EPL: Best XI Joining Premier League Clubs Based on January Transfer Rumours

January is upon us. It's the time of year when those clubs struggling for good form will panic buy and those who have tasted success so far will be tempted to add some class to their squads.

Injuries—or a potential long-term suspension, in the case of Luis Suarez at Liverpool—also play a factor. This year in particular, the African Cup of Nations will also play a big part in clubs' plans.

With the emergence of Spurs—who seem almost certain to claim a Top Four spot—and Liverpool—who have high ambitions to get back to Champions League football after their lavish spending spree last summer—Chelsea and Arsenal are sweating on their customary places that enable them to qualify for Europe's elite competition.

Furthermore, the threat of relegation is always a big trigger for clubs to spend in January, so all managers will be desperate for funds to ensure they meet their preseason targets.

Here is my best XI comprised of players who have been rumoured to be joining a Premier League club in January.

Goalkeeper: Nikolay Mihaylov, FC Twente to Spurs

Nikolay Mihaylov of FC Twente has been linked with a move to Spurs and a fee rumoured to be £5 million could be enough to finalise the deal according to the Daily Mail.

The Bulgarian goalkeeper, who used to be on Liverpool's books, has excelled with the Dutch club and was part of Steve McClaren's Eredivisie-winning side in 2010.

Brad Friedel has been superb for Spurs, but the American is 40 years old and will only be a temporary solution after the multiple blunders made by Heurelho Gomes.

Centre-back: Jan Vertonghen, Ajax to Newcastle

The Belgium international Jan Vertonghen has been a rock for Ajax in recent years and has emerged as one of Europe's outstanding young centre-backs.

It is a surprise to many that there is more than a rumour linking him to Newcastle, who are set to prioritise defence reinforcement according to The Northern Echo.

Stephen Taylor and Fabricio Collocini have been superb at the heart of a watertight defence that has seen the Toon become the surprise package of the season. Alan Pardew knows he needs to add some depth to his squad.

It would be a major coup to land such a highly sought-after international, especially at the rumoured £10 million price tag, which could be a snip in the long run for the 24-year-old.

Centre-back: Gary Cahill, Bolton Wanderers to Chelsea

Gary Cahill is almost certain to depart Bolton in January after the Trotters managed to resist bids in the previous two windows.

Chelsea and Bolton have publicly confirmed that conversations have taken place regarding the transfer of Cahill for a fee in the region of £7 million.

With Alex having fallen out with Andre Villas-Boas and John Terry's situation regarding his alleged racist insult towards Anton Ferdinand and the precedent set by The FA after the Luis Suarez case, Chelsea need to cover centre-back.

Cahill fits the bill despite his struggles so far this season.

Centre-back: Iñigo Martinez, Real Sociedad to Liverpool or Manchester United

Real Sociedad's Iñigo Martinez has been very impressive so far this season.

Not only because he scored one goal of the season contender and then replicated the trick with another.

The 20-year-old has been a rock for Txuri-urdin and has also shown superb potential for the Spanish U21 side.

Liverpool have registered an interest and a fee less than the £28 million release clause could make a deal possible.

They face competition, though, according to Inside Futbol, with Manchester United, Real Madrid and Barcelona all seemingly keen on the youngster.

With Real Madrid and Barcelona also said to be showing interest, the Premier League clubs might be keen to tie up a deal quickly to avoid losing out. Thus, the deal could materialise in January despite centre-back not being a position that is in desperate need of attention.

Right Midfield: Milos Krasic, Juventus to Chelsea (Loan)

Milos Krasic has endured a frustrating season so far after falling out with manager Antonio Conte.

Juventus have confirmed that they will be willing to cut the Serbian international from their squad and Chelsea seems like a likely destination.

The Telegraph propose that the Blues will take Krasic on loan to begin with and then make the deal permanent in the summer.

With Nicolas Anelka almost out the door and Florent Malouda also said to be unwanted by Andre Villas-Boas, the Portuguese tactician will be keen to add somebody of Krasic's ilk who possesses genuine pace and trickery and a liking to take on defenders and go past them.

A clever deal in potential if Krasic can get back to last season's form.

