Picking a January 2015 Deadline Day Target for Every EPL Club
It's been a fairly quiet January transfer window all told, and as we tick towards Monday's deadline, we're waiting to see what Premier League clubs will do.
The hope that there will be drama right up until the end will be one that many still hold, with fans of all 20 clubs doubtless certain they need to bring in particular players to help the remainder of their season.
Who are those players, though? And what if every club had the chance to make an ideal (albeit realistic) signing between now and Monday?
Well, those signings might look like this.
Arsenal: Sami Khedira
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There's a vacant spot for a German World Cup winner at the Emirates Stadium following the departure of Lukas Podolski to Inter Milan, but more importantly, there is a place for a top-class central midfielder too.
Mikel Arteta might never return to being the player he once was, Mathieu Flamini is unconvincing and Francis Coquelin is very raw, so a move for Khedira looks to be a perfect fit, especially when you consider Real Madrid might need to sell him now in order not to lose him for free in the summer.
Aston Villa: Troy Deeney
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Aston Villa need goals and just about any form of excitement, and the return of one-time Villa youth product Troy Deeney could certainly help with that.
Something of a tearaway in his younger days, Deeney has grown up a lot in the past few years; he's now the captain of Watford and one of the deadliest forwards in the Championship, having scored 56 goals and counting over the past three seasons. He left Villa at the age of 15, so how about an emotional return home to liven up their season?
Burnley: Jordan Rhodes
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Burnley have shown enough fighting tendencies this season to indicate that they aren't going to negotiate their relegation battle without giving it their all, but ultimately, goals are going to determine whether they stand or fall.
With Sam Vokes' injury problems troubling them all season, Sean Dyche could make the short trip to rivals Blackburn Rovers to pluck Jordan Rhodes from Ewood Park and finally give him a shot at the Premier League. It would cause uproar in the north west of England, but it might be an inspired move.
Chelsea: Mauro Icardi
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With Diego Costa liable to stamp on someone at any moment, Didier Drogba probably leaving the club at the end of the season and Loic Remy looking like an increasingly strange signing with each passing day, Chelsea could do with beefing up their attack this season while also having an eye on the future.
With Inter's Mauro Icardi, they could do just that. The 21-year-old has had a stellar season, scoring 15 goals in all competitions. Though he wouldn't come cheaply, when has that ever bothered Chelsea before?
Crystal Palace: Papiss Cisse
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Perhaps the best of Alan Pardew's signings at Newcastle United, forward Papiss Cisse has had his injury problems this season but still managed to score some crucial goals for his side.
The uncertainty created by John Carver's appointment until the end of the season on Tyneside might make the Senegalese think twice about staying, though, and the lure of both Pardew and London could lead him to force through a move to Crystal Palace.
Everton: Danny Ings
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Samuel Eto'o's bafflingly brief stay at Everton is over, so the Blues could do with another forward to try and help save a messy season.
Danny Ings might not be the name Everton fans want, but the Burnley forward is in good form and is running down his contract in order to leave the club in the summer. Could a deal be done now to suit everyone?
Hull City: Darren Fletcher
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Hull's widely lauded summer signings haven't quite worked out, so they could do with some Premier League experience to help them in their battle against relegation.
Manchester United's Darren Fletcher might not be the player he once was due to fitness and illness problems, but the Scot's influence could be huge for the Tigers, for whom boss Steve Bruce could use his United connections to make a deal happen for a player who now looks to be on borrowed time at Old Trafford.
Leicester City: Brede Hangeland
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There are encouraging signs at Leicester City, but the concern has to be they are conceding too many goals in order to stay up.
A bit of Premier League experience at the back could certainly help matters, so perhaps Nigel Pearson could liberate Brede Hangeland from Crystal Palace, where the former Fulham man has fallen down Alan Pardew's pecking order he might be up for the move.
Liverpool: James Milner
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You could link any number of big-name forwards with Liverpool, but with Daniel Sturridge now fit again, Divock Origi heading to Anfield next season and Mario Balotelli...still Mario Balotelli, it is more likely they would look to improve other areas of the team.
James Milner will be available on a free transfer in the summer and might just fancy becoming a key part of the Reds' midfield post-Steven Gerrard, but how about putting some money down and bringing him in now instead? He could help provide the extra energy needed for a Champions League push.
Manchester City: Sami Khedira
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He might be the perfect signing for Arsenal this January, but Sami Khedira would also make for a strong addition at Manchester City too.
