One ideal signing for each Premier League club this January

The January transfer window is here and clubs are scouring the market for mid-season additions. 

We’ve picked out one player who could be an ideal addition for each Premier League club.

One ideal signing for each Premier League club this January

Arsenal – Dusan Vlahovic (Juventus)

A reliable centre-forward has been cited as the final piece of the puzzle for Arsenal, who have a long-standing interest in Dusan Vlahovic. Having missed out on the Serbian to Juventus three years ago, the Gunners have progressed while Juve have stagnated.

Vlahovic boasts a record of 84 goals in 189 appearances in Serie A and has a hulking frame that would add another presence for the set-piece specialists to target.

Aston Villa – Donyell Malen (Borussia Dortmund)

Aston Villa have had an opening offer for Donyell Malen rejected and it’s a deal that makes sense. Leon Bailey has struggled to recapture last season’s form and requires competition following the sale of Moussa Diaby. Malen boasts pace, versatility and a good goal record across spells at PSV Eindhoven and Borussia Dortmund.

Bournemouth – Chris Rigg (Sunderland)

Bournemouth’s recruitment has focused on the next generation of late, with the Cherries sitting on a gold mine having developed the likes of Milos Kerkez, Dean Huijsen and Illia Zabaryni.

Sunderland midfielder Chris Rigg is regarded as one of English football’s best prospects, having emerged as a driving force in Régis Le Bris’s promotion-chasing Championship side. He’s unlikely to want to leave mid-season, but the teenager will have taken note of how Bournemouth have nurtured top prospects. The Cherries are an inviting stepping stone for starlets destined for the big stage.

Brentford – Ben Chilwell (Chelsea)

Exiled at Chelsea, Ben Chilwell needs a move this month to relaunch his career. A switch across the capital, either on loan or permanently, could suit all parties. Brentford have lacked a recognised left-back in the absence of the injured Rico Henry.

Brighton – Vitor Reis (Palmeiras)

Brighton have regularly raided the South American market for top talent and are aiming to beat wealthier clubs to Vitor Reis this month. The 18-year-old defender is regarded as a huge prospect, with Arsenal, Real Madrid and Chelsea linked. Brighton have reportedly submitted an offer of £23.5m in a bid to win the race.

Chelsea – Gregor Kobel (Borussia Dortmund)

Chelsea have a team full of promise but lack the commanding figures needed in goal and at centre-back to take the next step. Gregor Kobel could be the answer, with the Swiss shot-stopper superb for Borussia Dortmund in recent campaigns. The 27-year-old would offer an instant upgrade on Robert Sanchez.

Crystal Palace – Maxence Caqueret (Lyon)

Crystal Palace have made an early move for Maxence Caqueret in a deal that makes sense. Injuries mean the best of Cheick Doucouré and Adam Wharton has not been seen this season and Caqueret would add much-needed depth and quality. The Frenchman ranks in the top 10% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for tackles, progressive passes and successful take-ons per game over the last 12 months.

Everton – Lorenzo Lucca (Udinese)

Everton are struggling to score and create. Lorenzo Lucca could aid the former issue, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s xG underperformance the third-biggest in the Premier League. The Italian has scored 15 league goals over the last 18 months for Udinese and has the second-highest over-performance in terms of xG in Italy this season. Having thrived off limited service and with a 6ft 7in frame to add presence in both boxes, Lucca looks an ideal Everton addition.

Fulham – Evan Ferguson (Brighton)

Fulham head into the new year in the mix for European qualification. Marco Silva’s side are well balanced but are the second-lowest scorers in the top half. Raul Jimenez will turn 34 in May, while Rodrigo Muniz has failed to replicate last season’s form. A move for Evan Ferguson, who has been linked with a loan exit from Brighton, could provide a more reliable outlet across the run-in.

Ipswich Town – Elijah Adebayo (Luton)

In search of support for Liam Delap, a move for Luton forward Elijah Adebayo is an interesting option for Ipswich. The 26-year-old proved he could cut it in the Premier League last season, with 10 league goals in 26 appearances for the relegated Hatters. Luton are struggling near the foot of the Championship this season and could be open to offers to raise funds for recruitment.

Leicester City – Victor Lindelof (Manchester United)

Leicester are leaking goals this season with no side having conceded more (42) during the current campaign. Ruud van Nistelrooy could do worse than look to his former club for experience. Victor Lindelof is free to leave Old Trafford for the right fee this winter and would improve Leicester’s options in central defence.

