Transfer focus: The traditional ‘big six’ clubs - what do they need this January?

The January transfer window officially opened this 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 few January windows, including Chelsea splashing a combined €191 million for Enzo Fernández and Mykhaylo Mudryk last year, 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 €84.65 million, with the Dutchman going 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 Liverpool sitting top of the table whilst Chelsea are in tenth place with just 28 points from 20 games, and Manchester United have already suffered nine Premier League defeats. However it could be argued all of the ‘big six’ clubs could make improvements to their squads this January, with no side looking like the finished article yet. The 'big six' slubs spent a combined €1.57 billion last summer, and many of them look sure to have their chequebooks out again this winter. Now is the time to act, but where do each of these sides need to strengthen this January? What area is the priority?

Arsenal - Priority: Striker/winger

It was a terrible end to 2023 for Arsenal, as their seemingly smooth title challenge took a huge blow in back-to-back defeats to West Ham and Fulham. The Gunners have scored just twice in their last three games, and have scored just 37 across the Premier League season so far - the lowest of the top four and less than ninth placed Newcastle. Those numbers become even more alarming when looking at the goalscoring stats of their preferred front three. Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli have just 11 league goals between them, with Saka contributing over half of those. Arsenal need a goal scoring attacker or at least someone who can provide some genuine competition in those forward places. Jesus’ link up play is unquestioned but his goal scoring prowess is nowhere near top level, whilst Martinelli has been underperforming for large parts of this season, with nobody really putting pressure on his place in the starting eleven.

Potential targets

Ivan Toney has been a name linked with the Emirates for much of the season. The Brentford forward has been serving a ban for gambling breaches this campaign, but is available again for the Bees for their next game on January 20 against Nottingham Forest, and scored 20 Premier League goals last season. Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke, who has been in fine form this season - only Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah have more Premier League goals, is another striker who has been linked with the Gunners. Another angle Mikel Arteta could take is to sign a quality winger to provide more competition across his frontline, and one name who could bolster Arsenal in that department is PSV’s Johan Bakayoko, who shone against the Gunners in the Champions League this season, and has 17 direct goal involvements this term. 

Chelsea - Priority: Centre-back

Despite spending over €1 billion since Todd Boehly took ownership of the club, there still appears to be many gaps in Chelsea’s squad, highlighted by their poor start to the season which has left them in mid-table. Whilst the calling for a top level striker is still there; Nicolas Jackson seems to lack the composure in front of goal and looks very raw despite scoring seven Premier League goals, and Armando Broja doesn’t seem to be the long term option, the return of Christopher Nkunku could provide the central goal threat the Blues need. Another perhaps even bigger issue in their squad is that despite being 39 years of age, Thiago Silva is still their most consistent and arguably best centre-back. Axel Disasi and Benoît Badiashile have been riddled with mistakes, Wesley Fofana continues to suffer from a cruciate ligament tear, whilst Levi Colwill has mostly been utilised at full-back, where he has still looked vulnerable. 

Potential targets

The Blues have reportedly shown interest in Bayer Leverkusen's Jonathan Tah, with the 27-year-old German having been a key part of Xabi Alonso’s team's superb first half of the season, which sees them top the Bundesliga. Other options could be Nottingham Forest’s 21-year-old Brazilian centre-half Murillo, who has been one of the shining lights in a disappointing season for Forest, since signing from Corinthians for €12m in the summer. His ability to travel forwards with the ball and his blistering pace could bolster Mauricio Pochettino’s defence. Chelsea could also look in Portugal with young Sporting centre-half pairing Gonçalo Inácio and Ousmane Diomande attracting plenty of interest from Europe’s top clubs. 

Liverpool - Priority: Holding midfielder / right-back

Liverpool came close to signing both Moisés Caicedo and Roméo Lavia in the summer, but both holding midfielders ended up at Stamford Bridge. Wataru Endō was brought in for €20m, but many feel there is still a gap in the defensive part of Jürgen Klopp’s new midfield, with Alexis Mac Allister often being deputised in a deeper role. This season we’ve also seen Trent Alexander-Arnold finish games as the lone 'number six', with Joe Gomez coming off the bench to replace a midfielder and free up the 25-year-old, so bringing in a top right-back to unleash Alexander-Arnold into the midfield permanently could be another option. 

