As we start the new year we also start the madness of what is the January Transfer Window, a month when clubs will do some business in hope of improving their season. Some clubs will do it to climb up the table into the top10 & some will do it to climb away from a potential relegation scrap. You’re most likely to see clubs paying big fees to get players because clubs will want to test how much they want the player, I have identified certain clubs that are most likely to do business in this years January Window

Manchester United

The Red Devils have enjoyed an alright start under Louis Van Gaal this season not losing a game since early November has seen them climb to third in the table, we might expect him to do business this month & most people would expect it on at least two defender, the centre backs that United have been hugely linked with are Borussia Dortmund’s Matt Hummels & Aston Villa defender Ron Vlaar, out of the two it seems like Hummels is the one United want the most. The biggest link regarding United is the Roma midfielder Kevin Strootman Van Gaal is a huge admirer of his when he was in charge of the Dutch National Team, & when Strootman got injured for Roma he changed the team to his famous 3-5-2 formation because he couldn’t find a replacement for him. Other links regarding United could be Radamal Falcao who is now getting a regular start & scoring goals I won’t predict this one but we’ll see how it is, another deal that could happen is one for Galatasaray player Wesley Sneijder who apparently wants out so don’t be surprised if he turns up at Carringdon (United’s training ground) if United get a few names expect them to solidify a Champions League place or even a title challenge.

Liverpool

This season has been a complete disaster for the Scousers who nearly won the league last year. When Luis Suarez was sold to Barcelona for £75m last summer the Anfield team received a big war chest whith loads of players including Adam Lallana coming in as well as Dejan Lovern & Mario Balotelli, it seemed like the scousers where heading in the right direction again under Brenden Rodgers. Now fast forward to January & they have had a very mixed season but some results have been poor. Balotelli hasn’t as usual taken the challenge seriously & seems again to waste another good opportunity presented to him again. Recently they’ve started to pick up form again but it remains to be seen whether they can mount a top four challenge but it will be a boost when striker Daniel Sturridge returns from a long injury that has kept him out since September, if they are to do any business left in the window they should explore the option of sending Balotelli out on loan or find a striker who has both work rate & goals & if they can find that they can go forward again.

Arsenal

For Arsenal fans it seems like another season of fighting for the golden ticket of 4th place that puts you in the Champions League. Alexis Sanchez the £35m man from Barcelona has been a revelation this season & a breath of fresh air in the Arsenal team If it wasn’t for his goals Arsenal might not even be close to 4th. Most fans & pundits wil say that what they need is a quality Centre-Back, Defensive Midfielder & a striker, they might have to wait for the striker in the summer but I wouldn’t put it past Arsenal to get the defence sorted out. I would expect the gunners to to snag fourth like they usually do & after if they want to challenge for the league they must go after serious targets in the summer.

Sunderland

The window has been kind to the Black Cats from Wearside as they have finally got a quality striker in Jermaine Defoe for £14m from MLS Side Toronto, but I think they still need to strengthen. Watching them this season they need to strengthen in the wing areas because Adam Johnson can only do what he can. They need a right winger with pace & strength whether Gus Poyet & Chairman & Owner Ellis Short will go for that because Sunderland’s approach is to play it in the centre which doesn’t help if your trying to win matches which the Black Cats haven’t done a lot of this season.

Crystal Palace

The Eagles main aim this window is simple they need a striker that scores goals for fun if they are to be a solid side & fend off relegation, so far under new boss Alan Pardew they have won all their games but they can’t go on a run forever. It won’t be easy for the Eagles to get a good striker because it’s always hard for any team battling the drop to convince a good player to go into that, but as they are in London that might be an attraction for the player they go after & I’m sure Chairman Steve Parish will be working all the way through the window to get the striker they need whether they get it I don’t know.

Queens Park Rangers (QPR)

When it comes to any transfer window you know there is always one manager that you can bet will be involved in it & that is Harry (Wheeler Dealer) Redknapp. Harry & Owner/Chairman Tony Fernandes will be work hard to secure names to get them out of the battle they are in to stay up because Charlie Austins goals won’t save them all the time. What I think they need is a quality partner for Austin so that defences will find it hard to stop them & knowing Redknapp I wouldn’t be surprised if players from Harry’s previous teams turn up. All in all let’s see what this window gives us.