EPL Transfers: One Key Foreign Player Each Team Could Go After

Christmas is coming, and so is crunch time in the English Premier League. With the January transfer window around the corner, teams are looking to make those necessary tweaks to put themselves in good position to finish strong. And in many cases, they will be looking to bring on some big international names. 

Here is one key foreign player each team in the EPL will likely go after. If you have any thoughts on where you'd like to see these players end up, as always, have at it in the comments section. 

Arsenal: Lukas Podolski

Arsenal are back in top-four contention and sit at the top of their group in the Champions League, but in order to maintain good form in the new year, one addition that should be considered is a new striker to supplement Captain Fantastic Robin van Persie. 

One possible option is F.C. Köln striker Lukas Podolski, also a target for Tottenham Hotspur. After a long time out of the spotlight, Podolski is having something of a career resurgence in the Bundesliga with nine goals in 12 appearances and is renewing interest from other clubs in Europe. Couple that with relatively disappointing form from his side, Podolski could be swayed with a move to the Emirates. 

Podolski, too, has said he's considering all the options:

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"My family and friends may live here and I know every corner of the city, but if I am in top condition, then I think I could fit into any side in Europe. I am not forced to stay only in Cologne."

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Liverpool: Lucas Moura

A defensive midfielder, a winger or even a backup striker may be larger priorities positionally for Liverpool, and an attacking midfielder after all those signings over the summer may not be the first thing one would think of, but if there's one Liverpool transfer prospect that has everyone else beat for excitement, it's Lucas Moura. 

The 19-year-old São Paulo starlet has all of Europe rapt at attention and will certainly come at a hefty price (a £67 million buyout clause), but he's a player with bags of potential. Like Alexandre Pato and Hulk before him, he can function in a winger role and make powerful plays from out wide, but his pace, ball control and vision have been evident in all areas of the pitch. We'll see what happens come January. 

Newcastle United: Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa

A beast of a defender, the Senegalese international is just 22 and exploding with potential. He can play anywhere on the back four and has been an essential figure in Montpellier's lineup for the past several seasons, and his pace, height and physicality would bolster any defense. 

The Toon have shown interest in bringing Yanga-Mbiwa on, along with teammate Olivier Giroud, who scored a hat trick in Montpellier's win over Sochaux over the weekend. But with Montpellier all of the sudden at the top of Ligue 1 with a 10-3-2 record, Yanga-Mbiwa may be convinced to stay. 

Chelsea: Diego Godin or Neven Subotic

With Jose Bosingwa struggling at right back and the David Luiz-John Terry centre-back partnership not working to the degree Andre Villas-Boas probably hoped it would, Chelsea may be considering further defensive options come December. 

One option that has emerged is Uruguayan international Diego Godín, and the Atlético Madrid centre-back has expressed an interest in moving to the Stamford Bridge. As Godín was quoted in a TalkSport report:

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"I'm at Atletico Madrid. I have a contract and I am not thinking about anything else and there is nothing official.

But if there is interest from Chelsea it will be studied. For the time being, there is nothing and I have great respect for my contract with this team."

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Neven Subotic, the tough centre-back who, alongside Mats Hummels, provides one of the top young defensive pairings in Europe at Borussia Dortmund, has also been named as a target, although this may be more of a long-shot. 

Manchester United: Javi Martinez

If there's one transfer window meme that keeps coming up over and over again, it's the idea that Manchester United's biggest priority should be a defensive midfielder to reinforce the back four, prevent congestion and cover in a section of the pitch where a lot of key impact players have been benched for injury.

Athletic Bilbao's Javi Martinez is one of the club's most tireless workers and has played a role in Athletic's campaigns in Europe and for the Copa del Rey in recent seasons. Under Marcelo Bielsa, he has occasionally been used in the back four, so his versatility could prove valuable.   

Martinez would also be an expensive purchase, with a jaw-dropping £34 million buyout clause reportedly attached to his name. A cheaper option would be Real Madrid's Sami Khedira, for whom United is reportedly planning a transfer bid of £20 million. But if they can afford him and he can be lured away from San Mamés, he would be a great addition to the Red Devils. 

Aston Villa: Gylfi Sigurdsson

The 22-year-old Icelandic international made a good showing on his debut season with TSG Hoffenheim, lauded for his long-distance accuracy in passing and shooting and for being a good dead-ball specialist. Sigurdsson scored nine goals in his debut Bundesliga season and impressed in the 2011 EUFA Euro U21 championship earlier this year.