Liverpool – Jorrel Hato (Ajax)

Liverpool have looked unstoppable for much of the campaign with few obvious areas of weakness in Arne Slot’s side. A number nine could be on the radar for the summer as Darwin Nunez continues to underwhelm, but defensive depth is the priority right now.

Jorrel Hato is regarded as one of the best talents to have emerged at Ajax in recent years. The 18-year-old has featured at left-back this season, scoring twice and providing four assists, but is equally comfortable in the centre. Amid Andy Robertson’s mixed form and Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez’s injury records, he’d be a shrewd signing.

Manchester City – Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle)

Manchester City’s form has fallen off a cliff this season with ageing legs and the absent Rodri sparking decline. Pep Guardiola’s midfield is in need of a revamp and Bruno Guimaraes fits the bill. The Brazilian leads the league for duels and fouls won, is an excellent technician, and box-to-box presence.

However, prising him from Newcastle will be a mammoth task…

Manchester United – Viktor Gyokeres (Sporting Lisbon)

Things are bleak for Manchester United right now. Ruben Amorim has found out quickly the huge task he faces to turn around their fortunes. Issues in both penalty boxes are apparent and the arrival of Viktor Gyokeres would be a huge lift at Old Trafford. Gyokeres has hit 70 goals in 77 games for Lisbon and thrived as the all-action spearhead of Amorim’s successful side in Lisbon.

Newcastle United – Jonathan David (Lille)

Eddie Howe has made no secret of Newcastle’s desire for a centre-back and right-winger, but with Sven Botman’s return imminent and Jacob Murphy in good form, those additions can wait until the summer.

The biggest concern for the Magpies is the lack of cover and competition for Alexander Isak. Callum Wilson’s continued injury problems mean a centre-forward should be the priority. There are few better – and available – on the market than Jonathan David. Out of contract at Lille in the summer, a January bid could help the Magpies beat off competition from Europe’s elite.

Nottingham Forest – Jaka Bijol (Udinese)

Nottingham Forest have thrived this season, with Nuno Espirito Santo’s side in the Champions League places. Defensive depth is perhaps the biggest concern for Forest, despite the impressive performances of Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo.

Jaka Bijol could be an ideal solution, having shone at the heart of the Udinese defence in recent campaigns. The Slovenian centre-back ranked second in Serie A for percentage of aerial duels won last season and impressed for the national side at Euro 2024 in the summer.

Southampton – Borja Sainz (Norwich City)

No side has ever stayed up after reaching this stage of a season with six points. Therefore, Southampton’s business should have a potential promotion push in mind. The Championship’s leading scorer, Borja Sainz, would be a good place to start for a Saints side who have badly struggled for goals.

Tottenham Hotspur – Calvin Bassey (Fulham)

Ange Postecoglou’s defence has been decimated this season with Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Ben Davies and Destiny Udogie all facing time out. Additions are likely in January and a raid on London rivals Fulham could solve several issues. Calvin Bassey has excelled since signing for Fulham from Ajax, after a disappointing time in the Netherlands.

The 25-year-old is a physical monster and comfortable covering large spaces, perhaps well-suited to the bold demands of Postecoglou’s system. With experience at centre-back and full-back, his signing could kill two birds with one stone.

West Ham – Thierno Barry (Villarreal)

West Ham’s patchy record of signing strikers is well-documented and Michail Antonio’s car accident has left the Hammers without their go-to man. Thierno Barry has emerged as an interesting option having scored seven goals in 12 league starts since signing for Villarreal from FC Basel last summer. The 6ft 5in forward combines aerial presence with mobility and, at 22, could be the long-term replacement for Antonio.

Wolves – Kevin Danso (Lens)

Wolves have conceded more set-piece goals than any other side this season, having failed to replace Max Kilman properly in the summer.

Kevin Danso has been linked with a move to Molineux, having seen an exit from Lens fall through last summer. The Austrian is a towering presence and helped the French side to Champions League qualification in 2023. He ranks in the top 10 Ligue 1 players for blocks and percentage of dribblers tackled this season, while his 3.3 aerial duels won per game is more than any Wolves defender.

Read – Five Premier League players who need a move in the January transfer window

See more – Eight talking points ahead of the Premier League weekend

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