English teams seek new inspiration as transfer window opens

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — The January transfer window opens for business on Friday, and rarely has so much been at stake for teams in the lucrative English Premier League.

Next season ushers in the start of the Premier League's new three-year TV deal worth a record $8 billion, and no club will want to miss out on a share of that bounty.

Chelsea is in 14th place, three points above the relegation zone, in the most woeful title defense that the Premier League has seen.

On Wednesday, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said it would be a "busy" month for his club, with a midfielder needed to solve an injury crisis.

Real Madrid made a mess of trying to sign goalkeeper David de Gea from Manchester United at the end of the last transfer window and embattled club president Florentino Perez may try to make amends.

Bayern's situation is made more complicated by the upcoming departure of coach Pep Guardiola, so any new players would probably have to be cleared by incoming coach Carlo Ancelotti, who will try hard to stay out of the limelight and not to seem to be interfering in Guardiola's job.