January Transfer Window: One Thing on Each Major Club's Wishlist

Christmas is coming, and after Christmas is the January transfer window, and crunch time in both league play and Europe. As such, you can bet the big clubs will be making their lists and checking them twice. 

Here is one kind of player or move each major club in the "Big Four" leagues will be looking for as the world football equivalent of Christmas (although decidedly more hectic and soul-crushing): the January transfer window. If you have any thoughts about what you'd like to see these clubs go after in January, have at it in the comments.

Manchester United: A Holding Midfielder

Injury woes have been especially unkind to Manchester United's midfield, who have seen the absence of creative newcomer Tom Cleverley until after the new year and regular central mid Anderson until February. The club's defensive shortcomings, exacerbated by key absences, have led to the conclusion that one thing United really needs in order to finish strong and pass the Noisy Neighbours at the top of the table is a consistent, out-and-out holding midfielder.

Phil Jones could potentially take the DM role, but it looks like he has more promise in a role on the back four, most likely at centre-back, and that is how Sir Alex Ferguson will most likely continue to develop him, meaning a DM is still up in the air. One name that has come up recently is Real Madrid's Sami Khedira, who generally remains Jose Mourinho's first choice at the Bernabéu but has started to lose his place to Lassana Diarra.

According to the International Business Times, Khedira has emerged as a possible transfer target for United to the tune of a £20 million bid. But if Diarra goes to Roma as some speculation suggests, Los Merengues may fight harder to keep Khedira on board. Another option could be hard-working Athletic Bilbao DM Javi Martinez, with whom United has been linked, but the player comes with a rather sizable buyout clause. 

Manchester City: A Centre-Back

As Christmas approaches, Manchester City still remain the team to beat, having yet to concede a loss in league play on the season. With plenty of talent all over the pitch and even some explosive players like Adam Johnson and Samir Nasri having to fight for playing time, creativity with David Silva, goals with Sergio Agüero and class keeping with Joe Hart, it seems like adding anyone else to Manchester City's squad would feel, well, excessive.

However, no squad is perfect, and there are a couple of areas where Roberto Mancini's side could investigate building on in January. Although City has two strong central defenders in captain Vincent Kompany and Joleon Lescott, the Blues don't have much in the way of a CB who can step in if one of the two is injured or suspended. Stefan Savic has shown promise, but needs more experience and Nedum Onuoha is rumored to be leaving the club in favor of somewhere he can find more playing time. Another solid centre-back to complement or be played in rotation with the two would be the ideal priority for City, and among their candidates is sought-after Bolton rock Gary Cahill, who is reportedly worth £12 million.  

Arsenal: Another Striker to Supplement Robin Van Persie

After a slow start to the season, Arsenal have found their footing and are back in top-four contention, largely thanks to the work of one Mr. Robin van Persie. And as impressive as van Persie has been this season, the general consensus seems to be that the Gunners should invest in another striker to supplement the Captain Fantastic and give him some goal-scoring backup.

The fans think so. His regular attacking partner Theo Walcott thinks so: 

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“The only side of things that I want to get in my game is a few more goals. We can’t always rely on Robin but the form he has been in it is fantastic to see.

People will think it is weird when he doesn’t score in a game but he creates chances still. It would be worrying if you didn’t see Robin creating chances, but he is and the man is on fire which makes my job easier."

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With Marouane Chamakh likely on his way out, Park Chu-Young still largely untested as a Gunner and Theo Walcott being used more often on the wing, Arsenal's in a good place to bring another out-and-out striker on. One exciting option would be F.C. Köln's on-fire goal machine Lukas Podolski, also a target of North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur. Podolski has had a couple of off seasons in the Bundesliga, but he's since asserted himself as the cornerstone of Köln's attack and one of the German league's top strikers.

Tottenham Hotspur: A Striker, Especially If They Can't Keep Emmanuel Adebayor

The loan spell of Emmanuel Adebayor has been a boon to Tottenham Hotspur's attack, as the Togolese international, on loan from Manchester City, has scored a number of key goals and helped keep them in top-four contention. But the joy of Adebayor may not be permanent, as the striker has said he will leave the club if they make him take a pay cut in order to stay. 

