Who does your club need to sign in January? - BPL Top Ten

Arsenal

Defensive Midfielder

Polish International Grzegorz Krychowiak 

This is arguably the best chance Arsenal have had to win the premier league since the invincible season in 2003/04 due to the inconsistency of other big teams. The Gunners have so far taken advantage of Chelsea and Man United being out of position and have been given a helping hand by Man City's poor away form as Wenger's side sits in 1st place with 43 points. Although every player has stepped up so far in the Arsenal squad when called upon, with the away games coming up against many teams in the top half of the table, we really need to sign someone to fill in for the injured Francis Coquelin. The 3-3 draw away at Liverpool on Tuesday underlined our defensive woes without the Frenchman and if we are going to get maximum points from these big away games then we need to be solid in defence and win the midfield battle which is why I think the acquisition of Grzegorz Krychowiak would be perfect. Although we've just signed Mohamed Elneny from Basel, I'm unsure of how he'll perform in big games whereas if we purchase Krychowiak, I think he will be a more reliable player as he's had to go up against the best players in the world. The 25 year old also won the Europa League last year so clearly he can step up and perform in high pressure games. He has confirmed that there has been interest from Arsenal so this transfer could happen however, with the signing of Elneny being completed, I'm unsure whether Wenger will purchase another player in the same position.

Leicester City

Centre-Back

Fabian Schar clapping the Hoffenheim crowd

Well it's pretty safe to say that no one would have predicted Leicester City to be joint top at this stage of the season (other than a few optimistic fans of course) however it doesn't seem like their immense form is going to stop any time soon as they find themselves with a great chance to qualify for the Champions League. With Vardy and Mahrez getting the majority of goals, Kante being a nuisance in the middle and Huth and Morgan being solid at the back, there's not much improvement needed for this strong side. However, with two experienced old centre-backs, they could benefit from the pace that a younger player could offer and Hoffenheim's Fabian Schar could prove to be a brilliant signing for Leicester. Having been linked with the Premier League's biggest teams for the majority of his career, this could finally be the club that tempts Schar to finally come to England. The 24 year old has struggled to break into the first team and is reportedly unsettled at the German side so a move away is likely. I'm not sure if Ranieri is looking to improve the squad during this window but if he is, then I can't see Schar saying no to joining the Premier League's surprise package.

Manchester City

Winger

Antoine Griezmann celebrating scoring
for Atletico Madrid

Man City's defence has been questionable without Kompany this season, however I don't think this is the position which they need to strengthen most due to the amount of cover in that position. With the inconsistency of Jesus Navas on the right-wing, City could really do with bringing in another player in this position to help them further in outscoring their opponents. I think Navas will leave City either in this window or in the Summer and you could see him become an essential part of a deal to bring in the free-scoring Frenchman, Antoine Griezmann. The 24 year old already has 16 goals in 26 games this season and has been performing in Europe as well with 4 goals in 6 games which would certainly benefit Man City as they need a player like Griezmann if they're going to make a run in the Champions League. The Frenchman is likely to move away from Atletico Madrid soon due to the transfer embargo being put on the club meaning that the team wouldn't be strengthened for another year. With the departure of Diego Simeone looking like a high possibility, I wouldn't be surprised to see Griezmann move to a top club in Europe and if City can sign him in this window, it would certainly aid their title ambitions.

Tottenham Hotspur

Striker

Sandro Ramirez playing in the
 Champions League against Napoli

With Harry Kane in top form and the young Tottenham team looking like a force to be reckoned with, things are really looking up for Spurs. With Pochettino proving how good he is at helping young players reach their potential, there is no doubt that this Tottenham side will be challenging for the title within the next few seasons. The main attraction of Tottenham now is the freedom which they play with and how attacking minded they are. However, Harry Kane can not do it all by himself and the time will come when he gets injured or needs a rest and despite having Son, I feel as though Spurs would benefit from having another striker just as back-up and Barcelona's Sandro Ramirez could prove to be just the man they need. With deals to bring in Saido Berahino and Michy Batshuayi seeming to have fell through, Ramirez could prove to be an adequate acquisition having impressed for Barcelona when called upon this season. Despite only scoring 3 goals in 18 appearances this, the 20 year old has improved his all round game and a move to Tottenham could be key for the next stage of his improvement and if the offer comes in, I can't see him saying no to working under one of the best youth developing managers in the world.


