Premiership: Likely moves as transfer window opens
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Premiership: Likely moves as transfer window opens
Premiership: Likely moves as transfer window opens
ALL 20 Premiership managers would like to strengthen their squads during the January transfer window. Whether or not they can depends on the financial situation at their club.
Chelsea's manager Claudio Ranieri has Roman Abramovich's millions at his disposal, Leeds boss Eddie Gray is working on a shoestring.
Arsenal
A striker tops Arsene Wenger's list of priorities - but cash is the problem. For a club of Arsenal's stature, transfer money is scarce at the moment with most of the cash invested in the move to Ashburton Grove.
With Dennis Bergkamp in the twilight of his career, Sylvain Wiltord likely to leave in the summer and Francis Jeffers on a season-long loan at Everton, Thierry Henry needs a partner.
Arsenal's youngster Jeremie Aliadiere has impressed in the Carling Cup, but Westham's Jermain Defoe seems like a good bet.
Aston Villa
Don't expect too many spectacular comings and goings at Villa Park. Not so long ago a new striker might have topped David O'Leary's shopping list but Juan Pablo Angel finally seems to have found his feet in the Premiership.
Villa's squad could probably benefit from strengthening in most areas but a creative midfielder would make a real difference and the club has been linked with Muzzy Izzet.
The problem is he won't come cheap and chairman, Doug Ellis is unlikely to sanction any serious spending.
Birmingham
Birmingham has been linked with Celtic strike duo John Hartson and Henrik Larsson. Hartson is probably the most realistic target, with speculation refusing to go away, and the Wales striker could well end up at St Andrews.
Mikael Forssell remains another top target, but he is on a season-long deal from Chelsea and no deal will happen until the summer.
Blackburn
Blackburn is in talks with an Italian club that will see £10m flop Corrado Grabbi leave Ewood Park. Midfielder Alan Mahon has also stated that he wanted to make loan move at Division One Ipswich permanent.
Manager Graeme Souness strengthened his defence with Lorenzo Amoruso and midfield in the summer by signing Brett Emerton and Barry Ferguson.
With Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke not getting any younger, a new forward will figure in Souness' thinking. A replacement for Damien Duff is also on Souness' wish list.
Bolton
Bolton is enjoying a fine season, but chairman, Phil Gartside has already hinted there will be little transfer activity at the club in January. "We can't afford to spend any money we haven't got," said Gartside.
Sam Allardyce will hope to fill the hole left by Jay- Jay Okocha, who will miss all of January and some of February on African Nations Cup duty with Nigeria.
Charlton
Charlton's impressive pre-Christmas run to seventh place in the Premiership has raised hopes at The Valley of a possible place in Europe.
But d#$%' boss Alan Curbishley knows he needs to strengthen his squad during the January transfer window if - as in previous seasons - the club is not to fall away in the later stages of the season.
Defence will be a priority with injuries to Richard Rufus, Gary Rowett, Hermann Hreidarsson and Mark Fish. The club has been linked with Ajax defender Petri Pasanen and could be forced recall the on-loan Paul Konchesky from Spurs.
Curbishley may also invest in a striker following the sale of Mathias Svensson.
Regular Premiership goals and consistent injury-free runs in the side seem hard to come by for Kevin Lisbie, Jason Euell, Carlton Cole and Paolo di Canio.
A player such as Preston's Ricardo Fuller could be a useful addition.
Chelsea
Anybody's guess - certainly cash has not been an issue since Roman Abramovich bought the club.
Jermain Defoe's name has cropped up and Juventus playmaker Pavel Nedved has been another player repeatedly linked with a transfer to Stamford Bridge.
If you believe what you read that the Blues also has its sights set on Wayne Rooney - though Everton boss David Moyes would not be smiling if his board sanctioned a transfer for the hottest young property in the Premiership.
