What to look out for in the English Premier League transfer window
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Liverpool could spend big in this transfer window again with striker Alexander Isak out injured for at least two months with a broken leg.
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LONDON – The transfer window for Premier League clubs is open with sides ready to splash out to win the title, secure a place in next season’s Champions League or just survive in the lucrative English top flight.
Here is a look at five of the clubs likely to be busiest before the window closes on Feb 2.
Liverpool to splash out again
The Reds spent more than any Premier League side ever have in one window just a few months ago, splurging nearly £450 million (S$778.7 million) on seven additions.
However, there has been little return on that investment and injuries look set to force the English champions back into the market.
Alexander Isak’s British-record £125 million move from Newcastle headlined Liverpool’s summer spending spree, but the Swede is set for at least two months on the sidelines
Despite coughing up around £300 million on attackers in the summer window, Arne Slot’s offensive options are currently threadbare with Mohamed Salah also absent at the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).
Salah’s future remains uncertain
Can Villa bolster title challenge?
Aston Villa’s dreams of maintaining a challenge against the might of Arsenal and Manchester City in the title race will depend on what they can do over the next month to strengthen Unai Emery’s squad.
Hampered by financial sustainability rules, they were unable to spend freely in the summer.
Yet, Emery performed miracles to inspire an 11-game winning run in all competitions before a 4-1 defeat at Arsenal
Despite limited headroom, the Villa hierarchy managed to significantly improve the side in the January window 12 months ago, when the loan signings of Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio nearly fired them into the Champions League.
Semenyo set for City
Pep Guardiola’s men look to have won the first major transfer battle of the month by securing Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth.
The Ghana forward has also attracted interest from Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur after scoring nine times in the Premier League this season.
Semenyo has a reported £65 million buyout clause in his contract, but that must be activated before Jan 10.
City are not hanging about as they aim to add extra firepower to what is already the highest-scoring side in the Premier League. However, goals from wide positions have been a problem for Guardiola.
Jeremy Doku, Savinho, Oscar Bobb and Omar Marmoush have just one Premier League goal between them so far this season.
Mainoo on the move?
Manchester United’s January business is likely to be determined by the future of Kobbie Mainoo.
The 20-year-old England international, who shone in the Three Lions’ run to the Euro 2024 final
Ruben Amorim does not appear to see Mainoo as compatible with captain Bruno Fernandes and both have been injured in recent weeks to severely limit United’s midfield options.
Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo are also away at Afcon and their teams are in the last 16, but Amorim is cautious of recruiting for the short term.
“If we are not sure, if everyone is not aligned, it’s better not to bring anyone and to work with the players that we have,” said the Portuguese manager. “We cannot do the same mistakes that we did in the past.”
Selling Mainoo, a product of the club’s academy, would significantly help United’s wiggle room under financial sustainability rules to add another midfielder.
West Ham’s rescue mission
West Ham United are staring down the barrel of dropping out of the Premier League for the first time in 14 years.
The Hammers are four points adrift of safety but are also chasing sides on the up in Nottingham Forest and Leeds United.
A striker appears the top order of business for Nuno Espirito Santo with Niclas Fullkrug having joined AC Milan on loan. The Hammers are reportedly close to deals for Gil Vicente’s Pablo Felipe and Lazio’s Taty Castellanos for up to £47 million. AFP
