We look at each Premier League club, what they need to strengthen and who they are hoping to sign in the January transfer window
Arsenal
1st 39pts
What they need
Arsenal needed a defensive midfielder last summer, only for Arsène Wenger to opt against signing one and they really need a defensive midfielder now with serious injuries having stretched the club’s resources. It need not be a short-term stop-gap, as Mikel Arteta, Mathieu Flamini and Tomas Rosicky are out of contract in the summer and not certain to be given new deals. David Hytner
Top target
Mohamed Elneny, the 23-year-old Basel and Egypt midfielder.
Signed in January 2015 Krystian Bielik (Legia Warsaw, £2.4m), Gabriel (Villarreal, undisclosed)
Aston Villa
20th 8pts
What they need
The problem for Rémi Garde is not so much who to target but how to get them to sign given that Villa are pretty much nailed on to be relegated. With a goalscorer a priority, Everton’s Steven Naismith and Chelsea’s Loïc Rémy have both been linked, but Garde is also looking for a keeper. Stuart James
Top target
A goalscoring forward.
Signed in January 2015 Carles Gil (Valencia, £3.2m), Scott Sinclair (Man City, loan)
Bournemouth
16th 20pts
What they need
Eddie Howe, the Bournemouthmanager, admitted at the start of December that positive performances had taken away the urgency for him to bolster his squad in January. While the calm of Simon Francis has steadied the back-line since switching to centre-back and Steve Cook is slowly maturing, the defence would welcome a commanding centre-back even with the captain, Tommy Elphick, set to return later this monthin January. Up front, Roma forward Juan Iturbe is close to joining on loan, while one of Howe’s former players at Burnley, Charlie Austin, would be a no-brainer if they can convince the former Poole Town striker that another relegation scrap is not around the corner. Ben Fisher
Top target
A striker.
Signed in January 2015 No one
Chelsea
14th 20pts
What they need
January is unlikely to be the occasion for a complete overhaul. Radamel Falcao’s loan has been utterly ineffective and could be curtailed, and the addition of a forward, if possible, should be a priority given Diego Costa’s toils to date this term. Yet Guus Hiddink, under instruction from the hierarchy, might lean slightly heavier on academy some of the youngsters. Dominic Fifield
Top target
A forward, Alex Teixeira at Shakhtar Donetsk or Jamie Vardy at Leicester City, given Costa’s troubled season to date.
Signed in January 2015 Juan Cuadrado (Fiorentina, £23.3m)
Crystal Palace
5th 31pts
What they need
Palace are on the cusp in terms of meeting Premier League own financial fair play regulations and may have to move out players. Adrian Mariappa and Fraizer Campbell are available as well as Dwight Gayle. Alan Pardew may target a forward and defensive cover. DF
Top target
A striker.
Signed in January 2015 Shola Ameobi (Gaziantap BBK, free), Andreas Breimyr (Byrne, undisclosed), Lee Chung-yong (Bolton, undisclosed), Jordan Mutch (QPR, undisclosed), Pape Souaré (Lille, undisclosed), Yaya Sanogo (Arsenal, loan), Wilfried Zaha (Man Utd, undisclosed)
Everton
What they need
January is a time for “tweaks” and not fundamental changes, according to Roberto Martínez, who may be busier trimming his squad than adding to it. No key players will be allowed to leave, as Everton showed in the summer with John Stones and Chelsea, but Steven Naismith and Aiden McGeady could be among the departures. Andy Hunter
Top target
A goalscoring midfielder.
Signed in January 2015 Aaron Lennon (Tottenham Hotspur, loan)
Leicester City
2nd 39pts
What they need
The best transfer news for Leicester fans will be if the window closes and Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez and N’Golo Kanté are still at the club – and everything suggests that will be the case. Gokhan Inler and Andrej Kramaric may leave, if only on loan, in search of regular first-team football. SJ
Top target
Centre-back for cover.
Signed in January 2015 Robert Huth (Stoke, loan), Andrej Kramaric (FC Rijeka, £9m), Mark Schwarzer (Chelsea, free)
Liverpool
7th 30pts
What they need
Jürgen Klopp has said repeatedly that Liverpool’s players will be given time to prove themselves, that solutions do not lie outside Anfield and his first transfer moves have been with next summer in mind in the form of Red Star Belgrade midfielder Marko Grujic and Schalke defender Joël Matip. Many would argue recent results and performances should prompt a rethink. AH
Top target
A goalkeeper (plus a central defender).
Signed in January 2015 No one
Manchester City
3rd 36pts
What they need
Vincent Kompany’s chronic calf injury, the chequered form of Eliaquim Mangala and Nicolas Otamendi, plus Martín Demichelis’s advancing years, means City should be looking to add a high class central defender. Manuel Pellegrini could also decide to chase a prolific striker as Sergio Agüero is prone to breaking down, too. Jamie Jackson
Top target
John Stones and Leroy Sané.
Signed in January 2015 Wilfried Bony (Swansea, £28m)
Manchester United
6th 30pts
What they need
Given the side’s military medium pace and the near-drought before goal perhaps a turbo-heeled marksman with a ruthless edge is the quickest way to fix United’s slumping form. The problem is that whoever Louis van Gaal signs he tends to then distrust, barring the odd exception. The Dutchman may not be in charge for long of course. JJ
Top target
Jamie Vardy.
