5 players that EPL clubs should look to sign in January

Diego Costa

Position: Striker, Atletico Madrid

How good is he? Costa currently leads the La Liga charts with 10 goals in nine games.

Who should sign him? Chelsea. They have well-documented striking issues, and a target man like Costa would complete the team.

Will it happen?

There is no doubt that Costa is a quality striker. In fact, Spain and Brazil are currently locked in a battle to secure Costa’s international future, as he is eligible to represent either country.

Atletico Madrid would probably not like to sell their main striker in the middle of the season, but with the club’s current financial situation, a bid of £40m would be too good to turn down. Costa would also be cup-tied for the Champions League, but he would be a reliable starter in the EPL.

Stefan Kießling

Position: Striker, Bayer Leverkusen

How good is he? Has scored 6 goals and made 3 assists in 10 Bundesliga games

Who should sign him? Arsenal. They are one Giroud injury away from having no reliable strikers to start with.

Will it happen?

Bayer Leverkusen are currently joint-second in the league, one point behind leaders Bayern Munich. Much of their league form is down to their main man, so they would be looking for upwards of £30m.

Arsenal have one of the best squads in the EPL, but apart from Podolski, who is not a reliable goalscorer, they don’t have any cover for Olivier Giroud who has started the season in fine form. A January move for a top striker will complete a very good squad.

Koke

Position: Central midfielder, Left midfielder, Atletico Madrid

How good is he? Currently leads the La Liga assists charts with 6 in nine games

Who should sign him? Manchester United. They are in desperate need of a central midfielder who can dictate the tempo

Will it happen?

Apart from his form, Koke has both age and versatility on his side. At 21, Koke is not the finished product but is already very good, so Manchester United would be making a signing that would help them immediately and one for the future.

A central midfielder who likes to create and is defensively aware, Koke would be an ideal choice for the defending champions. A bid of £45m could be enough to tempt Atletico into selling their star player.

Luca Cigarini

Position: Attacking midfielder, Atalanta

How good is he? 5 assists and 1 goal in seven Serie A

Who should sign him? Liverpool. With Coutinho injured, Liverpool are in need of an attacking midfielder.

Will it happen?

Atalanta are currently placed in 7th position, an over-achievement some may say. Cigarini is comfortable playing behind the striker or in the centre of midfield and loves to play killer-balls and shoot from distance.

With captain Steven Gerrard being played in all matches, Cigarini would be a fantastic back-up to have. With Atalanta looking for close to £20m for their midfielder, Liverpool should be looking to close off the signing in January.

Layvin Kurzawa

Position: Left back, AS Monaco

How good is he? Kurzawa has already notched up two assists in Ligue 1.

Who should sign him? Manchester United. After failing to land Baines and Coentrao in the summer, a move for Kurzawa would make a lot of sense.

Will it happen?

AS Monaco would be unwilling to let go of one of their hot prospects, but after spending heavily in the summer, they will be looking to recoup some of the money. A bid of £15m could be enough.

With Patrice Evra reportedly looking to leave the club after the season-end, a left-back must be high on the priority list for Manchester United. And Kurzawa, an attack-minded leftback, fits the bill for them.