One January Signing Every Premier League Club Should Make
With Chelsea’s reported interest in Alex Scott doing the rounds, here is who your team should sign in January
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The January transfer window is fast approaching, and speculation is already building. With Chelsea’s reported interest in Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott attracting plenty of attention, the question is simple: which player should each Premier League side target in the January transfer window?
January is a difficult time to recruit. Clubs often have to pay a premium, selling teams are reluctant to lose key players midway through the season, and new arrivals have little time to settle. However, the right signing can transform a campaign.
From established Premier League names to exciting young talents across Europe, here is one player every Premier League club should target this January.
Arsenal — Antonio Nusa
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Position: Forward
Current club: RB Leipzig
Transfermarkt Value: £37.7m
Arsenal have failed to built a dangerous attack with enough depth, so another explosive wide player could give Mikel Arteta more flexibility. Antonio Nusa is a direct attacker who enjoys taking on defenders and creating chances in one-on-one situations.
His pace and dribbling could help Arsenal break down deep defensive blocks, while his age gives the club room to develop him into a more complete forward.
Nusa would not necessarily arrive as an automatic starter. Instead, he could provide competition across the attacking line and give Arsenal another option when matches become predictable.
Aston Villa — Morgan Gibbs-White
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Position: Attacking midfielder / Winger
Current club: Nottingham Forest
Tranfermarkt Value: £67m
Morgan Gibbs-White would bring creativity, work rate and Premier League experience to Aston Villa. He is capable of operating centrally or drifting into wider areas, giving a manager flexibility when building an attacking system, much like Morgan Rogers.
Villa could benefit from another player who can carry the ball forward, find runners and create chances around the edge of the box. Gibbs-White's familiarity with the league would also reduce the adaptation period that often comes with overseas signings.
The biggest obstacle would be persuading Nottingham Forest to sell a key player to a domestic rival.
Bournemouth — Adam Wharton
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Position: Central midfielder
Current club: Crystal Palace
Transfermarkt Value: £62.8m
Adam Wharton would be an ambitious midfield target for Bournemouth, but with Alex Scott set to leave he would be the ideal replacement. His ability to distribute the ball and dictate the tempo could help the side control matches more consistently.
He would offer a player who can receive possession under pressure, switch play and help move the ball into dangerous areas. Those qualities could be particularly valuable against opponents who press aggressively.
Palace would have little reason to make a sale easy, so Bournemouth would likely face a difficult negotiation. Nevertheless, Wharton is the type of technically gifted midfielder who could fit a possession-oriented approach.
Brentford — Amad
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Position: Winger
Current club: Manchester United
Transfermarkt Value: £37.7m
Amad could be a transformative attacking addition for Brentford. The Ivorian is comfortable receiving the ball between the lines, cutting inside from the wing and creating opportunities through his dribbling.
Brentford could use his ability to beat a defender and turn possession into a genuine chance. He would also add another source of unpredictability in the final third.
A permanent move would depend on Manchester United's plans and Amad's own ambitions. Still, if Brentford could secure him, he would offer a significant attacking weapon. With United struggling and Amad primarily a bench player, this could be a great move.
Brighton & Hove Albion — Francisco Conceição
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Position: Winger / Attacking midfielder
Current club: Juventus
Transfermarkt Value: £25.1m
Brighton have a reputation for identifying technical players who can flourish in an attacking system. Francisco Conceição fits that approach, offering quick feet, close control and the confidence to take defenders on.
The Portuguese winger could give Brighton another source of creativity in the final third, particularly against opponents who sit deep and force them to find solutions in wide areas. With the likes of Yankuba Minteh linked away from the club, he could be a fantastic replacement/great added depth to an injury struck attack.
His ability to create separation in tight spaces would make him an interesting addition to a side that values intelligent movement and attacking combinations.
Chelsea — Alex Scott
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Position: Central midfielder
Current club: Bournemouth
Transfermarkt Value: £58.6m
This is the signing attracting the headlines and for good reason. Alex Scott has been linked with Chelsea who failed to bring in a midfielder in the summer, making him one of the most interesting potential January moves to watch.
Scott combines energy, technical quality and the ability to operate in tight spaces. He could help Chelsea progress the ball through midfield while contributing defensively and linking up with their attacking players.
The obstacle is the price. Bournemouth would be reluctant to lose a key player midway through the season, and Chelsea would likely need to make a substantial investment. Nevertheless, Scott is an intriguing target who could contribute now and continue developing.
