Liverpool’s decision to splash £75million on Virgil van Dijk will kick off a record-breaking New Year spend during the January transfer window .
Kop boss Jurgen Klopp has made a staggering statement of intent, even before the market has opened, by agreeing to pay Southampton’s asking price for the Dutchman.
And Van Dijk will officially become the world’s most expensive defender when the clocks strike midnight to herald the dawn of 2018.
The spending will not stop there — as Premier League clubs break open their transfer war-chests in a bid to guarantee success or stave off the threat of relegation.
And it is likely that the record £225m clubs spent during the crazy transfer scramble of January 2011 will be shattered.
Manchester City’s seemingly unassailable lead at the top of the Premier League will not have an effect on the spree. Their breakaway has left Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool, Tottenham and Arsenal locked in a cut-throat fight for the other three Champions League places.
And, with a record five English clubs also through to the last 16 of this season’s Champions League, elite managers such as Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte, Jurgen Klopp and Mauricio Pochettino will be looking for reinforcements to help them bring the European Cup back to this country for the first time since 2012.
And with Premier League survival now worth a minimum of £100m, clubs at the opposite end of the table will be under pressure to speculate in a bid to accumulate precious points.
In the Championship, the scramble for automatic promotion or glory through the play-offs will also have a febrile effect on clubs looking to get a piece of the bounty on offer in the top-flight.
Here, we look at the state of all 20 Premier League sides, assess where they could do business over the next month and assign each team’s situation a Panic Rating.
Signing Paris Saint-Germain’s £40m Julian Draxler would be a statement of intent.
And, with Alexis Sanchez prepared to wait until the summer to join Manchester City for free, Arsenal are desperate to find a buyer for Mesut Ozil.
They also need a new deal for Jack Wilshere.
Eddie Howe insists that the Cherries are not in the market for a new striker – despite losing Jermain Defoe for up to three months with an ankle injury.
That position could change if Bournemouth are entrenched in the bottom three as the transfer window closes and the club’s injury problems continue to bite.
But, for now, Howe’s priority is to keep his best players, with West Ham and Crystal Palace targeting midfielder Harry Arter.
A record £18m bid for Celtic striker Moussa Dembele is in the Seagulls’ pipeline.
Chris Hughton’s men sit comfortably in mid-table, but lack a cutting edge up front and Dembele has been prolific in Scotland, as well as proving himself in the Champions League.
Brighton happily broke their spending record in the summer and are willing to do it again to ensure that they remain in the Premier League.
Sean Dyche doesn’t believe January is the best time to do transfer business.
With histeam in the top seven, the Burnley boss is unlikely to open the chequebook to any great extent.
He’s also under no pressure to sell, thanks to a £15m profit last summer.
That’s key, with Arsenal and Chelsea eyeing James Tarkowski, who has excelled after replacing Michael Keane at the start of the season.
Antonio Conte wants his bosses to show him the money – and, after missing out on Virgil van Dijk, the Blues’ boss will want to get a deal for Bayern Munich’s Arturo Vidal over the line.
Chelsea may also revive their interest in Everton’s Ross Barkley.
He walked out of a medical last summer, but is close to returning after a serious hamstring injury and the Blues may get a cut-price deal.
A striker is at the top of Roy Hodgson’s New Year list – but Palace’s No.1 target Cenk Tosun looks set for Everton.
A move for young Southampton defender Matt Targett is in the pipeline, but Hodgson’s main worry is that rival clubs will look to test the Eagles’ resolve to hang on to winger Wilfried Zaha.
The former England international has been outstanding this season and Hodgson has admitted that a bid of more than £40m would be tempting.
Sam Allardyce’s demand that his new bosses pay Besiktas £20m for Cenk Tosun suggests he is keener to get a striker than predecessor Ronald Koeman was.
Allardyce is also after Sevilla midfielder Steven N’Zonzi and wants to link up again with left-back Patrick van Aanholt after working with the Dutchman at Sunderland and Palace.
Everton will hope Spurs or Chelsea come in for Ross Barkley.
David Wagner is set to clinch a deal with his pal Jurgen Klopp to sign Liverpool striker Danny Ings on loan. Ings needs game time after seeing his Anfield career stall through injuries.
Wagner has been told that cash is available for new players – despite breaking the Terriers’ transfer record six times in the summer.
He also said assurances have been given that no players will be leaving the club in January without him giving the green light.
