1 Player Each Premier League Team Should Target in the 2026 January Transfer Window
At just over the halfway point of the Premier League season, Arsenal have a comfortable lead at the top, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Burnley, and West Ham United look set for the drop, and just nine points separate 15th from fourth.
But, as the season has proved thus far, things can change quickly. After five games, Liverpool looked like they would run away with the league again, while Aston Villa hadn't even won a match. Even Tottenham Hotspur were in third at that point.
Really, there is still everything to play for, and the January transfer window offers teams the perfect opportunity to make important personnel changes that could deliver crucial points. The right player or two could make the difference in a title challenge, the hunt for European competition qualification, or a relegation battle.
Ahead, we've looked at just one player that every Premier League should target as the league's second act continues. Finances, club profile, positional needs, circumstances, and a dash of realism have informed these picks, and each could play a crucial role in the months to come.
Arsenal - Kenan Yıldız
1 of 20
How could one of the most stacked squads in the Premier League possibly be improved?
Arsenal is six points clear of the chasing pack after the halfway point of the Premier League season, and consistency has been maintained despite various injury crises because of the sheer depth of talent available.
There are at least two players battling for every position, and many of them would walk into most teams' starting XI.
However, it's still easy to determine which area looks most ripe for an upgrade.
On the left wing, Gabriel Martinelli might have reached his ceiling. While Leandro Trossard has provided an impressive nine goal involvements in league play from the position despite making just 11 starts, he is 31 years old, and manager Mikel Arteta might be looking at younger options.
Kenan Yıldız is building on a breakout season with Juventus, with the 20-year-old scoring six goals and adding four assists in 18 Serie A appearances in 2025-26.
That comes off the back of seven goals and five assists in the whole of 2024-25, so it's clear he's on an upward trajectory.
His directness, trickery, and surprising strength make him a good Premier League fit, and he would add plenty to a squad that is already bursting at the seams with quality.
Aston Villa - Omar Marmoush
2 of 20
Aston Villa are in the midst of a surprising title challenge.
The West Midlanders are just six points behind Arsenal with plenty of games to go, but in order to keep up the pressure on the Gunners, the Villans really need a goalscorer.
Of the three teams most likely to vie for Premier League glory, Villa have scored the fewest, with just 33 goals representing seven fewer than Arsenal and nine fewer than Manchester City.
Ollie Watkins, who has never truly seemed to convince Unai Emery, has seven goals in 21 appearances, while Donyell Malen has four in 21—and the Dutchman's biggest impact usually comes off the bench.
While Villa's precarious financial position might prevent them from making a huge signing, they could make a shrewd loan move for an out-of-favor player.
Omar Marmoush's switch to Manchester City has proved disappointing. Despite scoring seven and adding two assists following his January arrival from Eintracht Frankfurt last season, he's made just two Premier League starts during the current campaign.
A temporary move could help the player rediscover the form that saw him grab 15 goals and 10 assists in 17 Bundesliga games before City came calling. However, the Citizens might want to include a clause that stops the Egyptian from playing against his parent club.
Bournemouth - Abdul Fatawu
3 of 20
Bournemouth really needs some good news.
After a brutal first half of the season following big-name departures, another rising star has headed for the exit door.
Antoine Semenyo is now a Manchester City player after his release clause was triggered, and the Cherries should be in the market for a replacement for the 26-year-old.
Bournemouth could repeat the trick that delivered Semenyo in the first place, looking to the Championship for another Ghanaian winger.
Abdul Fatawu didn't manage to demonstrate his talents too often with Leicester City in the Premier League last season, but it was always going to be difficult for a then-20-year-old attacking player in a relegation battle.
Back in English football's second tier, he's demonstrating what got many excited about his abilities in the first place, with five goals and seven assists for the Foxes so far.
Bournemouth isn't exactly strapped for cash following Semenyo's departure and the summer's mass exodus, but the club doesn't have the kind of profile to spend it on established top-level talent. Hunting for the next big star is a more achievable approach.
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Brentford - Ellis Simms
4 of 20
Incredibly, Brentford are fifth in the Premier League despite most tipping the Bees for the drop following a damaging summer exodus.
The club's long-term planning has to be admired. Igor Thiago was signed in January 2024 as a replacement for Ivan Toney, who was angling for a move.
The Brazilian had to bide his time to make his Brentford bow while overcoming knee problems, but after finally getting a run of games in 2025-26, he's proving his worth.
Sixteen goals in 21 games have him behind only Erling Haaland in the Premier League's scoring charts, and the Bees are flying high because of them.
However, with such a troubling injury history and no real backups at his position, it would be wise for the club to look for another striker without upsetting the balance of a squad that has some serious harmony right now.