West Ham United

Right Back

Versatile full-back Sam Byram has a choice between Everton,
West Ham United and Newcastle United

It looked as though Sam Byram was heading to Goodison Park during this window however, with interest coming in from West Ham and Newcastle, it looks as though the 22 year old full-back has a big choice to make. With his contract expiring in the summer, Leeds United are desperate to cash in on the youngster after he rejected a contract extension. It looked as though he would move to Everton for £3.7million plus add-ons however, it is reported that Sam Byram is a fan of the Hammers so their interest might sway him to move to the side who occupy 5th place in the Premier League. Byram has been compared to Gareth Bale with his versatility to play right-back, right-midfield and right-wing and if West Ham sign him, he will really add something special to the West Ham attack. With Aaron Cresswell on the left and Sam Byram on the right, the Hammers will be able to use the width and exploit both flanks when breaking down teams. He'll find himself in more of a rotation role if he signs in January however, when Jenkinson returns to Arsenal, I'm sure he'd become the first choice right-back.

Manchester United

Striker

Colombian Carlos Bacca scored 14 goals over the last two
Europa League Campaigns in order to help Sevilla win the
title for consecutive seasons

One of the top strikers in Europe is what Manchester United need if they're going to get back to the glory days of when Ferguson was in charge. With Rooney and Martial only contributing 5 goals each in the Premier League so far, seeing United sitting outside of the top four, they really need more goals. Carlos Bacca is reportedly unsettled at AC Milan and was linked with a move back to Spain to join Atletico Madrid. However, with a transfer embargo being put on the Spanish club, United have been given a massive boost to sign the Colombian. Bacca has already scored 10 goals in 22 games this season and would be a great addition to the United squad. He would bring pace and power to the United attack as well as being solid in the air, you can guarantee that Bacca will step up in Europe as well, having scored 7 goals in each of the last two Europa League campaigns which helped Sevilla to win the competition on both occasions. If Van Gaal splashes the cash on the striker, I'm sure he would deliver and help take the weight off Wayne Rooney's shoulders.

Stoke City

No One Required

Stoke aren't the complete package by any means however, they're certainly performing way above expectations this season and with players like Shaqiri, Arnautovic, Bojan and Joselu contributing goals regularly and a solid defence in front of one of the league's best keeper's in Jack Butland, there is nobody right now that would really improve Stoke drastically. Mark Hughes has already said he is content with his squad and I think he has good reason to be. You should expect to see some potential outgoing's from Stoke with Peter Crouch in particular falling out of favour however, I expect to see no one join the club in this window.

Crystal Palace

Striker

31 year old Journeyman Adebayor has played for 6 clubs
in his career winning only 1 trophy (Copa Del Rey 2010-11)

Alan Pardew recently said 'If I can handle Ben Arfa, I can handle Adebayor'. Well good luck to him, this is the striker that famously gave the line 'Don't insult me, I earn £225,000 a week' when confronted about not giving £50 to a Children's hospital due to being the worst player in a Friday training session. No wonder 66% of Palace fans don't want him at the club, his attitude has become quite shocking which is why Spurs released him. However, there is no denying that Adebayor is a quality footballer on his day, great in the air and a cracking one-touch finisher. He'd bring a wealth of experience to Palace having played for the likes of Real Madrid, Arsenal and Man City in the past and there's no doubt that he would score goals for Palace if they sign him however, I'm not sure if he's the type of character you'd want in the dressing room with how big his ego seems to be.

Liverpool

Striker

Want-away striker Saido Berahino is likely to
cost around £15-20million

With Benteke falling out of favour after dismal performances and Daniel Sturridge pursuing a career as a full-time hospital patient, a striker is really what Liverpool need if they're going to challenge for a top 6 finish. I believe there will be a massive clear out for Liverpool in the summer as Klopp brings in his own players to fit his philosophy however, for now I'd expect to see Saido Berahino join Liverpool. The 22 year old has fallen out of favour at West Brom due to his attitude problems and I think with Klopp's experience at working with young players, he could rid the young Englishman of his arrogance. I'm sure some West Brom fans will be happy with the selling of the young striker due to the funds that it would bring in to the club. With 20 goals in all competitions last season, Berahino's pace is his most powerful weapon as he can easily get passed many defenders and with some work on his finishing, he could grow into one of the league's most lethal finishers.

Southampton

Defensive Midfielder

22 year old Stefano Sturaro made his name at Juventus
in last year's Champions League when he stopped a
goal-bound effort from James Rodriguez.

With Victor Wanyama linked with moves away from Southampton in this window to clubs like Arsenal and Tottenham, Ronald Koeman is looking toward Juventus's 22 year old defensive midfielder Stefano Sturaro. He has proved to be a rock in the midfield alongside Paul Pogba this season and is the unsung hero in the Juventus squad. Southampton had a £12.7million bid for the Italian rejected six days ago and it is reported that they were going to raise the offer however, nothing has been confirmed as of yet. The Saints have already signed striker Charlie Austin showing their incentive to make a charge for a top four finish as they've now started to find form in the league. Sturaro would bring a winning mentality to the Southampton squad having played a key part in Juventus winning 3 trophies in the last two years and maybe he could be the rock in midfield that Southampton need to mount a challenge for European football this season.