Transfer Window Update

With more than half of the transfer window already gone with minimal activity, let us take a look at the transfer activities of some of the top clubs from the BPL.

Updated 19/01/2010 12:40 (GMT +5.30)


Arsenal FC



Last season, Arsenal signed Andrei Arshavin for an undisclosed amount, touted to be around the £12-15m mark. Arshavin has turned out to be a superb signing since then. This season, Arsenal looked to be interested in signing a good quality target-man and a centre-half. Centre-Halves who were linked with Arsenal were French starlet Mamadou Sakho, Norwegian giant Brede Hangeland and Mathew Upson. However, in a never-before-move for Arsene Wenger, he signed Sol Campbell who was a free agent. This particular signing caused many raised eyebrows, as Sol Campbell is a shadow of a player he was during his prime. All talks of signing a target-man also have stalled with Nicklas Bendtner supposed to be close to a return from his injury. With that, Arsenal are unlikely to sign any more first-team players this transfer window, but Mr.Wenger can surprise us this month with a late signing. However, Gunners fans should expect a new centre-half in the summer at the lastest with Phillipe Senderos linked away from the club.

In:
Samuel Galindo (Mexico) - Americas (Undisc.)
Sol Campbell - Free Agent

Out:
Kerrea Gilbert - Peterborough (Loan)
Mark Randall - MK Dons (Loan)



Aston Villa



Aston Villa's major signing last January was Emile Heskey for £3.5m. Aston Villa have a good squad which is capable of accomplishing their expectations. Though they seem to lack in depth, they are unlikely to sign anyone this month. Aston Villa need a finisher who can hold up the ball, with Emile Heskey becoming less dependable. Villa are interested in midfielders Jermainne Pennant and David Bentley, who are unlikely to sign but owner Randy Lerner might fund signings if manager Martin O'Neill requires them. Midfielders Nigel Reo-Coker and Craig Gardner might be invited to try their luck elsewhere.



Chelsea FC



Last January, Chelsea had no major signing with only Wayne Bridge and Carlo Cudicini being shipped out of Stamford Bridge. This season Chelsea have a squad that they want and one that they can with the league with. There were rumours that Chelsea might sign someone to replace the African Cup bound players Didier Drogba, Michael Essien and Salomon Kalou. However those rumours were quashed with gaffer Carlo Ancelotti promising to dance naked in the snow if Chelsea sign someone. Still Chelsea continue to be linked to players like Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko... Joe Cole might leave Chelsea if he stalls on a new contract, with Manchester City interested.

Out:
Tom Taiwo - Carlisle United (Undisc.)



Liverpool FC



Liverpool tend to do most of their buying business in the summer but current first-team players Daniel Agger, Martin Skrtel and Javier Mascherano all arrived in January. Last season, Liverpool shipped Robbie Keane back to Tottenham in a £12m deal. This season, Liverpool have face major injury problems. They lack depth in all of the wide positions. Emiliano Insua has looked out-of-sorts at left-back. Glen Johnson had a great start but is injured now. Gerrard, Torres and Benayoun all got injured against Reading, with Albert Riera having an on-off relationship with injuries all season long. They signed Argentine winger Maxi Rodriguez on a free transfer for cover on the wings. Liverpool also are in the market for a striker to provide cover for Torres. However, with about a hundred strikers linked to Liverpool, it seems unlikely that they will sign someone until the summer. Midfielders Eljero Elia and Arda Turan were linked to Liverpool but Liverpool got priced out. Ryan Babel may leave after falling out with manager Rafa Benitez.

In:
Maxi Rodriguez - Athletico Madrid (Free)

Out:
Andrea Dossena - Napoli (£4.4m)
Andriy Voronin - Dinamo Moscow (£1.8m)



Manchester City



Manchester City have huge squad and an even bigger transfer budget, if you can call that a budget. Even though City do not lack in quality in any position on the field, they are still linked to many players who include Simon Kjaer, Ivan Cordoba, Franck Ribery, Giorgio Chiellini and Angel Di Maria. They signed French veteran Patrick Viera to steel up their midfield, who by the way consist pf Garth Barry, Nigel De Jong, Vincent Kompany, Micheal Jonhson and Stephen Ireland!

In:
Patrick Viera- Inter Milan (Undisc.)

Out:
Paul Marshall - Aberdeen (Undisc.)
Adam Clayton - Carlisle United (Loan)



Manchester United



Manchester United posted a profit of around £40m last calender year, which included Ronaldo's transfer fee of £80m. They debt-crisis at United continues like their rivals Liverpool, however United's debt is massively larger. There have been doubts over many players at United like Rio Ferdinand, Dimitar Berbatov, Nani, Gary Neville and Ben Foster. However a clear-out is unlikely till the summer, so are the major signings. United are currently linked to Jack Rodwell, Gary Cahill, Angel Di Maria and David Villa.



Tottenham Hotspur


Last winter, manager Harry Redknapp used his wheeler dealer skills to sign Robbie Keane, Jermain Defoe, Wilson Palicios, Carlo Cuducini and Pascal Chimbonda.Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has always backed his managers with cash, even Juande Ramos! However this time Mr.Levy has told Harry Redknapp to sell before he can buy. Still they continue to be linked to players such as Scott Parker, Brazilian midlfielder Sandro and centre-back Mathew Upson. Roman Pavlyuchenko and David Bentley may both leave as they are unhappy with lack of first-team opportunities. Spurs are also looking to sign a goalkeeper as cover for Cuducini who is injured for the season.
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