Athough Roman Pavlyuchenko hasn't exactly been at the forefront of Harry Redknapp's plans, his likely imminent departure in an effort to get more first-team play before Euro 2012, as well as the likely departure of Giovani dos Santos, would continue to limit Spurs' forward options. There are options in the reserves and academy, to be sure, but for someone who's ready for the big time as Spurs fight for Champions League eligibility, the White Hart Lane outfit will likely have to look elsewhere. 

The aforementioned Lukas Podolski, also a target for rivals Arsenal, is one particularly sought-after option thanks to his return to form—so far this season, he's scored nine goals in 11 Bundesliga appearances. 

Chelsea: At Least One Strong Performer for the Back Four

The future of Chelsea's attack looks bright with the brilliant Juan Mata as a playmaker and Daniel Sturridge putting in some good performances as of late, and the defensive midfield woes will be solved eventually as Michael Essien won't be out forever. If Chelsea were to take on a new player to help them stay in title contention, the best option for right now might be to get someone new for the back four, either a backup centre-back or someone at right-back. 

David Luiz has been vilified quite a bit lately for his performances, and although he's not a bad player by any means, his lack of consistency is a bit worrying and he's a little bit shaky when paired with John Terry. Branislav Ivanovic is a great defender—a bit slow at times, but still great—but with Jose Bosingwa's lack of form, he's needed to fill in at RB and is beginning to adjust. Adding a defender could not only help fill the gaps, but create a rotation which keeps some regulars on the back four from being stretched too thin. 

Among the defenders Chelsea has been linked to for January are Atlético Madrid's Diego Godin, Bolton's hype machine Gary Cahill and Borussia Dortmund blocker Neven Subotic. 

Liverpool: A Holding Midfielder

The Reds have had their issues this season, most notably a lack of goal-scoring and some inconsistent performances, but a big win over Chelsea and a hard-fought draw this weekend against top side Manchester City proved Liverpool can handle the big guns and shouldn't be counted out for top four contention. That being said, some key moves could really help them get there. 

There's been quite a bit of discourse over what Liverpool's priority should be come January, but it seems one area that could use improvement is the defensive midfield role. For all the cash the club put up to add talent to the midfield, there is really only one player who can perform in the DM role, and that is Lucas Leiva, who has been, well, pretty okay, but nothing to write home about. A strong, dynamic holder like Rennes' Yann M'Vila, with whom the club has been reportedly linked, could be the answer. 

Stewart Downing has helped solve the matter of finding a solid winger, but Liverpool may be in the market for another come January. Adam Johnson was a name that came up quite a bit in early transfer goss, but since he's renewed his contract with Manchester City, the Reds will have to look elsewhere. Another striker, given the lack of goals and persistent disappointment that is Andy Carroll, may also be an option worth considering. 

AC Milan: A Left or Centre-Back

The Rossoneri remain a powerhouse in the Italian league and sit in the top four of Serie A, but with Juventus dominating and Lazio shooting up the ranks, Massimiliano Allegri's side may need to make some changes to secure glory toward the end of the season. 

The area probably in need of the most improvement is the back four, with fitness shaping up to be a huge problem in maintaining a solid set of defenders. With Philippe Mexés still out, Taye Taiwo failing to deliver following his return and Gianluca Zambrotta getting up there in years, someone in left or centre-back would be ideal should none of the three be able to perform up to desired levels. Out-of-favor Barcelona left-back Maxwell is one possibility to replace Taiwo in the lineup. 

Juventus: More Defensive Options

Top Serie A contenders Juve are on fire so far this season, and it seems in order to maintain their good form, they won't have to make a whole lot of changes. The Bianconeri have one of the best centre-backs in Europe in Giorgio Chiellini, but Antonio Conte seems to be focusing the most on expanding the club's defensive options in January in time for a crucial stretch of the season.

Tottenham Hotspur's regular back four member Younes Kaboul has been cited as a possible target, as is rising Borussia Dortmund star Mats Hummels, one of the top young centre-backs in the world of football, but a decided long-shot as a transfer target, especially with Dortmund at the top of the Bundesliga. Torino's Angelo Ogbonna has also been named as a possible target, but considering he's currently making his trade for Juve's crosstown rivals, a move seems extremely unlikely.

