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Exerts from an article written by Tony Sharkey which was included in the January 2011 edition of FC Business.

This January, I would anticipate the following clubs to be the most active in the transfer market:

Aston Villa: The first real opportunity for new manager Gerard Houllier to mould his squad. He has already done some shrewd Christmas shopping with the signing of Robert Pires. It seems likely that he will need to strengthen his striking department.

Fulham: Mark Hughes added the impressive Moussa Dembele to his squad in the summer, expect some more comings and goings.

Liverpool: Manager Roy Hodgson* has more mayor surgery to do on his squad to meet the expectations of the new owners.
(* article written on 16 December 2010 before Hodgson was replaced by Kenny Dalglish)

Man City: The best resourced Club in the world. If players of the highest quality become available then expect big ticket signings. However, some of their big names such as Shay Given and Roque Santa Cruz, who have had little game time, will probably move on.

Spurs: Through to the Champions League Knockout stages and riding high in the Premier League, Harry Redknapp would feel like it’s a missed opportunity if he wasn’t busy. Gallas and Van der Vaart have set the benchmark for future signings. Injuries to central defenders make this area a priority. If the likes of Robbie Keane, David Bentley and Niko Kranjcar do move on, it will give the Harry, the master wheeler dealer, big money to spend.

Stoke City: Maybe it’s time for Tony Pulis to sell Tuncay Sanli. A hugely talented player who can flourish with more game time.

WBA: The chairman, Jeremy Peace must be respected for running such a tight ship down at the Hawthorns but now may be the time to loosen the purse strings in order to secure a run in the Premier League.

Wigan: Active in last January’s window and at the wrong end of the table now, they may be looking to tie up a couple of loan players but may have to be ready to replace any players they might lose.

Wolves: In a tight spot. Just sold Jelle Van Damme for a reported £2.5 million so a replacement for him and probably another central defender wouldn’t go a miss.

Celtic. Neil Lennon made a good signing in taking goal machine Gary Hooper from Scunthorpe but it is at the other end of the pitch where reinforcements are now needed.

QPR: Neil Warnocks’ side had a tremendous start to the campaign, but have relied too much on star man Adel Taarabt in recent months. A couple of smart buys to make sure of automatic promotion should be on the agenda.

Leicester: Sven Eriksson has already brought in Bednar, Davies and Kirkland on loan, with new owners and the aim of bringing Premier League football to the Walkers Stadium, expect more quality signings to follow.