Transfer window: the Independent's club-by-club guide to who needs what

ARSENAL

Need: If Jens Lehmann goes then another goalkeeper; if Lassana Diarra departs, a midfielder. Maybe a striker.

Budget: Big money signings extremely unlikely. Arsne Wenger is under no pressure to spend.

Candidates: What's your knowledge of junior African football like? The hardest club to second guess but Thomas Sorenson is a possibility as goalkeeper cover.

Prediction: Unless Wenger buys a British youngster for the future it should be quiet.

ASTON VILLA

Need: A right-back and back-up in midfield and attack.

Budget: Cash is there if Martin O'Neill can persuade Randy Lerner he will not waste it.

Candidates: E Gudjohnsen (Barcelona), P Crouch (Liverpool), J Defoe (Spurs), J A Riise (Liverpool), J Hoyte (Arsenal), Miguel (Valencia), A Rodriguez (Braga).

Prediction: O'Neill's transfer record needs improvement. Ashley Young has impressed, but Marlon Harewood has been ignored.

BLACKBURN

Need: Creativity. Benni McCarthy's poor form of late has left them scoring too few goals for a team with European pretensions.

Budget: 5m.

Candidates: V Domovchiyski (Levski Sofia), L Davids (Djurgardens), D Djiba (Metz).

Prediction: Mark Hughes has professed himself happy with the squad he has but his side's recent downturn makes defensive or midfield reinforcements more likely.

BIRMINGHAM CITY

Need: An experienced campaigner, pace in full-back positions, grit in the middle and more firepower.

Budget: As necessary.

Candidates: Gary Naysmith (Sheff Utd), Bobo Balde (Celtic), David Murphy (Hibs), Darren Fletcher (Man Utd), Kris Boyd (Rangers), James McFadden (Everton).

Prediction: Alex McLeish will sign "three or four" players, with the clever money on two defenders, one midfielder and a striker.

BOLTON

Need: Dire defending of late suggests this department is in the most urgent need of help, with Abdoulaye Meite also bound for the African Nations Cup. Someone special needed to replace Nicolas Anelka.

Budget: 5m.

Candidates: R Kovac (Spartak Moscow), P Robinson and Z Gera (West Bromwich Albion), J D Tomasson (Villareal).

Prediction: Anelka's expected departure would leave a colossal hole to fill.

CHELSEA

Need: A goalscorer, cover at centre-back, a new full-back and another centre midfielder. After a barren January last year this one should be interesting.

Budget: Generous but not ridiculous.

Candidates: N Anelka (Bolton Wanderers), L Modric (Dinamo Zagreb), D Bilyaletdinov (Lokomotiv Moscow), D Maicon and B Ivanovic (Internazionale), Daniel Alves (Seville).

Prediction: The biggest spenders of the top four with Avram Grant still telling us that life is "oh-so-difficult," even with his new signings.

DERBY

Need: A reliable centre-half, an experienced central midfielder and a proven goalscorer.

Budget: 10m, more if Giles Barnes is sold.

Candidates: Robbie Savage and Jason Roberts (Blackburn), Arturo Lupoli (Fiorentina), Kevin Kilbane and Fitz Hall (Wigan).

Prediction: Where do you start? Not enough goals at one end, too many at the other. Paul Jewell will not give up, but this is now about building for the bounce back.

EVERTON

Need: Short-term cover for African Nations Cup-bound Joseph Yobo. Full-back.

Budget: Up to 10m, at a pinch.

Candidates: S Pienaar (Borussia Dortmund), D Albelda (Valencia), M Angel Angulo (Valencia), S Hunt (Reading), E Juarez (Barcelona).

Prediction: Going well, so do they gamble in an attempt to crack the top four, or consolidate? Full-back needs improvement. May look to tie up Steven Pienaar on permanent deal.

FULHAM

Need: A manager, first of all, and then reinforcements in every department as priorities are reassessed.

Budget: 20m.

Candidates: B Zamora (West Ham United), W Hennessey (Wolverhampton Wanderers), D Ljuboja (Stuttgart), K Lafferty (Burnley), M Taylor (Portsmouth).

Prediction: Having already spent 26.5m on 15 new players under Lawrie Sanchez, they will have to spend heavily if they are to survive.

LIVERPOOL

Need: Cover at centre-back and a permanent deal for Javier Mascherano.

Budget: The $64,000 question (although Rafael Benitez will want more than that).

Candidates: E Garay (Racing Santander), T Ujfalusi (Fiorentina).

