With the transfer window now open we look at the likely movers in the Premier League.
Premier League clubs set sights on January targets
With the transfer window now open, managers the length and breadth of the country will be looking to strengthen their squads over the next month.
Skysports.com takes a club-by-club look at who will be open for business in the Premier League.
ARSENAL
WHAT IS NEEDED? Put simply, not a lot. Arsene Wenger is too meticulous to conduct major surgery in the middle of the season and performances this term have been too good to force his hand. As ever, an outstanding young talent would be welcomed.
LIKELY MOVES: It is feasible there will be no new signings but Wenger will weigh up a move for Marseille prodigy Samir Nasri, although a price tag of more than £7million would probably end his interest. Gilberto, Jens Lehmann and Lassana Diarra may well be on their way out if The Gunners receive suitable offers.
ASTON VILLA
WHAT IS NEEDED? Martin O'Neill was busy last January and may look to use the window again. O'Neill has enjoyed success with a number of pacy, young British players and may look to go down the same route this season. A specialist right-back could also be on the cards.
LIKELY MOVES: Sevilla defender Jose Angel Crespo has reportedly been linked with Villa while Wes Brown's situation at Manchester United will be of interest to O'Neill and a £3million bid could set the ball rolling. Scott Carson could make his move from Liverpool permanent which would spell the end for Thomas Sorenson. Further up the field Derby's Giles Barnes and Jermain Defoe would be welcome, if pricier, additions.
BIRMINGHAM
WHAT IS NEEDED? Improvements throughout the defence look necessary and Alex McLeish has the contacts to make things happen. At the other end of the pitch a regular goalscorer is required.
LIKELY MOVES: Hard to look past McLeish's former Scotland and Rangers charges. Alan Hutton has starred for the Gers this season and would warrant a £4million fee, Everton's James McFadden could be tempted by the chance to reproduce his international form in the top flight.
BLACKBURN
WHAT IS NEEDED: Boss Mark Hughes is largely happy with his squad and will only add players who can offer something different. Central midfield is the area most open to fresh blood and Hughes will look to inject some younger legs to that position.
LIKELY MOVES: Djurgardens midfielder Lance Davids has been linked and the South African would not break Rovers' bank. Unknown quantities Celso Borges and Kendall Watson have also been mooted in a double transfer from FC Saprissa. Robbie Savage is being linked with a move to Sunderland while Middlesbrough are also thought to be monitoring the situation.
BOLTON
WHAT IS NEEDED? Gary Megson will be happy to add genuine class in any area of the pitch but he may have to focus his attentions on strikers if the speculation regarding Nicolas Anelka comes to fruition.
LIKELY MOVES: Former Newcastle striker Jon Dahl Tomasson comes with a fine reputation on the continent and could replace the Frenchman, while Megson will not be afraid to move for proven Championship performers like West Brom duo Paul Robinson and Zoltan Gera or Sheffield Wednesday's Glenn Whelan.
CHELSEA
WHAT IS NEEDED? With Didier Drogba's departure to the African Cup of Nations leaving the Blues short up front, a big-name striker will dominate Avram Grant's shortlist. Central defence is another area of concern with Tal Ben Haim and Alex not looking dominant when called upon.
LIKELY MOVES: The Blues have reportedly won the race to sign Argentine hot-shot Franco Di Santo who is set to join from Chilean outfit Audax Italiano. A 'galactico' move for Ronaldinho would ensure plenty of column inches but a transfer as big - in terms of stature and fee - as his would be more suited to the summer. Anelka, at £10million, appears to be the favourite but a surprise move for Sunderland success Kenwyne Jones could be followed up as a contingency. Micah Richards would excite Chelsea fans but it would take serious cash to tempt Manchester City.
DERBY
WHAT IS NEEDED? A complete revamp with chairman Adam Pearson revealing the Rams hope to sign five new players in the January transfer window as they bid to avoid relegation. Whether the money is there and whether Paul Jewell could convince his number one targets is another matter. Will he launch an ambitious rescue attempt or build for the Championship?
LIKELY MOVES: Jewell could be tempted to pick up where predecessor Billy Davies left off with a swoop for Portsmouth's David Nugent, while Shola Ameobi and former Arsenal striker Arturo Lupoli are other options in attack.
EVERTON
WHAT IS NEEDED? David Moyes will be content with his season's work so far and is not one to upset the balance for the sake of it. Expect minimal activity.
LIKELY MOVES: The Toffees' interest in Reading midfielder Stephen Hunt appears genuine and Moyes would happily take advantage of Stewart Downing's discontent at Middlesbrough.
FULHAM
WHAT IS NEEDED? After extensive summer reshaping under Lawrie Sanchez there cannot be too many signings without exits. That means Roy Hodgson, who has been promised money, will be a busy man at both ends of the market.
LIKELY MOVES: Bobby Zamora, out of the loop at West Ham, would boost the forward ranks at around £4million, while Marlon King has been touted for a return to the top flight. Hodgson's European contacts book is full to bursting, though, so expect plenty of surprises.
LIVERPOOL
WHAT IS NEEDED? Liverpool's January transfer budget has been the subject of huge debate, both in the media and the boardroom. The next month will prove how successful - or not - Rafa Benitez has been in his negotiations with the club's American owners.
