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#3 Lucas Digne (Chelsea)
Chelsea started the season as strong contenders for the Premier League title and for the better part of this first innings they were there at the top. However, December has proven to be an uncharacteristic period for the Blues, who have dropped seven points in their last four Premier League fixtures.
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A few injuries and COVID cases have kept Chelsea's regular starters out of action and their title charge has lost momentum. Their full-backs have been in inspiring form but a severe injury to Ben Chilwell sees them short of manpower in the left-back position.
Lucas Digne will be a very sensible signing for the Premier League giants in January. Reports of his fallout with Rafael Benitez have also been making the rounds. He would love an upgrade concerning the difficult season Everton are enduring.
The Merseyside outfit have reportedly agreed a deal to bring Dynamo Kyiv left-back Vitaliy Mykolenko to the Premier League. They wouldn't mind letting go of an unsettled Digne at this point. The Frenchman would fit well into Tuchel's system where full-backs are often allowed to join the final-third.
Marcos Alonso has been Chelsea's main left-back in the absence of Chilwell. However, he has fallen short of doing his defensive duties properly when wanting to contribute in the final-third. The Everton man would be an upgrade on him.
Tuchel utilized Saul on a couple of occasions as a wing back and that failed miserably. Hence, signing Digne in January could strengthen Chelsea's Premier League ambitions and give Chilwell time to recover properly.
#2 Jarrod Bowen (Liverpool)
The Premier League title race has spiced up recently and Liverpool are trying their best to chase Manchester City, who sit comfortably at the summit. However, January could become an inauspicious occasion for the Reds as AFCON approaches.
Star forwards Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane will be on national duty and their absence will be a severe blow to the title charge. Jurgen Klopp could look towards a name they shortlisted in the summer from Premier League rivals West Ham United and that is Jarrod Bowen.
The 25-year-old has been praised by many for his part in West Ham's top-four charge under David Moyes. Bowen functions with great agility and dynamism. If he decides to upgrade his Premier League club and move to Liverpool, he'll have no problem matching their tempo.
He has initiated many counter-attacking moves for the Hammers this season and Klopp will not be disappointed when he pairs Diogo Jota and Bowen. The Englishman's numbers at his current club might not be very attractive but he is starting to look a bigger threat with every passing game.
Bowen scored eight goals and assisted five in the Premier League last season. But the Hammers forward has scored three this season and assisted five already.
#1 Amadou Haidara (Manchester United)
When Manchester United made the announcement that they were hiring Ralf Rangnick it was seen as a rare sensible decision made by the hierarchy. They will surely reap the benefits from his experience of changing the dynamics of how a club is run.
However, his primary job is as an interim manager and the January transfer window is his first challenge. Rangnick will use his connections with the Red Bull clubs that he has been involved with to bring reinforcements to the Premier League. In that case, he need not look beyond Amadou Haidara.
The combative midfielder can help the new boss implement the aggressive style of pressing he is renowned for. The Premier League giants lack a dynamic and strong defensive midfielder with a knack for duels in the middle of the park. Haidara's speed and mobility allow him to adapt to different roles in the midfield.
Fred, who was otherwise disappointing, has been shining under Rangnick due to the license he has been handed to roam around freely. Haidara likes to sit back to shield his defense but is quick to launch counters and carry the ball to transition faster.
Defensively, he feels more planted and less reckless than Fred and Scott McTominay. He has regularly displayed assuring performances for RB Leipzig and it won't take him long to settle in the Premier League. With speed merchants like Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood at United, Haidara can really help them become a counter-attacking force.
