What does each Premier League team need in the January transfer window? Which signings could help decide title between Arsenal and Manchester City?

Clubs across Europe are gearing up to make their moves and hunt down cut-price deals that could turn their fortunes around, or address lingering squad issues.

Arsenal: Cover for Rice

There is not much the high-flying Gunners need to improve on this season. Mikel Arteta’s side are going well in both the Premier League and UEFA Champions League.

Unlike other seasons, Arsenal have been able to rely on their strength in depth across the defence and in attack, which has bolstered their title charge. But there is one area they would miss more than most.

Declan Rice has been an engine in the Arsenal team, transforming the midfield with his switch from a deep-lying No. 6 to a box-to-box No. 8. There is no one else in the team who can do what he can, similarly to Rodri for Manchester City.

Should Arsenal lose Rice to an injury, they could struggle. Clearly, the Gunners cannot replace Rice like-for-like, but finding someone that can match his unique attributes would be a good place to start, and could be the difference between a title and a fourth successive second-place finish in the absence of their record signing.

Declan Rice is a key player for title-chasing Arsenal

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Aston Villa: Freshen things up in attack

It has been a resurgent period for Unai Emery’s side after a poor start to the season, but you wonder how long their good form can go on for when you consider their struggles going forward.

Although they are up in the top three, their output has not quite matched those around them, which could come back to bite them later down the line.

Ollie Watkins, troubled with injury, has not been at the levels we have seen him reach before. But the player who was linked with boyhood club Arsenal this time last year scored a priceless double as Villa came back to win at Chelsea.

With no Jhon Duran to deputise this season and new signing Evann Guessand failing to hit the heights from the off, it could be time to freshen things up in attack.

Ollie Watkins has not reached his top levels so far this season

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Bournemouth: Semenyo replacement

There is nothing Bournemouth can do to stop Antoine Semenyo leaving the club in January, should his reported release clause be triggered.

It is understood Liverpool are one of the clubs working on a deal for the winger in a bid to rescue their disappointing start to the season, which means it would probably be wise for Bournemouth to prepare for life without him.

Antoine Semenyo could well be on his way from Bournemouth in January

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Brentford: Bolster key areas

After losing the likes of Bryan Mbeumo, Yoane Wissa, Christian Norgaard and Mark Flekken in the last year, as well as their manager Thomas Frank, it has been a decent season under new boss Keith Andrews so far.

Igor Thiago has seized the opportunity to become the Bees’ frontman with impressive results, while record signing Dango Ouattara has enjoyed a good start to life in west London.

So what could they improve? Well, they could add more firepower in attack after losing two of the league’s best forwards in Mbeumo and Wissa, because at some point down the line the absence of those two might affect them – even if they have coped well so far.

On top of that, they could do with some more experience in defence, following the departure of Ben Mee to Sheffield United.

Brighton: Strengthen up at the back

You have never really known what you are going to get with Brighton & Hove Albion over the last couple of years.

Inconsistency can often be a sign of a struggling team; one that is capable of scoring goals, but cannot help leaking them at the same time.

Lewis Dunk has been a revelation for the Seagulls since joining in 2010, but it might be time to think about upgrading on the 34-year-old central defender, who seems to spend less time on the pitch these days.

Burnley: Take inspiration from that defence

One thing that helped Burnley return to the top flight was an elite, record-breaking defence anchored by a brilliant goalkeeper in James Trafford, which conceded just 16 goals in 46 Championship matches.

That is something that has not been transferred to the Premier League, perhaps unsurprisingly, but it is certainly an area they can strive to improve now that they are in the big time.

Shot-stopper Trafford signed for Man City and reliable centre-back CJ Egan-Riley was picked up by UEFA Champions League outfit Marseille.

Martin Dubravka, 36, has been a great addition between the sticks, but they need more in defence if they are to avoid the drop – which they do appear capable of doing from what we have seen so far.

Martin Dubravka

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Chelsea: Improve the defence

Chelsea have no issues scoring goals; it is keeping them out of the net which could be their downfall.

The Blues somewhat emerged as surprise contenders to Arsenal for the Premier League title in the run-up to Christmas, but few would actually back them to challenge their London rivals – especially after the home defeat to Aston Villa.

Enzo Maresca has failed to nail down a favoured back four, albeit due to injury and fitness issues to the likes of Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo and Reece James.

If he can somehow put together a strong defensive unit with more solid options, there is no telling what Chelsea can achieve with the vast attacking output they have.

Chelsea head coach Maresca defends squad rotation policy, says times are ‘different now’

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Crystal Palace: Keep hold of stars

Palace are another team who have suffered big-name departures in recent years, with the likes of Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze leaving them for pastures new.

In this instance, the best thing Oliver Glasner’s side can hope to achieve in January is to keep hold of stars like Marc Guehi and Adam Wharton, who have both been linked with Real Madrid, as well as in-form striker Jean-Philippe Mateta.

The FA Cup holders still have plenty to play for this season, including the UEFA Conference League.

Marc Guehi could well be leaving Crystal Palace soon

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Everton: Sign a striker

Dominic Calvert-Lewin excelled up top for Everton for years, but struggled in the seasons leading up to his departure. Everton did not do much to address the issue at the time, and since he left for Leeds United, they have not replaced him.

In fact, they never really replaced Romelu Lukaku, who last pulled on the Everton colours in 2017. He netted 87 goals for the club in all – 16 more than Calvert-Lewin – and Everton could do with another striker on that level.

Our advice to Everton would be to go out and sign an out-and-out striker who does nothing more but score goals, because Thierno Barry, who they signed in the summer, is not quite cutting it yet.

