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Big window for Liverpool?
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The January transfer window officially opened last week, with Europe’s top clubs able to bring in talent who can push them on for the second half of the season to reach their goals. Some major deals have been completed across the last January windows in recent years. They include Chelsea splashing a combined €191 million for Enzo Fernández and Mykhaylo Mudryk in 2023, and perhaps the most iconic Premier League January signing of recent years in Liverpool’s acquisition of now club captain Virgil van Dijk from Southampton in 2018 for €84.65m. The Dutchman went on to lift the Champions League and Premier League with the club within just two years at Anfield.
The traditional ‘big six’ clubs have had mixed starts to the season, with Arsenal sitting top of the table, whilst Tottenham are loitering in the bottom half in 13th. Champions Liverpool have endured a somewhat disastrous title defence, and are now 14 points behind the league leaders in fourth. However, it could be argued all of the ‘Big six’ clubs could make improvements to their squads this January. Many of these sides look sure to have their chequebooks out this winter. Now is the time to act, but where do each of these teams need to strengthen this January? What area is the priority?
Liverpool - Priority: Centre-back / new winger
As touched upon, Liverpool have seriously struggled this season under Arne Slot after the Dutchman led the Reds to the title in his first campaign in charge. They have missed the creativity of Trent Alexander-Arnold, whilst Mohamed Salah has failed to replicate last term's form, but their biggest issues have come at the back. They have conceded goals in all competitions. Van Dijk is showing signs of ageing, whilst Ibrahima Konaté has looked all over the place at times, but there aren't many other options. They are in desperate need of reinforcements at centre-half. Losing Luis Díaz in the summer to Bayern Munich has also proved to be a blow; Liverpool could do with another tricky winger in their ranks.
Potential targets
Liverpool came so close to signing Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guéhi on deadline day of the summer window, but were unable to get a deal over the line as the Eagles didn't have enough time to find a replacement. The England international remains a top target, but the Reds face plenty of competition, with the player now able to sign a pre-contract agreement with clubs on the continent. When it comes to wingers, Liverpool have been loosely linked with both PSG's Bradley Barcola and Juventus' Kenan Yıldız but a January move for either of those young stars seems unlikely.
Manchester City - Priority: Antoine Semenyo / CB reinforcements
The imminent signing of Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo now appears to be a formality with the Ghanian expected to undergo a medical on Thursday ahead of a €74m move to the Etihad. He will add another layer of depth to their attack, but a winger may have to go the other way too. Both Savinho and Oscar Bobb have been linked with a January exit. Another area where Pep Guardiola now has a problem is at centre-half, with Rúben Dias and Josko Gvardiol now joining John Stones on the injury list. They may well be forced to bring in another defender this window.
Potential targets
This week it was reported that due to the injury build up at centre-back, Man City have now put themselves in the race for Guéhi, failing to rule out making a move for the Crystal Palace man this January. It would appear he would be the first choice target, but the Sky Blues have also been loosely linked with young Chelsea defender Josh Acheampong and Borussia Dortmund's Nico Schlotterbeck.
Tottenham - Priority: Winger / left-back
Tottenham's season has been far from inspiring. Sitting 13th in the table and the football hasn't been entertaining. New manager Thomas Frank is already taking a lot of stick, but the Dane will certainly be hoping for some reinforcements this January. Following the injury to Mohammed Kudus and the sale of Brennan Johnson, Spurs are in desperate need for a right-winger. They also could do with a left-back with Destiny Udogie struggling to stay fit causing the right-footed Djed Spence to often deputise at on the left.
Potential targets
It’s being reported that Tottenham are set to make an improved offer to Santos for 19-year-old left-back Souza, after seeing an initial €9.2m bid rejected. The Brazilian is thought to be keen to move on to Europe, but several other European clubs haver also enquired. When it comes to wingers, Spurs have been linked with a number of names including RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande, Manchester City's Savinho and Everton's Iliman Ndiaye.
Manchester United - Priority: Centre-midfielder
It's been a chaotic start to 2026 for Manchester United, after they sacked manager Rúben Amorim just six days into the new year. The club have shown signs of improvement this term but still seriously lack consistency. The system is now likely to revert back to a back four after Amorim's departure, and although that could offer a reprieve for young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, the club are still crying out for reinforcements in the centre of the park, with Casemior ageing and the jury still out on Manuel Ugarte.
Potential targets
The Red Devils were heavily linked to a move to Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba in the summer but eventually got priced out of a move. The Cameroonian's performance levels have dropped this season, and some reports suggest the Seagulls may now lower the asking price accordingly. He certainly has the energy and intelligence that Man United's midfield is crying out for. Another name linked with a move is Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton - his ability to fire passes forward between the lines could be pivotal.
Arsenal - Priority: Young midfielder
Arsenal's squad is deeper than perhaps it's ever been. In their last victory against Bournemouth, they named all of Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Jesus, Eberechi Eze, Ben White, Mikel Merino and Myles Lewis-Skelly on the bench. There's not much they need right now. Long-term they may look to sign a superstar on the left-wing but that probably won't happen this January and will require outgoings first. One area they could target is bringing in a young central midfielder for the future and to provide some more cover for Declan Rice and Martín Zubimendi.
Potential targets
Arsenal are reportedly very interested in Elche's 20-year-old central midfielder Rodrigo Mendoza, who has a current market value of €15m. Other young midfielders mooted to have had interest from the Gunners include Konstantinos Karetsas of Genk and Aleksandar Stanković of Club Brugge. They have also been linked with young Blackburn striker Igor Tyjon and young AC Milan left-back Davide Bartesaghi.
Chelsea - Priority: An experienced centre-back
Despite spending over €1.5 billion since Todd Boehly took ownership of the club, there still appears to be some gaps in Chelsea’s squad. Their defence has at times looked vulnerable and they are clearly missing the injured Levi Colwill. The club's oldest player this season has been 28-year-old Tosin, and the Blues are crying out for some experience. Bringing in an experienced centre-half to mentor the youngsters around him could be pivotal to Chelsea's development.
Potential targets
Once again Guéhi is a name who has been linked with Chelsea, but at this stage, it may be difficult for the Blues to prize him to Stamford Bridge with so much competition for his signature. Another experienced centre-half who could help Chelsea out could be Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa. They have also been linked with young Rennes centre-back Jérémy Jacquet.