Coventry City — Fabian Rieder
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Position: Attacking midfielder / Winger
Current club: FC Augsburg
Transfermarkt Value: £12.6m
Fabian Rieder would give Coventry a creative option who can operate centrally or from the wing. The Swiss international offers technical ability, vision and versatility, making him an interesting target to strengthen their attacking play.
Rieder could help Coventry unlock compact defences, link midfield with attack and create chances in the final third. His experience in Germany and France would also give him a useful background for adapting to a new league.
Fabian Rieder would give Coventry a creative option who can operate centrally or from the wing. The Swiss international offers technical ability, vision and versatility, making him an interesting target to strengthen their attacking play.
A move would depend on Augsburg's willingness to negotiate and Coventry's budget, but Rieder could bring an extra attacking dimension to their squad.
Crystal Palace — Andreas Schjelderup
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Position: Winger / Attacking midfielder
Current club: Benfica
Transfermarkt Value: £33.5m
Andreas Schjelderup would add creativity and attacking versatility to Palace. Another side with attacking player linked away from the club. Comfortable operating from wide positions, he could provide close control, clever movement and an ability to create opportunities in the final third.
Palace could use another player who can unlock compact defences and contribute in different attacking roles. Schjelderup's technical qualities would make him an interesting fit for a side seeking greater variety in possession.
The question would be whether Benfica would sanction a move and how quickly the Norwegian could adapt to the demands of English football.
Everton — Mohamed Touré
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Position: Striker
Current club: Norwich City
Transfermarkt Value: £12.6m
Everton desperately need another striker, and could use another forward option capable of bringing pace and movement to their attack. Mohamed Touré is an interesting candidate if the club wants to invest in a younger striker with room to develop who is inexpensive.
His potential appeal lies in giving Everton more ways to threaten opposition defences, particularly when matches become stretched and space opens up behind the back line. His finishing, especially at the near post is fantastic and would suit Everton very well.
The challenge would be judging whether he is ready to contribute immediately or would need time to adjust. Everton would need to make sure the signing addresses a real first-team need rather than simply adding another development project. But having another Aussie striker on their books that they could get cheap makes sense.
Fulham — Zeno Debast
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Position: Centre-back / Midfielder
Current club: Sporting CP
Transfermarkt Value: £20.1m
Zeno Debast could strengthen Fulham's defensive and midfield options while offering quality on the ball. The Belgian has experience in a possession-based environment and could help Fulham build attacks more confidently from the back.
His passing range would be particularly useful when opponents press high, allowing Fulham to bypass pressure and find midfielders in space.
Moving from Sporting to the Premier League would be a significant step, and Fulham would have to consider the player's ambitions and Sporting's valuation. Still, he is an attractive profile for a side looking to improve its defensive and midfield depth.
Hull City — Jordy Bos
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Position: Fullback / Winger
Current club: Feyenoord
Transfermarkt Value: £10m
Jordy Bos could offer Hull an energetic presence down the left flank. His versatility would be particularly useful if Hull wanted a player capable of operating as a conventional full-back or pushing higher as a wing-back, which suits their 5-2-3 system perfectly.
That flexibility could improve their ability to stretch opponents and provide additional width in possession. It would also give the coaching staff another option when injuries or tactical changes disrupt the starting line-up.
Bos would be a recruitment move with potential upside, cheap, fast, great technical ability, and has great chemistry with Lucas Herrington. He would be a great signing so any team, but Hull would be a perfect move for Bos.
Ipswich Town — Aaron Ramsdale
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Position: Goalkeeper
Current club: Ipswich Town
Transfermarkt Value: £6.7m
Aaron Ramsdale would be an experienced option for Ipswich between the posts. He has played in the Premier League for several clubs and understands the demands of facing high-quality opposition week after week.
For a side looking to establish itself at this level, a goalkeeper who can organise the defence, make important saves and remain composed under pressure could be valuable. Kjell Scherpen hasn't started in great form and having a competent keeper is crucial for the Tractor Boys survival.
Down the pecking order at Southampton, proven quality in the Premier League. He seems like a great deal to pursue in January.
Leeds United — Anísio Cabral
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Position: Striker
Current club: Benfica
Transfermarkt Value: £4.2m
Leeds could benefit from adding another young centre-forward capable of leading the line and giving their attack a different dimension. Anísio Cabral is an interesting prospect to consider for that role.
Leeds have great cover in all positions and are playing great football this season. I think it's a perfect time to invest in high potential youth products. Calvert-Lewin is also very injury prone, so another striker I think would be perfect for Leeds.
A move would be about investing in potential as much as solving an immediate problem. Leeds would need to assess whether he is ready for the physical demands of English football, but his development could give the club a longer-term attacking option.