Claude Puel wants at least two new signings.
PSG’s Hatem Ben Arfa scored 17 goals in one season, working under Puel at Nice. Ben Arfa’s arrival at Leicester could see Riyad Mahrez leave.
The Foxes are also going for Benfica’s Andre Almeida and will welcome Sporting Lisbon’s £22m Adrian Silva.
The Reds have smashed the market open by paying Southampton £75m to make Virgil van Dijk the world’s most expensive defender.
Jurgen Klopp now has to decide about Daniel Sturridge and Emre Can.
Striker Sturridge has fallen down the pecking order, while Can is a midfield target for Juventus after rejecting a new deal.
Liverpool want both to remain — until the summer.
Pep Guardiola has his sights on a centre-back after deciding to wait until the summer for Alexis Sanchez and seeing midfielder Fabian Delph excel as a left-back.
With Vincent Kompany’s chronic injury problems, Premier League leaders City may revisit the possibility of signing West Brom’s Jonny Evans.
Real Sociedad’s Inigo Martinez is also on their radar, but that could hinge on the Blues selling Eliaquim Mangala.
Jose Mourinho’s complaint that his team lacks creativity may prompt a move for Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil – especially after Barcelona put the German on their January wish-list.
United will also move for Danny Rose if Spurs are willing to sell – with Luke Shaw a possible makeweight.
The Reds could cash in on midfielder Marouane Fellaini if either PSG or Besiktas make an offer.
Rafa Benitez has demanded four new signings in his bid to keep Newcastle in the top flight. But he is still waiting to be handed a budget.
The Toon are set to land Chelsea’s Brazilian winger Kenedy on loan and are also in the market for a striker, a left-back, a midfielder and a keeper.
Serbia striker Aleksandar Mitrovic has said he wants to leave to boost his chances of going to the World Cup.
Theo Walcott is being linked with a return to his first club after Virgil van Dijk’s world-record £75m departure to Liverpool.
The England forward is yet to start a Premier League game for the Gunners this season and Southampton boss Mauricio Pellegrino has been handed a significant transfer kitty to land a forward.
Southampton have also been watching young Dundee defender Jack Hendry.
Mark Hughes has been given a vote of confidence – and is going to be backed after telling his employers he needs a striker, a midfielder and a defender.
Hughes wants Augsburg’s versatile defender Daniel Opare for £3m and has tracked Besiktas’ giant centre-back Dusko Tosic.
Stoke are also looking at Leicester striker Islam Slimani to add some firepower to their squad.
The Welsh strugglers have turned to a boss axed last week by Championship side Sheffield Wednesday — so Carlos Carvalhal is no miracle-worker.
His new bosses must now give him money if he is to have any hope of arresting Swansea’s slide.
He must keep his best players, including Alfie Mawson. If he is sold, the Swans may as well start packing their Premier League bags.
Mauricio Pochettino has to decide whether to do business with Manchester United for Danny Rose in a deal that would see Luke Shaw move to the London club as a makeweight.
Tottenham are also linked with a move for Atletico Madrid winger Yannick Carrasco at less than half of his £85m buy-out as he is surplus to their needs.
A move for Watford’s Richarlison looks unlikely right now.
The Hornets are one of a number interested in signing Arsenal’s out-of-favour Theo Walcott, but would prefer a loan deal.
They will also offer Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw a temporary deal until the end of the season.
Leicester frontman Islam Slimani is another being monitored at Vicarage Road.
Alan Pardew is set to offer ex-England defender Glen Johnson an escape route, with reports that Stoke are lining up a replacement.
Pardew will also try to persuade centre-back Jonny Evans to sign a new contract with the Baggies .
Evans was a target for Manchester City in the summer and Arsenal are also keeping tabs on the defender’s situation.
David Moyes has drawn up a wish-list that includes Sevilla’s Steven N’Zonzi and Harry Arter of Bournemouth for midfield and Swansea defender Alfie Mawson.
West Ham have also been quoted £22m for Bryan Cristante.
The free-scoring midfielder is on loan with Italians Atalanta from Portugal’s Benfica, but Atalanta plan to take up an option to buy and then sell him at a healthy profit.
(Reuters) - Manchester United’s Ashley Young was charged with violent conduct by the English Football Association (FA) on Sunday after his altercation with Southampton midfielder Dusan Tadic in the Premier League the previous day.
