Emery’s starting XI.
Wildcard: Cristian Pavon
With news of Danny Welbeck’s long-term injury, and concern over the future of Aaron Ramsey, Emery may be tempted to add some firepower further up the field, and one player who has been linked with a move to Europe is Boca Juniors forward Pavon.
Recruitment chief Sven Mislintat is reportedly an admirer of the diminutive attacker, and at 5ft 7in, Pavon could be one player who has to ability to replicate the talismanic performances of Alexis Sanchez.
Manchester City
Dream: Ryan Sessegnon
Guardiola loves versatile players; players capable of filling in at numerous positions, so that his interchangeable philosophy can truly thrive, and in Sessegnon he would have young and vibrant starlet proficient in being able to occupy any role down the left hand side of the pitch.
Benjamin Mendy has picked up another injury which means the left-back void will now rest on Fabian Delph, and while the England international has proven himself adept at fulfilling that role, it must surely be time for the Catalan coach to invest in a proper left-back.
Realistic: Nicolas Pepe
Man City have already inquired about the availability of Nicolas Pepe who rejected a move to Lyon on the final day of the summer transfer window, and while a host of clubs are reportedly eyeing up a move – Arsenal the latest – should Guardiola want the Ivorian, then he will likely land him.
The 23-year-old has made a blistering start to the season, scoring eight goals and registering five assists as Lille sit second in Ligue 1.
Wildcard: Declan Rice
There is concern in North West England that once the club’s metronome Fernandinho leaves, then who will be able to replicate his insatiable work rate in front of the back four? At 33, Fernandinho’s time may be coming to an end soon, though he looks as good as ever this season.
Declan Rice has been West Ham’s standout player this season, and with issues surrounding his current contract, Guardiola would be no fool in asking questions this January – the 19-year-old is a star in the making and under Guardiola’s tutelage could become a great.
The post Potential January targets for Man Utd, Liverpool & every top-six Premier League team appeared first on Squawka News.
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