The 2023-24 Premier League race is nearing the halfway stage, and that means we can expect a frenzy of pack shuffling when the January transfer window opens.
I’ll be watching the goings on at Old Trafford particularly closely as I suspect Erik ten Hag will be a busy man, as he tries to mould a squad capable of challenging for a top four place. The Red Devils currently sit in seventh place, 11 points away from the top and six behind the Champions League places.
Evolution is often better than revolution when it comes to building a top-flight football squad, but I think ten Hag needs to act quickly and change the character of the club which, for so long, was the best in England but is now an also ran.
So what can Manchester United do?
Well, reports have emerged in the UK press that officials at the club have held meetings with the Saudi Pro League in an attempt to offload some expensive players which may also help the club steer clear of financial fair play problems.
Anthony Martial, Casemiro, Raphael Varane, and Jadon Sancho could all be on their way out, and the club expects to take a loss on Sancho in particular.
The England winger has flopped at Old Trafford since his big money arrival in 2021, and the club is looking to offload the star, already mooting a move to Barcelona for Sancho and that may smooth the way for Raphinha to come the other way.
The Brazil star has been a fringe player with the Blaugrana, and he may welcome a move back to the Premier League with the Red Devils.
Arsenal’s search for a striker goes on
Back on top of the Premier League after beating Brighton on Sunday, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are one of three teams in with a realistic chance of winning the title according to the very latest Premier League 2023 betting odds.
The Gunners have just snuck ahead of Liverpool after the Reds were frustrated by Manchester United at the weekend, and both are hot on the heels of favourites Manchester City. The Sky Blues are actually down in fourth place at the moment, five points behind leaders Arsenal and four behind Liverpool and Aston Villa.
But Pep Guardiola knows how to win titles, and the SBOTOP odds say a fourth consecutive league title is on the cards. So Arsenal need to strengthen in key areas, and the focus is on a striker to take the pressure off Gabriel Jesus.
Brentford’s returning striker Ivan Toney has been linked with a move to North London, but the price tag may be too high for Arsenal.
And reports have emerged this week that they are monitoring Dominic Solanke’s situation at Bournemouth. The former Liverpool man is in the form of his life and is fifth in the race for the Premier League Golden Boot on nine goals alongside Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins.
The stars need to align if the Gunners are to win a first league title in two decades, and Arteta also needs to help the club to balance the books. And it seems that AC Milan are keen on Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior and, if that move comes off, it will leave a slot in Arteta’s squad and release some funds.
Juventus start negotiations for Phillips
In other Premier League 2023 news,Manchester City defencive midfielder Kalvin Phillips could be on his way to Italy if reports in Turin prove to be accurate. The Old Lady has opened talks with the Premier League champions with a view to taking the England man on an initial loan with an option to buy.
Phillips has struggled to make an impact at the Etihad following his move from Leeds United in 2022 and has been dogged by injury. And with Spain star Rodri established as the best midfield anchor in the Premier League along with the versatility of John Stones and Rico Lewis, it’s difficult to see where Phillips fits in.
I Bianconeri are currently second in the Serie A table and are the biggest challenge to leaders Inter Milan in the race for the Scudetto. With midfielder Paul Pogba staring at a long ban following a drug probe, Juve need midfield reinforcements and Phillips could be just perfect for the Italian league.
Is Cooper on borrowed time?
It’s also the time of year when club owners get itchy trigger fingers and, after Paul Heckingbottom was sacked by bottom club Sheffield United, there is another club not all that far away which may be about to make a change.
Down the road in Nottingham, Steve Cooper is under pressure after his team has lost six of the last eight, including a recent 5-0 thumping at the hands of Fulham. And after a strong start to the campaign, Forest are slipping towards the bottom three.
Cooper led Forest back to the top-flight after an absence of 23 years and secured top-flight status again last season, and he is loved by the fans. The question is: will the owners keep their nerve or pull the trigger?
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