Young appeared to strike Tadic with an elbow during Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Old Trafford.
“Young’s charge follows an incident during Saturday’s game against Southampton which was not seen by the match officials but caught on video,” the FA said in a statement.
Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino said after the match: “I haven’t seen the replay but it is difficult for the referee to see in one second what happened in all different places – but I have to respect the decision.”
Swansea defender Kyle Naughton has also been charged with violent conduct by the FA for allegedly stamping on Watford’s Stefano Okaka during the Welsh side’s 2-1 victory at Vicarage Road on Saturday.
Young and Naughton have until 1700 GMT on Sunday to respond to the charges.
Liverpool completed their world-record deal for the Southampton defender earlier this week.
The former Celtic star will link up with Jurgen Klopp and the Reds tomorrow when the transfer window opens.
And Thornley, who made nine league appearances for the Red Devils, says United would have been charged an extra £5m or £10m for Van Dijk if they signed the Dutch defender.
Thornley said on MUTV: “They have coveted him for a long time, there is no question about that, as other clubs have with Virgil van Dijk.
In an extended interview, the Serbian international discusses his competitive instinct, why he hates to lose and why he spends so much time in the gym.
Elsewhere, we provide a gallery of the best images from 2017 as we reminisce over some memorable moments from the past 12 months.
Manager Mauricio Pellegrino and skipper Steven Davis pen their usual matchday thoughts, while Jack Stephens reminisces about his first memories of football in our Getting to Know feature.
Francis Benali gives his thoughts on Saints’ recent form and where the game against Palace can be won in his first column of the New Year.
Our history section continues to provide the perfect hit of nostalgia, while there is the usual comprehensive coverage of our opponents.
There are more outlets than ever from which to purchase this season’s matchday programme, which will continue to retail at £4.
You can also pre-order, find all previous editions and take out a subscription for the season by visiting saintsmagazines.co.uk.
Crystal Palace will leapfrog Southampton in the Premier League standings if they earn a second league away win of the season at St. Mary’s.
The Eagles head into the game following an impressive draw against Manchester City at Selhurst Park on Sunday. The Eagles were the first team to take a point off City in the League since August and will have their sights set on midtable following a revival under Roy Hodgson.
Palace have lost just once in 10 Premier League matches and could go 13th on Tuesday if results go their way.
Southampton host Crystal Palace at St. Mary’s with kick-off scheduled for 7.45pm on Tuesday, January 2.
The match will be not be televised live on TV in the UK. You can follow all the build-up and action from 6.45pm with Standard Sport’s London Football live blog.
Can’t see the live blog? Click here for the desktop version.
Crystal Palace will be without Scott Dann and Jason Puncheon after the pair suffered injuries in Sunday’s 0-0 draw with runaway leaders Manchester City.
Hodgson said: “The problem is one day’s rest - it’s cost us two players (Scott Dann and Jason Puncheon) and it might have cost them (City) two as well (Gabriel Jesus and Kevin De Bruyne).”
The hosts will be without Charlie Austin and Cedric Soares, while Ryan Bertrand will face a late fitness test.
It has been another incident-packed and memorable year in the Premier League - here are some of the best moments from the last 12 months.
Antonio Conte marked his debut season in charge at Stamford Bridge by guiding Chelsea to their fifth Premier League crown, with the Blues claiming the title by seven points from Tottenham.
Manchester City, with Pep Guardiola at the helm, finished third in the standings and Liverpool completed the top four positions, and with it securing Champions League football for the first time since 2010.
However, at the bottom of the table, north-east rivals Sunderland and Middlesbrough were relegated, while despite a revival under Marco Silva, Hull City also dropped to the Championship.
The first half of the 2017/18 campaign has seen City’s record-breaking run of victories move Pep and Co well clear at the top of the Premier League.
Watch the montage of 2017 in the Premier League in the video above
Ashley Young will miss Manchester United’s next three matches after accepting a violent conduct charge.
Young was issued with the charge by the Football Association after appearing to elbow Dusan Tadic during the 0-0 draw with Southampton on Saturday.
He has decided not to contest it, but did argue a suspension and a Football Association spokesperson said: "Ashley Young will be suspended for Manchester United’s next three matches.
“He accepted a violent conduct charge following an off-the-ball incident during yesterday’s game against Southampton, but argued the suspension was excessive. This was rejected by a Regulatory Commission.”