Earlier this month, the Villans were linked to a double transfer bid for Sigurdsson and Norwegian international Markus Henriksen, who is only 19 but already has quite a bit of experience with Rosenborg BK. Sigurdsson would likely be the better asset, but also the bigger long shot of the two, as he is only on his second season at Hoffenheim and the club may not be ready to part with him yet. 

Tottenham Hotspur: Moussa Sow

Tottenham Hotspur have had a great string of luck with their on-loan striker Emmanuel Adebayor, who scored twice in last weekend's victory over West Bromwich Albion, and there's plenty more where that came from. But this beautiful friendship may not be permanent, as Harry Redknapp and co. may not be able to afford keeping Adebayor at White Hart Lane, and the striker has said he will not stay with the club if he is forced to take a pay cut.

So Spurs' biggest priority in the upcoming transfer windows will be to land another talented striker. Buzzy F.C. Köln vet Lukas Podolski, also a target of Arsenal, has been named as an option, as has Lille's striker Moussa Sow. Sow is having a pretty good run of form right now, scoring five goals on the season in Ligue 1 and three in Champions League competition, and scored a number of key goals to bring Rudi Garcia's side the title last season. Sow is reportedly being considered for a player swap deal for frequently-benched striker Roman Pavlyuchenko as the Russian international looks to get more playing time ahead of Euro 2012. 

Manchester City: Mats Hummels

It won't happen, considering City probably won't be really focusing on signing anyone in January, as the club will likely cut a number of players to offset record operating losses, not to mention that Borussia Dortmund will be highly unlikely to get rid of their star centre-back.

But, if there's one area where Roberto Mancini's side will need someone new to step in, it's in the area of central defense. Joleon Lescott and Captain Fantastic Vincent Kompany are great indeed, but should one of them be injured or suspended, that absence could lead to huge problems, meaning there needs to be a new face in the rotation. Hummels is a hot-prospect name to get the dialogue going, even if he's hardly a likely transfer, but if City bring on any international players, they should be in that position, for sure. 

Fulham: Adam Federici

Wigan Athletic striker Hugo Rodallega has been mentioned more often as a target for the Cottagers, but as "Rodagol" continues his drought, a better option might be Australian international Adam Federici, now making his trade in the Championship at Reading. The Royals' keeper is on Martin Jol's radar as Mark Schwarzer is reportedly headed for Arsenal. 

The 26-year-old is having an impressive season so far with Reading, maintaining six clean sheets and 104 saves in 17 matches, and he may be ready for the big time of the Premiership very soon.

Everton: Royston Drenthe

When it comes to foreign players, Everton's biggest priority may not be bringing on someone new, but ensuring one of their top current international talents stays. Royston Drenthe joined Everton in the summer transfer window, and the Dutch midfielder and aspiring rapper has proved to be an asset at Goodison, providing a much-needed dose of creativity to the centre of the pitch for the Toffees.

Even with David Moyes' side struggling with a lack of goals and low morale, Drenthe was hitting a good run of form prior to a recent injury, and once he's fit, he could prove a player worth holding on to. 

Stoke City: Junior Hoilett

The Potters have reportedly joined Tottenham Hotspur in the race to sign Blackburn's hard-working young Canadian midfielder David "Junior" Hoilett. Spurs are linked to a £9 million bid for the 21-year-old and Stoke too could certainly benefit from the depth, effort and potential Hoilett would bring to any Premiership squad. 

Wigan Athletic: Francois Zoko

Ivorian striker Francois Zoko may end up being a key target for the Latics, especially if striker Hugo Rodallega leaves for greener pastures soon. Zoko, an experienced hitman who currently makes his trade at Carlisle United, was especially key in the Cumbrians' FA Cup campaign last season, scoring three goals throughout their run. 

Sunderland: Albert Riera

Steve Bruce and his beleaguered Black Cats will be looking for anyone who can fix their struggling side, especially after last weekend's defeat to Wigan Athletic and new speculation of Bruce's potential sacking.

