LONDON, Dec 30: The record 70.0 million pounds ($140.1 million) English clubs spent in the January transfer window two years ago is likely to be broken next month.

The combination of clubs newly enriched by a 1.7 billion pounds TV deal, new owners with deep pockets and the battle for the title, for European places or to avoid relegation suggests a busy month until the window closes at midnight on Jan 31.

Chelsea could be among the biggest spenders — especially if Ronaldinho should leave Barcelona for Stamford Bridge in a deal that could be worth around 40.0 million pounds.

Chelsea have been linked with more players than any other club in the build-up to the winter sales, but one player unlikely to be joining them is Croatian forward Luka Modric, who has also attracted interest from Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.

His Dinamo Zagreb club say he is going nowhere for at least another year even if they are offered 25.0 million pounds or more for him.

Chelsea and Manchester City have also been linked with striker Nicolas Anelka of Bolton Wanderers who would cost in the region of 15.0 million pounds, and Chelsea’s need for a proven scorer has been heightened by the absence of Didier Drogba.

Their top scorer is recovering from a knee operation and will then be missing for three weeks when he plays for Ivory Coast at the African Nations Cup.

Champions Manchester United were quiet last winter, signing only Henrik Larsson on loan, but have been repeatedly linked with Tottenham’s Dimitar Berbatov.

The Bulgarian striker, however, has said he is happy at White Hart Lane.

While new Spanish coach Juande Ramos is desperate to keep him there, he hinted he could move if the board received a big enough offer. If Berbatov goes to United, defender Wes Brown and striker Louis Saha have been linked with a move to Spurs.

Arsenal have been linked with no major players but wily manager Arsene Wenger could bring in some little known French prospect to turn into a major name before too long.—Reuters