The 32-year-old wing-back will miss the New Year’s Day match at Everton plus home games with Derby (FA Cup) and Stoke.
Manchester United’s Ashley Young to miss three matches after accepting violent conduct charge
Ashley Young will have to sit out Manchester United’s next three matches after he was charged with violent conduct by the FA.
Young was issued with the charge after appearing to elbow Dusan Tadic during Manchester United’s 0-0 draw with Southampton on Saturday, in an incident which was not seen by match officials but was later spotted on video.
A Football Association spokesperson said on Sunday: "Ashley Young will be suspended for Manchester United’s next three matches.
"He accepted a violent conduct charge following an off-the-ball incident during yesterday’s game against Southampton, but argued the suspension was excessive.
“This was rejected by a Regulatory Commission.”
The 32-year-old wing-back will miss the New Year’s Day match at Everton plus home games with Derby [in the FA Cup] and Stoke.
Young has enjoyed a fine season at right-back for United and he was named in the England squad last month by manager Gareth Southgate after a lengthy absence.
And news of his ban completes a disappointing few days for United, who were held 0-0 by Southampton, and have lost Romelu Lukaku and Zlatan Ibrahimovic to injury.
Manchester United’s Ashley Young has been charged with violent conduct after he appeared to elbow Dusan Tadic during the Premier League match against Southampton.
The Football Association decided to take action after footage emerged of Young landing a blow on Tadic’s stomach area during Saturday’s goalless draw at Old Trafford.
An FA statement read: “Young’s charge follows an incident during Saturday’s game against Southampton which was not seen by the match officials but caught on video. He has until 5pm today (31/12/17) to respond.”
Saints bounced back from their Boxing Day hammering by Tottenham to hold Manchester United to a draw at Old Trafford.
For United it was a third draw in a row in the Premier League.
Jose Mourinho’s side also lost striker Romelu Lukaku to a serious-looking head injury as they were forced to settle for a point for a third game in succession.
The hosts had a strong penalty appeal turned down and had a late Paul Pogba goal disallowed for offside, but Saints arguably deserved a point for their resilience.
Before he went off after a nasty clash of heads with Wesley Hoedt, Lukaku headed over a glorious early chance for United, while Jesse Lingard also put a header narrowly wide.
Lingard also appeared to be frustrated by the hand of Maya Yoshida in the box, but nothing was given by referee Craig Pawson.
The Lukaku injury came less than 10 minutes into the game. The striker was carried off on a stretcher and wearing an oxygen mask after a stoppage of around five minutes.
That further changed Mourinho’s game plan after leaving Zlatan Ibrahimovic out of his squad altogether. Marcus Rashford, dropped to the bench, was soon sent on.
Forster’s replacement Alex McCarthy looked confident as he made his first Premier League appearance for almost two years, but he was fortunate not to concede early on to Lukaku. The £75million striker headed over from seven yards after being picked out by Juan Mata.
It proved Lukaku’s only significant involvement, but Southampton went close soon after as Sofiane Boufal beat the offside trap and pulled the ball back through a crowded area to James Ward-Prowse.
Ward-Prowse made a good connection, but David de Gea saved well to his left.
The atmosphere fell flat as the first half wore on with neither side able to fully impose themselves.
United had the better of the openings, but were wasteful in possession and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, back in the starting line-up for the first time since November 5, was particularly culpable.
On the occasion Mkhitaryan did deliver a good cross, Lingard headed narrowly wide.
Saints also survived a penalty appeal for handball against Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, as well as the one against Yoshida, while McCarthy saved from Mata and Nemanja Matic.
At the other end Ward-Prowse forced De Gea to save from a free-kick and an unmarked Hoedt headed wide following a corner.
Shane Long looked set to end a goal drought stretching back to February early in the second half, but De Gea saved with his feet.
Mourinho began to get frustrated and shouted angrily at fourth official Bobby Madley after apparently disagreeing with a decision.
His team struggled to match that fire, but Ashley Young went close with a free-kick deflected narrowly wide.
United applied near constant pressure in the closing stages, but Saints managed to hold firm.
Pogba did tap the ball into the net from close range after a goalmouth scramble, but the flag was raised for offside.
| Manchester United’s Ashley Young banned for three matchesBELFASTTELE |
| United’s Young facing 3-match ban after being charged over Tadic clashTHE42 | ...distrustfully thrown together by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!
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Tweets of 2017 
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