Aymeric Laporte to Manchester City, Bruno Fernandes to Manchester United and Virgil Van Dijk to Liverpool are amongst some of the most important transfers to have happened in the month of January. This season alone has seen big moves done across Europe already, with Napoli’s Georgian star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia moving to PSG in a £59m deal, and the arrival of Borussia Dortmund’s Donyell Malen at Unai Emery’s Aston Villa.
Although the brief mid-season window can be hard to make big name signings, with clubs often reluctant to let their best players go, it provides a perfect opportunity for clubs to potentially find replacements for players with long term injuries, or finally conclude deals they couldn’t quite get done in the summer window.
We’ve had Exposé’s writers and readers, representing clubs from both ends of the Premier League table, outline who they thing their club should be signing before the window slams shut.
Name – Tom Morris
Team – Wolves
Desired Signing – A Premier League experienced centre back.
Wolverhampton Wanderers need defenders.
Despite the quality the Midlands side boast in midfield and attack, including star Brazilians João Gomes and Matheus Cunha, Wolves find themselves in a relegation battle.
At time of writing, Wolves have conceded 48 goals in 21 games, the joint-second worst in the league. Conceding on average 2.3 goals per game means having to score three a game which is unsustainable for any team.
The old gold outfit are trying to address the issue, signing Emmanuel Agbadou for £16.6m from Stade de Reims, who looked bright on his debut in a 3-0 loss to Newcastle.
However, for me Wolves need to sign defenders who have experienced the Premier League before.
These defenders – the likes of Lewis Dunk, Ben Mee, James Tarkowski – have played English football for years and know how it works.
They would provide leadership qualities in the dressing room and on the pitch that Wolves have been lacking in since failing to replace Club Captain Max Kilman after his move to West Ham last summer. Wolves have young defenders such as Santi Bueno and Toti Gomes who played well under Kilman’s guidance last season but have looked lost at times this time round.
Wolves do have Craig Dawson who fits this bill to an extent, but who has struggled with injuries. But the advice and leadership they can provide can hopefully help steer Wolves to safety.
Name – Connor Myers (Online Sport Editor)
Team – Manchester City
Desired Signing – Andrea Cambiaso (Juventus)
Not even two-thirds of the way through the window and City have three signings already more or less in the books. Abdukodir Khusanov’s and Victor Reis’ moves aims to freshen up an incredibly injury-hit defence, and the arrival of Omar Marmoush should fill the void left by the sale of Julian Alvarez last summer.
Yes, I can hear you. I understand it’s hard to feel sympathy for a club that has won it all and seemingly has it all. That said, with the departure of club captain Kyle Walker all but confirmed, a replacement is certainly necessary.
January is always a difficult time to bring in big players. While Joshua Kimmich is a name always banded around when we talk about ideal Guardiola players, Bayern Munich would be reluctant to let him go.
The 24-year-old’s ability to play both sides of defence and progress the ball into midfield will evoke memories of Joao Cancelo’s time in Manchester, but this time ideally possessing *slightly* more defensive competence.
Its for that reason I believe the ideal signing at full back for the reigning champions is Juventus’ Andrea Cambiaso. The 24-year-old’s ability to play both sides of defence and progress the ball into midfield will evoke memories of Joao Cancelo’s time in Manchester, but this time ideally possessing *slightly* more defensive competence.
Combining the aggression and defensive ability of Kyle Walker, and the ability to move the ball like Rico Lewis, the Italian international’s presence at the Etihad would be a serious upgrade.
Name – George Dixon
Team – Nottingham Forest
Desired Signing – Jean-Phillipe Mateta (Crystal Palace)
As the surprise stars of the season, every single one of Forest’s starting XI has been in career-best form recently. We’ve also been exceptionally lucky not to sustain any injuries for key players until now, especially considering their lack of squad depth in certain positions.
One of these positions is up front. Talisman Chris Wood has been terrorising defences all season. However, back up striker Awoniyi is frankly not Champions League quality, and if the team are truly looking at Europe, a more reliable understudy to the 33-year-old Kiwi is vital.
With a market value of £25m, Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta is a target man who would slot right into Nuno’s system, without causing Forest any more FFP headache.
Name – Callum Martin (Online Editor-in-chief)
Team – Southampton
Desired Signing – Tom Cannon (Leicester City)
Where to start…
Southampton sit rock bottom of the table, on track to have (literally) the worst season in Premier League history, after amassing just 6 points in 21 games. Trying to fix this team with one signing feels a bit like trying to save the sinking Titanic with one can of Polyfilla.