Everton
Unlike Chelsea, cash is tight at Goodison Park. Joseph Yobo is away on African Nations Cup duty, but manager David Moyes has hinted that David Unsworth will plug the gap in the centre of defence.
A creative midfielder remains top of the list but Fulham's Sean Davis, who would have joined in the summer but for an injury, is now happy with the London club.
The Toffees cannot afford Nicky Butt but have been linked with Strasbourg's Christian Basilla.
Fulham
Fulham could find itself scrapping to keep hold of striker Louis Saha after he hinted he wants to move to Manchester United.
Like Birmingham, Fulham has been linked with Celtic striker John Hartson, a former Wales team-mate of Cottagers boss Chris Coleman, but a move seems unlikely.
The club's fans might have to be content with the news that midfielder Sean Davis has withdrawn his transfer request and Fulham are moving back to Craven Cottage.
Leeds
More a case of sell, sell, sell than buy, buy, buy: Mark Viduka, Paul Robinson, Alan Smith and James Milner - the remaining jewels at Elland Road - have all been linked with moves away from the club.
Chief executive, Trevor Birch has insisted the club are not going to sell - but can they afford not to?
Leicester
Manager Micky Adams is uncertain whether money will be made available for him to use in January.
The Foxes have been linked with 20-year-old Finnish midfielder Alexei Yeremenko, Manchester City are also interested. Lincoln's Chris Hall has also been mentioned.
Leicester has been linked with Newcastle's defender Nikos Dabizas, who is on the transfer list at St James' Park. Adams might be most concerned with keeping key midfielder Muzzy Izzet, who has been linked with Villa.
Liverpool
If you believe what you read, Liverpool is a club in crisis, with manager Gerard Houllier just a couple of embarrassing results from the sack.
Nonetheless, the Reds were recently linked with highly rated Nottingham Forest central defender Michael Dawson.
Dutch club PSV Eindhoven has also stated that Liverpool and Manchester United are interested in its Serbia & Montenegro's striker, Mateja Kezman.
Houllier is probably more interested in getting some of his injured players back. Milan Baros, Harry Kewell, Steve Finnan, Stephane Henchoz and Michael Owen are all out.
Manchester City
Manchester City's form has dipped alarmingly and boss Kevin Keegan may decide to bring in a couple of new faces to freshen up his squad. Keegan has already hinted at January wheeling and dealing in the goal-keeping department.
Norwich's Robert Green and Leeds' Paul Robinson have both been mentioned.
Striker Darren Huckerby seems set to leave the club, with Norwich and West Brom both interested and Portsmouth also mentioned, while 20-year-old Finnish midfielder Alexei Yeremenko has been linked with a move to the club.
Manchester United
A partner for Ruud van Nistelrooy seems top of Sir Alex Ferguson's wish list. Fulham's striker Louis Saha has said he wants to sign, West Ham's Jermain Defoe is another name in the frame and PSV Eindhoven says United is interested in Mateja Kezman.
With Rio Ferdinand banned and United competing in the FA Cup, Premiership and Champions League, Ferguson may decide to bolster his defence.
Nicolas Burdisso, 22, of Boca Juniors, Bayer Leverkusen's Brazilian defender Lucio, Nottingham Forest's Michael Dawson and Gareth Southgate has all been linked. As have Juventus' Lilian Thuram, AC Milan's Alessandro Nesta, Valencia's Roberto Ayala, and Inter Milan's Fabio Cannavaro but they are all cup tied and cannot play for United in this season's Champions League.
Middlesbrough
Steve McClaren said he would love to sign Manchester United's midfielder, Nicky Butt - but does not believe United will let him go. Either way a holding midfielder figures large on McClaren's list of priorities.
Middlesbrough may have a mean defence but they are desperately short of goals and need a goalscorer.
McClaren has Michael Ricketts, Massimo Macarone, Szilard Nemeth and Malcolm Christie at his disposal but none have made the starting berth their own.
