Goal.com's Stefan Coerts looks at ten players who could switch clubs on a temporary basis in the Premier League in January.
By Stefan Coerts
Jan 5, 2011 4:30:00 AM
Wayne Bridge (Manchester City to West Ham United)
The experienced full-back has been struggling to secure regular first team football with Manchester City and is widely expected to leave the club in January. West Ham United are believed to be interested in signing Bridge and a loan deal could be on the cards.
Emmanuel Adebayor (Manchester City to Aston Villa)
Adebayor has never really managed to live up to the high expectations at the Citizens and appears to be surplus to requirements at City if Edin Dzeko arrives from Wolfsburg. Aston Villa are unlikely to be willing to meet City's asking price for the striker to lure him to Birmingham on a permanent basis, but a loan move could prove to be the solution to Adebayor's situation.
Ryan Babel (Liverpool to Birmingham City)
The former Ajax star has mainly been warming the bench at Liverpool this term and he doesn't really seem to have a future at Anfield. Liverpool have reportedly already refused a loan offer from Birmingham for the Dutch winger, but they could very well decide to let go of Babel after all if he hasn't found a new club by the end of the January transfer window.
Dani Pacheco (Liverpool to Fulham)
Pacheco impressed during the Under-19 European Championshions for Spain last summer, but this hasn't resulted in much playing time for the young attacker. He recently signed a contract extension with Liverpool, but is expected to be shipped out on loan this winter. Fulham are looking for attacking reinforcements and Pacheco could very well be on his way to London.
Jay Emmanuel-Thomas (Arsenal to Blackpool)
Regular first team football at Arsenal seems to be far away for the versatile attacker, but manager Arsene Wenger isn't ready to part company with Emmanuel-Thomas on a permanent basis just yet. He previously enjoyed a successful loan spell with Blackpool in 2009 and a return to the Seasiders could be on the cards in January.
Carlos Vela (Arsenal to Bolton Wanderers)
There's little doubt about the immense potential of the Mexico international, but Vela has mainly been warming the bench at Arsenal this term. The attacker needs regular first team football to develop into a better player and Bolton Wanderers are reportedly eager to add the forward to their roster.
Jeffrey Bruma (Chelsea to West Bromwich Albion)
The Dutch international has already stated that he wants more playing time in the second half of the season, but it remains to be seen whether Bruma will get that opportunity at Chelsea. Therefore, the center-back could be farmed out on loan and WBA could be his next destination. The Baggies are being plagued by defensive problems and are looking to add to their ranks in January.
Gael Kakuta (Chelsea to Wigan Athletic)
Kakuta was recently linked with a loan move to Olympique de Marseille, but the French giants denied they are interested in signing the young attacker. The 19-year-old is still expected to leave Chelsea on a temporary basis though. Wigan are eager to add some more creativity to their team this winter and Kakuta could be a good option for the Latics.
Richie de Laet (Manchester United to Wolverhampton Wanderers)
The Belgian defender spent the past couple of months on loan at Preston North End, but returned to United in December 2010. Manager Alex Ferguson doesn't consider De Laet to be a first team player though and he could very well be on his way out again in January. Wolverhampton have been far from impressive at the back and De Laet could certainly add something to their defense.
David Bentley (Tottenham Hotspur to Newcastle United)
Bentley appears to be surplus to requirements at Tottenham and is widely expected to leave the club this winter. Newcastle have already shown an interest in signing the winger, but they're unlikely to make a big money offer for Bentley without knowing whether he can find back his best form. A loan offer with the option to make the move permanent could be on the cards though.