But given we’re 20th for goals scored (13) and only 19th (47) for goals conceded, I’ll pick an attacker. Thanks to some bright sparks like Matheus Fernandes and Tyler Dibling, we actually do create chances but lack a clinical frontman to finish them off. Ipswich and Wolves are ten points ahead with similar squads largely thanks to the work of Liam Delap and Matheus Cunha.
Having to be realistic, I’m putting forward Tom Cannon. The Republic of Ireland international is Stoke’s top scorer in the Championship this season and has done so well that Leicester have recalled him early from his loan. It gives me great pleasure to say he bagged four against Pompey back in October, and at only 22, he shows great potential. Given his parent club look likely to go down, he could be gettable. Plus, he’s got a cool name.
Name – Ollie Saxby
Team – Arsenal
Desired signing – Benjamin Šeško (RB Leipzig)
Over halfway through the transfer window and Arsenal are yet to land a January signing. Whilst a move for Martin Zubimendi in the summer looks promising, me and fans alike know that our attack needs an upgrade right now.
Whilst Havertz tops the table with 7 league goals for the Gunners this season, his recent performances have left question marks over his finishing ability, as we’ve seen multiple big chances squandered
The current injury crisis in the frontline emphasises Arsenals everlasting need for a clinical forward in the absence of Bukayo Saka. Whilst Havertz tops the table with 7 league goals for the Gunners this season, his recent performances have left question marks over his finishing ability, as we’ve seen multiple big chances squandered. The lack of confidence in Havertz from fans is well justified as he is now goalless in his last 5 matches across all competitions.
RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Šeško operates in a similar fashion to Havertz, focussing on dropping deep to receive the ball whilst also making frequent runs into the wide channels due to Leipzig’s narrow formation. The Slovenian international has also obtained a reputation for his long shot taking; an area in which arsenals currently attack feels limited. A 6-month loan deal could boost the goal threat in Arsenals front line whilst reserving funds for an elite level striker in the summer, such as Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyökeres or Newcastle’s Alexander Isak.
Name – Zandie Howells (Online Music Editor)
Team – Southampton
Desired signings – Arnaud Kalimuendo (Rennes), Morgan Whittaker (Plymouth) and James McAtee (Manchester City)
In the words of Ralf Rangnick when describing Manchester United, what Southampton are in need of is “open heart surgery”.
If I had my way, I would get rid of most of the current squad quicker than you can say ‘relegated’, but to save this from becoming an essay, I will only come up with a few transfers.
Most obvious is the desperate need for some attacking quality, particularly a striker. In a dream world, this would come in the form of Evan Ferguson on loan from Brighton. However, he is unlikely to join such a poor performing side and so it is more sensible to look longer term at players who would not mind taking a step down to the championship.
It might be ambitious, but I love the look of Arnaud Kalimuendo. Currently playing for Rennes in Ligue 1, he has scored 8 goals in 16 games this season. Given that Rennes are lower mid table, Kalimuendo may be willing to move and would be perfect for Southampton.
A winger is also a high priority, especially with the exit of star boy Tyler Dibling in the summer highly likely. Signing Morgan Whittaker from Plymouth would be a great coup, as he’s an established quality young player, and is more than capable of taking his game to the next level. He would also crucially be very cheap. Borja Sainz and Tom Fellows are two other good Championship winger options, but due to them playing for better teams, a move would be more unlikely.
Finally, I would like to see the arrival of James McAtee from Manchester City. Despite having bags of quality as a 10 or winger, he’s out of favour at City. A brilliant creative player, if we were able to get even a loan-to-buy deal done, it would be fantastic. However, he will be in high demand, so we must act quickly and hope he is willing to ultimately take a step down before coming back up – it’s a big ask but would be a phenomenal transfer.
Name – Theo Wright
Team – Manchester United
Desired Signing – Viktor Gyökeres (Sporting Lisbon)
A large source of United’s woes this season have come from their lack of a potent goal scorer. Rasmus Hojlund’s output of 2 goals in 16 league games is well below the standard required to lift Manchester United to challenge for trophies. At 22 years of age, he is not yet fit to lead the Manchester United line.
Thus, attention has turned to an improvement, with Joshua Zirkzee’s goal output similarly disappointing. Since Ruben Amorim’s arrival, speculation around the club has centred on Viktor Gyökeres, whose output of 22 goals in 18 appearances has played a large part in his team’s success. This calibre of player is exactly what Manchester United are lacking, with Hojlund and Zirkzee largely incapable of breaking down a low block.
There are many issues at Manchester United, including the lack of midfield depth and enough experience and physicality at centre back in key games. However, given the notoriously difficult nature of the January transfer window, if United are to improve one key position in order to improve their season, it ought to be Viktor Gyökeres that they bring through the door.
