Berahino the hottest buy as transfer market bubbles
Every club is keen to find the perfect signing to change their season. Simon Jones on who is the talk of the January transfer window
SAIDO BERAHINO (West Brom) He has 18 months left on his contract, won’t be signing a new one and West Brom need to make a decision on what they believe is a realistic fee. They wanted £24 million ($52.4 million) last summer but will do well to get £15 million now. Manchester United are interested and Chelsea but Tottenham are favourites if they can heal their rift with Jeremy Peace. ALEX TEIXEIRA (Shakhtar Donetsk) The Brazilian has held discussions over a move to Chelsea and talks are ongoing over the fee, with Shakhtar notoriously tough to strike a bargain with. The 25-year-old attacking midfielder has scored 26 goals in 26 games this year and the fee is around £29 million. Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain are also interested. ANDROS TOWNSEND (Tottenham) The 24-year-old winger is one of the most coveted players in the league but Tottenham will let him go either on loan or for £14 million. Watford are making the early running to sign him, after missing out on Roma’s Juan Iturbe, though Aston Villa, Newcastle, Southampton and Bournemouth have also voiced a desire to sign him. LOIC REMY (Chelsea) Remy wants to play and stake his claim for a place in France’s European Championship squad. Patrick Bamford will return from his loan at Crystal Palace and Alan Pardew is keen on bringing in Remy instead. They are not alone, though, as Southampton, Swansea, Aston Villa and Sunderland are also interested in the 28-year-old. CHARLIE AUSTIN (QPR) Leicester City and Sunderland have made inquiries in recent weeks for the 26-year-old striker, rekindling their summer interest. QPR are asking £6 million now for a marksman who is out of contract in the summer. Leicester are an attractive proposition but Austin is mindful he will have more offers in the summer and is prepared to see out his contract. BAFETIMBI GOMIS (Swansea) The 30-year-old has a £7 million buyout clause in his contract and is a target for Newcastle and Sunderland. Gomis had an offer from Al Ahli in Dubai during the summer but is keen to stay in the Premier League. STEVEN NAISMITH (Everton) The Scotland international wants regular football and isn’t getting that at Goodison Park despite being a favourite with supporters. His workrate is ideal and he has proven himself a capable goalscorer. Norwich offered £8 million in the summer and are willing to bid again but Aston Villa, Sunderland and Newcastle will match that. ALEKSANDR KOKORIN (Dynamo Moscow) Kokorin may not be the calibre of name Arsenal fans would hope for but has a proven record and, at 24, time is on his side. Like Deportivo’s Lucas Perez, Arsenal see him as an option should Danny Welbeck struggle to regain fitness. Kokorin is out of contract in the summer and around £6 million should secure him. DEMARAI GRAY (Birmingham) Highly rated talent that has been drawing scouts to St Andrew’s this season. Leicester failed with a £4.75 million bid in the summer but remain interested in the 19-year-old. However, Southampton, Crystal Palace, Liverpool, Arsenal, Bournemouth and even Bayern Munich have been among those to check on his performances recently. JAN KIRCHHOFF (Bayern Munich) Sam Allardyce is keen to bring in a centre-back, with Lamine Kone of Lorient an option, but Kirchhoff is also on Sunderland’s list after news that Younes Kaboul is out for six weeks with a torn hamstring. Kirchhoff has the pedigree but needs games. Bayern will sell the 25-yearold for a cut-price fee as he is out of contract in the summer.