January Transfer Window: Who Needs What?

probably don't need to bulk up their squad anymore; they seem to have a good squad depth this season. Perhaps in central midfield they could however increase their quality, rather than quantity.

Scholes, Fletcher, Anderson, Carrick, and Hargreaves are all capable of doing sterling jobs in their own fashion but none have really come out and stamped their authority over a run of games yet this season.

The Tevez-saga will no doubt continue until he does eventually sign permanently, which I have no doubt that he will, but not too many names should be joining the United squad list this winter.

Middlesborough have a fair squad at their disposal now but perhaps Southgate might feel he needs to trim two or three fairly run of the mill players to add the one or two better players who could make a difference to their league position.

Alves has yet to really hit form this season, Mido is rarely given a starting berth and Garry O'Neill is rumoured to be off to Portsmouth, so there is the possibility of comings and goings at the Riverside. Adam Johnson is also a reputed target of Real Madrid but I don't see it happening.

Newcastle United have already stated that Joe Kinnear will be given the funds to sign a couple of players if they are within budget and fit their plan, such as it is, but who will want to sign for them? The club is up for sale, players are out of contract in summer like Owen, Ameobi, Harper, and Butt and there is no permanent manager in place.

In fairness Kinnear has them playing better football now and has done his chances of landing the job permanently no harm but still, Newcastle flatters to deceive far too often in the transfer market and this winter may be a tough one for them in attracting players.

Portsmouth have money to burn following the confirmation of the sale of Lassana Diarra to Real Madrid and Tony Adams has said he will be given it all to spend. A long-term replacement for Sol Campbell, a wide attacker and a midfielder to replace Diarra himself will all surely be on Pompey's radar but who will be the names that fit the bill?

Valencia's ex-Arsenal midfielder Edu is reportedly attracting their interest but he has had terrible injury problems since switching to the Mestalla and is not the physical driving force that Diarra has been. Much will depend on Adam's personal outlook on how he wants to play the game and how much he dares switch from the way they played under mentor Harry Redknapp.

Stoke City supposedly have a few million to throw around and are still after Liverpool's Jermaine Pennant if reports are to be believed. However with Celtic also in the hunt they may be forced to look elsewhere after Pennant rejected them in the summer. Cardiff winger Joe Ledley is one who has been touted as an alternative.

Reinforcements for their back line may be in order too as they have shipped 20 goals away from home already this season. Sidibe, Kitson, and Fuller are charged with the goal-scoring task and only new boy Kitson has yet to weigh in with a fair amount, so this could be another area they look at.

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