Coventry City's Ellis Simms, a like-for-like option in terms of physical presence, could be a good shout.
The Everton academy product is about the same height as Thiago and has a similar build. The 25-year-old has nine goals in the Championship for promotion-hunting Coventry, and he might be available for a reasonable fee.
Simms wouldn't be an upgrade, but Brentford doesn't necessarily need that right now. The Bees just need to keep the momentum going on their surprising surge for European football next season, and giving Thiago a rest every now and then will be essential to those ambitions.
Brighton & Hove Albion - Charlie Cresswell
5 of 20
Brighton & Hove Albion's recruitment has been among the best in the English top flight for some time, but the Seagulls have been screaming for a new long-term center-back option for years.
After Olivier Boscagli's arrival from PSV in the summer, it was thought he would replace the aging Lewis Dunk. However, the 28-year-old has made just three Premier League appearances so far.
Toulouse's Charlie Cresswell is exactly the kind of player the club would and should target. The 23-year-old Englishman is turning heads in Ligue 1, making 29 starts last season and playing every minute in 2025-26.
He wouldn't break the bank, and he would have plenty of room to develop under the guidance of veterans like Dunk and Adam Webster while forming a solid partnership with Jan Paul van Hecke.
Burnley - Jovon Makama
6 of 20
Burnley's Premier League return looks likely to be short-lived, with the Clarets sitting in 19th and eight points away from safety.
With the joint-second-most goals conceded and joint-third-least goals scored, they desperately need help at both ends of the pitch.
However, they might need a miracle to ensure top-flight survival, so cutting their losses and planning for a return to the Championship might be a better strategy.
In the second tier, Norwich City are struggling against survival themselves, so the club's star players will be looking for a way out. Jovon Makama is the Canaries' top scorer, with the 21-year-old notching nine in a difficult campaign.
That output is promising, and his age provides plenty of room to grow. While he won't do much to stop Burnley's slide right now, some Premier League experience would help in his development, and he should be all the better for it next season as the Clarets again chart a course away from the Championship.
Chelsea - Victor Osimhen
7 of 20
Arguably, Chelsea needs to stop dabbling in the transfer market, as the constant wheeling and dealing seems to be doing more harm than good.
With that said, and despite the influx of players in recent seasons, there are still definite areas where the squad could be improved.
A new goalkeeper, an established center back, and a reliable goalscorer are among the most vital areas of need.
Both the goalkeeping and center back departments are at least well-stocked, so let's turn our attention to the center-forward position.
Victor Osimhen is one of the best strikers in the world, but because of his feud with former club Napoli, he was essentially shipped out of Italy to Galatasaray, who were willing to pay big money for his arrival.
While the atmosphere in the Turkish top-flight is well-regarded, it still feels like he should be playing at a higher level.
The Nigerian bagged 26 in 30 games in the Super Lig last season and has six in 12 so far in the current campaign. At Chelsea, he could easily reach 20 goals a season, and he already has a habit of smashing goals past English clubs.
Crystal Palace - Axel Disasi
8 of 20
If not in January, Crystal Palace will be losing Marc Guehi in the summer. The center-back's contract is running down, and he has shown no intention of signing a new one—especially with some top clubs vying for his signature.
The Eagles could target a couple of Manchester City players, with John Stones coming towards the end of his contract and Nathan Aké out of favor. However, the former's injury problems are a concern, and the latter will bank on getting a better offer elsewhere.
With that in mind, the club might need to be a bit more realistic in the hunt for an experienced player to provide an instant option for the starting XI.
There seems to be no way back for Axel Disasi at Chelsea, and the Blues will be keen to get rid of the Frenchman, even for a reduced fee. A move across London could be a solution that suits all parties, especially if Palace can't secure a huge return from a potential Guehi sale due to his contract situation.
Everton - Deniz Undav
9 of 20
Everton's revival has been great to see, but the club remains a bit goal-shy. Despite sitting 12th in the table and just three points off sixth place, the Toffees have the fourth-worst scoring record in the Premier League.
Theirno Barry is starting to find his feet, but three goals in 21 games is not nearly good enough for a club trying to return to its former glory.
Deniz Undav never really got a fair crack at the Premier League with Brighton, but he's been impressive in the Bundesliga for Stuttgart.
The German has 42 goals in 90 games in all competitions for Die Roten, and Everton might want to take a long, hard look at the marksman.
At 29, he might not be a long-term investment, but Barry is only 23, so the Frenchman could be given time to develop into a Premier League goal-getter while Undav carries the scoring burden.
Fulham - Ricardo Pepi
10 of 20
Fulham's bid for PSV's Ricardo Pepi has been rejected, according to The Athletic, and it's clear why the Cottagers are trying to seal the deal for the U.S. men's national team star.
