The transfer window closes in 12 days’ time and with several big moves already sealed but plenty more expected – including the eagerly-awaited next destination of Robbie Keane – we assess how January’s dealings may help – or hinder – Premier League teams in the second half of the season.

The shock move of the month so far was completed on Tuesday when Darren Bent joined Aston Villa in a record £18million switch from Sunderland as Gerard Houllier attempts to put the brakes on his side’s slide into a relegation battle.

No doubt Bent will find the goals Villa have been missing and, although he is possibly a tad over-priced, it seems like good business by Randy Lerner.

Villa’s aim will not only be to avoid the drop but to also push on and look for European qualification now that Bent is on board. They are a much better side than their current position of 17th suggests and don’t bet against them securing a top-six finish (16/1) if the likes of Marc Albrighton, Stewart Downing, Ashley Young and Gabby Agbonlahor all gel in what’s left of the campaign.

Man City’s huge £27m purchase of Edin Dzeko should again ensure the Eastlands outfit are the biggest spenders of the month. No surprise there, then.

But what may come as a surprise to some is just how well-placed Roberto Mancini’s side are in the title race heading into February. City are level on points with local rivals United at the top – albeit after playing two games more – but may just have the squad now to go on and win the Premier League (6/1), with a fearsome collection of attacking talent that includes David Silva, Mario Balotelli, Dzeko, James Milner, Adam Johnson and Carlos Tevez.

Spurs fans will be looking forward to the rest of the season, too, following the capture of Steven Pienaar from Everton – an astute £3million purchase by Harry Redknapp as he looks to keep his squad ticking over into the final months of the season.

A second-successive top-four finish looks nigh-on nailed on (13/8) for the north Londoners now, with the possibility of a few more quality arrivals, knowing Harry, in the days that remain this month that would surely only add to their chances of sneaking into the title race.

Liverpool interim boss Kenny Dalglish has identified targets to bolster his underperforming squad this month but time appears to be running out at Anfield as the Reds seem no closer to tying up any deals of note this month.

A serious injection of top-class talent is required at Anfield and, if Kenny can lure striker Luis Suarez from Ajax, a decent winger and a couple of defenders, then maybe Liverpool can push for a Euro berth as well (Top 6 Finish – 2/1). If not, a top-ten finish  is about the best Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard and co can hope for.

Elsewhere, there have been some minor, if no less astute, deals done by clubs hoping to preserve their top-flight status in 2011. Birmingham are no strangers to splashing the cash and expect Alex McLeish to bring in at least one major signing to add to the loan capture of David Bentley from Spurs, while Stoke and Newcastle have tied up permanent deals for impressive on-loan pair Jermain Pennant and Hatem Ben Arfa respectively.

Blackburn have money to spend as their ambitious owners want to lure more big names, to follow Roque Santa Cruz, over to Ewood Park while Fulham boss Mark Hughes believes winger Shaun Wright-Phillips is the man to get the Cottagers moving up the table.

The speculation rumour mill is gearing itself up for overdrive in the next fortnight so expect more deals, some shocks and some wholly predicted transfers to keep you ‘entertained’ throughout the rest of the month as teams look for that added bit of spark or quality to give them a chance to dream of fourth – or maybe just 17th – in the Premier League. Just don’t expect too much from Keane, wherever he goes!

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