Eavaluating the Top Six in the January Transfer Window

We are now well into the January transfer window and the rumors are flying thick and fast with a number of deals reported to be in the works. I'm going to go through the top six sides and offer a signing that I think most benefits them and is of course at least a little realistic while picking through some of the rumours we've already heard.

Manchester City
Traditionally are linked with everyone that comes onto the market and most that don't. Have not been linked with too many players so far although there are murmurings about interest in Gary Cahill and Wesley Sneijder. Gary Cahill for me is not of sufficient quality to improve the City rearguard and while I would agree they could use another center back I would say only if someone like Thiago Silva was on offer. That won't happen though and for me the best signing for City would be that of Daniel De Rossi. City play with two midfield anchors and while Yaya Toure is absolutely world class, Nigel De Jong, James Milner and Gareth Barry are not. With Yaya away for ACN De Rossi would further strengthen the strongest squad in the EPL.

Manchester United
Have been linked with a number of midfielders including Jack Rodwell, Wesley Sniejder and even Frank Lampard earlier today. Their midfield is no where near the level needed to compete for the title and their position on the table defies their lack of quality in this area. Check Tiote would provide the midfield steel that United lack and anywhere up to 20 million would be a good deal for both parties. Jack Rodwell is a promising player but not quite ready to lead a side like United and Sneijder is simply not what United need. The Dutchman plays too far up the field to plug United's gaps and has been injured most of this season anyway.

Tottenham
Are linked with anyone and everyone. Have a quite deep squad but also seem to have a number of injuries. King, Modric and Bale hold the key for Spurs but each is also quite fragile. Like every side in the EPL are wishing they went in for Demba Ba six months ago and instead are trying to find a way to make Adebeyor's stay permanent. Could use another central defender and names such as Samba and Cahill have been thrown around. Links with Ganso and Kaka wont happen although long time target Leandro Damiao would be a superb signing. Hard to say exactly who would improve Spurs as they cannot afford the quality of player that would immediately improve them but perhaps need the most cover in central defense as King is injury prone at best and Gallas and Kaboul have been a little shaky. Subotic for Borussia Dortmund should be their number one target and would immediately boost both their physical presence and ability on the ball at the back. Having fallen out of the first team due to injury and the form of his replacement Dortmund may be willing to do business.

Chelsea
In a transition phase. Need a central defender and two midfielders. Have agreed to a fee for Gary Cahill and a partnership with John Terry has looked promising for England. Jose Moutinho and Hulk from Porto have been rumored to be following AVB ever since he left the club but it looks unlikely either will be in London by February. More than anything though they need a right back and while fans might dream of a Dani Alves or Sergio Ramos the Uruguayan Pereira is the most likely target. Due to the complete ineptness of Bosingwa I would prefer this signing to be made a priority over all others. However would be best served by at least three signings during this window. Will really struggle to hold out Arsenal for fourth spot if RVP stays injury free.

Arsenal
Have completed the two month loan signing of Henry but what happens if RVP goes down injured in two months time. Arsenal need to prepare for this now because if it happens its curtains to their Champions League hopes. Could do with some fullbacks as well as injuries have rid them of all options in this area. Lucas Barrios would be an available and good signing for the club while Cissokho is a world class option at left back. The latter is unlikely to happen though as it will halt the progress of Kieran Gibbs who will be a good footballer if he ever gets out of the injury ward. Perhaps the most unpredictable side to anticipate during this window as Arsene Wegner appears to have thrown his transfer philosophy out the window.

Liverpool
Some say they got the deal of the century when offloading an out of sorts Torres for 50 million last January but have squandered the bounty and more on entirely average signings Downing, Carroll and Henderson. Would love Lucas Podolski but he wont be leaving Koln until at least the end of the season. Plain and simple Liverpool need a finisher and while he may not dribble the ball well or even touch it that often Klaas Jan Huntelaar scores goals. I dont know how he does it but at club and international level he bangs them in and Liverpool should go after him before he signs a contract extension at Schalke. Have been linked with Darren Bent recently but surely after the failure of their English signings so far they realise how overpriced local talent is.