Potential targets

If Liverpool were to go down the holding midfielder route then Fulham’s destructive midfielder João Palhinha looks like the ideal target. The Portuguese 28-year-old has won the most tackles in the Premier League this season and could provide the perfect antidote to the creativity of Mac Allister and Dominik Szobozslai in a midfield trio. Another defensive midfield option could be Brazilian 22-year-old Fluminense player André, who has been linked with a whole host of top European clubs, after winning the Copa Libertadores this year. If the Reds were to go down the right-back route, then the Turkish Super Lig’s most valuable player Sacha Boey could be an option to give less defensive responsibility to Alexander-Arnold.

Manchester City - Priority: Holding midfield back up

One player that this current Man City team can’t cope without is their midfield hub - Rodri. Their record with and without their Spanish holding midfielder speaks volumes, and the level of skill and football intelligence to play his role within this City team, makes him a very hard man to replace. This season Man City have lost three Premier League games - Rodri missed all of those matches due to suspension. Kalvin Phillips was brought in as the Spaniard’s understudy in the 2022 summer transfer window for €49 million, but has never looked comfortable when deputising for Rodri, and doesn't appear to have the faith and trust of his manager, and now looks as though he could be leaving the club this January, therefore freeing up funds for Pep Guardiola to bring in someone more suited to his style to soften the blow when he is without Rodri at his disposal. 

Potential targets

Finding anyone anywhere near Rodri’s standard is a gargantuan task, and given the Spaniard is going to play most weeks this player is going to be spending a lot of time on the bench so a younger player with higher potential may be the best option to be the eventual heir to Rodri’s throne. João Neves, who has been linked with their rivals Man United, could be that man. His value rose to €45m in the latest Portuguese league market value update and the 19-year-old has been a star performer for Benfica this season. The aforementioned André, could also be someone who could develop under Guardiola, whilst Crystal Palace’s Cheick Doucouré could be another alternative.

Manchester United - Priority: Centre-back

 

Man United's current squad feels as though reinforcements are needed in many positions. Whilst some supporters feel Man United need another striker, their huge €72m investment for 20-year-old Rasmus Højlund surely means they need patience with the Dane and his five goals in six Champions League games has shown that the potential is there. It's other areas where deeper issues lye - the Red Devils wingers have scored just six Premier League goals between them, whilst no centre-back has played more league games for the club this season than 35-year-old Jonny Evans who was signed as a free agent in the summer. Considering the prospect of 19-year-old Alejandro Garnacho, and the talent if not form of Marcus Rashford, and the fact it looks as though Raphaël Varane will leave the club in the summer with his contract out in six months, centre-half should be the priority for Man United this January.

Potential targets

Man United have been linked with a whole host of centre-backs this season, as the position continues to be an issue for Erik ten Hag, with Lisandro Martínez having missed most of the season through injury, and reported rifts with Varane. One player who could ease the burden on the experienced Evans is 20-year-old Atalanta centre-back Giorgio Scalvini. Standing at six foot the imposing young Italian could be what Man United at the heart of their defence. Another option with Premier League experience could be Crystal Palace's 23-year-old Englishmen Marc Guéhi, who continues to impress in South London, or AC Milan's Fikayo Tomori, who has built quite the reputation with the Italian giants in Serie A.

Tottenham - Priority: Centre-back

Tottenham have had a great start to the season under new manager Ange Postecoglou, sitting just one point behind rivals Arsenal in fifth place, and playing frightfully attacking football under the Australian. However injury and suspension problems to Cristian Romero and summer signing Micky van de Ven have been a huge issue in Spurs’ all or nothing style of play, leaving the likes of Eric Dier, Ben Davies or Emerson Royal deputising and Tottenham vulnerable. Postecologu has already said “it’s a priority” to sign a centre-half this transfer window.

Potential targets

It’s being reported that a move for Romanian Genoa centre-half Radu Drâgusin is moving ever closer, with rumours that a fee in the region of €30m is being lined up for the 21-year-old. Spurs may even look to bring in two centre-backs this window given the lack of depth they have in that position, and another name who could fit the bill for Postecoglou’s style of play is Liverpool’s Joe Gomez, who has been linked with a move to North London this January, whilst Spurs also remain interested in long term target Jean-Claire Todibo of Nice, who has also reportedly received interest from Man United.