With less than two months remaining until the 2025 Winter Transfer Window, most Premier League clubs have had a decent look on the overall make-up of their squads and will now be looking to address some of the areas which need further strengthening.
In this article, we take a look at first 10 clubs alphabetically and the one position these clubs need to address during this January transfer window.
AFC Bournemouth: Central Midfield
Teboho Mokoena
The 27-year-old Teboho Mokoena might not be a name many are familiar with, but he is a player who can add something special to Bournemouth’s midfield. Bossing the centre of the pitch is Mokoena’s forte, and seeing as the Cherries had difficulties achieving that against the top Premier League sides during the 2023/24 season, it seems that Mokoena will remain a key Bournemouth transfer target.
As reported by the media, contract renewal talks between Mamelodi Sundowns and Mokoena are not going smoothly. This fact alone is enough for us to consider Mokoena one of coach Iraola’s primary targets.
Mokoena is approaching nearly 100 appearances for Sundowns now, while he has also earned 38 senior caps for the South Africa national team. He played at the last Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in the Ivory Coast, helping his nation achieve a commendable third place, and has scored a total of eight goals and made a further three assists for them.
Arsenal: Right Winger/Inside Forward
Simon Adingra/Raphinha
“We are a little bit short,” Mikel Arteta said to Sky Sports of his options up top a couple of days before the summer window slammed shut. “If we can do something we will do it but at the moment we love the ones we have, they are really, really good.”
Nico Williams would have been Arsenal’s primary target this season, but that deal seems highly unlikely to be completed as things stand. Simon Adingra is a player who has been looked at. A strong presser, good dribbler and versatile enough to play on either side, the Ivorian would tick a lot of Arsenal’s boxes. It has been suggested that he could cost up to £50 million, however.
Raphinha, meanwhile, is another player who has been looked at in the past. He could be available with Barcelona needing to shift players in order to bring in new faces.
Aston Villa: Attacking Forward
Alex Baena
Top of the pecking order is Villarreal star Alex Baena, who has rapidly established himself as one of La Liga’s finest creatives. Baena recorded 17 assists last season, and is reportedly also a target for Real Madrid, who are seeking to find their new passing heartbeat following the departure of Toni Kroos.
With a £50m release clause in his contract, negotiations with Villarreal would be straightforward. But Villa may feel they have an advantage in the race for Baena’s signature.
The Spaniard made his debut under Emery, and the pair had a strong relationship when the Villa boss managed Villarreal. The Spanish international has started this season just where he left off too, with five assists in 10 games.
Brentford: Full-back
Micheal Kayode
According to a report by Sky Italia, Brentford had sent a preliminary offer to Fiorentina to secure the services of Michael Kayode this summer. The Bees were aiming to bring the Italian right-back on loan with a buy option linked to appearances for around €20/22 million.
However, the Viola were not looking for such a solution in regards to the 20-year-old as he has much to offer in the future and the club are expected to consider proposals with a significant resale value included.
Kayode was a regular for the Florence-based side last season, making 31 appearances across all competitions. It is believed that Brentford would again dip their toes in the market for the services of Kayode.
Brighton & Hove Albion: Centre-back
Oliver Boscagli
Brighton & Hove Albion were determined to sign PSV Eindhoven’s Olivier Boscagli, after making a €10m bid in the summer window. The Eredivisie side, however, had rejected the Seagulls’ proposal and decided not to let him leave.
In September, PSV commercial director Frans Janssen stated that Brighton’s bid wasn’t even close to their desired figure. But the centre-back was not at all pleased with the Dutch club’s decision to block his transfer to Brighton.
The Frenchman has less than a year left on his deal and has made a decision to leave the Eindhoven club as a free agent.
This will allow Fabian Hürzeler’s side to sign him on a free transfer next summer. They could possibly face competition from other clubs, considering the player will be a good market opportunity at the end of this season.
Chelsea: Striker
Victor Osimhen
The Blues were one of several clubs who were heavily linked with the Nigeria international before he eventually departed Napoli for Turkey in a season-long loan switch. Nevertheless, as part of the deal that has taken him to Rams Park, Osimhen is said to have the option of cutting short his time with Galatasaray should a higher-profile team make a suitable offer to parent club Napoli.
A release clause in the region of £63m is said to be present in their agreement, one that Chelsea may plausibly look at activating on the basis that it is considerably lower to the fee that was required in the summer.
However, as per Turkish outlet Sozcu, Galatasaray are ready to make their own bid to sign Osimhen on a permanent basis in January. The report alleges that a sponsor may help the current league leaders fund a £42m approach for the frontman in a bid to edge out rivals for his signature.
Crystal Palace: Striker
Oumar Diakite
Crystal Palace are looking at Stade Reims ace Oumar Diakite as a striker target after Liverpool were credited with surprise interest in Jean-Philippe Mateta, according to reports.
Mateta has notched 24 goals in 52 games for Crystal Palace since the start of last season, supposedly sparking interest from Liverpool recruitment chiefs. Reports suggest the 2024 Paris Olympics star has walked away from contract talks with Crystal Palace.
With his current deal due to expire in June 2026, this could put Palace at risk of having to sell the 27-year-old either in January or next summer. According to journalist Ekrem Konur, Palace are aware that they may soon have to sign a new striker and have put Reims’ Diakite ‘at the top of their list’.
Palace have been tracking Diakite ‘for months’ and they ‘continue to show interest’ in landing his services.
Everton: Full-back
Kieran Trippier
Trippier has been Newcastle United’s first-choice right-back since his move back to the Premier League from Atletico Madrid in January 2022. However, the England international hasn’t been part of Eddie Howe’s plans this season, with Tino Livramento becoming a regular starter for the Magpies.
The Athletic reported this summer that Trippier was keen to exit the Magpies and was linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League. However, the report also suggested that Everton were also in the running to sign the 33-year-old full-back on loan this summer. However, the Toffees failed to secure his services before the summer window slammed shut.
Everton will be looking to re-address their full-back department this winter and Toffees’ boss Sean Dyche is said to be a fan of Trippier. The two worked together between 2012 and 2015 at Burnley before the full-back left the club for Tottenham Hotspur.
Fulham: Winger
Ryan Cherki
The one that got away for the Cottagers in the summer was Lyon creator Rayan Cherki. The 21-year-old came close to joining in both windows earlier this year.
Cherki has started 2024/25 on fire, scoring two and assisting three from just nine appearances this season. Fulham will be hoping it’s third time lucky as they push for the Frenchman again. However, it won’t be easy as the Frenchman has attracted interest from other top English and European clubs including West Ham United and Newcastle United, while both Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain keep a close eye on the 21-year-old’s progress.
Ipswich Town: Striker
Armando Broja
Armando Broja was on the verge of moving to the Premier League newcomers this summer but complications during his medical tests inevitably collapsed the deal. The loan move included a £30 million obligation to buy if the Tractor Boys stayed up.
Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna admitted that the striker was someone they were keen on and he refused to close the door on a transfer.
However, after missing over nine months between December 2022 and October 2023 following a damaging knee injury. Broja’s minutes have been limited since then and it’s now another problem that has put his career on hold.
Chelsea could put Broja further down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge if they manage to complete a blockbuster move for Victor Osimhen this winter. Thus, leaving West London could possibly be a blessing in disguise for the Albanian.
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James
I’m so glad I found this post—thank you!