Hurry, hurry, it's January sales!
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SVEN GORAN ERIKSSON is in the money — and it is all down to the Thailand elections.
Manchester City chairman Thaksin Shinawatra can now get his hands on £800million which was frozen in his home country.
His People Power Party take over from the military government after winning the Thai voting.
And this means City boss Sven will be the biggest Premier League spender in the January transfer window.
ErikssonÂ’s No 1 choice is Bolton striker Nicolas Anelka but, while the Swede can compete with money-bags Chelsea on price, he cannot in terms of status.
Crack at big-time
The Blues want Anelka to haul them back into the title race and help them win the Champions League.
And the Frenchman fancies another crack at the big-time after spells with Arsenal and Real Madrid.
Anelka wants to go to Stamford Bridge — and Chelsea believe they have got him.
Eriksson has brought in Mexican striker Nery Castillo on loan from Shakhtar Donetsk with a view to a £13m signing. This is City’s insurance in case they miss out on Anelka.
City are also interested in Javier Mascherano, who will cost Liverpool £17m to make his complicated loan deal permanent.
Eriksson is ready to splash the cash, which means Reds boss Rafa Benitez will have a massive battle on his hands to persuade his American employers to open their wallets.
All eyes are on Anfield to see if the fragile relationship between Benitez and his bosses explodes again over the next month.
One man definitely ready to explode is ArsenalÂ’s angry keeper Jens Lehmann, who has had enough of life on the Gunners bench and is ready to move.
Manuel Almunia has established his position as Arsenal’s No 1 keeper — especially after the crucial penalty save over arch-rivals Tottenham on Saturday.
Wenger is set to replace Lehmann with Aston VillaÂ’s out-of-favour keeper Thomas Sorensen.
Over at Old Trafford, Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson is being heavily linked with a move for RangersÂ’ exciting Scotland right-back Alan Hutton.
With Gary Neville still injured and Wes Brown out of contract at the end of the season, it is FergieÂ’s priority.
Everton are harbouring Champions League aspirations — but they face a battle to keep Mikel Arteta.
The Spanish playmaker has been outstanding, yet he might angle for a move to a bigger club.
Tottenham are starting to march up the table under Juande Ramos — and this will be the first chance the Spaniard will get to flex his muscles in the transfer market.
He has already made it clear that Dimitar Berbatov will be staying but Spurs are willing to accept a loss on Darren Bent, who joined for £16.5m in the summer. -
*Club-by-club transfer guide* (some may not be accurate)
ARSENAL
ARSENE WENGER has spent big money on Jose Reyes and Theo Walcott in January in the past.
Out-of-favour Jens Lehmann may go as might Lassana Diarra.
INS: Thomas Sorensen.
OUTS: Jens Lehmann, Lassana Diarra.
ASTON VILLA
DEFENDER Olof Mellberg will go if Villa secure the £7million signing of Porto’s Jose Bosingwa or the £4.5m arrival of Valencia’s Miguel.
INS: Jose Boswinga, Scott Carson.
OUTS: Olof Mellberg, Thomas Sorensen.
BIRMINGHAM
ALEX McLEISH fancies Rangers striker Kris Boyd and EvertonÂ’s James McFadden. Midfielder Damien Johnson could go to Wigan.
INS: Kris Boyd, David Murphy.
OUTS: Martin Taylor, Damien Johnson, Franck Queudrue.
BLACKBURN
A PROMISING season is in danger of becoming derailed and Mark Hughes may want to shake a few players up. There is interest from Spain in David Bentley but he is unlikely to move until the summer.
OUTS: Jason Roberts, Robbie Savage.
BOLTON
THE loss of Nicolas Anelka would be a major blow but Bolton seem powerless to hang on to him. The long-serving Gary Speed is off to Sheffield United.
INS: Javier Saviola.
OUTS: Nicolas Anelka, Gary Speed.
CHELSEA
THE Blues will be hit hard by the African Nations Cup losing the likes of Drogba, Essien, Mikel and Kalou for up to six weeks. That means Avram Grant has to plunge.
