Christmas is just around the corner, which means Premier League managers will be making time in their busy schedules to compile a wishlist.
But instead of sending a letter to Santa’s grotto, top-flight coaches will be slipping a shortlist of players under the chairman’s office door.
With the transfer window re-opening in January, the majority of Premier League clubs will be hoping to make at least one addition for the second half of the season.
So we’ve picked out an ideal, but realistic, target for every club.
Arsenal: Harry Maguire
Rob Holding’s knee injury against Manchester United came at a bad time for Arsenal. Laurent Koscielny has returned, but the Gunners will be considering bringing in a high-quality centre-back to alleviate any fears about gaps in the squad. Harry Maguire’s stock has risen exponentially in recent months, and his ability to play out from the back should appeal to Unai Emery.
Bournemouth: Nathaniel Clyne
A knee injury to Adam Smith means Bournemouth are light at right-back, but his absence could work as a piece of good timing. With the transfer window coming up, Nathaniel Clyne might be keen on an exit even after a brief return to the Liverpool side. If Bournemouth have serious ambitions to qualify for Europe, Clyne is the level of player they must sign.
Brighton: Nick Powell
In the last January transfer window, Brighton went all out for Wigan Athletic star Nick Powell but failed to get their man. The former Manchester United midfielder has scored four goals and provided four assists in the Championship this term, and there is no reason Chris Hughton will have suddenly gone cold on a player who could be a very useful addition.
Burnley: Jay Rodriguez
Jay Rodriguez was heavily linked with a return to Burnley over the summer but a deal failed to materialise. He has scored 10 goals in the Championship for West Bromwich Albion this season, so the Baggies will want to hold onto him to aid their promotion push. But if the Clarets put in a good offer, Rodriguez could be back in a Burnley shirt for the first time since 2012.
Cardiff: Fernando Llorente
Cardiff require a target man to win more aerial duels. At the moment, Neil Warnock is playing an out-of position Callum Paterson in that role. Fernando Llorente appears to be surplus to requirements at Spurs and has already proven his relegation scrap credentials during his year at Cardiff’s fierce rivals Swansea City.
Chelsea: Christian Pulisic
The London Evening Standard claim Chelsea have made their first official approach for Borussia Dortmund wonderkid Christian Pulisic. The American would add more flair to Chelsea’s attack, and he would also function as a long-term replacement for Eden Hazard in case the Belgian doesn’t sign a new contract at Stamford Bridge.
Crystal Palace: Kemar Roofe
Kemar Roofe has found the net 10 times in 16 Championship matches for high-flying Leeds United this term. In January, he may be forced to decide between staying at Elland Road or making a more immediate move to the Premier League, if the likes of Palace are interested in him. Roy Hodgson has resorted to playing Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend this season, so an actual striker must be on his list.
Everton: Callum Wilson
More than anything else, Everton lack a quick striker to make the right kind of runs into the box and provide an aerial threat. Callum Wilson’s excellent form makes him the right man for the job, and while the striker is settled at Bournemouth, moving to a club perhaps more likely to be playing European football next season could boost his England chances.
Fulham: Gary Cahill
Fulham have conceded 42 Premier League goals so far this season, more than any other side. Claudio Ranieri knows the importance of a solid defence, and the Italian will be keen to add experience to his back line in January. Gary Cahill, who barely gets a look-in at Chelsea these days, could provide exactly that, and he probably wouldn’t have to move house.
Huddersfield: Neal Maupay
A Huddersfield striker is yet to score a Premier League goal this season. Steve Mounie and Laurent Depoitre are both out of form and Huddersfield are desperate a goalscorer. Their underdog status may require them to look to the Championship, where Neal Maupay has scored 13 goals for Brentford. He would provide a different type of striker option for David Wagner.
Leicester: Danny Drinkwater
Danny Drinkwater is currently in limbo at Chelsea and doesn’t appear to be on his way to changing Maurizio Sarri’s mind. A return to Leicester City, where he won the Premier League title in 2015/16, would make sense. The Foxes could do with more depth in central midfield and Drinkwater will be eager for more minutes in the second half of the season.
Liverpool: Isco
Liverpool haven’t exactly missed Philippe Coutinho since the he left for Barcelona, but the Brazilian’s creativity did add an extra dimension to Jurgen Klopp’s attack. After trying and failing to replace him with Nabil Fekir over the summer, perhaps Liverpool should now consider Isco, who has been warming the bench at Real Madrid all season.
Man City: Frenkie de Jong
Tipped as one of the future great central midfielders, Frenkie de Jong will surely be on his way to one of Europe’s superpowers soon. The 21-year-old has been excellent for Ajax, completing more passes per 90 minutes (91.9) than any other player to have played more than 90 minutes for the club – and Pep Guardiola must be impressed by his displays. De Jong could be the perfect heir to Fernandinho’s midfield throne at the Etihad.
Man United: Toby Alderweireld
Out of contract at the end of the season, Toby Alderweireld is likely to leave Spurs either in January or next summer. Either way, Manchester United will surely pursue the Belgian after missing out on him this summer and ending up with no new centre-backs, a position they desperately need to resolve if they are to qualify for the Champions League this season. But will Ole Gunnar Solskjaer be given funds?
Newcastle: Miguel Almiron
READ MORE: Who is Newcastle target Miguel Almiron?
Atlanta attacker Miguel Almiron was the 2017 MLS Newcomer of the Year and has built on that success with 13 goals in 36 MLS appearances from the No.10 position this season. His creativity would be ideal for Newcastle, who have scored just 14 goals in 17 league matches so far this term. The Magpies may be eager to spend if a much-mooted takeover takes place.
Southampton: Thomas Vermaelen
Southampton may have got their first win under Ralph Hasenhuttl against Arsenal, but Saints’ defence still has problems. Southampton were linked with former Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen last month, a deal that would make sense for all parties. The Belgian isn’t expected to be handed a new deal by Barcelona and at 33 it is probably time for him to take a slight step down.
Tottenham: Abdoulaye Doucoure
Abdoulaye Doucoure signed a new contract with Watford at the beginning of the season, but European football with Spurs may be too difficult to turn down if the Londoners, who need a long-term replacement for Mousa Dembele, make their move in January. Doucoure has all of the traits to stand out in a Mauricio Pochettino team.
Watford: Javier Hernandez
Watford have made a relatively impressive start to their Premier League campaign, but they have repeatedly been let down by their lack of an established goalscorer. Javier Hernandez scored twice against Newcastle earlier this month but has been in and out of the team at West Ham. Could Watford offer him more regular football at Vicarage Road?
West Ham: Bradley Dack
Bradley Dack has been lighting up the EFL since joining Blackburn Rovers from Gillingham in 2017. After helping his side achieve promotion from League One, he is now shining in the Championship having scored nine goals already this season. West Ham have missed the injured Manuel Lanzini of late, and Dack could be the perfect central attacking midfield alternative.
Wolves: Divock Origi
Like many other Premier League clubs, Wolves appear to be a striker away from guaranteed safety. Divock Origi, whose father claimed Liverpool priced out of a move over the summer, would be ideal for Wolves. Bigger clubs aren’t likely to move for him because he hasn’t played regularly under Jurgen Klopp, but Origi’s opportunism against Everton proved he remains a clinical goalscorer on his day.
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