With the January transfer window opening in less than 24 hours, a number of players will be linked with various Premier League clubs.
Here we take a look at players who might not necessarily be linked to the club they’re named beside but could suit that side’s aspirations.
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Arsenal: Thomas Lemar (AS Monaco)
A lightening quick winger capable of cutting inside to score goals and leaving defenders flat footed.
Would fit Arsenal nicely and has drawn comparisons with ex-Monaco and Arsenal hero Thierry Henry.
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AFC Bournemouth: Jack Harrison (New York City)
Possibly an unknown to many but ex-Manchester United trainee Harrison is one of the MLS’s hottest properties.
A technically gifted winger capable of playing up front, the 21-year-old is already an England under-21 international and could suit Bournemouth’s attractive game.
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Brighton & Hove Albion : Aaron Gunnarsson (Cardiff City)
One of Iceland’s heroes at Euro 2016, Gunnarson has been a key player for Cardiff over the last several years and shone when they played in the 2013/14 Premier League.
The type of box-to-box midfielder Chris Hughton loves to deploy and possesses a Rory Delap-esque long throw in.
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Burnley: Shane Long (Southampton)
Long has now gone ten months without scoring a goal and a change of scenery could be just what the doctor ordered. Has been trusted at Southampton but it could be a case where a new system is needed for the Irishman.
Still full of unbelievable pace, Long could benefit from playing in the more direct system of Burnley just like his days at Reading and West Brom where he thrived, not to mention doing so with half a dozen of his international teammates.
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Chelsea: Leon Bailey (Bayer Leverkusen)
The Jamaican only joined the German side a year ago but his rapid progress has continued. A quick and powerful left footed midfielder, Bailey could add even more attacking potency to an already talented Chelsea attack.
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Crystal Palace: Tom Rogic (Celtic)
Currently injured but due back in the next few weeks, Rogic could provide the central link between midfield and attack that Palace have missed.
Could ease the dual role of defensive and attacking midfielder placed on Yohann Cabaye.
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Everton: Ryan Bertrand (Southampton)
Everton spent big this summer but have real deficiencies at left-back. Leighton Baines is approaching the latter stages of his career and Cuco Martina is primarily a right-back.
Southampton’s Bertrand has been one of the Premier League’s best left-backs in recent years and could slot nicely into the Toffees’ defence. On Seamus Coleman’s return, it could represent an exiting attacking full-back duo.
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Huddersfield Town: Pione Sisto (Celta Vigo)
The Dane caused Ireland all sorts of problems in November and could be well-suited to David Wagner’s counter-attacking style.
Can play on the wing or up front – two positions weakened in recent weeks by injury.
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Leicester City: Lucas Biglia (AC Milan)
Has struggled for games at the Italian giants since arriving from Lazio in the summer and could provide the authority in midfield that Leicester are lacking.
Could represent another Esteban Cambiasso type signing for Leicester, who have also lost midfield starts N’Golo Kante and Danny Drinkwater to Chelsea in the last two years.
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Liverpool: Ryan Sessegnon (Fulham)
Liverpool have successfully brought a number of promising youngsters up from the Championship and Ryan Sessengon could be one of the most exciting yet if they were to secure his services.
Primarily a left-back, the 17-year-old can also play on either wing. Despite his age, he has already scored twelve career goals, which is impressive considering many came from defence.
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Manchester City: Jonny Evans (West Brom)
Hard to know what else City need and hard to know if Evans is actually as good as people are making him out to be lately.
However, he does offer more of a no-nonsense approach in defence; a good option to have in reserve given the amount of ball-playing centre-halves at Pep Guardiola’s disposal.
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Manchester United: Gareth Bale (Real Madrid)
Unlikely to happen this side of the transfer window but Bale and United seem made for each other. The Welshman has the direct and robust attacking style of United teams and players of the past, not to mention another certain Welshman.
Could be put off by Jose Mourinho’s style of late but may be the game-changing player that could fit the Red Devils.
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Newcastle United: Andy Carroll (West Ham United)
Made all the headlines seven years ago when he joined Liverpool from his boyhood club to replace Fernando Torres.
Newcastle have lacked some soul for years and Carroll brought character and pride to the team during his first spell. Could lift his hometown side and rediscover his own form with a move back to Tyneside.
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Southampton: Theo Walcott (Arsenal)
Having made his name as a wonderkid at St. Mary’s, Walcott has forged a decent career for himself at Arsenal.
However, his tenure with the Gunners has seen huge inconsistency between brilliance and being somewhat anonymous. Would add to a Saints attack either on the wing or as a centre-forward.
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Stoke City: James McCarthy (Everton)
Stoke have missed the stability of club legend Glenn Whelan this term and this has been evident in a number of heavy defeats. McCarthy, like Whelan, is unflattering on the surface but greatly effective in shutting out space and closing down the opposition.
Enduring a nightmare at Everton despite recently returning to the starting XI and may need a move to prolong his Premier League career.
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Swansea City: Tonny Vilhena (Feyenoord)
Swansea have invested in Holland in the past and Dutchman Tonny Vilhena could be the catalyst in helping them beat the drop.
Captained his club in his teens and is already vastly experienced despite being only 22, Vilhena has the leadership and technical ability that has departed Swansea in the last couple of seasons.
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Tottenham: Ryan Sessegnon (Fulham)
London-born,
could be one of the most exciting yet should they secure his services.
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Watford: Yuto Nagatomo (Inter Milan)
Marco Silva has alternated between three and four at the back this season and Yuto Nagatomo is a full-back that thrives equally in each formation.
The Japanese international has been at Inter since 2011 and can play in both full-back positions and on the wing. Would suit Watford’s fluid style.
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West Bromwich Albion: Danny Ings (Liverpool)
Ings has endured an injury nightmare and it may be best if he leaves Liverpool to resurrect his career.
West Brom are in a relegation dog fight and may benefit from having a pacy striking option to compliment Solomon Rondon. It could be a productive pair if Ings gets back to full fitness.
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West Ham United: Harry Arter (Bournemouth)
Despite being one of the main men behind the Cherries’ dramatic rise to the top, Harry Arter’s game time at Bournemouth has been limited. The London-born midfielder may be the physical presence needed in a midfield that has been overrun too easily this season.
The Ireland international’s career seems to have stalled and a move to David Moyes’ side could be beneficial for both parties.
Nick Menezes, Pundit Arena
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