THE transfer window opened at midnight.
Some Premier League clubs will opt for wholesale alterations. Others will look to tweak.
Frank Lampard and Jose Mourinho are expected to spend in the winter windowCredit: Reuters
And the seven managers still in European football know they can only swap three players in their Champions League or Europa League squads — although now there is no “cup-tied” rule to worry about.
Here, SunSport looks at the key questions in the January window.
CLOCK RUNNING DOWN
The list of top-grade players entering the final six months of their deals is a huge headache for a number of clubs.
At Spurs, Jose Mourinho persuaded Toby Alderweireld to sign a new contract after nearly two years of umm-ing and aah-ing but Christian Eriksen and Jan Vertonghen are still to decide.
Others who can now agree pre-contract deals with non-English clubs include Adam Lallana at Liverpool, Manchester City’s Fernandinho and the Chelsea pair Willian and Olivier Giroud.
It means the players are in control of their situation, rather than the clubs.
But for any chairmen looking to get something back instead of seeing the players leave for free in the summer this is the final opportunity to find a buyer, even if it means a cut-price fee.
Vertonghen, Fernandinho, Lallana and Willian could agree new deals.
But Eriksen seems determined to quit Spurs, Giroud knows he has no future at Stamford Bridge and players like United’s Ashley Young and Bournemouth’s Ryan Fraser hold all the cards.
Playmaker Christian Eriksen seems determined to quit SpursCredit: Getty Images – Getty
CHELSEA BUYS
Frank Lampard returned to the Bridge knowing the club was under Fifa’s transfer embargo and used that to blood the cream of the Cobham academy crop.
Tammy Abraham, Mason Mount, Fikayo Tomori and Reece James have grasped their opportunity but an infusion of new blood now could make a difference in the top-four fight.
Lampard’s most pressing priority is at left-back.
Leicester are unlikely to sell England first choice Ben Chilwell but Porto’s Alex Telles and Argentine Nicolas Tagliafico — eyeing a move from Ajax to the Prem — are serious options.
If Willian goes, then a move for Wilf Zaha at Palace has long been mooted but Giroud’s likely departure means back-up for Abraham is more important.
As is an extra body at the heart of the defence, potentially Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly — also on the wishlists of Arsenal and Spurs as well.
DROP KICKS
The price of relegation is massive, with TV income plunging by near £60million in the first year alone.
That is before clubs have to wrestle with the problems of paying Prem wages to sustain Championship football.
So those clubs staring into the abyss may opt to gamble in the hope they can eke out the points to stay up.
West Ham’s decision to axe Manuel Pellegrini and turn back to David Moyes was a sign of the club’s fears and, despite spending £183m in two years, it seems likely there will be an overhaul at the London Stadium.
Moyes needs defenders who can do the basics, midfielders with grit, and a striker who can find the net.
Big-money arrivals such as Seb Haller, Pablo Fornals and the virtually invisible Albian Ajeti could all be vulnerable to free up funds.
Norwich, despite likely relegation, seem to be building for the future under Daniel Farke, while Bournemouth may trust in Eddie Howe to keep them up a fifth straight season.
But Watford’s initial resurgence since Nigel Pearson’s arrival may have repercussions for Aston Villa, where Wesley has not delivered on a £22m fee.
NORTHERN POWERHOUSES
Liverpool have already provided a new-year boost for Jurgen Klopp in the shape of Japanese schemer Takumi Minamino from Salzburg.
Unless the champions-elect have a big injury to a key man in the coming weeks, they are unlikely to do more business.
But Manchester City, even with Aymeric Laporte due back, have to sort out that porous defensive line, with a centre-half and left-back required.
At Old Trafford, missing out on Erling Haaland brought Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin into Manchester United’s sights but the ongoing storm around Paul Pogba will be the main drama.
Carlo Ancelotti will want Everton upgrades. Selling Calvert-Lewin would give him funds. It is hard to see Cenk Tosun as a future a Goodison.
The Red Devils missed out on the signing of Erling Haaland to Borussia Dortmund
CAPITAL GAINS
The North London giants are under new management — and even Daniel Levy has to see the failings in Spurs’ squad.
It is likely Mourinho and Mikel Arteta will be fishing in the same pond for defensive recruitments.
Spurs need a right-back — maybe Max Aarons at Norwich — and probably a physical defensive line leader.
Arsenal’s defensive flaws are equally apparent. Who would have guessed that David Luiz was not the solution?
But Arteta also has to work out Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s apparent desire to leave as well as the Mesut Ozil conundrum.
Calvert-Lewin has risen to the top of Manchester United’s summer hit listCredit: Getty – Contributor
Man United line up £50m Calvert-Lewin from Everton after Haaland transfer blow
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
