Premier League
Premiership Managers’ Wishlist For January Transfers Revealed
With Christmas festivities winding down, Premiership managers have their sights set on the January sales, hoping for that crucial transfer that could potentially transform their teams’ fortunes.
As the current season’s halfway mark approaches, clubs across the Scottish Premiership are gearing up for the critical phase ahead. For teams like Rangers and Celtic vying for the title and others battling to avoid relegation, the impending transfer window is pivotal.
The Premiership table remains tightly contested, with mere points differentiating the teams. The possibility of climbing into the top six or being dragged into a relegation scrap hinges on a single win or defeat, making transfer dealings pivotal.
Amidst these aspirations, each club manager has outlined their Christmas wish list for the upcoming transfer window:
- Aberdeen: Barry Robson eyes squad trimming but aims to retain Bojan Miovski.
- Celtic: Brendan Rodgers seeks attacking reinforcements in the absence of key forwards Kyogo Furuhashi and Oh Hyeon-gyu.
- Dundee: Tony Docherty hopes to retain the services of Owen Beck amidst potential recall from Liverpool.
- Hearts: Steven Naismith prioritizes retaining Lawrence Shankland’s services and desires reinforcement in the right-back position.
- Hibs: Nick Montgomery looks to bolster midfield strength and seeks alternatives for the right-back position and a dynamic midfielder.
- Kilmarnock: Derek McInnes harbors a strong desire to fortify the striking department.
- Livingston: David Martindale wishes for a prolific striker to address the team’s goal-scoring woes.
- Motherwell: Stuart Kettlewell eyes a solution to the goal-scoring issues that have persisted since Kevin van Veen’s departure.
- Rangers: Philippe Clement eyes a left-back as a priority and seeks options to reinforce the frontline.
- Ross County: Derek Adams seeks a creative playmaker to rejuvenate the midfield’s attacking impetus.
- St Mirren: Stephen Robinson hopes for defensive reinforcements, especially at right-back, amidst injury concerns.
- St Johnstone: Craig Levein prioritizes adding a striker to bolster the team’s attacking prowess.
Meanwhile, amidst the hunt for transfer targets, Newcastle United FC, reeling from injuries and a recent dip in form, looks to make shrewd signings without breaching Financial Fair Play regulations. The club aims to replicate its strategy of investing in promising young talent while considering experienced Premier League players.
The Magpies are eyeing potential signings:
- Lloyd Kelly: Bournemouth’s standout centre-back impresses with Napoli, AC Milan, and Tottenham also monitoring him.
- Wilfred Ndidi: The Leicester City midfielder, with six months left on his contract, emerges as a prospective defensive cover.
- Antoine Griezmann: With a modest release clause, the Frenchman presents an enticing option to bolster Newcastle’s attacking lineup.
- Jota: The former Celtic player, unable to register with Al-Ittihad, could provide valuable cover for the injured Harvey Barnes.
The January transfer window promises significant movements and intriguing acquisitions as clubs strategize to address their specific needs while adhering to financial regulations.