Signed in January 2015 Andy Kellet (Bolton, loan), Víctor Valdés (unattached, free)
Newcastle United
18th 17pts
What they need
As Steve McClaren keeps reiterating, Newcastle are “a very, very private club” who like to keep their transfer business discreet. We know McClaren craves a couple of older, experienced players but acquiring them would involve Mike Ashley, the owner, performing a volte face on recruitment policy. Newcastle could do with a left-back, a striker, a winger a composed yet creative central midfielder and a centre-half. Louise Taylor
Top target
Andros Townsend from Tottenham Hotspur.
Signed in January 2015 No one
Norwich City
15th 20pts
What they need
Matt Jarvis will make his loan move from West Ham permanent on 2 January and Norwich are working hard on further additions to the squad. Although Cameron Jerome and Dieumerci Mbokani have made vital contributions in December but there has been a lack of consistent goal threat and Alex Neil would like to add another forward to his pack. An £8m fee for Everton’s Steven Naismith has been agreed in principle and Wolves’ Benik Afobe is a possibility but there may be cheaper options abroad. Neil would also like to add competition at centre-back and Lorient’s Lamine Koné has been heavily scouted. Nick Ames
Top target
Someone to provide extra cutting edge in attack, such as Steven Naismith.
Signed in January 2015 Graham Dorrans (West Brom, loan)
Southampton
12th 24pts
What they need
The priority for Ronald Koeman is to keep the predators from the door and retain Sadio Mané and Victor Wanyama, who are targets for Manchester United and Arsenal respectively. It would be a major surprise if either were sold in January. Koeman could do with cover up front, given Jay Rodriguez’s injury problems. DH
Top target
A striker.
Signed in January 2015 Ryan Bertrand (Chelsea, undisclosed), Filip Duricic (Benfica, loan), Eljero Elia (Werder Bremen, loan).
Stoke City
10th 29pts
What they need
Well stocked in attack, the only obvious position that needs strengthening is at defensive midfield, where support for Glenn Whelan is sparse. Marco van Ginkel has not impressed sufficiently since joining on loan from Chelsea, with Charlie Adam and Geoff Cameron appearing in front of the back four. Alan Smith
Top target
Defensive midfielder.
Signed in January 2015 Philipp Wollscheid (Bayer Leverkusen, loan)
Sunderland
19th 12pts
What they need
With Lee Congerton, the sporting director, placed on gardening leave, Sam Allardyce has assumed full control of transfers and is desperate for reinforcements. Sunderland, though, are insisting any new signings agree to a 50% reduction in their salaries in the event of relegation and this is proving a stumbling block. Expect a couple of loans – and Allardyce to make every effort to offload his £8m winger Jeremain Lens. The reserve goalkeeper Vito Mannone may also leave. Ideally Sunderland would strengthen in every department but left-back and centre-half appear particularly pressing priorities. LT
Top target
Lorient defender Lamine Koné.
Signed in January 2015 Jermain Defoe (Toronto, player swap)
Swansea City
17th 19pts
What they need
First and foremost Swansea must find someone who can regularly put the ball in the back of the net. They have never replaced Wilfried Bony and cannot rely on Bafetimbi Gomis. It needs to be a modern-day No9 who can hold the ball up, link play but, more than anything, score goals. SJ
Top target
A goalscoring No9.
Signed in January 2015 Modou Barrow (Östersunds FK, undisclosed), Jack Cork (Southampton, undisclosed), Matt Grimes (Exeter, £1.75m), Kyle Naughton (Spurs, £5m), Nélson Oliveira (Benfica, loan)
Tottenham Hotspur
4th 35pts
What they need
Mauricio Pochettino is on record as saying that the club are tracking strikers and the need for a back-up to Harry Kane is clear, with Saido Berahino looking particularly unsettled at West Bromwich Albion. Pochettino, though, has warned that the January market will be very difficult. Federico Fazio and Andros Townsend could be allowed to be allowed to go. DH
Top target
A striker
Signed in January 2015 Dele Alli (MK Dons, £5m but loaned back until end of 2014-15 season), DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders, undisclosed)
Watford
9th 29pts
What they need
As a result of their success so farWatford are able to take a laid-back approach to January, happy with their current squad but ready to pounce if the right player is available. Some departures are inevitable, with the out-of-favour Greek left-back José Holebas already packing his bags and Alessandro Diamanti likely to leave too. Simon Burnton
Top targets
A back-up goalkeeper and perhaps Andros Townsend if Tottenham decide to sell – should one become available.
Signed in January 2015 Matthew Connolly (Cardiff, loan) Adlène Guédioura (Crystal Palace, loan), Miguel Layún (Granada, undisclosed), Marco Motta (unattached, free), Vujadin Savic (Bordeaux, loan), Ben Watson (Wigan, undisclosed)
West Bromwich Albion
13th 23pts
What they need
Tony Pulis will probably have to sell players in order to fund purchases. The most obvious potential departure is Saido Berahino, for whom West Brom would expect to receive over £20m. That could be used to fund a replacement forward and also a left-back to relieve the burden on Chris Brunt. Pulis is also interested in the Tottenham Hotspur winger Andros Townsend. Paul Doyle
Top target
A left-back
Signed in January 2015 Darren Fletcher (Man Utd, free), Callum McManaman (Wigan, £4.75m)
West Ham United
8th 29pts
What they need
West Ham were happy with their squad after the summer transfer window, but an injury crisis has left it looking thin. How active they are in January will depend on key players returning to action, although one deal that should be completed is the permanent transfer of Manuel Lanzini, who has excelled since signing on loan.Jacob Steinberg
Top target
A creative midfielder or winger to support Dimitri Payet.
Signed in January 2015 Doneil Henry (Apollon Limassol, undisclosed), Nenê (Al Gharafa, free)
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