With less than two months remaining until the 2025 winter transfer window, most Premier League sides have had a decent look on the overall make-up of their respective squads and will be looking to address some of the positions that need further strengthening.
In this article, we take a look at the first 10 Premier League teams alphabetically and one position they each need to reinforce during the January transfer window.
“We are a little bit short,” Mikel Arteta told 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 was Arsenal’s primary target this season, but that deal seems highly unlikely as things stand. Simon Adingra is a player who has been looked at. He’s a strong presser, a good dribbler, and is versatile enough to play on either flank. The Ivorian would tick a lot of Arsenal’s boxes, and Brighton could ask for him as much as £50 million.
Raphinha, meanwhile, is another player who has been looked at in the past. He could become available, with Barcelona needing to shift players.
Top of the pecking order for Villa is Villarreal’s Álex Baena, who has rapidly established himself as one of LaLiga’s finest creators. Baena recorded 17 assists last season and is reportedly also a target for Real Madrid, who are seeking to find their new passing heartbeat after Toni Kroos’s retirement.
The €60m release clause in his contract should make negotiations with Villarreal relatively straightforward, though Villa may feel they have an advantage in the race for Baena’s signature despite Los Blancos‘ interest.
The Spaniard made his debut under Unai Emery, and the pair had a strong relationship when the Villa boss managed Villarreal. The Spain international has started this season just where he left off too, with five assists in ten games.
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 given the Cherries had difficulties achieving that against the top Premier League sides last season, it seems that Mokoena is likely to remain a key target for Bournemouth.
Mokoena is approaching nearly 100 appearances for Mamelodi Sundowns, his current club side, while he has also earned 38 senior caps for the South Africa national team. He played at the last Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire, helping his nation achieve a commendable third-place finish, and has scored a total of eight goals and provided a further three assists for them.
Brentford sent a preliminary offer to Fiorentina to secure the services of Michael Kayode in the summer, looking to bring the Italian right-back on loan with the option to buy. But the Viola were not looking for such a solution in regards to their 20-year-old defender, given he has much to offer in the future, and are expected to consider proposals with a significant resale value included.
Kayode was a regular for Fiorentina last season, making 31 appearances across all competitions. Brentford can be expected to again dip their toes in the market for the services of the Italy U21 international.
Brighton were determined to sign PSV Eindhoven’s Olivier Boscagli in the summer after making a €10m bid. The Eredivisie side, however, rejected the Seagulls’ proposal.
In September, PSV’s commercial director Frans Janssen stated that Brighton’s bid was nowhere 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 is expect to leave PSV in the summer at the latest.
Boscagli’s situation allows Fabian Hürzeler’s side to make a low-ball offer for him in January to beat the others to his signature; they could also contact him directly for a free summer move if that doesn’t work. And they are likely to face competition from other clubs, with Real Madrid also monitoring his situation.
Also read: One position every Premier League team need to address — Part 2
The Blues were one of several clubs heavily linked with the Nigeria international before he eventually left Napoli for a season-long loan at Galatasaray. Nevertheless, as part of the deal that has taken him to Rams Park for the season, Osimhen is said to have the option of cutting short his time with Galatasaray should a higher-profile team make a suitable offer to Napoli.
The 25-year-old now has a release clause in the region of €90 million, one that Chelsea may plausibly consider activating on the basis that it is considerably lower to the fee that was required in the summer. Galatasaray themselves have been considering making his move permanent with a sensational agreement, though that remains unlikely.
Crystal Palace have been looking at Stade Reims ace Oumar Diakité ever since the emergence of Liverpool’s interest in Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Mateta has notched 24 goals in 52 games for Palace since the start of last season. With his current deal due to expire in June 2026, Palace are at the risk of having to sell the 27-year-old Frenchman either in January or next summer, which could reignite their interest in the 21-year-old Ivorian.
Trippier for long was Newcastle United’s first-choice right-back since his move back to the Premier League from Atlético Madrid in January 2022. However, the former England international hasn’t been part of Eddie Howe’s plans this season, with Tino Livramento being a regular starter for the Magpies instead.
The Athletic reported this summer that Trippier was keen to exit St James’ Park and was linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League. The report also suggested that Everton were in the running to sign the 33-year-old fullback on loan, but the Toffees failed to secure his services before the summer window slammed shut.
Everton will be looking to re-address their fullback situation this winter. Toffees boss Sean Dyche is said to be a fan of Trippier. The two worked together between 2012 and 2015 at Burnley before the fullback left the club for Tottenham Hotspur.
The one that got away from 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 the 2024/25 season on fire, scoring two and assisting thrice from just nine appearances this season. Fulham will be hoping to get lucky the third time as they push for the Frenchman again in January. However, it won’t be easy, as Cherki has been attracting interest from other top sides as well, including West Ham and Newcastle, with Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain also keeping a close eye.
Armando Broja was on the verge of moving to Ipswich in the summer, but complications during his medical collapsed the deal. The loan move included a £30m obligation to buy if the Tractor Boys stayed up. Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna admitted that the striker was someone they were keen on and refused to close the door on a transfer.
However, after missing over nine months of football between December 2022 and October 2023 following a damaging knee injury, Broja’s minutes have been limited and his career has been put 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 Albania international, who’s currently struggling for minutes on loan at Everton.
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