Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche is understood to be keen to sign a striker in the January transfer window. Forest are one place above the Premier League relegation zone and have scored fewer goals than anyone in the division with the exceptions of Wolverhampton Wanderers and Sunderland. Dyche, who replaced Ange Postecoglou who replaced Nuno Espirito Santo, has steadied his team but their tactical approach throughout the festive fixture programme was regarded as a little on the conservative side.
I say this at the same time every year, but we always seem to forget it: Most January transfers don't matter. There has rarely been a signing across the Big Five leagues that genuinely made a difference for an eventual title-winning team. More specifically, via analysis from the consultancy Twenty First Group: "net transfer spend in January has just a 5% positive correlation with change in points per game, and that €20 million in net spending has delivered on average just a 0.03 increase in points per game in the big five leagues since 2015".
West Ham won't solve the problems in their squad. They want a striker for about 20m, good luck. Doesn't everyone? They need a top striker who will score them goals, they won't get one for that price. It's typical West Ham, the way the board there operate, they want to solve a problem but they want to do it as cheaply as they can.
According to Africa Foot, former West Ham United captain turned sporting director Mark Noble wants the player to join the club and he has recommended the board to sign him. It will be interesting to see if the Hammers decide to make a move for him. The Nigerian Under-20 international is highly rated and he has a bright future. He could cost around 3.5 million during the January transfer window and West Ham certainly have the finances to get the deal done.
Aston Villa attacker Leon Bailey is on loan at Italian club Roma. However, the Jamaican has not managed to perform at a high level. He has had injury problems as well. Bailey has played just 188 minutes in all competitions and Roma could look to part ways with him in January. They are interested in signing Joshua Zirkzee from Manchester United and they are hoping to free up funds to sign the player, as per Corriere dello Sport.
The January transfer window could decide whether Rob Edwards' side beat the drop, as good signings could provide the boost they need to go on an important run. There are a number of areas of Edwards' squad that need addressed in January, with one of those being midfield especially if Joao Gomes were to leave, which has been rumoured in recent weeks.
This is what we have on tap for this edition of the Bavarian Podcast Works - Weekend Warm-up Show: Unpacking the reaction to Bayern Munich's 2-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund in Der Klassiker. Is if time for Bayern Munich to think about talking over a contract extension with Vincent Kompany? The head coach has 1.5 years left on his deal and will be a hot target for many clubs in 2027.