Everton: Firepower

Everton is a side often associated with highly defensive play, and players like Royston Drenthe and Jack Rodwell have shown good form in the midfield, so the area it seems the Toffees are lacking the most is good striking. Louis Saha, one of David Moyes' regulars, has only scored once in league competition so far this year, and with Tim Cahill hitting a lull as well, only newcomer Apostolos Vellios seems like a promising option in this position.

An experienced striker should be among Everton's priorities come January, and the likes of veteran Spurs men Roman Pavlyuchenko and Jermaine Defoe, looking for more playing time in hopes of winning hearts and minds before Euro 2012, have been cited as possible options. 

Inter Milan: A Dynamic Attacker or Tough Defensive Figure

Inter Milan have not exactly had the ideal start to the season, struggling to break into the Serie A top half and even spending some time just above the relegation zone. January will be a crucial time for them to make some changes, and both the attack and defense could use some tweaking for the Nerazzurri.

Bolton Wanderers centre-back Gary Cahill has been named as a possible option, and could be a strong contender to fix the holes in Inter's back four, but it seems unlikely the star will leave England. Should Claudio Ranieri seek to move his defensive reinforcements further up the pitch, Arsenal's DM Alex Song is also reportedly being considered, but given how many key players left the Emirates over the summer, it seems unlikely Wenger would let Song go easily. 

Bolstering the attack in midfield may be a priority as well, especially if creative force Wesley Sneijder leaves the club for Manchester United as some are speculating. Marco Reus is reportedly on the club's radar, as is PSV Eindhoven's Kevin Strootman, who has wowed for the Oranje in the Euro 2012 qualifiers. 

Bayern Munich: Not Much, but Perhaps Some Newcomers for Insurance

Bayern Munich is one of Europe's strongest sides right now, a dominant force in the Champions League and looking in good shape in the Bundesliga, and some would argue they don't really need to make any additions in January.

But what could help the Bavarians, especially as key players—Anatoliy Tymoshchuk, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Arjen Robben among them—have spent significant periods on the sidelines due to injury and suspension at various recent points in the season, are some dynamic upstarts who are strong enough to take over for the big guns in times of emergency but also could give the side an extra boost of energy.

Sought-after Borussia Mönchengladbach winger Marco Reus is an example, but former Bayern Munich legend Franz Beckenbauer said he believed bringing on Reus would mean "one star too many." Let's see if Bayern agrees.

Real Madrid: Further Development of Youth and Reserves Players

Los Merengues are riding seriously high right now—they're the only team to have won all five of their Champions League group stage matches and they're coming into El Clásico with momentum on their side following a 4-1 routing of crosstown rivals Atlético Madrid. 

Jose Mourinho himself said earlier this month his club would not be looking for any new players in the January transfer window and looking to the academy or reserves instead, as quoted in a report from the Agence France-Presse:

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"We have four central defenders and a lot of players who can fill in there. I am not looking for a full back, a striker or a goalkeeper. There will be nothing in the winter transfer market.

They are prepared to help if they are needed and if we have problems then they are in condition to do so. I am relaxed about it, because counting on them, we have a squad of 50 players and they can help."

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Barcelona: A Carles Puyol Heir Apparent

Although the Blaugrana have one of the most lauded centre-back pairings in football in Gerard Piqué and Carles Puyol, last weekend's shock 1-0 defeat at the hands of mid-table La Liga side Getafe raised some questions about the capabilities of Barcelona's central defense. Couple that with the increased probability of Puyol ending up on the injury list at some point throughout the season, and it's clear that if Barça were to look for someone to add to the squad in January, it should be a relatively young but solid centre-back who can be molded into a Puyol heir-apparent. 

Gary Cahill has been cited as an option, but given the club's astronomical player wages as is, the Blaugrana may want to consider cheaper options. An alternative may be Ajax centre-back Jan Vertonghen, who has impressed this year and will probably come with less competition.