Who needs a late signing more - Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea or Spurs?

James Shearman

• Updated: 26 Jan 2022 22:16 GMT
• 4 min read

Doing business in the January transfer window has always been difficult, but the Premier League's top clubs have struggled even more than usual this month.

In fact, none of the 'big six' have completed a high-profile deal, with Manchester City's imminent signing of Julian Alvarez the closest thing.

But, make no mistake about it, Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham and Arsenal are all in need of reinforcements to close the gap on City and Liverpool.

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So, which of the four chasing teams should be most desperate to get business over the line before the deadline shuts on Monday?

4. Manchester United

Manchester United may have underachieved more than any team in Europe this season.

The Red Devils signed Cristiano Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane last summer, and were expected to mount a serious title challenge.

Instead, they find themselves in fourth, and only by virtue of playing more games than their nearest competition.

United are in need of a defensive midfielder, but they should be doing miles better with the squad at manager Ralf Rangnick's disposal.

Coaching is the biggest issue at Old Trafford.

3. Tottenham Hotspur

Spurs now have a world-class manager, in Antonio Conte, who has already improved the team in his short tenure.

However, the calibre of player available to the Italian, particularly in defence, is simply not good enough.

Chairman Daniel Levy will prioritise a wing-back, likely Adama Traore, and a centre-back in the coming days.

Porto's Luis Diaz has also been linked as a possible attacking option.

But, such is Conte's ability that Tottenham could still find themselves in fourth place without doing business, although that is not a risk they should be willing to take.

2. Chelsea

Champions League winners Chelsea were tipped by many to win the Premier League this season.

But, injuries to Ben Chilwell and Reece James have derailed the Blues' attempts to overtake Manchester City and Liverpool.

Thankfully for Thomas Tuchel, James will return soon, but Chilwell's ACL injury means a left wing-back is an urgent need.

Upgrading on the struggling Marcos Alonso could be the difference between winning the League Cup final and making a valiant defence of their European title or not.

1. Arsenal

Arsenal have been in the market for a central midfielder and striker in January but Mikel Arteta has confessed that they are struggling to get any deals over the line.

The Gunners badly need a goalscorer but they have missed out on their top striking target as Fiorentina hitman Dusan Vlahovic snubbed them for Juventus. They are now looking elsewhere.

In midfield, Lyon's Bruno Guimaraes was an option but is set to join Newcastle. Arthur Melo of Juventus is a deal that has slowed down also.

Without a clinical number 9 and a top central midfielder, Arsenal may struggle to make it into the top four this season.

Improvements have been made at the Emirates but another year without Champions League football would be extremely damaging.