The January transfer window is quickly approaching, and the Premier League’s “Big Six” clubs—Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, and Manchester City—are gearing up to make crucial additions to their squads.
With the battle for the title and European places intensifying, each club has specific areas they are targeting to strengthen. Here’s a look at the key moves and priorities for these top sides in the winter window.
Arsenal’s Midfield and Striker Search
Under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal have made impressive strides, becoming genuine challengers for the Premier League title. However, despite their growth, the Gunners are still a step behind Manchester City and now face the challenge of keeping pace with an in-form Liverpool. One area where Arteta is keen to add depth is midfield, where sources have confirmed that the club is still actively pursuing Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi.
Zubimendi has long been a target for Arsenal, and his performance in La Liga has only strengthened their interest. The Spanish international is widely regarded as one of the top central midfielders in Europe, and his technical ability, vision, and composure on the ball make him an ideal fit for Arteta’s system. Although the player himself has acknowledged the speculation surrounding his future, it is understood that Arsenal remain his preferred destination.
In addition to strengthening their midfield, Arsenal are also in the market for a striker. With Gabriel Jesus struggling with injuries, and Eddie Nketiah still not fully convincing as a long-term option, Arteta is looking for a goal-scoring forward to bolster his attacking options. However, it is expected that this move will be made in the summer of 2025, with clubs unwilling to part ways with key players mid-season. Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak is understood to be a primary target, but any potential deal for the Swede would be a summer affair.
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Manchester United’s Defensive and Midfield Reinforcements
For Manchester United, January promises to be an important month, especially under the guidance of new manager Ruben Amorim. The club is committed to backing the young Portuguese coach, and sources close to Old Trafford have outlined the areas they are looking to strengthen. One of the most pressing needs for United is a new left-back. With Luke Shaw battling recurring injuries, Amorim is keen to bring in a fresh, young option to compete in that role.
Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez has emerged as a key target for United. The 20-year-old left-back has impressed this season, and his combination of defensive solidity and attacking drive makes him a perfect fit for Amorim’s style of play. United are not the only club interested in the Hungarian international, however, with several top sides monitoring his situation.
Alongside a left-back, United are also considering the addition of a central midfielder. Amorim places a significant emphasis on control in the middle of the park, and sources suggest that the club is keen to make a move for a player who can add quality to their midfield. While no names have been firmly linked, United will be looking for the right player who can complement Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes in the middle of the pitch.
Liverpool’s Search for Depth and Quality
Liverpool are another club actively seeking to reinforce their squad, particularly in areas where they have lacked depth in recent seasons. New manager Arne Slot has had a strong start to life at Anfield, but the club knows they are a few injuries away from a significantly weakened squad. The Reds are targeting a left-back, a defensive midfielder, and a creative attacking midfielder to enhance their options.
As with United, Milos Kerkez is reportedly a player of interest for Liverpool, with the club looking to secure his services in the coming months. The Hungarian has been highly praised for his performances in the Premier League, and his ability to play both as a traditional left-back and in more advanced roles could provide Liverpool with much-needed versatility.
Liverpool’s other priority is strengthening the midfield, and sources suggest that they are still keen on signing Martin Zubimendi, despite missing out on him during the summer transfer window. The club believes they can persuade Zubimendi to make the switch to Merseyside rather than joining Arsenal, and they may look to make a formal approach in January to secure his signature for the long term.
Chelsea Focus on Young Defensive Talent
Chelsea’s season has shown clear signs of improvement under manager Enzo Maresca, with the Blues returning to winning ways and rebuilding their squad for future success. However, despite a brighter outlook, Chelsea’s transfer activity never seems to slow down, and the club is targeting a young centre-back to add to their defensive ranks.
Benfica’s Tomas Araujo and Bournemouth’s Illia Zabarnyi are two players who have been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge. Both defenders have impressed in their respective leagues, with Zabarnyi drawing particular interest due to his physicality and ability to read the game. Sources close to the Ukrainian international have made it clear that Chelsea is not the only club interested in signing him, with other top European sides also monitoring his situation. The coming months could see a bidding war for Zabarnyi’s signature.
Tottenham Hotspur’s Pursuit of a Versatile Defender
At Tottenham, the situation under Ange Postecoglou has been somewhat rocky, but the club’s board remains fully behind their Australian manager. Tottenham are looking to strengthen their defense, particularly with the addition of a versatile defender capable of playing both centrally and on the flanks.
One player who fits this mold is Bayer Leverkusen’s Jonathan Tah. The German centre-back has been on Tottenham’s radar for some time, and his ability to play across multiple defensive positions makes him an attractive target. With the club looking to provide more options at the back, Tah’s experience and physicality would be a welcome addition to Postecoglou’s squad.
Manchester City’s Long-Term Planning
Despite being the reigning Premier League champions, Manchester City are already looking towards the future and planning for life without some of their key players. Both Kyle Walker and Kevin De Bruyne are in the latter stages of their careers, and the club is assessing potential replacements for these two legends of the game.
Florian Wirtz of Bayer Leverkusen has emerged as a primary target for City. The highly-rated 20-year-old midfielder is seen as a potential long-term successor to De Bruyne, with his creativity, passing range, and technical ability making him an ideal fit for Pep Guardiola’s system. City are reportedly willing to pay up to £100 million for Wirtz, and the club is hoping to secure his signature in the summer of 2025.
Additionally, City are also keeping tabs on Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala, another player with immense potential. However, Wirtz appears to be their top priority, and they will be looking to make a statement signing in the coming years as they continue their dominance in English football.
Conclusion
As the January transfer window draws nearer, the Premier League’s Big Six are positioning themselves for key additions that could shape the rest of the season. From Arsenal’s pursuit of Zubimendi to United and Liverpool’s battles for Kerkez, it’s clear that competition for top talent will be fierce. Meanwhile, Chelsea, Tottenham, and Manchester City are also targeting young, high-potential players to build for the future. The winter transfer window promises to be one of the most exciting in recent memory, with several blockbuster moves on the horizon.
