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While the January sales may have started on Boxing Day on high streets up and down the country, football clubs have had to wait patiently until the first of the month to begin their spending spree.
But finally the 31-day transfer window is officially open for business and clubs all over the country look set to ‘splash the cash’, ‘open their chequebooks’ and ‘break open their war chests’ (as well as other outdated methods of payment) in a bid to challenge for the Premier League, grab a European spot or avoid relegation.
The names most likely to attract the most interest are Arsenal’s hat-trick hero from the weekend, Theo Walcott who is out of contract in the summer, just like Chelsea’s match-winner from Sunday’s game against Everton, Frank Lampard.
Will he stay or will he go? Theo Walcott could leave Arsenal this month
Franks for the memories: Chelsea are prepared to let Lampard leave at the end of his contract and he could leave this month
Liverpool have long been admirers of Walcott while a move abroad looks to be the most likely option for Lampard, unless of course he fancies helping his uncle Harry (Redknapp) out down the road at QPR.
One transfer that should be concluded early on, is Daniel Sturridge’s move from Chelsea to Liverpool after Rafa Benitez revealed the striker had a medical on Merseyside last weekend.
Where will he go? Demba Ba can leave Newcastle for £7m this month
Demba Ba’s imminent departure from Newcastle looked to be one of the most straight forward moves of the window when it was revealed that his advisors were in talks with Chelsea on Sunday. Those talks broke down, however, and now it seems those people charged with helping him look like making the Senegal striker’s move anything but straight forward.
The Football League has been the breeding ground for many Premier League stars in the past, and clubs could look to boost their squads with another star of the future.
Young stars: Palace winger Wilfried Zaha and Derby midfielder Will Hughes could be on the move
Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha and Derby’s England Under 21 midfielder Will Hughes could be two names looking to make the step up. Manchester United are among Zaha's admirers while Fulham and Tottenham are just two of the clubs keen on Hughes.
Clubs will also look overseas to try and snap up a bargain, and two of the biggest names in European football could be heading to the Premier League, with Inter Milan midfielder Wesley Sneijder and Barcelona striker David Villa both available for moves.
Heading to England? Wesley Sneijder could be on his way out of Inter Milan
London calling: David Villa is attracting interest from Chelsea and Arsenal
Spurs and Liverpool are believed to be keen on Sneijder while London duo Arsenal and Chelsea are keeping tabs on Villa, who could be in line to link up with Spain strike partner Fernando Torres at Stamford Bridge.
Money will be spent and players will come and go, but anyone hoping for a repeat of the January window of two years ago will be left disappointed.
Be warned: Not all January moves go to plan, as Fernando Torres and Andy Carroll found out in 2011
In January 2011, a record £225m was spent with moves that included Torres swapping Liverpool for Chelsea at a cost of £50m, Aston Villa signing Darren Bent for £18m, Edin Dzeko making a £27m switch to Manchester City and, perhaps most remarkably, Liverpool replacing Torres with Andy Carroll for £35m.
There are bound to be some surprises in 2013 winter window, but it is unlikely there will be any as big and as costly as Carroll.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2255510/January-transfer-window-open-business-Who-club-buy.html#ixzz2GhMuVSK1
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