LIKELY MOVES: Daniel Agger's early-season injury has drawn attention to a glaring lack of central defensive back-up and the experienced Tomas Ufjalusi would be cheap and effective although he has reportedly rejected a January switch. A second move for Gabriel Heinze, now at Real Madrid, should not be ruled out. Javier Mascherano could sign permanently. Speculation has surrounded the futures of Peter Crouch and John Arne Riise but it seems unlikely Benitez would allow their departures to further weaken the Reds' squad.
MANCHESTER CITY
WHAT IS NEEDED? More of the same. Sven Goran Eriksson's first use of Thaksin Shinawatra's cheque book yielded plenty of success and he will be hoping to add again.
LIKELY MOVES: A bid for Palermo's Marco Bresciano will be resurrected after stalling in the summer, with a new striker to join the incoming Nery Castillo also on the cards. Eriksson will hope to secure one of Eidur Gudjohnsen, Crouch or Anelka.
MANCHESTER UNITED
WHAT IS NEEDED? Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez continue to shine but question marks remain over Louis Saha as third-choice striker. Cover at full-back is also being pursued.
LIKELY MOVES: Dimitar Berbatov would be the perfect signing and although Spurs would rail against his sale, Sir Alex Ferguson has a habit of getting his man. The Bulgarian's agent has already been quoted as saying his client would relish a move to one of the Premier League's top clubs. Willy Sagnol or Philipp Lahm would provide the Red Devils with international-quality defensive options while they are also believed to be plotting a move for Porto defender Jose Bosingwa.
MIDDLESBROUGH
WHAT IS NEEDED? First and foremost a proven goal-getter who can take the place of the faltering Jeremie Aliadiere and the injury-prone Mido. Some experienced heads to lead Boro's youngsters.
LIKELY MOVES: Sheffield United pair Rob Hulse and James Beattie have been linked with top-flight returns at The Riverside but would hardly set pulses racing. Afonso Alves is an unknown quantity but exciting, while Barnsley's Heinz Muller could be recruited to challenge for the number one shirt. Downing is one who has consistently been linked with a move away from Boro with Everton maintaining an interest.
NEWCASTLE
WHAT IS NEEDED? Sam Allardyce, if he holds on to the Magpies reigns, will be disappointed to be spending again so soon after his summer upheavals but will continue to rebuild the defence and forward line. Given recent events, only players with thick skins are welcome at St James' Park.
LIKELY MOVES: Crouch has overcome adversity more than once and has the character and pedigree to lift both players and fans. Allardyce is another who could attempt to prise Brown from Old Trafford, while his ability to resurrect the careers of fading stars would come in extremely handy. Michael Owen has reportedly interested his old England boss Eriksson at Manchester City.
PORTSMOUTH
WHAT IS NEEDED? More than most. Redknapp's squad is a talented one but with five key players jetting off for the African Cup of Nations leaving serious holes.
LIKELY MOVES: Another club who could pursue interest in out-of-favour duo Crouch and Gudjohnsen - although they could be priced out of both deals. Former Chelsea forward Adrian Mutu might come cheaper but Redknapp may use the chance to invest in English talent with Andrew Surman, Nathan Dyer and Ben Tozer all possibles.
READING
WHAT IS NEEDED? Consolidation. Steve Coppell needs to hold on to the majority of his current squad and continue to pick up quality reinforcements when they become available.
LIKELY MOVES: Matt Taylor is ready for a new challenge and would fit in with the Royals' style but Pompey are not in a position to sell given their African Cup of Nations departures. Hammers striker Zamora and Bolton winger Stelios Giannakopoulos would also fit the bill.
SUNDERLAND
WHAT IS NEEDED? Roy Keane needs to make his team more solid at the back as he seeks the points that could keep his side in the top flight. Another goalscorer to back up Jones would not go amiss either.
LIKELY MOVES: Keane's former Celtic team-mate Bobo Balde is expected to be top of the shopping list, while a loan offer for Manchester United's Jonny Evans should not have been affected by recent events. Blackburn's out-of-favour Jason Roberts, available at around £2million, would provide pace up front and Savage is set to bolster the midfield. Keane is also thought to be ready to bid for Reading's Hunt.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
WHAT IS NEEDED? An injection of class in defence is the priority despite Ledley King's comeback and Paul Robinson should be looking over his shoulder after Juande Ramos refused to guarantee him a long-term starting berth.
LIKELY MOVES: Ramos would prefer to raid La Liga - a market he knows - but Damien Comolli still holds the Spurs purse strings. Both men would agree on David Villa - if Valencia's transfer demands could be satisfied - otherwise the club's 'young and English' policy could bring Adam Johnson or Derby's Barnes to White Hart Lane. Most of all Spurs fans will be hoping to hold off any overtures for star striker Berbatov.
WEST HAM
WHAT IS NEEDED? The Hammers are another club in the market for proven firepower in attack, while a first-rate defensive midfielder would be ideal.
LIKELY MOVES: Darren Bent, who looks unlikely to reverse the pecking order at Tottenham, is an obvious target and one Alan Curbishley would be prepared to spend big on. Mohamed Sissoko looks to have lost his battle with former Hammer Mascherano at Liverpool and would be welcome at Upton Park, while rumours of a move for Barnes refuse to go away.
WIGAN
WHAT IS NEEDED? More players with Premier League quality. New boss Steve Bruce will look to improve throughout the squad but will not be given earth-shattering sums to do so.
LIKELY MOVES: Gary Cahill may become available and is in Bruce's price range, while the JJB Stadium looks a likely destination if Tyrone Mears decides to leave Derby. Luis Antonio Valencia can also expect to have his loan deal made permanent.