INS: Nicolas Anelka.
OUTS: Steve Sidwell, Claudio Pizarro.
DERBY
IS it worth gambling or do Derby just start building towards getting straight back up? Paul Jewell has vowed to hold on to striker Kenny Miller. Midfield talent Giles Barnes could go.
OUTS: Giles Barnes.
EVERTON
DAVID MOYES is lining upa £4million bid for Valencia skipper David Albelda - but James McFadden wants first-team football and key playmaker Mikel Arteta is rumoured to fancy a move away.
INS: David Albelda.
OUTS: James McFadden.
FULHAM
FORMER boss Lawrie Sanchez spent £28million this summer but the goals are not coming easily and a new striker is vital. Fulham need their new manager in quickly so they can attract players.
OUTS: Shefki Kuqi, Chris Baird.
LIVERPOOL
THE Reds cannot afford £17million to sign Javier Mascherano for good.
FiorentinaÂ’s Tomas Ujfalusi may replace the ageing Sami Hyypia.
INS: Tomas Ujfalusi.
OUTS: Javier Mascherano, Momo Sissoko, Peter Crouch.
MAN CITY
OWNER Thaksin Shinawatra has pledged to spend big.
Boss Sven-Goran Eriksson has made Peter Crouch his top target.
INS: Peter Crouch.
OUTS: Andreas Isaksson, Ousmane Dabo, Georgios Samaras.
MAN UTD
CHINESE striker Dong Fangzhou has not impressed while Wes Brown has refused a new deal.
Rangers right-back Alan Hutton is tipped to sign for £6million.
INS: Alan Hutton.
OUTS: Wes Brown, Dong Fangzhou.
MIDDLESBROUGH
SPURS want Stewart Downing but Boro will fight to keep him.
Striker Afonso Alves may arrive from Heerenveen, while injured Mido could be offloaded.
INS: Afonso Alves.
OUTS: Fabio Rochemback, Mido, Gary OÂ’Neil.
NEWCASTLE
THERE is no money in the coffers at St JamesÂ’ Park.
Sam Allardyce will have to sell to generate cash starting with out-of-favour Shola Ameobi.
INS: Lassana Diarra.
OUTS: Shola Ameobi, Stephen Carr.
PORTSMOUTH
WHEELER-DEALER Harry Redknapp could freshen the squad up with players leaving for the African Nations Cup.
Matt Taylor is likely to go, with Everton and Fulham interested.
OUTS: Matt Taylor.
READING
BOROÂ’S unsettled midfielder Gary OÂ’Neil is on Steve CoppellÂ’s list. Other clubs are sniffing around Stephen Hunt while striker Leroy Lita could be sold.
INS: Gary OÂ’Neil.
OUTS: Stephen Hunt, Leroy Lita.
SUNDERLAND
ROY KEANE could do with a player like himself in midfield but may have to make do with Robbie Savage from Blackburn. He also needs another goalscorer.
INS: Robbie Savage.
OUTS: Darryl Murphy.
TOTTENHAM
CHRIS GUNTER will join Juande RamosÂ’ revolution from Cardiff.
Racing SantanderÂ’s Ezequiel Garay may shore up the defence.
INS: Ezequiel Garay, Chris Gunter.
OUTS: Antony Gardner, Wayne Routledge, Darren Bent.
WEST HAM
ALAN CURBISHLEY likes DerbyÂ’s Giles Barnes and made peace with Darren Bent, who joined Spurs instead of West Ham last summer.
INS: Giles Barnes, Darren Bent.
OUTS: Bobby Zamora, John Pantsil, Calum Davenport, Nigel Quashie.
WIGAN
WHEN Steve Bruce took over as boss, owner Dave Whelan promised to make the funds available.
Bruce may make a shock move for ex-Brum boy Robbie Savage.
INS: Damien Johnson, Robbie Savage.
OUTS: Henri Camara, Fitz Hall.