Newcastle
Barcelona's striker Patrick Kluivert is a name that just won't go away. The Dutch striker played under Sir Bobby Robson at Barca, and the two have huge respects for each other.
Kluivert recently renegotiated his deal at Barcelona. His salary isn't what it used to be - but the buy-out clause in his contract has been drastically changed.
Tottenham defender Stephen Carr has been linked but he is unlikely to leave White Hart Lane in January as the club try to persuade him to sign a new deal.
The Toon has also been looking at Ipswich defender Matt Richards.
A couple of exits are likely. Hugo Viana has been hotly tipped to make a loan move to Sporting Lisbon and Leicester have been linked with transfer-listed defender Nikos Dabizas.
Portsmouth
With Harry Redknapp at the helm of the good ship Portsmouth anything is possible. Redknapp is the king of wheeler-dealers and with his team in a slump he will want to bolster his ailing squad.
Pompey has been linked with Manchester City's striker, Darren Huckerby as it looks to freshen-up its flagging forward line.
Southampton
Southampton could be looking to buy cover for keeper Antti Niemi if Paul Jones leaves, with Brentford's 23-year-old Paul Smith first choice.
Saints have also been linked with Chinese playmaker Yang Pu but such a move seems unlikely.
In general Gordon Strachan has indicated he has no desire to tamper with the team, claiming he is happy with the make-up.
Tottenham
Tottenham has put midfielders high on their shopping-list and they have already agreed a fee to sign Sheffield United's Michael Brown.
The 26-year-old midfielder is set to move to White Hart Lane on January 1 for about £500,000. Spurs have also been linked to Manchester United's Nicky Butt, while Emmanuel Petit has also been mentioned.
The London club are also believed to be in talks with Brazilian club Santos over a move for playmaker Diego.
Wolves
Bottom at Christmas equals relegation - at least in the entire history of the Premiership to date. If Wolves are to buck the trend it will need to spend.
Rick Hayward has taken over from his father Sir Jack as the club's chairman, but Wolves are still looking for a new buyer.
Culled from BBC
ALL 20 Premiership managers would like to strengthen their squads during the January transfer window. Whether or not they can depends on the financial situation at their club.
Chelsea's manager Claudio Ranieri has Roman Abramovich's millions at his disposal, Leeds boss Eddie Gray is working on a shoestring.
Arsenal
A striker tops Arsene Wenger's list of priorities - but cash is the problem. For a club of Arsenal's stature, transfer money is scarce at the moment with most of the cash invested in the move to Ashburton Grove.
With Dennis Bergkamp in the twilight of his career, Sylvain Wiltord likely to leave in the summer and Francis Jeffers on a season-long loan at Everton, Thierry Henry needs a partner.
Arsenal's youngster Jeremie Aliadiere has impressed in the Carling Cup, but Westham's Jermain Defoe seems like a good bet.
Aston Villa
Don't expect too many spectacular comings and goings at Villa Park. Not so long ago a new striker might have topped David O'Leary's shopping list but Juan Pablo Angel finally seems to have found his feet in the Premiership.
Villa's squad could probably benefit from strengthening in most areas but a creative midfielder would make a real difference and the club has been linked with Muzzy Izzet.
The problem is he won't come cheap and chairman, Doug Ellis is unlikely to sanction any serious spending.
Birmingham
Birmingham has been linked with Celtic strike duo John Hartson and Henrik Larsson. Hartson is probably the most realistic target, with speculation refusing to go away, and the Wales striker could well end up at St Andrews.
Mikael Forssell remains another top target, but he is on a season-long deal from Chelsea and no deal will happen until the summer.
Blackburn
Blackburn is in talks with an Italian club that will see £10m flop Corrado Grabbi leave Ewood Park. Midfielder Alan Mahon has also stated that he wanted to make loan move at Division One Ipswich permanent.
Manager Graeme Souness strengthened his defence with Lorenzo Amoruso and midfield in the summer by signing Brett Emerton and Barry Ferguson.
With Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke not getting any younger, a new forward will figure in Souness' thinking. A replacement for Damien Duff is also on Souness' wish list.
Bolton
Bolton is enjoying a fine season, but chairman, Phil Gartside has already hinted there will be little transfer activity at the club in January. "We can't afford to spend any money we haven't got," said Gartside.
Sam Allardyce will hope to fill the hole left by Jay- Jay Okocha, who will miss all of January and some of February on African Nations Cup duty with Nigeria.
Charlton
Charlton's impressive pre-Christmas run to seventh place in the Premiership has raised hopes at The Valley of a possible place in Europe.
But d#$%' boss Alan Curbishley knows he needs to strengthen his squad during the January transfer window if - as in previous seasons - the club is not to fall away in the later stages of the season.
Defence will be a priority with injuries to Richard Rufus, Gary Rowett, Hermann Hreidarsson and Mark Fish. The club has been linked with Ajax defender Petri Pasanen and could be forced recall the on-loan Paul Konchesky from Spurs.
Curbishley may also invest in a striker following the sale of Mathias Svensson.
Regular Premiership goals and consistent injury-free runs in the side seem hard to come by for Kevin Lisbie, Jason Euell, Carlton Cole and Paolo di Canio.
A player such as Preston's Ricardo Fuller could be a useful addition.
Chelsea
Anybody's guess - certainly cash has not been an issue since Roman Abramovich bought the club.
Jermain Defoe's name has cropped up and Juventus playmaker Pavel Nedved has been another player repeatedly linked with a transfer to Stamford Bridge.
If you believe what you read that the Blues also has its sights set on Wayne Rooney - though Everton boss David Moyes would not be smiling if his board sanctioned a transfer for the hottest young property in the Premiership.
Everton
Unlike Chelsea, cash is tight at Goodison Park. Joseph Yobo is away on African Nations Cup duty, but manager David Moyes has hinted that David Unsworth will plug the gap in the centre of defence.
A creative midfielder remains top of the list but Fulham's Sean Davis, who would have joined in the summer but for an injury, is now happy with the London club.
The Toffees cannot afford Nicky Butt but have been linked with Strasbourg's Christian Basilla.
Fulham
Fulham could find itself scrapping to keep hold of striker Louis Saha after he hinted he wants to move to Manchester United.
Like Birmingham, Fulham has been linked with Celtic striker John Hartson, a former Wales team-mate of Cottagers boss Chris Coleman, but a move seems unlikely.
The club's fans might have to be content with the news that midfielder Sean Davis has withdrawn his transfer request and Fulham are moving back to Craven Cottage.
Leeds
More a case of sell, sell, sell than buy, buy, buy: Mark Viduka, Paul Robinson, Alan Smith and James Milner - the remaining jewels at Elland Road - have all been linked with moves away from the club.
Chief executive, Trevor Birch has insisted the club are not going to sell - but can they afford not to?
Leicester
Manager Micky Adams is uncertain whether money will be made available for him to use in January.
The Foxes have been linked with 20-year-old Finnish midfielder Alexei Yeremenko, Manchester City are also interested. Lincoln's Chris Hall has also been mentioned.
Leicester has been linked with Newcastle's defender Nikos Dabizas, who is on the transfer list at St James' Park. Adams might be most concerned with keeping key midfielder Muzzy Izzet, who has been linked with Villa.
Liverpool
If you believe what you read, Liverpool is a club in crisis, with manager Gerard Houllier just a couple of embarrassing results from the sack.
Nonetheless, the Reds were recently linked with highly rated Nottingham Forest central defender Michael Dawson.
Dutch club PSV Eindhoven has also stated that Liverpool and Manchester United are interested in its Serbia & Montenegro's striker, Mateja Kezman.
Houllier is probably more interested in getting some of his injured players back. Milan Baros, Harry Kewell, Steve Finnan, Stephane Henchoz and Michael Owen are all out.
