Clubs unlikely to splash cash in transfer window

Sport

Thursday, January 02, 2014

LONDON, England (AP) — When European football’s January transfer window opens for today the market is expected to have a slow start.In Europe, top teams seem to be largely happy with their squads after spending nearly $1 billion in the off-season. And, although English league clubs are unlikely to splash cash in January, Arsenal and Chelsea could be tempted to strengthen their squads with new strikers.Chasing their first league title in 10 years, the Gunners are reportedly looking for a forward to add to France international Olivier Giroud, who ended a seven-match scoring drought with the winner at Newcastle on Sunday, ensuring that his club starts 2014 at the top.Although Giroud said Arsenal has sufficient attacking options for the remainder of the season with himself, Lukas Podolski and Theo Walcott, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger hinted he could be tempted to sign a couple of new players.After failing to lure Luis Suarez, Wenger won’t bid again for the Uruguay striker, who signed a new deal with Liverpool this month.“We are, as many clubs, certainly on alert. If something special turns up we will not turn it down,” Wenger said. “But we are not as well desperate because we have a big depth in our squad.”Lagging two points behind Arsenal in the standings at the time of writing, Chelsea could also be looking for extra firepower after Samuel Eto’o, Demba Ba and Fernando Torres scored only six goals between them in the league so far this season.With Ba, Juan Mata and Kevin De Bruyne possibly leaving, British media reported that Chelsea and Liverpool have held discussions about the possible arrival of Suarez at Stamford Bridge that could make up for Jose Mourinho’s failure to sign Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney in the off-season.While a Suarez move to Chelsea looks highly unlikely, Monaco forward Radamel Falcao is a more realistic target for Mourinho, with the Colombian reportedly unhappy in the French league. Xabi Alonso has also been linked with a move to the Blues.

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Clubs unlikely to splash cash in transfer window