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Premier League transfer wants and needs: The big buys for this week

Whether they are chasing the title, a place in Europe next season or simply survival in the top flight, Premier League clubs have a week in which to make their bids

Sunday 26 January 2014 00:17 GMT

Schalke's midfielder Julian Draxler celebrates after scoring

What are the signings that the teams hope will put them on the right track for the rest of the season

Manchester United

Main goal: Champions’ League qualification

What they need to secure it: A new midfield and replacement for Patrice Evra. Juan Mata will add creativity and David Moyes is also targeting Yohan Cabaye, Juventus’ Arturo Vidal and Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Patrick Herrmann, with a longer-term eye on Ilkay Gündogan of Borussia Dortmund. Enquiries have been made for Luke Shaw of Southampton; Atletico Madrid’s Filipe Luis is another option.

How badly do they need to buy: 10/10

Cardiff City

Main goal: Survival

What they need to secure it: Premier League quality, given how conspicuously they’ve been sliding. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been busy but it feels as if he needs much more than three former Molde players in Mats Moller Daehli, Jo Inge Berget and Magnus Wolff Eikrem. Stoke’s Kenwyne Jones is heading their way, with Cardiff also set to get Wilfried Zaha and Fabio da Silva on loan from Manchester United.

How badly do they need to buy: 9/10

West Ham United

Main goal: Survival

What they need to secure it: A forward to back up Andy Carroll – Roma’s Marco Borriello was yesterday signed on loan until the end of the season, along with Milan midfielder Antonio Nocerino. They need more.

How badly do they need to buy: 9/10

Wilfried Saha of Manchester United U21

Fulham

Main goal: Survival

What they need to secure it: Defensive durability and youthful zest, given an ageing side is leaking goals. Leicester defender Liam Moore, Burnley striker Danny Ings and Porto’s Steven Defour are targets. A £4m bid has gone in for West Ham’s Ravel Morrison.

How badly do they need to buy: 8/10

What are the biggest January transfers yet to happen?

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1/8What are the biggest January transfers yet to happen?

What are the biggest January transfers yet to happen?

Tom Ince to Monaco, £10m

Monaco are leading the race to sign Blackpool winger Tom Ince according to reports. The England U21 international was reportedly driven by his father, Blackpool boss Paul Ince, to a meeting with representatives of the French club in London. The Blackpool boss cancelled a press conference ahead of his side's match with Barnsley earlier in the month after refusing to answer questions about his son's future. Instead he reportedly went to meet Monaco representatives, who can speak to the player whose contract expires in six months.

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What are the biggest January transfers yet to happen?

Edinson Cavani to Manchester United, £40m

Should United take the plunge and sell Wayne Rooney (either to Chelsea or otherwise) they'll need a replacement to fill his impervious shoes. The England striker will be out of contract next summer and is believed to want to make a decision on his future once the season has developed. Edinson Cavani is the international strike partner of fellow Uruguayan Luis Suarez and is reportedly disillusioned by football in Ligue 1. Reports surfaced this month that Sir Alex Ferguson had rung his former player Laurent Blanc, the current PSG manager, to sound out a possible move.

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What are the biggest January transfers yet to happen?

Yohan Cabaye to PSG, £21m

Newcastle United are preparing themselves for a considerable offer for Yohan Cabaye from the French giants after it emerged that they are willing to part with £21m for the midfielder. PSG have held a firm interest in the 28-year-old Frenchman for over a year and were expected to rival Arsenal for his signature in the summer. The Gunners' £10m bid was rejected and the Parisian club opted to bide their time despite Cabaye missing three games in an attempt to force a move away from St. James' Park.

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What are the biggest January transfers yet to happen?

Dimitar Berbatov (back) to Tottenham, £1.5m

His agent has already claimed that the Bulgarian would like to leave Fulham this month despite his contract expiring at the end of the season. With £2m believed to be enough to secure skillful striker, it would be a low cost, low risk option, but questions remain over his work rate and energy levels. Whether Berbatov would quench the thirst of fans who feel another striker is integral to their top four hopes remains uncertain, but he does come with a natural talent that few in the Premier League can match – if only he produced it regularly.

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What are the biggest January transfers yet to happen?

Miralem Pjanic to Manchester United, £27m

Roma star Miralem Pjanic has left the door open on a possible move to reigning Premier League champions Manchester United after admitting that he is 'flattered' by their interest. The 23-year-old Bosnia and Herzegovina international is also attracting attention from French giants Paris Saint Germain. Despite a move seeming unlikely during January, Pjanic appears open to a potential switch. It's a shame he isn't moving to a club in the capital, just because we could bring out our best 'Pjanic on the streets of London' gags.

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What are the biggest January transfers yet to happen?

Andriy Yarmolenko to Liverpool, £10m

Should they miss out on Salah, Liverpool may switch their attention to Dynamo Kiev's Andriy Yarmolenko. The Reds have held a tentative interest in the 24-year-old after he figured prominently for the Ukraine against England in last year's World Cup qualifiers. Yarmolenko has scored eight league goals in sixteen appearances for Kiev this season, and has fourteen goals for Ukraine. Kop manager Brendan Rodgers is rumoured to prefer Salah, but the Swiss club continue to stall on any potential deal.

What are the biggest January transfers yet to happen?