Prediction: A lot of speculation about Peter Crouch who, with 18 months left on his contract, is in a strong position. It will be a surprise if the Americans sanction any buying or selling.

MANCHESTER CITY

Need: A holding midfielder is Sven Goran Eriksson's priority, with a wide player also expected.

Budget: 20m.

Candidates: M Bresciano and Amauri (Palermo), J Mascherano (Liverpool).

Prediction: Eriksson has been talking of how "the people above me" (Thaksin Shinawatra) will lay out more cash. The arrival of Nery Castillo satisfies the need for extra firepower but expect several more purchases.

MANCHESTER UNITED

Need: Cover for the full-backs and a striker. Agreed a deal for Manucho Goncalves but the defence is the priority.

Budget: The Glazers have always come up with the money required although their problems refinancing the debt may yet have an impact.

Candidates: P Lahm (Bayern Munich), A Hutton (Rangers), B Ivanovic (L Moscow).

Expect more Dimitar Berbatov stories.

Prediction: A full-back. Lots of rumours about a striker but no action until the summer.

MIDDLESBROUGH

Need: New goalkeeper perhaps Mark Schwarzer's time is nearing an end. Striking cover.

Budget: Steve Gibson has promised his backing, but falling crowds have reduced funds.

Candidates: I Naumoski (SV Mattesburg), K Nolan (Bolton Wanderers), J Beattie (Sheffield United), H Muller (Barnsley).

Prediction: With injured players returning the squad looks fuller. Tuncay is beginning to show his potential. Need to retain Stewart Downing.

NEWCASTLE

Need: A full-back so Charles N'Zogbia can play in midfield. Centre-halves, as ever.

Budget: Mike Ashley has the funds, if Sam Allardyce can persuade him to release them.

Candidates: B Tozer (Swindon), P Crouch (Liverpool), G McCann and Stelios (Bolton).

Prediction: With Habib Beye heading to the African Nations Cup, Newcastle are short at full-back. The ongoing centre-half problem remains unsolved.

PORTSMOUTH

Need: To increase the size of the squad. Priorities are a holding midfielder and a striker (or two).

Budget: Harry Redknapp may have to sell the likes of David Nugent and Matt Taylor to generate cash although some money is available.

Candidates: J Defoe (Spurs), N Zigic (Valencia), F Pancrate (PSG), H Bellaid (Strasbourg).

Prediction: Summer spending spree has been negated by the effects of the African Nations Cup. Redknapp will have to wheel and deal.

READING

Need: Central defender and a passing midfielder. And a left-back if Nicky Shorey goes.

Budget: 10-15m.

Candidates: B Zamora (West Ham) , S Olofinjana (Wolves), M Taylor (Portsmouth).

Prediction: Steve Coppell recognises the need to strengthen, and John Madejski is prepared to back him, but wages are a problem. Start paying the going rate and it will destabilise team unity, a key element of their success.

SUNDERLAND

Need: Strengthening everywhere.

Budget: There is money available, but can Keane spend it wisely?

Candidates: S Hunt (Reading), S Sidwell (Chelsea), F Hall (Wigan), G Cahill (Aston Villa), R Savage (Blackburn), W Brown (Man U), D Nugent (Portsmouth), L Lita (Reading).

Prediction: Beginning to look like a Championship team masquerading as a Premier League one. Lacking in depth and quality.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Need: A defence in particular a central defender and two new full-backs.

Budget: Money is available.

Candidates: A Hutton (Rangers), N Shorey (Reading), M Taylor (Portsmouth), D Jarque and A Riera (Espanyol), E Garay (Racing Santander), U Emanuelson (Ajax), A Silva (Sporting Lisbon).

Prediction: Juande Ramos is likely to be backed, although quite how many signings will be his or those of Damien Comolli remains to be seen.

WEST HAM

Need: Another striker and possibly a left-sided player.

Budget: Money is available, but not the millions spent last January.

Candidates: D Ciss (Marseilles), N Zigic (Valencia).

Prediction: Alan Curbishley has been unable to name his strongest side and as such has no real idea what he needs. Players are more likely to depart than arrive, as the squad is big. Calum Davenport and John Pantsil could leave.

WIGAN

Need: Defence is huge priority and particularly left back where the midfielder Kevin Kilbane has been operating since Leighton Baines's departure.

Budget: 15m.

Candidates: D Murphy (Hibernian), P Robinson (West Bromwich), R Savage (Blackburn).

Prediction: Dave Whelan anticipated Steve Bruce wanting "a midfielder player and maybe a striker," though the return of Emile Heskey and Marcus Bent's recent form will have cheered him and leaves the gaps elsewhere.