January Transfer Window: Five bargains to be had before Deadline Day

30Jan 2013

England - Premier League

With Transfer Deadline Day just around the corner, it's time for clubs to snap up some last-minute bargains (and probably some panic buys too!). Hannah Duncan takes a look at five penny-pinching deals still to be had before the end of the month...

Jack Butland

Birmingham City have found themselves in all sorts of financial trouble of late and have been forced to offer their whole first team squad pretty much on a plate. While the Blues insist they won't accept silly offers for their star performers, that's not to say there's not a bargain to be had - with one or two promising youngsters in particular springing to mind.

One of these is goalkeeper Jack Butland, who represented Team GB at London 2012 and has also been called up to the full England squad in the past 12 months.

The 19-year-old has impressed so much that he's already caught the eye of Chelsea, who are reportedly looking to complete a deal for the stopper before transfer deadline day.

The reigning European Champions have not enjoyed a good run of form recently and added to their woes with a 2-2 draw at Brentford in the FA Cup. Many Blues fans cast a stern look at stand-in 'keeper Ross Turnbull for Brentford's opening goal, while the former Middlesbrough player gave away a penalty for the Bees' second. So it's not beyond the realms of possibility that Rafael Benitez is on the hunt for an understudy to Petr Cech.

Nathan Redmond

Another Birmingham player who could attract a few suitors is Nathan Redmond. The youngster has been touted for big things since he properly broke into the Blues' first-team last season.

The 18-year-old netted six times in 36 appearances last term and while his goalscoring form has gone off the boil a bit this year, at the right club he has the potential to blossom.

One club who could certainly do with his flair and confidence (although probably not his age) are Aston Villa, who are desperately lacking a cutting edge this campaign. The England Under-19 international would also be suited to the likes of West Brom and Fulham, where Romelu Lukaku, Dimitar Berbatov et al would relish the service this youngster can provide from the wing.

Birmingham are slight outsiders at 5.4 to be relegated from the Championship this season, but that price could drop should they lose key figures this week.

Gary Hooper

The Celtic frontman has attracted the attentions of several Premier League clubs of late, with his keen eye for goal something difficult to put a price on.

Hooper has scored an impressive 22 goals in 32 games for the Bhoys this season - and before you all turn your noses up at the 'substandard SPL', several of those have come in the Champions League, where Celtic safely navigated their way through to the last 16.

Both Norwich and Tottenham have tabled bids for the 25-year-old and despite there only being a couple of days of the transfer window remaining, he could well be a Premier League player before the end of the week.

Despite trailing Inverness striker Billy McKay by three goals in the SPL this term, Hooper is still favourite at 1.87 to be the league's top goalscorer.

Brad Friedel

Brad Friedel began the season as Tottenham's first-choice goalkeeper, gaining vocal support from boss Andre Villas-Boas when summer arrival Hugo Lloris kicked up a fuss over not being the club's number one stopper.

But the roles have been reversed in recent weeks, with AVB seemingly now preferring the petulant French international over the American veteran - Friedel hasn't featured in a Premier League match since November 11.

During his spells at the likes of Blackburn, Aston Villa and Spurs, Friedel has been one of the most respected goalkeepers in England's top flight, but at 41, with age against him, does he really want to be playing second fiddle at White Hart Lane?

Despite his age, the American could still do a job for a Premier League side and his experience could prove vital, especially for a club languishing towards the lower regions of the table.

Tottenham are currently at 2.14 for a top four finish this term.

Danny Graham

The Swansea striker has found himself somewhat outcast since the summer signing of Michu (who is a 34.0 outsider for this season's top goalscorer, yet has still managed a respectable seven goals for the Swans this term - reiterating to other top-flight sides what he's capable of.

Graham has been around the block a bit during his career, so knows what it takes to settle at a new club, get his head down and get on with the job.

In Swansea's first Premier League season, the former Middlesbrough trainee netted 14 times in 39 appearances, proving he'd be far from a gamble for any manager willing to give him a new lease of life.

Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill is reportedly keen on the 27-year-old, as he searches for a partner form Steven Fletcher at the Stadium of Light and at the right price, Graham could be just the man.