Ravel Morrison to Fulham, £8m

West Ham want a minimum of £10m for their sought-after midfielder Ravel Morrison, according to reports. Sam Allardyce's side have already rejected a £5m bid from Fulham and reported the club to the FA for alleged tapping up of the player. Fulham boss Rene Meulensteen has now reportedly been banned from talking about any transfers as the club try to avoid any more trouble. However West Ham No. 2 Neil McDonald said: “I would imagine everybody has a price. Asked if the Hammers want to keep the England under-21 star, he added: “Why not? He’s a talented player and we need talented players."

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What are the biggest January transfers yet to happen?

Ilkay Gundogan to Manchester United, £25m

United’s search for midfield reinforcements has led them to Borussia Dortmund’s Ilkay Gundogan, although they could face a fight with Real Madrid to sign the Germany international. With Anderson at Fiorentina on loan, it is believed David Moyes has stepped up his interest in 23-year-old Gundogan whose contract expires in 18 months and is valued at £25m. Part of the attraction is that the midfielder is not cup-tied for the Champions League as he has been out for most of the season with a back injury, although German newspaper Bild reports that Real are also admirers. “I will soon make a decision that will be well considered. It’s still really open,” Gundogan said yesterday.

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Arsenal

Main goal: The title

What they need to secure it: A striker. Olivier Giroud needs back-up. Juventus’s Marko Vucinic and Rodrigo of Benfica are possibles, with contact made for Schalke’s Julian Draxler.

How badly do they need to buy: 8/10

Liverpool

Main goal: Champions’ League qualification

What they need to secure it: Luis Suarez to stay fit, and defensive protection to mitigate against any blip. With Lucas Leiva injured, it’s no surprise Liverpool have looked at Milan’s Nigel de Jong and Rubin Kazan’s Yann M’Vila.

How badly do they need to buy: 7/10

Nigel De Jong of AC Milan in action during the Serie A match between AS Livorno and AC Milan

Crystal Palace

Main goal: Survival

What they need to secure it: At least one Premier League-level centre-back, a striker and a midfielder. Tony Pulis has initiated moves for Will Buckley of Brighton and Wolves goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey.

How badly do they need to buy: 7/10

Aston Villa

Main goal: Survival

What they need to secure it: Experience at centre-half and midfield, and more goals. Paul Lambert has been frustrated in his pursuit of Wes Hoolahan, but is trailing Porto’s Steven Defour and Kyle Naughton of Tottenham Hotspur.

How badly do they need to buy: 7/10

West Bromwich

Main goal: Survival

What they need to secure it: A striker, after the sale of Shane Long and likely suspension of Nicolas Anelka. The club’s recruitment department are currently surveying options.

How badly do they need to buy: 6/10

Swansea City

Main goal: Survival

What they need to secure it: Greater depth, as they are still in the Europa League. Currently in talks for Bolton’s David Ngog.

How badly do they need to buy: 6/10

Norwich City

Main goal: Survival

What they need to secure it: Goals, although Norwich spent a lot on three forwards in the summer. As such, Chris Hughton has attempted to solve issues further back. He hopes to add Danny Guthrie to on-loan Jonas Gutierrez.

How badly do they need to buy: 6/10

Stoke City

Main goal: Survival

What they need to secure it: Mark Hughes has admitted he wants to make a big signing, but looks to have been frustrated with Lee Cattermole. Monaco’s Emmanuel Riviere an option up front.

How badly do they need to buy: 5/10

Norwich City's Wesley Hoolahan

Chelsea

Main goal: The title

What they need to secure it: Most would say a striker, but Jose Mourinho has insisted the club’s January business is finished with Nemanja Matic and Mohamed Salah.

How badly do they need to buy: 5/10

Newcastle United

Main goal: Top-half finish

What they need to secure it: It depends on the future of Yohan Cabaye. Marseille’s Remy Cabella is a potential replacement while Borussia Monchengladbach’s Luuk De Jong could yet bolster the forward line.

How badly do they need to buy: 4/10

Hull City

Main goal: Survival

What they need to secure it: Attacking impetus but Steve Bruce has rectified that with Nikica Jelavic and Shane Long. Milan midfielder Sulley Muntari may yet arrive.

How badly do they need to buy: 4/10

Everton

Main goal: Champions’ League

What they need to secure it: With Monaco’s Lacina Traore in on loan and Aiden McGeady joining from Spartak Moscow, Roberto Martinez seems to have sufficiently bolstered his squad.

How badly do they need to buy: 4/10

Tottenham Hotspur

Main goal: Champions’ League

What they need to secure it: Clear direction. Due to the managerial change, Spurs’ situation is hard to call, but it seems Tim Sherwood will make do with the squad he has, despite reports players will be sold.

How badly do they need to buy: 4/10

Sunderland

Main goal: Survival

What they need to secure it: Cohesion. Gus Poyet has done his main business by bringing in Marcos Alonso and Santiago Vergini on loan.

How badly do they need to buy: 4/10

Southampton

Main goal: Top half

What they need to secure it: Stability. Southampton have had to deal with the departure of Nicola Cortese, but they will temporarily keep both Mauricio Pochettino and the squad together.

How badly do they need to buy: 3/10

Manchester City

Main goal: The title

What they need to secure it: The only weakness in personnel at the Etihad Stadium seems to be at centre-half, but the manager Manuel Pellegrini seems otherwise content.

How badly do they need to buy: 2/10

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