From Adama to Arthur and Bentancur to Barkley: Who’s your club after?
As the January transfer window lurches towards its finale, one seasoned football agent put it this way: ‘there has been a lot of talking but not a lot of doing. If it wasn’t for Newcastle United, it would be a damp squib.’
As ever, it arrived with hype and expectation but, with Covid, injuries, a lack of cash and the Africa Cup of Nations to consider, the reality is big business has been sporadic.
title-chasing Manchester City and Liverpool are reluctant to make moves unless injuries kick in or a bargain arises, such as River Plate’s Argentinian striker Julian Alvarez in City’s case.
the glamour comes as Juventus and Barcelona look to flood the english market with cast-offs, desperate to shed bloated salaries. Aston Villa took advantage with Philippe Coutinho and could add Juve’s Uruguayan midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur. Aaron Ramsey is hopeful of a new home, too.
Indeed, the usual late flurry of silly offers and loans is still expected as desperation bites. tottenham have moved for Porto’s Luis Diaz, Arsenal want a striker, Newcastle a new defence.
West ham boss David Moyes said: ‘We are trying but we want players who can take us beyond the top six. that type of quality isn’t readily available this month unless you are reckless with cash and what good does that do to your club or dressing room?’
Caution was the watchword last January when Covid and Brexit caused the quietest window in nine years with just £70m spent by Premier League clubs.
Yet Newcastle will have to gamble close to that amount in a week to kickstart their new era and stave off relegation.
here Sportsmail takes you through what your club is after:
ARSENAL
Mikel Arteta is desperate for a new striker. With Pierre-emerick Aubameyang discarded, Arteta wants a No9 adept at dropping deep. Dream ticket Dusan Vlahovic is joining Juventus, Real sociedad’s Alexander Isak is expensive and Real Madrid’s Luka Jovic does not fit the profile. New england Revolution goalkeeper Matt turner and Juventus midfielder Arthur Melo want to come if deals can be agreed. Newcastle targets Bernd Leno, eddie Nketiah and Mohamed elneny could depart. striker tyreece John-Jules has joined sheffield Wednesday.
ASTON VILLA
Bentancur is in their sights after a £25m offer for Brighton’s Yves Bissouma was rejected. Marseille’s Boubacar Kamara and Glen Kamara of Rangers are back-up options. A centre back is wanted on loan but Liverpool’s Joe Gomez is a non-starter. Doncaster are keen to take striker Louie Barry on loan and swindon want forward Brad Young.
BRENTFORD
Christian eriksen will sign if he can pass his medical. A £15m bid has gone in for Brennan Johnson but Nottingham Forest want £18m for the winger. hull City’s left winger Keane Lewis-Potter and midfielder Mykhaylo Mudryk from shakhtar Donetsk are options, as are wing backs Djed spence of Middlesbrough — on loan at Forest — and Bologna’s scottish prospect Aaron hickey.
BRIGHTON
Newcastle want defender Dan Burn and midfielder Bissouma but Brighton will not sell unless for large fees. A £6m bid is in for Libertad’s Paraguay forward Julio enciso and they want Lewes winger Ollie tanner. Manchester City’s James McAtee and tottenham’s Dele Alli are admired, too.
BURNLEY
Made a breakthrough with Dinamo Zagreb winger Mislav Orsic yesterday and hope to finalise his £7m signing. A move for Wolfsburg striker Wout Weghorst faltered last week, though they would like Ramsey or Alli on loan. Andy Carroll remains a free agent option and they are also monitoring QPR striker Lyndon Dykes. they hope James tarkowski will stay until the summer.
CHELSEA
Will try again to recall emerson Palmieri from Lyon but could chase £18m-rated full back sergino Dest at Barcelona. expect loan requests for Ross Barkley.
CRYSTAL PALACE
Would like Manchester United’s Donny van de Beek on loan. Remain keen to sign Arsenal’s Nketiah, too. Midfielder Jesurun Rak-sakyi is a loan option for Rangers.
EVERTON
Managerless everton like spurs duo tanguy Ndombele and Alli, and want to add a centre back, but need a new boss first.
LEEDS UNITED
two offers for Red Bull salzburg’s Us midfielder Brenden Aaronson have been rejected. If he does not join now they will try again in the summer. hamburg want to sign winger Crysencio summerville.
LEICESTER CITY
Brendan Rodgers wants a centre back on loan, such as Chelsea’s Malang sarr. Midfielder hamza Choudhury could go amid interest from Newcastle and Watford.
LIVERPOOL
Defender Nat Phillips is wanted by Newcastle and Norwich, among others. Fellow centre back Rhys Williams, 20, is a target for sheffield United.
MAN CITY
City expect to sign River Plate’s 21-year-old star Alvarez. england youth international midfielder McAtee could leave on loan.
MAN UTD
Want a midfielder but summer move more likely. Anthony Martial has joined sevilla, Jesse Lingard
wants to join Newcastle. eric Bailly is a target for AC Milan.
NEWCASTLE UTD
Made a bold £30m offer for Lyon midfielder Bruno Guimaraes yesterday. have held talks over defenders including Liverpool’s Phillips, Burn at Brighton, Lloyd Kelly of Bournemouth, Matt targett of Aston Villa plus Lingard, Alli and Ramsey.
NORWICH CITY
Right back Max Aarons and attacking midfielder todd Cantwell are set to stay. Dean smith would also like a centre back, such as Liverpool’s Phillips.
SOUTHAMPTON
Are signing 16-year-old centre back Will Armitage from Cheltenham town for £250,000 and
want Alli from Spurs. They have rebuffed approaches for centre back Mohammed Salisu.
TOTTENHAM
Porto winger Diaz has emerged as a £46m target. Adama Traore should sign from Wolves, and midfielder Sofyan Amrabat from Fiorentina. AC Milan’s Franck Kessie is also wanted. Ndombele’s loan to Paris Saint-Germain should go through, while Giovani Lo Celso is being offered in swap deals. Jack Clarke is joining Sunderland until the end of the season, while Joe Rodon and Japhet Tanganga could also go out on loan.
WATFORD
Bordeaux winger Samuel Kalu will sign once his work permit clears. Roy Hodgson could yet add a centre back and Middlesbrough winger Marcus Tavernier.
WEST HAM UTD
Marseille defender Duje Caleta-Car is wanted on loan but manager Moyes is considering a number of names. Lingard and Armando Broja are liked but Broja is staying with Southampton.
WOLVES
Are considering Argentina forward Alvarez on loan should he join Manchester City from River Plate. Still want a defender and midfielder, with Renato Sanches of Lille a target. Traore will leave for Tottenham, defender Dion Sanderson has gone on loan to QPR and midfielder Ryan Giles is re-joining Cardiff City.