One potential asset could be itinerant Spanish winger Albert Riera, who could fill in and help improve Sunderland's wide play. Part of Riera's added appeal comes in his previous Premier League experience with Liverpool and his recent contributions to a Greek Super League title-winning Olympiacos last season. However, he's reportedly making serious bank at Galatasaray, where he's contracted for the next four years, which may make him a long shot to be wooed back to the Premiership. 

West Bromwich Albion: Tim Ream

The New York Red Bulls defender has reportedly been invited to the Hawthorns for a trial, although it's still debatable whether or not he'll go. The 24-year-old showed great promise on his debut season in the MLS, even being shortlisted for Rookie of the Year. 

But Patrick McCabe, Ream's agent, has said the fact that the Red Bulls continue to put Ream on the first team will make him more likely to stay in the MLS a bit longer: 

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"He still needs to play regularly and Red Bull currently provides that.

As he moves toward the end of his contract, I believe that there will be some interesting options for him in Europe in the future.

Both clubs (Albion and Bolton) have admired Tim for some time and it affords both parties a chance to see each other up close.

Roy Hodgson and Owen Coyle are top managers and, above all, this will be a good opportunity for Tim’s professional development.”

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Wolverhampton Wanderers: Ross McCormack

It's probably definitely a bit of a stretch to refer to a Scottish international as a foreign prospect for the EPL, but Wolves owner Jez Moxey has said his Wolves could be looking to spend some serious cash in January and cited the Leeds United striker as one possibility. 

McCormack has 10 goals to his name so far this season, but a lack of consistent scoring drives has been a bit of a problem. Another international striker on the market worth considering would be Mike Havenaar of Ventforet Kofu, a potential target for Aston Villa who has impressed so far in the J. League, keeping his side in the top division, and would be a great bargain at £2 million.

Swansea City: Zoltan Liptak

The centre-back, who currently plays for Újpest FC in the Hungarian league, was offered a trial with the Swans back in September to reinforce the ranks in the back four. Liptak has expressed interest in returning to British football after stints at Southend United (with whom he scored a goal to win them the Essex Senior Cup) and a loan spell at Southampton.

Norwich City: Albert Adomah

There are some extremely tenuous (and we mean, like, classroom gossip-level tenuous) rumors about the Canaries making a bid for the Ghanaian international and Bristol City winger, who earned his first cap for the Black Stars just this year. Adomah was a target for Norwich City back in 2009, but ended up at Bristol, where he led the club in assists last season and was named Player of the Season. Of course, he also is under a three-year contract with Brizzle, so make of the buzz what you will. 

Bolton Wanderers: Teal Bunbury

Brek Shea may be getting all the attention when it comes to MLS wünderkinds pegged as hot Premiership prospects, but it looks as though Bolton Wanderers will go for Sporting Kansas City's promising upstart, 21-year-old striker Teal Bunbury. 

Bunbury's fitness has been a matter of concern as of late, but the striker, who recently earned his first cap for the U.S. Men's National Team and whose father Alex was a top striker with Portuguese Liga club Maritimo, is looking to break internationally, and some new blood could revitalize the beleaguered Wanderers. 

Also, it's worth noting that Bunbury used to play for a youth club team called Apple Valley Juventus, a name which almost rivals Real Salt Lake in its silliness.*

(*With apologies to Real Salt Lake supporters.)

Blackburn Rovers: Tim Payne

The Rovers seem to have already landed this guy, who will join officially and sign a professional contract in January when he turns 18, but with Blackburn set to potentially lose Chris Samba and Junior Hoilett and sitting in the relegation zone, any sort of exciting new blood could be a serious boon to the struggling Ewood Park side.

Payne, 17, impressed with performances at top New Zealand football academy Sacred Heart and with last year's New Zealand Football Championship winners, Waitakere United. At Ewood Park, Payne will join fellow New Zealand international Ryan Nelsen. 

Queens Park Rangers: Sebastien Bassong

QPR owner Tony Fernandes has taken a rather interesting approach to handling the transfer window, asking the supporters, via Twitter, who the club should target in the January window. This probably invited a whole lot of trolling asking for Lionel Messi, but a far more realistic buy in January linked to the Loftus Road outfit is out-of-favor Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Sebastien Bassong.

The Rangers are in the market for some added defenders, and Bassong has expressed interest in a move to a club where he can get more first-team action. The Cameroonian international was set to move to Neil Warnock's side in August, but the transfer fell through at the last minute.