With the January transfer window now firmly open, bosses up and down the country are checking available funds and players, as they look for a key buy to help them in the second half of the season. Here we look at five potential big deals.
Last January was an unusually active transfer window in the Premier League with plenty of business conducted by some of the top clubs. Liverpool landed Luis Suarez, but then lost Fernando Torres to Chelsea for £50million which prompted the sensational last-day purchase of Andy Carroll from Newcastle for £35m. But will there be similar drama this month?
1. Darren Bent – Aston Villa to Liverpool?
Liverpool (9/4 – Top 4 finish) are again in the hunt for a goalscorer with Suarez serving his eight-match ban and the aforementioned Carroll not looking like a man capable of replacing the Uruguayan and his goals. They have been linked with a big-money swoop for Bent, who himself only left Sunderland for Villa 12 months ago.
The Reds have certainly enquired about the England man but Villa steadfastly say he will not be sold. However, a bid over £15million could tempt the Midlanders and this one could have legs.
2. Cheik Tiote – Newcastle to Man City?
Despite signing a new long-term contract in February, the Ivory Coast star has attracted attention from all the top clubs following some outstanding displays for the Magpies (66/1 – Top 4 finish) this term.
The midfielder is now heading to the African Cup of Nations but speculation is growing that he will not be a Toon player when he returns.
Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and now City (4/9 Premier League outright) have all been linked with him and the latest reports suggest Roberto Mancini wants Tiote and is prepared to pay up to £25million for his services.
3. Jack Rodwell – Everton to Chelsea or Manchester United?
The Everton youngster has long been on the radar of United with boss Sir Alex Ferguson a confirmed admirer of the midfielder, who earned his first England cap at the end of last year.
David Moyes has constantly denied reports he is prepared to sell the starlet, but privately knows he could get something in the region of £15-20million for him – money he desperately needs to strengthen his threadbare squad.
The Toffees boss has admitted he may need to sell before he can buy and the thinking is Rodwell could be sacrificed for the greater good at Goodison Park and, with Chelsea (1/2 – Top 4 finish) also interested, a deal could well be on the cards this month.
4. Andrey Arshavin – Arsenal to Zenit St Petersburg or Galatasaray?
The Russian star, who moved to north London from Zenit St Petersburg in a £17.5million deal three years ago, has fallen out of favour at the Emirates and looks a pale shadow of the player he was when Arsene Wenger brought him to the club (Arsenal 11/8 – Top 4 finish).
Arshavin has struggled with form and injuries over the past year and Wenger is reportedly happy to let him go for £12million in order to fund other buys from elsewhere.
The return of Thierry Henry could also be seen as sign Arshavin’s exit is imminent and there will be plenty of interest in the forward should it emerge he is surplus to requirements.
Plenty of sides back in his homeland are keen, with a return to Zenit the most likely, while Turkish giants Galatasaray have also targeted the talented, but inconsistent, 30-year-old.
5. Chris Samba – Blackburn to Spurs?
Samba first handed in a transfer request a year ago but never got his move away and has been forced to stay at Ewood Park, watching as Rovers struggle under embattled boss Steve Kean.
He has plenty of admirers in the Premier League, with Arsenal interested last year, but now Spurs (10/1 Premier League outright) have emerged as the frontrunners for the DR Congo international.
Harry Redknapp has confirmed he is looking at luring the centre-back to White Hart Lane and Samba is said to be desperate to secure a move, with QPR and Chelsea also monitoring the situation.
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