Football Spy guide to January sales past and present

Published 22:30 29/12/11

The theory that clubs don’t spend big in January was blown out of the water a year ago, with four sides spending nearly £160million on strikers.

Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City and Aston Villa spent big as they either pushed for the title, the top four or wanted the goals to avoid relegation.

Now, with the transfer window just days away from closing, Football Spy asseses last year’s biggest movers and the players likely to be switching clubs in the next few days.

THE PAST...

Fernando Torres (Liverpool to Chelsea) – £50million

A disaster. Three League goals in 12 months for the Blues. Scored more goals this year for Liverpool (four during January) than he has for Chelsea.

Andy Carroll (Newcastle to Liverpool) – £35million

Yet to justify the fee. Three goals in nine appearances over the back end of last season and three in 20 this campaign.

Edin Dzeko (Wolfsburg to Manchester City) – £27million

A slow start with just five goals. More prolific now that he has settled, with 13 goals in all competitions.

Darren Bent (Sunderland to Aston Villa) – £24million

A decent return after arriving with eight goals. Hasn’t had the service since the departures of Stewart Downing and Ashley Young, hence just six goals this season.

Luis Suarez (Ajax to Liverpool) – £22.8million

An outstanding player regardlesss of the controversy that surrounds him. Four goals last season and eight goals this but his quality comes in his trickery and ability to set up others in the final third.

THE PRESENT...

Carlos Tevez

AGE: 27

CLUB: Manchester City

VALUE: £30million

CLUBS INTERESTED: PSG, Tottenham, AC Milan

City want shot of him and, in an ideal world, a move to AC Milan would be right up their street. But Milan only want a loan and not to have to pay a fee.

Qatari-backed Paris Saint-Germain have emerged as contenders but new boss Carlo Ancelotti seems keener on Milan striker Pato.

Which leaves Spurs. If the north Londoners can stump up the cash for the man who knows where the goal is, do City sell?

Or do they hang on to the man who is costing them a fortune every month without kicking a ball?

Wesley Sneijder

AGE: 27

CLUB: Inter Milan

VALUE: £22million

CLUBS INTERESTED: Manchester United, Manchester City

Sir Alex Ferguson could not get the money right in the summer for the Dutchman who lifted the Champions League under Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid.

But with his midfield decimated by injury the United boss is sure to have another look at the Sneijder situation.

Still only 27, the World Cup finalist is versatile with spectacular ability at dead-ball situations.

Sebastien Bassong

AGE: 25

VALUE: £5million

CLUB: Tottenham

CLUBS INTERESTED: QPR, Newcastle

A very good player who is unlucky to have even better players in front of him at Tottenham.

But QPR and Newcastle could do with his pace and his ability at the back as Rangers have shipped too many goals and Newcastle are without Steven Taylor for the rest of the season.

Bassong has made it clear he intends to quit Spurs in search of regular first team action in January. A move is on.

Jan Vertonghen

AGE: 24

VALUE: £10million

CLUB: Ajax

CLUBS INTERESTED: Newcastle, Tottenham, Manchester United.

An exceptional player for his age.

Already has 35 caps for the Belgian national side and has won the Dutch championship.

Another who will appeal to Alan Pardew at Newcastle. QPR could afford him too.

But Champions League/title chasing Spurs might be more up Vertonghen's street.

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