Fulham: Goal threat required

Current No. 9 Raul Jimenez has not been in great form, and despite scoring 12 times in the Premier League last campaign, you wonder if it is time for the London club to upgrade on the Mexican.

Raul Jimenez has not shone for Fulham so far this term

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Leeds: Add depth

Danniel Farke’s side have a decent spine, but could do with some additional depth throughout the squad if they are to mount a genuine survival push.

More options in attack could well help the cause in west Yorkshire, with reports recently linking them with Roma forward Artem Dovbyk.

Recent results have been a real morale boost for Leeds – they are unbeaten in five league games, a run that included a 3-1 win over Chelsea and 3-3 draw with champions Liverpool.

Liverpool: Sign Semenyo

It is crazy to think that Liverpool are in a position where they need to add fuel to the fire in attack, despite splashing out a combined £320m in the summer on Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike – breaking the British transfer record not once, but twice in the process. But it has just not worked out for them so far, and here we are.

As mentioned earlier, Semenyo is reportedly available with a £65m release clause ready to be triggered. He announced himself as one of the league’s best wingers this season when he scored a brace at Anfield on the opening day of the season.

And with Mohamed Salah failing to hit the numbers he has done in previous seasons, perhaps a forward of Semenyo’s calibre will give the Egyptian superstar the boost he needs to rediscover his best form.

Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak haven’t really fired yet for champions Liverpool

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Man City: Add another goalscorer

Erling Haaland is incredible, but City are an injury to the Norwegian away from real problems. The 25-year-old scores nearly all of their goals, and that is no exaggeration.

With the remainder of City’s players so far behind him in the goal tally – despite the emerging form of Phil Foden – it is a stark contrast to the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea, who do not have a runaway goalscorer but share the goals around.

We are not saying that City need to replace Haaland – far from it – but they need to start scoring goals from other areas, or their bid to retain the title could fall short.

Erling Haaland remains a prolific force for Manchester City

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Man Utd: Strengthen the midfield

Manchester United made some excellent additions to their squad in the summer with the arrivals of Matheus Cunha and Mbeumo in attack, and Senne Lammens proving an upgrade in goal.

Things are a bit flat in midfield, however, with United struggling to control games, while their current set-up also offers poor protection for the defence.

With Ruben Amorim’s preferred five-at-the-back, he often opts for a Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro partnership in the middle, while Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo have had to settle for minutes off the bench.

Casemiro, 33, has often come under fire for his performances in a United shirt, but this season he has stepped up with a handful of goal contributions. However, is it time to upgrade as the Reds look to make a return to European football?

Casemiro in action for Manchester United

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Newcastle: Creativity needed

One of the greatest strengths of Newcastle United is their midfield and their ability to control games, but they have struggled to create chances at points throughout the first half of the season.

Nick Woltemade has been a solid replacement up top for the outgoing Isak, while Yoane Wissa is yet to get up and running in black and white after suffering a knee injury on international duty earlier in the season.

But Eddie Howe must figure out how his team can score more goals, and that might mean signing a midfielder or forward with a bit more creative flair to sit behind or beside the likes of Woltemade and Wissa.

Nottingham Forest: Long-term Wood replacement?

Chris Wood was exceptional during the 2024/25 campaign, scoring 20 goals to fire Forest into the European spots. This season has been slower for the 33-year striker, who does not have age on his side.

He can still, no doubt, do a brilliant job for Sean Dyche’s Forest, albeit not forever. This leads us to believe that the club might need to start the search for his long-term replacement.

They do have 24-year-old Igor Jesus among their ranks – who has performed well, especially in Europe – as well as 28-year-old Taiwo Awoniyi, but they will need to replace Wood’s output at some point.

Chris Wood has found things harder going this season

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Sunderland: General maintenance

The Black Cats have been a revelation on their return to the top flight, with plenty of credit to the players they brought in during the summer window.

Granit Xhaka, Nordi Mukiele and Robin Roefs – just to name a few – have been brilliant additions to help transform Regis Le Bris’ side, who are pushing for a top-half finish at the midway point of the season.

They do not necessarily need to upgrade any player in their starting XI, rather continue to add depth to the squad, so if injuries hit they are well covered.

Tottenham: Sign a star striker

Harry Kane was never going to be an easy player to replace, but Richarlison and Dominic Solanke have just not stepped up to the plate thus far.

With the departure of Kane and, crucially, Son Heung-min last season, Spurs do not seem to have the firepower to get over the line in games, like they had done on so many occasions when those two were at the forefront of the attack.

Solanke, signed from Bournemouth for £60m, has been sidelined for much of the early parts of the season with an ankle injury, while new signing Randal Kolo Muani has struggled to make an impact.

Thomas Frank and Ivan Toney at Brentford

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West Ham: Improve depth

There is plenty to improve on in West Ham’s squad, probably too much to get sorted in a single January transfer window.

After a turbulent start to the season, the Hammers will now be happy with Premier League survival. To achieve that, they are going to need strength in depth.

From the summer, they can concentrate on getting a better recruitment process in place, which will allow Nuno Espirito Santo to put his mark on the squad.

Wolves: Plan for life in the Championship

With the recruitment of Rob Edwards on a long-term contract, it is as if Wolves are already preparing for the drop. If he keeps them up, great, but it has been a terrible first half of the campaign, and realistically, it would take something of a miracle to keep them up from here.

It looks as though Wolves will return to the Championship for the first time since 2018. So what better time to get ahead of the competition to take you back to the promised land at the first time of asking?

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