The 22-year-old has seven goals in 14 games in the Eredivisie so far in 2025-26. That kind of return is certainly enticing for Fulham, who are still relying on 34-year-old Raúl Jiménez at the point of attack, who has five goals in 20 Premier League appearances this season.
The Mexican still has plenty to offer as he defies Father Time, and Fulham could leverage his experience by having him mentor Pepi, who could have played for the Mexico national team.
The Cottagers haven't had an effective marksman since Aleksandar Mitrovic's departure, and while Pepi doesn't boast the same qualities as the big Serb, he could herald the beginning of a new era for the London side.
Leeds United - Ayase Ueda
11 of 20
Leeds United are steadily accumulating points in their quest for survival. But to ensure top-flight football next season, they could do with a little bit of an attacking boost.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been a sensational signing, but his troubling injury history could come back to haunt the West Yorkshire club.
Lukas Nmecha has contributed in a forward role, certainly, but the Peacocks could use a little more than his four goals in 18 appearances, while being wary of the time he has also spent in the treatment room in his career.
Ayase Ueda is in the form of his life for Feyenoord, scoring 18 goals in 17 games for Feyenoord in the Eredivisie this season. While the Dutch side will be loath to lose that firepower, Leeds could persuade the club to sell the 27-year-old.
Before this season, the Japan international had never scored in double digits in European football, so Feyenoord might be keen to cash in while his value is at its peak.
Leeds, with substantial financial backing from 49ers Enterprises, should be able to make an offer too good to refuse.
Liverpool - Marc Guehi
12 of 20
Liverpool's season has been baffling, to say the least. The Reds coasted to Premier League glory last campaign, and an influx of expensive talent appeared to put them in position to sweep the division again.
However, for one reason or another, most of those players haven't had the desired effect, and one area of the squad was grossly overlooked for improvement.
Liverpool is in dire need of a new center back. Virgil van Dijk continues to decline, Ibrahima Konaté cannot be trusted, Joe Gomez is perpetually injured, and Giovanni Leoni will not be available until next season after an ACL injury.
The pursuit of Marc Guehi on deadline day of the summer transfer window came to nothing, and while the England international will see his Crystal Palace contract expire at the end of the season and be available for clubs to sign free, the Reds simply can't wait that long for defensive reinforcements.
However, there is now increased competition for the 25-year-old, so Liverpool will have to tempt him and the Eagles soon to avoid missing out on Guehi for a second time.
Manchester City - Elliot Anderson
13 of 20
Manchester City's midfield rebuild is underway, with Kevin De Bruyne departing at the end of last season, Rodri unable to break out of the treatment room, and Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic advancing in years.
Nico González has stepped up impressively to fill countryman Rodri's absence, and Tijjani Reijnders has settled well in the Premier League. However, another body is needed to bolster the engine room and provide some dynamism.
Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson broke out last season, providing energy and bite in the club's midfield. His development has been so impressive that he now looks a dead certainty to be in England's starting XI at the 2026 World Cup.
The Citizens will have been watching his progress with interest, and they would be wise to snap up the player soon before he alerts more clubs to his abilities when he takes the world stage in the summer.
Manchester United - Ruben Neves
14 of 20
The Manchester United circus continues, with Ruben Amorim relieved of his duties just days into 2026.
The club invested plenty in the attacking corps in the summer, with Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko, and Matheus Cunha arriving. However, little attention was paid anywhere else, despite obvious needs in midfield and at center back.
The middle of the park is the biggest concern. Casemiro is not of the requisite standard anymore, Manuel Ugarte hasn't settled as expected, Kobbie Mainoo has been consigned to the bench, and Bruno Fernandes continues to huff and puff his way around the pitch.
Mainoo may yet come back into the equation under a new manager, but it's still clear the Red Devils need to rebuild their engine room.
Ruben Neves departed Wolverhampton Wanderers for Saudi Arabia in 2023, with many believing the Portuguese to have abandoned Europe way too early in his career. He's only 28, and a return to Europe is entirely possible for a player who still has plenty to offer.
United might just fancy their chances. Neves obviously wasn't fazed about eschewing Champions League football for a decent paycheck in the Middle East, and United will likely be keen to throw money at the player who could be available for a lot less than the $60 million that took him to Al Hilal in the first place.
Newcastle United - Adam Wharton
15 of 20
Newcastle United need to keep an eye on their midfield. Sandro Tonali is attracting attention, and while Joelinton's transformation from a striker to a central dynamo has been impressive, the club is surely on the lookout for an upgrade as they try to make European football a regular occurrence.
Adam Wharton is one of the hottest midfield prospects in England, with the 21-year-old marrying steel with ball-playing genius. With Crystal Palace failing to build on recent success, he'll be looking at an opportunity to take a step up elsewhere.
