The January transfer window is nearly upon us and the Premier League title chasers (outright winner) could well splash out next month in a bid to bolster their chances of success, so here is a run through of the rumours that have been doing the rounds in recent weeks regarding the current top four.
Manchester United
United are the current pace setters in the Premier League and heading into today’s (Tuesday) fixtures the Old Trafford side have a two point advantage over nearest rivals Manchester City and Arsenal (Manchester United 5/6 – Premier League outright).
Boss Sir Alex Ferguson tends to do most of his business in the summer and the Old Trafford side are not expected to make any major moves in the New Year and it could be a very quiet window indeed for the United boss.
United striker Michael Owen has been linked with a January exit but Ferguson has rejected the speculation.
Ferguson has also been linked with a swoop for a new goalkeeper, with Edwin van der Sar set to call time on his career at the end of the campaign, but the United boss could be prepared to wait until the summer before signing a new custodian.
Arsenal
The Gunners victory over Chelsea put them right back in the mix for the title but boss Arsene Wenger has stated he will not make any major moves in January (Arsenal 18/5 – Premier League outright).
The Frenchman has tended to shy away from big name signings in recent seasons and although he has not ruled out strengthening his squad it seems certain Wenger will not spend a huge amount of money in January.
Striker Nicklas Bendtner has already dismissed speculation linking him with a move to Serie A side Lazio, while Wenger has been linked with numerous goalkeepers but like his United counterpart Ferguson he could wait until the end of the campaign (Arsenal travel to Wigan on Wednesday – match betting – Wigan 11/2, draw 3/1, Arsenal 8/15).
Manchester City
City look set to be the big spenders in January as far as the top four are concerned. Strikers Emmanuel Adebayor, Roque Santa Cruz and Jo have hardly featured for the Eastlands side this season and the trio look set to depart next month, with Adebayor linked with Juventus and Santa Cruz linked with Lazio and Fulham, while Jo has been linked with Hamburg (Manchester City 8/1 – Premier League outright).
If the duo do leave boss Roberto Mancini has been linked with a host of replacements, with Wolfsburg star Edin Dzeko and Newcastle hitman Andy Carroll believed to be his top targets.
Wolfsburg are desperate to retain Dzeko and Carroll has a long contract at St James’ Park but City are almost certain to add to their attack in January, having relied on the goal scoring exploits of Carlos Tevez alone for the majority of the first half of the campaign.
Chelsea
Boss Carlo Ancelotti looks to be under intense pressure at Stamford Bridge after seeing his side fall six points off the pace in the title race following their loss at Arsenal on Monday (Chelsea 19/5 – Premier League outright).
Chelsea did have a five-point lead at one point this season and they have not managed to win a league game since November 10 – with Ancelotti well aware his future now hangs in the balance.
It remains to be seen if the Italian will remain in charge at Stamford Bridge but if he does he has already admitted he has no plans to strengthen in the New Year and will rely on players returning from injury to boost his squad.
However, Ancelotti did admit he could sign a new defender if Alex does not recover by the end of January following a knee operation. The former AC Milan boss also admitted he will try and sign an English player if he has to delve into the January market and Bolton?s Gary Cahill and Everton star Phil Jagielka are thought to be his top targets ahead of the January transfer window (Chelsea host Bolton on Wednesday – match betting – Chelsea 1/4, draw 9/2, Bolton 11/1).
Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.