January EPL Transfers: Top Rumors from New Year's Day

The January transfer window is here, and it looks like the rumors are set to be pouring out of the woodwork even more in the coming weeks.

All 20 clubs will have reason to want to improve their personnel, as another weekend of upsets has shown just how talented even the lower level clubs are.

New Year's Day has equally put much news and speculation into the market, and here are some of the major rumors of the day.

Tottenham have been linked with a move for Blackburn Rovers defender Chris Samba.

The Daily Mirror reports that Spurs could be in for an £8 million bid if the player is offered up for sale.

Rovers boss Steve Kean needs money to strengthen in January, and the owners of the club could be willing to accept an offer for Samba, as he would gain funds as well as lessen the wage load in feared anticipation of the financial repercussions that relegation could bring on the club.

Robin Van Persie has hailed former Gunner Thierry Henry for his loan return to the club in the Daily Mirror. Likewise, Fulham manager Martin Jol also believes the veteran's move is a plus, as he stated in the Telegraph.

Henry will likely make his debut in the opening week of January, as his loan move from the New York Red Bulls will see him once again be on the pitch in front of the Arsenal faithful.

The deal is already set, and the anticipation for his next match in the Arsenal kit continues. The French striker remains the Gunners all-time leading scorer in both league and European play and is likely to add to both of his accounts if he gets the chance.

Manchester City want-away left back Wayne Bridge, and transfer flop Taye Taiwo of AC Milan could both be loan targets of Arsenal to help fill their holes at the back brought on by injuries.

Today's news that defender Thomas Vermaelen will be out for another three weeks due to injury only makes the defensive issues worse for Arsene Wenger.

Queens Park Rangers boss Neil Warnock is in the mood to spend and is set to attempt at least four signings in January to try to guarantee that QPR remain in the Premiership.

Adel Taarabt is believed to be on his way out, but his poor form has hurt his possible asking price. However, the 22-year-old is unlikely to regain his place at Loftus Road and will be the first one believed to be headed out the door to finance the club's new additions.

Bobby Zamora, Darren Bent, Sebastien Bassong and Alex are all thought to be potential targets for Rangers.

Irish international and LA Galaxy forward Robbie Keane could be the next of the major MLS players to return to England on loan to Aston Villa if they make their move for the forward.

With Darren Bent on the injured list consistently the last few months, the Villains and Alex McLeish could off the forward for a short term loan move to Villa Park.

The Express has John Terry linked with a major payout loan move to China if the Blues and Terry were to accept.

Shanghai Shenhua and Guangzhou Evergrande, China's two largest clubs, are both looking to offer the England and Chelsea captain an escape route from London for a few months amidst his current FA racism issues set to possibly see him suspended for a time.

An short term exit could help his image, or hurt it even worse. More than likely, though, there is no way this would happen.

Liverpool are set to offer Aston Villa a small fortune for England forward Darren Bent, according to Metro.

The Reds are looking to be without Luis Suarez for eight games once his FA ruling is either appealed or accepted by the club, and they are looking to cover themselves as their lack of forwards is limited to only Andy Carroll as an out and out striker.

This, however, seems like it could be a step backwards for Liverpool, as Darren Bent has been far from on form this season due to injury, but he has managed 20 goals a season for the last three years.