With the Magpies out of the woods regarding profit and sustainability rules following the mega sale of Alexander Isak, there's money to spend.
Splurging on a talent like Wharton who can make an impact now while still having room to improve would be a brilliant bit of business and set Newcastle up for years to come.
Nottingham Forest - Kobbie Mainoo
16 of 20
Elliot Anderson will surely be heading out of the City Ground's doors in the not-too-distant future, so the Tricky Trees need to start succession planning.
Kobbie Mainoo could yet return to the Manchester United fold now that Ruben Amorim has exited the Theatre of Dreams, but the player might not be so convinced he has a future with a club that has treated him so poorly.
An exit makes sense for all parties, and Forest would be a great landing spot. The East Midlanders have struggled to replicate last season's success, but they are doing well in the Europa League and are steadily improving in domestic action.
Mainoo will be an asset now and into the future, and he only has to look at Anderson's success to see exactly what could be possible with the club. With a World Cup approaching, he could even put himself back in contention for the England squad if he makes a switch now.
Sunderland - Cucho Hernandez
17 of 20
Sunderland has been a revelation in 2025-26, performing well beyond expectations for a club that came up from the Championship last season.
While sitting in 10th is mightily impressive, with a rock-solid defense having a lot to do with it, the Black Cats need to start scoring. Their 21 goals in 21 games this season is the joint-second worst record in the Premier League.
Cucho Hernandez landed in Real Betis from the Columbus Crew for a reported $16 million in February 2025, and he has quickly settled in Andalusia.
The 26-year-old has eight goals and three assists in 18 games in 2025-26, and he's sitting fifth in La Liga's goalscoring charts.
It would be an ambitious signing for the north-east club, but ambition is what has got them to this point in the season so far. Why stop now?
Tottenham Hotspur - Diogo Costa
18 of 20
With long-term goalkeeper Hugo Lloris approaching his forties, Tottenham turned to Guglielmo Vicario as the Frenchman's successor.
However, the Italian has proved erratic between the sticks, being less than convincing when tasked with claiming aerial balls and struggling with the ball at his feet. According to StatMuse, he has two errors that have led to goals this season.
Spurs haven't been afraid to splash the cash in recent windows, and an investment in a new goalkeeper should be their next big purchase.
It's frankly amazing that Diogo Costa hasn't been plucked from Porto yet, with the Portugal No. 1's name seemingly emerging every time a club is in need of a goalkeeping upgrade.
The Dragões are soaring at the top of the Primeira Liga, so leaving now might be a bit of a wrench with a domestic title likely on the way.
Still, a switch to England will surely be enticing, and Spurs should have the funds to activate his reported €60 million ($69 million) release clause.
West Ham United - Jørgen Strand Larsen
19 of 20
It seems that a new striker is West Ham United's biggest need in every transfer window.
The Hammers have dropped money on Sebastien Haller, Gianluca Scamacca, and Niclas Fullkrug in the last half-decade or so and still haven't managed to effectively fill their No. 9 void.
Jørgen Strand Larsen was impressive for a poor Wolverhampton Wanderers side last season, scoring 14 goals in 35 games for the struggling West Midlanders.
Because of that, he was a top striking target in the summer transfer window. Despite the player pushing for an exit, he remained at Molineux.
Wolves might not be able to keep him in January, however. He's still on the radar of teams looking for a striking option, despite the player's slow start to the 2025-26 campaign.
West Ham perhaps don't look like the most attractive option at the moment, but when examining the Norwegian's potential landing spots, the East London side perhaps makes the most sense in terms of opportunity and playing time. His goals could yet keep the club in the Premier League.
Wolverhampton Wanderers - Filip Jorgensen
20 of 20
Wolverhampton Wanderers need something remarkable to remain in the Premier League next season, and it's unlikely they will be able to find it in the January transfer window.
However, if they do want to remain in the top flight, stopping goals from going in is a good start. The club has let in 41 goals this season, the joint-second-worst record in the division.
Sam Johnstone has been dropped by multiple managers despite initially being trusted. Jose Sa is undoubtedly more reliable, but he still has the propensity to drop a clanger every so often.
With major investments in the squad an unlikely option given relegation beckons, a loan signing between the sticks will help to stem the tide of goals in an unlikely effort to get out of the relegation zone before the club regroups next season.
Chelsea has a healthy stable of young goalkeepers, so nabbing one for the rest of the season would provide Wolves with an upgrade and give the Blues the chance to develop a future No. 1.
Filip Jorgensen has done well when called upon, and he's likely itching to get more game time and prove that he can effectively replace the unconvincing Robert Sanchez. While his arrival might not help Wolves avoid the drop, it might stop them from supplanting Derby County as the worst team in Premier League history.
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