The January transfer window has come around once again. Some managers loathe it, some managers need it, and some managers like to drive by Sky Sports reporters hanging out the window stating what they know about the arrivals and departures at the club!
Anyway, certain clubs need to spend money in January to bolster their squad, to push further up the league or fight against relegation. We take a look at five Premier League outlets who need to splash the cash this transfer window:
Crystal Palace
With the London club already acquiring Sam Allardyce as manager in December, they have improved their chances of avoiding relegation dramatically.
The former Sunderland boss will be looking to shore up the leaky defence he inherited from Alan Pardew during the transfer window.
Allardyce is reportedly looking into the possibility of signing Sunderland defender Partick Van Aanholt.
Both players are wide defenders, and Allardyce is intent on restricting the ball coming in from wide positions and troubling his centre-backs.
Despite the Crystal Palace manager stating that summer signing Christian Benteke is not for sale, there are still plenty of rumours flying around about the misfiring forward.
The Belgian international is seemingly unsettled at Selhurst Park, and if an appropriate escape route offered, he would surely jump at the chance to leave.
Everton
Having been knocked out of the F.A Cup, the League Cup and effectively out of the running to gain qualification to Europe, Everton’s season is over based on their pre-season expectations
However, this has not stopped the Merseyside club from splashing the cash this transfer window. Everton have already spent £22 million (add-ons could increase that fee) on Manchester United midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin, to help bolster their weak midfield.
Koeman is expected to make some more additions to his side before the end of the transfer window.
West Ham
Inconsistent performances and a move to the Olympic Stadium have had a bad effect on Slaven Bilic’s side this year following a successful 7th place finish last season.
Now things will not be made any easier with the revelation that Dimitri Payet has refused to play for the club.
This news left Bilic incredibly angry, as his talisman only signed a new contract with the club in February last year.
It also leaves Bilic angry because it is nearly halfway through the transfer window; he is now on the hunt for a player as efficient as Payet.
Players such as Scott Hogan of Brentford and Robert Snodgrass of Hull are being mentioned as potential new recruits for West Ham, but neither have the “X-Factor” that Payet possesses. These are worrying times for West Ham, and they have to act fast!
Bournemouth
Many might argue that Bournemouth does not need to reinforce their side with any more players as they are out of both Cup competitions and are 9 points clear of the relegation zone.
Bournemouth are in a safe position, as it stands. But with the Premier League prize money for their final position at stake, Bournemouth have to push on from their impressive 11th place to gain as much money as they can; which could be over £80 million.
Having lost Nathan Ake, who went back to his parent club Chelsea, Eddie Howe is searching for a defender that has Premier League experience and the ability to push The Cherries further up the table.
One name that has been circulating is Chelsea captain John Terry. The former England international has lost his place in the Chelsea side as Antonio Conte favours a 3-4-3 formation.
With Terry having ruled out a move to Bournemouth previously, he has been convinced to talk to Howe face to face later this week, and if the Jack Wilshere deal is anything to go by then, we may well see the Chelsea captain in the black & red of Bournemouth.
Swansea
What a disastrous season it has been for Swansea City who are now on their 3rd manager of the season. Paul Clement has his work cut out with the side he has taken over as they are the 2nd worst team in the Premier League.
Where to start with Swansea’s problems? The Swans need width, they need to strengthen their defence, and they also need a striker who will score goals for them consistently or at all!
Swansea have failed miserably at the back this year conceding 49 goals; more than any other side this season. They have been unable to attack with the same intent they were famous for under Garry Monk.
Finally, they do not have a striker who will put the ball in the net. Spanish striker Fernando Llorente does have 5 goals but looks incredibly off the pace and possibly overweight. Llorente’s compatriot Borja has only managed 1 goal this season, and he cost Swansea £15.5 million.
Swansea are currently bolstering their ranks with players in these areas and are apparently close to sealing a few deals; just as Paul Clement takes the reigns at the Liberty Stadium. Swansea recently signed Martin Olsson who is a good fit as he has Premier League experience with Blackburn Rovers and Norwich.
Swansea have also signed Dutch winger Luciano Narsingh, who can play on either flank and produce the key pass that Swansea are lacking. While up front, there is an audacious rumour surrounding the acquisition of Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi, who only joined the south-west London side in the summer.
Whoever joins Swansea up front this transfer window, if at all, will need to be a quick improvement on the options they already have as time is running out for the Welsh club to survive this season.
