What to look out for in the Premier League transfer window
The Premier League transfer period is now active, allowing teams to invest heavily in pursuit of the championship, qualification for the upcoming Champions League, or simply to remain in the profitable top tier of English football.
AFP Sport examines five teams expected to be the most active until the deadline on February 2.
Liverpool ready to spend once more
The Merseyside club outspent all other Premier League teams in a single window recently, investing close to £450 million ($606 million) on six fresh signings.
That said, the benefits have been minimal so far, and ongoing injuries are pushing the reigning English champions to return to the transfer market.
The headline of Liverpool's summer acquisitions was Alexander Isak's UK record £125 million transfer from Newcastle, yet the Swedish player faces at least two months out due to a fractured leg.
Even after committing around £300 million to attackers during the summer, Arne Slot's forward line is severely depleted, especially with Mohamed Salah unavailable for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Questions linger over Salah's long-term stay after his outspoken reaction to being benched by Slot, and if the forward leaves, Liverpool will need to find a successor.
Will Villa reinforce their title bid?
Aston Villa's hopes of sustaining pressure on powerhouses like Arsenal and Manchester City in the title contention hinge on bolstering Unai Emery's roster in the coming weeks.
Restricted by financial fair play regulations, Villa could not invest lavishly last summer.
Nevertheless, Emery worked wonders to spark an 11-match winning streak across competitions before Wednesday's 4-1 loss to Arsenal.
Although their spending capacity remains tight, Villa's leadership successfully enhanced the team last January through loans of Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio, which almost propelled them into Champions League spots.
Semenyo heading to City
Pep Guardiola's squad appears to have claimed the opening significant deal of the window by agreeing to sign Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth.
The Ghanaian winger has drawn attention from Liverpool, Chelsea, and Tottenham following his nine Premier League goals this campaign.
Semenyo's contract features a £65 million release clause that needs triggering by January 10.
Manchester City is moving swiftly to enhance their already league-leading attack.
That being true, scoring from the flanks has troubled Guardiola this term.
Jeremy Doku, Savinho, Oscar Bobb, and Omar Marmoush have combined for only one Premier League goal to date.
Mainoo potentially departing?
Manchester United's winter dealings will probably revolve around decisions regarding Kobbie Mainoo.
The English midfielder, a standout in the national team's path to the Euro 2024 final, has yet to feature as a starter in the Premier League this season.
Ruben Amorim seems to view Mainoo as mismatched with skipper Bruno Fernandes, and recent injuries to both have drastically reduced United's central midfield depth.
Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo are absent for the Africa Cup of Nations, though Amorim prefers avoiding hasty additions.
"If we lack certainty, if the whole group is not in agreement, it is preferable to stick with our current squad and develop them," the Portuguese manager stated. "We must avoid repeating previous errors."
Offloading Mainoo, a youth academy graduate, would grant United greater flexibility under profit and sustainability rules to acquire another central player.
West Ham's fight for survival
West Ham faces the prospect of relegation from the Premier League for the first time in over a decade.
The east London side trails the safety mark by four points while also pursuing improving teams such as Nottingham Forest and Leeds.
Securing a new forward ranks as the primary priority for Nuno Espirito Santo, particularly after Niclas Fuellkrug's loan switch to AC Milan.