The key would be providing a clear pathway to minutes rather than expecting a young striker to adapt overnight.
Liverpool — Rayan
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Position: Winger
Current club: Bournemouth
Transfermarkt Value: £50.2m
Rayan would be an ambitious option for Liverpool, offering a powerful attacking profile with the potential to develop across the front line.
Liverpool wanted another right winger in the summer window but failed to get one. Rayan would be a perfect fit. Left footed, fast, Premier League proven.
His physical presence and ability to attack space could complement Liverpool's quicker, more technical forwards. He could also give the side another option when they need to stretch defensive lines or carry the ball forward in transition.
There is an obvious complication: Rayan is already at Bournemouth, so Liverpool would have to negotiate with a Premier League rival. That could make the deal expensive, but his versatility would be an appealing quality.
Manchester City — Francesco Pio Esposito
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Position: Striker
Current club: Inter Milan
Transfermarkt Value: £41.9m
Manchester City rarely lack attacking quality, but adding another young centre-forward could give them a different option in the final third where they are a bit short of options. Francesco Pio Esposito is a physically imposing striker who can hold up the ball, battle defenders and finish inside the box.
The Italian would offer a long-term investment as well as additional depth behind Erling Haaland. Convincing Inter to part with a young striker they have developed themselves would be difficult, but Esposito has the profile to grow into a major player.
Manchester United — Alejandro Balde
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Position: Left-back
Current club: Barcelona
Transfermarkt Value: £33.5m
Alejandro Balde was a summer window target, and United desperately need a fullback. Balde would bring speed, attacking intent and the ability to carry the ball up the left flank. His acceleration could help Manchester United transition quickly from defence to attack, while his overlapping runs would create additional space for their wingers.
Balde has developed at Barcelona, where attacking full-backs are expected to contribute heavily to possession and build-up play. Those qualities could be valuable at Old Trafford.
The major question is whether Barcelona would entertain a sale. Balde is an ambitious target, but his profile fits the idea of adding more athleticism and progression from the back.
Newcastle United — Victor Froholdt
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Position: Central midfielder
Current club: Porto
Transfermarkt Value: £41.9m
Victor Froholdt would be an exciting addition to Newcastle's midfield. The Danish youngster offers mobility and versatility, with the ability to contribute in central areas and help connect defence with attack.
His energy could be useful in matches that demand intensity, while his technical development could allow him to take on greater responsibility in possession.
Newcastle would need to convince Porto to negotiate, but Froholdt represents the sort of high-upside midfielder who could strengthen the present squad and provide value over several seasons.
I believe he has the potential to develop into one of the world's best midfielders, and if someone snags him now it could be a bargain.
Nottingham Forest — Kaishu Sano
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Position: Central midfielder
Current club: Mainz 05
Transfermakrt Value: £33.5m
Kaishu Sano would bring energy and mobility to Forest's midfield, which is too mediocre right now. His ability to cover ground and contribute defensively could help the team compete in transitions, while his development in Germany makes him an intriguing option for a Premier League move.
Forest would benefit from a midfielder who can support the defence without sacrificing the ability to move the ball forward quickly.
Sano would need to adapt to the league's intensity, but he could be a valuable addition if Forest want more dynamism and depth in the centre of the pitch.
Sunderland — Geny Catamo
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Position: Winger / Attacking Midfielder / Wingback
Current club: Sporting CP
Transfermarkt Value: £29.3m
Geny Catamo was linked in the summer, and Sunderland need more attacking options in January. Catamo would give Sunderland pace, versatility and an aggressive attacking presence on the right or left. His ability to operate as a winger or wing-back could make him useful in several tactical systems.
Sunderland could benefit from a player who can carry the ball into dangerous areas, stretch defensive lines and contribute to transitions. His versatility would also give the manager more options when adjusting the team's shape.
Sporting would not necessarily be eager to lose him, so Sunderland would need to make a convincing offer. But Catamo could be an exciting addition if the club wants more quality and depth out wide.
Tottenham Hotspur — Brian Brobbey
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Position: Striker
Current club: Sunderland
Transfermarkt Value: £41.9m
Brian Brobbey would give Tottenham a powerful centre-forward who can occupy defenders, compete physically and provide a focal point for attacking moves. He is the type of striker Tottenham need.
His ability to play with his back to goal could help Spurs bring midfield runners into the game, while his presence in the box would offer another route to goal when their usual combinations are not working.
A move would depend on Sunderland's willingness to negotiate considering their current league position and Tottenham's budget. Spurs would need to offer a compelling sporting and financial package to make the transfer realistic.
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