The Premier League champions have struggled in recent weeks, as Yaya Toure has been playing at the Africa Cup of Nations, and with Fernandinho not hitting the heights of last season and Fernando not appearing to be up to the job, the World Cup winner could revolutionise Manuel Pellegrini's midfield.
Manchester United: Mats Hummels
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Interest in Mats Hummels was high long before the Germany centre-back anchored his country to World Cup glory in the summer, and with Borussia Dortmund struggling this season, there may never be a better time to sign him.
If Manchester United's displays under Louis van Gaal have proved one thing, it's that they are in desperate need of a dominant centre-back or two, so this move would appear to be written in the stars.
Newcastle United: Bafetimbi Gomis
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Seemingly unsettled from the moment he set foot into Swansea, France forward Bafetimbi Gomis might need a change of scenery to rediscover the form that once saw him score the fastest hat-trick in Champions League history during his Lyon days.
Luckily for him, Newcastle has gained a reputation as an environment in which French-speaking players can flourish, so perhaps a move to Tyneside would be preferable for him, although following Wilfried Bony's departure, Swansea City would be unlikely to let him go.
Queens Park Rangers: Chris Martin
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Harry Redknapp could do with a consistent partner for Charlie Austin, with Bobby Zamora unable to perform other than in fits and potential target Peter Crouch having committed his future to Stoke City.
A move for the Derby County forward Chris Martin could work, then, with the Scotland international having hit 15 goals so far this season to aid in his team's promotion push.
Southampton: Steven N'Zonzi
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We're not saying that Stoke City should lose all their players on Monday, just that Frenchman Steven N'Zonzi would make a good signing for a Southampton team that has lost both Victor Wanyama and Morgan Schneiderlin to injury in recent weeks.
That has created something of a gap in midfield, and the Stoke enforcer could help fill the position and ensure Saints' challenge for Europe remains on course.
Stoke City: Adnan Januzaj (loan)
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The loss of Bojan Krkic until the end of the season is a crippling one for a Stoke City side who have thrived on his creativity this season, so perhaps it's time for Mark Hughes to get creative.
Adnan Januzaj's development has somewhat stalled this season due to the arrival of bigger names at Old Trafford, so how about a loan deal at the Britannia Stadium until the end of the campaign? The Belgian would get the game time he sorely needs and further his Premier League development, thereby helping United in the long run.
Sunderland: Either One of Tyler Blackett or Paddy McNair (loan)
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Continuing in that vein, Sunderland's recent switch to a back three means it is important they bring in a defender with a bit more pace than Santiago Vergini, John O'Shea, Wes Brown and Sebastian Coates.
With that in mind, Manchester United youngsters Tyler Blackett and Paddy McNair could be good players to target on loan deals. Both have experience playing in a back three this season and would probably relish the opportunity to develop their game away from the United goldfish bowl.
Swansea City: Danny Ings
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Like Everton, Swansea City need a few more goals. Therefore, like Everton, they might be tempted to make a move for Burnley's Danny Ings before his contract runs out at the end of the season.
Ings probably offers the Clarets their best chance of staying up, so they won't want to let him go without a fight, but if he were to push for a move, then one might come off for him.
Tottenham Hotspur: Jackson Martinez
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The sight of Emmanuel Adebayor and Roberto Soldado both rooted to the bench during Tottenham Hotspur's qualification for the Capital One Cup final at Sheffield United tells you everything you need to know about their striking issues, and Spurs can't just rely on Harry Kane up front.
A move for Porto's Jackson Martinez would be a hugely expensive one and unlikely to happen until Adebayor and Soldado have been removed from the wage bill, but Spurs fans can dream, right?
West Bromwich Albion: Charlie Adam
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Tony Pulis has signed Callum McManaman from Wigan Athletic to provide his team with energy and a bit more of a goal threat, so what about a bit more quality from set pieces next?
Having signed Charlie Adam for Stoke City when he was the Potters boss, maybe a move for the Scot would prove successful for Pulis, given he's not exactly first choice at the Britannia Stadium any more.
West Ham United: Andros Townsend
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Strengthening from a position of a strength is always the best option, and West Ham United could add even more quality to their excellent season with a move for Tottenham's Andros Townsend, who may never rise to more than a bit-part player at White Hart Lane.
With Townsend on one wing and Stewart Downing on the other, the Hammers would create plenty of chances for Andy Carroll and perhaps be able to drop Kevin Nolan, who has been unconvincing for a while now.
