The winter transfer window is about to open and every single Premier League side will look to add what they need to reach their goals for the 2023-24 season.
The winter transfer window is a month-long frenzy from January 1 to February 1 where clubs can buy and sell players. Last year, a record-high £815m was spent by Premier League sides in the winter transfer window. Will they top that this year?
Here's what each squad needs.
Odds Shark's EPL Betting Resources
Premier League Winter Transfer Window Needs
Arsenal - Left Back
Arsenal are one of the favorites to win the EPL title this year. To do so, they need coverage in every single position.
Oleksandr Zinchenko is a good (but not great) left-back. When he's injured or suspended the Gunners don't have a secondary option to fill his spot. Which is why they've been linked to Ajax defender Jorrel Hato.
Jorrell Hato feels like a market opportunity for #Arsenal. He’s ready to play, but signing a 17 year old mid season in a title race comes with risk. It’s clear the talent is there, and long term it could prove a masterstroke if the price is right. #AFC pic.twitter.com/k7WSKmgROd
— Adam Keys (@adamkeys_) December 27, 2023
Aston Villa - Defensive Mid
The weakness in Villa's squad was evident against Manchester United. After cruising to a 2-0 lead they allowed United to grow into the game uncontested. The Red Devils moved through the middle of the park far too easily. Getting a defensive midfielder to close out that soft middle would be a massive win.
Bournemouth - Cheap Quality
Being (at best) a mid-table squad means they don't have the resources to match the spending of some big clubs. A loan spell might be the wisest course of action for the Cherries.
Man City's Kalvin Phillips would be an ideal candidate. Out of favor in Manchester, the former Leeds center-mid would be a great target for Espirtos Santos' men. However, he seems destined to join Newcastle.
Newcastle are reportedly 'confident' they'll be able to get a loan deal for Kalvin Phillips over the line in January.
— Football365 (@F365) December 27, 2023
They're hoping to get things sorted 'as soon as possible'.https://t.co/z3tKaao1Yx
Brentford - Striker
With Bryan Mbuemo out for three months and Ivan Toney being a major target for some of the big teams in the league, Brentford will have to exist without their two major goal threats. Mbuemo and Toney combined for 29 goals last campaign. Mbuemo has seven already this year.
The Bees need goals and bad.
Brighton - Full Backs
The Gulls have a ton of injuries, specifically on the flank. They've got three full-backs (Estupinian, Lamptey, Veltman) out with injuries. Brighton needs those wide outlets to feed their high possession style.
Burnley - Ian Maatsen
He's a familiar name for Burnley, having played for them last year as they topped the Championship and earned promotion. But with only 209 minutes of Premier League time with Chelsea, the 21-year-old isn't getting the minutes needed to grow.
Chelsea would be wise to send him out on loan and Burnley would be wise to bring in a player that can play in their system.
Chelsea - Victor Osimhen / Striker
Chelsea find themselves 10th in the table because they can't put away the chances they create. Osimhen has scored 33 goals on 28xG over the last two seasons. The Blues are favored to land him by Feb 3rd at +800.
Those odds are so long because he just signed a new contract with Napoli days ago.
Victor Osimhen has signed a new contract at Napoli, according to Sky 🇮🇹 ✍️
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) December 23, 2023
If they can't get Osimhen, any striker whose G to xG differential isn't a negative would be a good bet for Chelsea.
Crystal Palace - Creative Forward
Palace is near the bottom of the league for xG. They need a player who can create those chances. Sunderland's Jack Clarke would be an ideal pick-up if they can get him.
Everton - Money?
It's going to be a sad Christmas period for Evertonians. There's just no money available to make any signings. Fans have been cautioned that January will likely be a quiet month for the club.
Everton unlikely to invest in January transfer window https://t.co/x5Cj4cQJMg pic.twitter.com/pPsLr5CA51
— Reuters (@Reuters) December 27, 2023
Fulham - Center-Back
The Cottagers are one of the worst defensive squads in the league. Only Luton and Sheffield - both are relegation favorites - have a worse xGA in the league. They need a stable body in the middle of defense to stop bleeding chances.
Liverpool - Left-Back
Andy Robertson should be back in a few days, but for now, Liverpool is stuck using Joe Gomez on the flank. Gomez has been fine but it's not the right fit. They might chase a defensive mid. But I'd say left-back is a more pressing need.
Luton Town - Premier League Quality
With all due respect to Luton, they aren't a Premier League squad. Maybe if they can bring in more EPL calibre players for that starting 11 they can pick up a few more points.
Manchester City - Raphinha
Is Kevin De Bruyne an acceptable answer? Cause they need him back ASAP. Assuming you just yelled: "healing from an injury isn't a transfer" at your screen I'll change my answer.
Barcelona's Raphinha is who City should chase. The forward tore up the Premier League in 21-22 for Leeds with 11 goals and three assists.
Manchester United - Anyone Who Can Score Goals
With 21 goals, United is 16th for offense in the Premier League. That has to change. Brentford's Ivan Toney scored 32 goals over the two previous seasons for the Bees. Only Erling Haaland, Mohamed Salah and Harry Kane held a better xG than Toney in 22-23.
It makes too much sense for Ten Haag to get Toney.
🔴🐝 Brentford director Lee Dykes has confirmed they want an important bid to let Ivan Toney leave in January.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 19, 2023
“There should be interest, and maybe the time comes very shortly that Ivan moves on to another club”.
“But they will have to pay a decent transfer fee to acquire his… pic.twitter.com/q1L1pqW0cs
Newcastle United - David De Gea
With Nick Pope out for four months, the Magpies are looking for a new number-one keeper. Why not former Manchester United star David De Gea?
Last year, the Spaniard held his lowest GA/90 (1.13) since 2019-20 and faced the third-most shots on target in his United career. He's still a top-end keeper. To get him on a free transfer would be a massive steal for Newcastle.
Nottingham Forest - Right-Footed Attacking Options
Forest has no options on the attacking side of the right flank. They need to fix that in January. New manager Nuno Espirito Santo is looking to remedy that by bringing in Monaco's Gelson Martin.
Sheffield United - Aaron Ramsdale
No keeper has made more mistakes in the Premier League this season than Sheffield's Wes Foderingham. Aaron Ramsdale is the ideal replacement.
He's familiar with the club, having played there in 20-21 holding an impressive 70.9% save percentage. Ramsdale won't save the Blades on his own, but he'll stop the flurry of errors at the back that just earn them a few more points.
Tottenham - Midfielders
That's a broad "need" but with four long-term injuries to nine of their midfielders, they need new bodies to fill gaps in the lineup.
West Ham United - Center Forward
The absence of Michail Antonio hasn't been as hard felt as previously believed. The Hammers keep on ticking sitting seventh in points. But they need a center forward to lead the offensive line.
Montpellier's Akor Adams is the right target for them to pursue.
⚒️ West Ham have seemingly been given a boost to their hopes of signing Akor Adams after the Montpellier striker admitted it was his 'dream' to play in the Premier League...https://t.co/eEKM14KyJE
— TEAMtalk (@TEAMtalk) December 20, 2023
Wolves - Center-Back
With a bit of organization on the back line and Wolves could be even better. They've allowed the joint-most penalty kick attempts (5) and are fifth for passes into their final third.
Fix that defense, even just marginally, with more quality on the back end and Wolverhampton becomes a top-half side easily. That's something I didn't think I'd ever say.
