Breaking down the Premier League's January transfer window

With the January transfer window now in effect, here's a rundown of each Premier League team's needs:

Arsenal

Crucial position: Fans are still after a goalkeeper, a center back and a midfield enforcer. Arsene Wenger has said Manuel Almunia can leave, which suggests he may have a keeper in mind. A central defender ought to be front and center in his thinking.

Hey, big spender: Wenger dislikes shopping at the best of times if he can cook something up at home, but January? He'll only move for a real bargain.

Linked with: Bolton's Gary Cahill and Blackburn wantaway Christopher Samba, Mamadou Sahko (PSG). Some talk about Per Mertesacker of Werder Bremen.

Signed: Ryo Miyaichi (Midfielder/forward, Chukyodai Chuyko High School, undisclosed)

Aston Villa

Crucial position: Central midfield definitely needs attention, but the club's early enquiries suggest it's shopping for the bit of firepower that Emile Heskey and John Carew keep forgetting to bring to the party.

Hey, big spender: Gerard Houllier says he has faith in his players to pull away from trouble, but he's in a shrinking minority. If the board doesn't want another managerial change, it'll have to put up a bit of cash.

Linked with: Joey Barton (Newcastle), Fernando Gago (Real Madrid, potential loan), Guieda Fofana (Le Havre), Robbie Keane (Tottenham), Djibril Cisse (Panathinaikos). Colorado Rapids forward Omar Cummings has been on trial and looks like getting a loan deal.

Birmingham City

Crucial position: If Sebastian Larsson doesn't sign a new contract, Birmingham needs at least one wide man in the next six months. Like the rest of the league's strugglers, the club's sights seem to be trained on a form striker.

Hey, big spender: Alex McLeish says he wants to bring in two players, but he'll probably have to be happy with loan deals.

Linked with: Robbie Keane and David Bentley (Spurs), Ryan Babel (Liverpool), Jay Bothroyd (Cardiff). Young midfielder Jordan Mutch likely to be recalled from loan at Watford.

Blackburn Rovers

Crucial position: With David Dunn restricted by injury, a creative midfielder would be most welcome at Ewood Park.

Hey, big spender: New owner Venky's has promised £5 million ($7.7 million) for new signings in January, and caretaker boss Steve Kean wants at least three players to back up his injury-hit team.

Linked with: Slovakia playmaker Juraj Kucka has been mentioned, as has Blackpool's Charlie Adam and Eidur Gudjohnsen (Stoke City).

Blackpool

Crucial position: Getting Luke Varney (on loan from Derby) on a permanent basis will preoccupy Blackpool -- Ian Holloway likes a queue of strikers waiting to come on. Otherwise, midfield: David Vaughan has been excellent but could go for nothing in the summer.

Hey, big spender: Holloway has spent very little assembling his impressive troupe, and will probably only be interesting in freebies in this window.

Linked with: Adam Hammill (Barnsley), Laryea Kingston (free agent), Grant Holt (Norwich).

Bolton Wanderers

Crucial position: Owen Coyle seems to have his eye out for an attacking midfielder, though a big-money bid for Gary Cahill would force him into the defensive market.

Hey, big spender: Coyle has been open about his limited resources but has already shown what he can do for nothing -- Stuart Holden arrived on a free transfer.

Linked with: Leeds United's highly-rated midfielder Bradley Johnson, Roberto Trashorras (Celta Vigo), David Jones (Wolves), Simon Vukcevic (Sporting Lisbon).

Chelsea

Crucial position: Injuries to John Terry and Alex have recently exposed a real lack of depth in Chelsea's defensive staff, though there is persistent talk of trying to poach midfield creator Luka Modric from Spurs.

Hey, big spender: Money doesn't flow from Chelsea as it once did -- and the club doesn't often buy in January. But Roman Abramovich opens his wallet if the manager asks.

Linked with: Gary Cahill (Bolton Wanderers), David Luiz (Benfica), Davide Santon (Internazionale), Luka Modric (Tottenham), Andy Carroll (Newcastle United).

Everton

Crucial position: Everton started with no genuine strikers this week -- considering the opponent was the lamentably beatable West Ham, this says a lot about David Moyes' options up front.

Hey, big spender: Moyes says that he won't be spending any cash this month, on account of Everton not having any. Loan deals most likely.

Linked with: Wolves' Matt Jarvis, Adem Ljajic (Fiorentina), Edson Buddle (Galaxy), Dzmitry Verkhovtsov (Naftan Novopolotsk), and Aston Villa's Stephen Ireland. Talk of a £3 million ($4.6 million) move for QPR's Jamie Mackie is more Moyes' style, but if it really is loan deals or nothing, reported interest in Manchester City's Emmanuel Adebayor looks closer to the mark. Young Lazio forward Libor Kozak is also on the radar.

Fulham

Crucial position: Fulham has managed only 19 goals this season -- an average of one per game -- thanks to injuries to Bobby Zamora (out until February, at least) and Moussa Dembele (on his way back from latest knock). An extra striker would be handy.

Hey, big spender: Mark Hughes has asked for more time and the chance to add to his squad before being relieved of his duties, so some cash is likely to be available, even if the chairman prefers freebies or loan moves.

Linked with: A loan move for Robbie Keane, but Spurs say he's for sale only. A cheaper (£2 million/$3 million) move for Cardiff City striker Jay Bothroyd has been mooted, though Crystal Palace youngster Wilfried Zaha is available for the same kind of money.