Manchester City
Manchester City's form has dipped alarmingly and boss Kevin Keegan may decide to bring in a couple of new faces to freshen up his squad. Keegan has already hinted at January wheeling and dealing in the goal-keeping department.
Norwich's Robert Green and Leeds' Paul Robinson have both been mentioned.
Striker Darren Huckerby seems set to leave the club, with Norwich and West Brom both interested and Portsmouth also mentioned, while 20-year-old Finnish midfielder Alexei Yeremenko has been linked with a move to the club.
Manchester United
A partner for Ruud van Nistelrooy seems top of Sir Alex Ferguson's wish list. Fulham's striker Louis Saha has said he wants to sign, West Ham's Jermain Defoe is another name in the frame and PSV Eindhoven says United is interested in Mateja Kezman.
With Rio Ferdinand banned and United competing in the FA Cup, Premiership and Champions League, Ferguson may decide to bolster his defence.
Nicolas Burdisso, 22, of Boca Juniors, Bayer Leverkusen's Brazilian defender Lucio, Nottingham Forest's Michael Dawson and Gareth Southgate has all been linked. As have Juventus' Lilian Thuram, AC Milan's Alessandro Nesta, Valencia's Roberto Ayala, and Inter Milan's Fabio Cannavaro but they are all cup tied and cannot play for United in this season's Champions League.
Middlesbrough
Steve McClaren said he would love to sign Manchester United's midfielder, Nicky Butt - but does not believe United will let him go. Either way a holding midfielder figures large on McClaren's list of priorities.
Middlesbrough may have a mean defence but they are desperately short of goals and need a goalscorer.
McClaren has Michael Ricketts, Massimo Macarone, Szilard Nemeth and Malcolm Christie at his disposal but none have made the starting berth their own.
Newcastle
Barcelona's striker Patrick Kluivert is a name that just won't go away. The Dutch striker played under Sir Bobby Robson at Barca, and the two have huge respects for each other.
Kluivert recently renegotiated his deal at Barcelona. His salary isn't what it used to be - but the buy-out clause in his contract has been drastically changed.
Tottenham defender Stephen Carr has been linked but he is unlikely to leave White Hart Lane in January as the club try to persuade him to sign a new deal.
The Toon has also been looking at Ipswich defender Matt Richards.
A couple of exits are likely. Hugo Viana has been hotly tipped to make a loan move to Sporting Lisbon and Leicester have been linked with transfer-listed defender Nikos Dabizas.
Portsmouth
With Harry Redknapp at the helm of the good ship Portsmouth anything is possible. Redknapp is the king of wheeler-dealers and with his team in a slump he will want to bolster his ailing squad.
Pompey has been linked with Manchester City's striker, Darren Huckerby as it looks to freshen-up its flagging forward line.
Southampton
Southampton could be looking to buy cover for keeper Antti Niemi if Paul Jones leaves, with Brentford's 23-year-old Paul Smith first choice.
Saints have also been linked with Chinese playmaker Yang Pu but such a move seems unlikely.
In general Gordon Strachan has indicated he has no desire to tamper with the team, claiming he is happy with the make-up.
Tottenham
Tottenham has put midfielders high on their shopping-list and they have already agreed a fee to sign Sheffield United's Michael Brown.
The 26-year-old midfielder is set to move to White Hart Lane on January 1 for about £500,000. Spurs have also been linked to Manchester United's Nicky Butt, while Emmanuel Petit has also been mentioned.
The London club are also believed to be in talks with Brazilian club Santos over a move for playmaker Diego.
Wolves
Bottom at Christmas equals relegation - at least in the entire history of the Premiership to date. If Wolves are to buck the trend it will need to spend.
Rick Hayward has taken over from his father Sir Jack as the club's chairman, but Wolves are still looking for a new buyer.
Culled from BBC