Defensive Midfield: Casemiro, São Paolo to Arsenal

Casemiro is a talented Brazilian international who could be a great signing by Arsene Wenger.

Casemiro is not a typical defensive midfielder—he's more of a box-to-box-type player who can do a bit of everything like Chelsea Ramires.

São Paolo will be safe in the knowledge that they can spark a bidding war with interest coming from Italy in AC Milan and Juventus, which could bump up the transfer fee for the 19-year-old to £10 million according to the Daily Mail.

Casemiro was part of the Brazil U20 side that won the FIFA World Youth Championship in Colombia.

Defensive Midfield: Lucas Biglia, Anderlecht to Arsenal or Manchester United

Lucas Biglia could be an interesting signing for a Premier League side.

The Argentine has been far too good for an Anderlecht side for too long and needs to secure a move to a better league to improve himself, given he is already 25 years old.

Biglia's having represented the Albiceleste six times already, despite playing for a side in an unglamorous league, is said to be interesting Arsenal and Manchester United according to the Daily Mail.

His agent, Enzo Montepaone, confirmed that "the interest is real" from both of those clubs and Fiorentina too, with the Belgian side likely commanding a fee of €10 million.

Left Midfield: Tranquilo Barnetta, Bayer Leverkusen to Aston Villa

Tranquillo Barnetta is a very interesting player who is capable of succeeding in the Premier League.

He came to the English public's attention when he scored both goals in Switzerland's 2-2 draw with England at Wembley in June.

The Swiss International is capable of playing on either wing with tremendous pace and stamina to work hard, and is vastly experienced with 59 caps as a 26-year-old.

He is currently sidelined with a knee injury, but is expected to be fit by the beginning of next month, which could allow him to secure a move to a Premier League side.

Aston Villa would seem to be the most keen as of now, although Newcastle's summer interest could be rekindled.

His contract is up in the summer, so it would seem likely that Bayer Leverkusen would want to get some value for their player before his contract expires. For a fee in the region of £5 million, he could be a steal.

Attacking Midfield: Eden Hazard, Lille to Manchester City

Eden Hazard is the jewel of Lille and is one of Europe's most talented young players.

The Belgian playmaker has made a tremendous impact in Ligue 1 and inspired Lille's title win last season.

Talksport report that City will make a bid of £30 million. With Lille out of the Champions League and the January window seemingly inflating most fees, it would be a clever time to sell for Lille if they intend to get the highest possible fee in return for Hazard.

The 20-year-old is set for a huge future and City seem intent on collecting the world's best talent, which certainly includes Hazard.

Attacking Midfield: Kaka, Real Madrid to Chelsea

Kaka's time with Real Madrid seems to be nearing the end after a disappointing spell since the £56 million move from AC Milan in 2009.

Real Madrid will apparently accept a bid of £22 million according to the Daily Mail.

Such a fee for a player who is 29 years old might seem too high.

But Kaka has always kept himself in exceptional condition and has evolved as a player since picking up a series of injuries in the last few years.

Kaka now operates far closer to the striker than he used to, and that's fine, because he has the ability to make intricate passes in and around the penalty area. And combining with the striker to score as many goals as ever is something highly attractive.

Roman Abramovich has been stung plenty of times before with high-profile superstars who have turned out to be overpriced, but something feels different about Kaka.

Striker: Teófilo Gutiérrez, Racing Club De Avellaneda to Liverpool

As mentioned before, Liverpool's desperation to reclaim a place in the Top Four combined with the seemingly inevitable eight-game suspension for Luis Suarez means Kenny Dalglish will likely be in the market for another striker.

Teó Gutiérrez of Racing in Argentina could be the man that Liverpool turn to and would probably be buyable for £8 million according to TalkSport.

The Colombian, who has scored five goals in 15 appearances for his country, has been in fine form ever since joining Racing from Trabzonspor for £1 million.

Teó has scored 19 goals in 33 games in the Primera División and could be worth a punt, particularly after the last big-name Colombian striker to join a European club from the Argentine league, Radamel Falcao, has become a phenomenon.

Teó's time might just be now.

Follow me on Twitter @jackalexandros and @FRcalcioJack.