Arsenal have several areas of the team in mind to strengthen in the longer term, especially given the contract situations around two midfielders in particular, and so January will be a reactive window.
They are looking for a new young goalkeeper, especially after the permanent departure of Aaron Ramsdale in the summer, and a young midfielder given both Thomas Partey and Jorginho will be out of contract in six months - but both can wait until the summer.
The same could be said for a new striker or forward, with January a difficult window to sign top talent - especially in this position - that can prove to be an upgrade on either Kai Havertz or Gabriel Jesus.
Marquinhos' loan at Fluminense ends on December 31 so he will return to the club and may be loaned out elsewhere before the deadline.
Porto boss Vitor Bruno has recently played down reports that Fabio Vieira could be recalled by the Gunners from his loan in Portugal.
Aston Villa are continuing their work from the summer and looking to strengthen in two areas they missed out on; an attacking midfielder who can also operate out wide and a versatile right-sided defender that is adept at both right-back and centre-back.
One defender they were keen on in the summer was Feyenoord's Lutsharel Geertruida amid doubts over the future of Diego Carlos, but he moved to RB Leipzig. Matty Cash is currently the club's only recognised right-back.
In the attacking positions, they liked Giovani Lo Celso, Joao Felix and Matias Soule among others in the summer but all went elsewhere. Spanish media has recently linked Alex Baena with a move to rejoin his former Villarreal manager Unai Emery.
Kortney Hause and Robin Olsen see their contracts expire on June 30 so they can speak to foreign clubs from January 1, although Hause has struggled with injury problems.
Several players out on loan, including Lewis Dobbin, Louie Barry and Tommi O'Reilly, may be recalled and sent on loan elsewhere.
Bournemouth have agreed a deal with DC United for USA U20 defender Matai Akinmboni.
Sky Sports News understands the deal for the highly-regarded centre-back is worth up to £1m with add-ons and he is due to fly into the UK in the next 24 hours.
Akinmboni, 18, made eight appearances in MLS last season and is seen as a prospect for the future for Bournemouth.
In terms of strengthening the first team, the club are looking at the left-back and winger positions - and any potential replacements for players who may be snapped up by other clubs.
The left-back search is irrespective of Milos Kerkez's future for now, although he is one of several Bournemouth players being monitored by bigger clubs, as well as Antoine Semenyo, Ilya Zabarnyi and, more recently, Dean Huijsen.
It is unlikely any of these players leave in January but other clubs were chasing the likes of Max Aarons and Philip Billing in the summer so it remains to be seen if anyone comes in for them again.
Over the longer-term, Brentford are looking at strengthening five key positions; left centre-back, right-back, defensive midfield and No 8, right wing and a striker.
It is almost certain they do not do all this business in January, and it is most likely they do just the one - but they will be actively looking in the market for opportunities in the next six months.
They have had another strong start to the season so far and have no immediate need to strengthen despite some obvious injuries to key players such as Rico Henry, Aaron Hickey, Kristoffer Ajer and Ethan Pinnock among others.
Defensive midfield is maybe the area where they bring someone in, and they are among the clubs who like Middlesbrough's Hayden Hackney, for example.
They look set to keep hold of star forward Bryan Mbeumo, who is being watched closely by several top clubs including Liverpool and Newcastle but Brentford have no plans to sell in January. It would take a huge bid for them to even consider it.
Their other exciting forward Yoane Wissa, however, had interest in the summer from Wolves and Nottingham Forest and it remains to be seen whether any clubs will make another attempt this month.
Ben Mee, Christian Norgaard and long-term injury victim Josh Dasilva see their contracts expire on June 30 so can speak to foreign clubs from January 1, although the latter pair have one-year options the club can trigger.
Brighton are looking to continue some ideas from the summer, mainly at right-back and also a new left-sided centre-back.
The right-back issue is mainly born out of the fact both Tariq Lamptey and Joel Veltman are out of contract in the summer so can speak to foreign clubs from January 1. Veltman turns 33 in January and has missed parts of this season due to injury, although the former Netherlands international has an option for another year on his current deal and is keen to stay.
Lamptey has shown impressive form of late from an attacking sense but his future remains unclear - and a new right-back is on the cards. One player they looked at in the summer at right-back is Andrei Ratiu at Rayo Vallecano but a deal did not materialise. This is the profile of player they are after.
Brighton also had a look at Mats Hummels in the summer, although he went elsewhere, giving an indication they are still looking for a new experienced centre-half. PSV centre-back Olivier Boscagli was a target in the last window and they may look to revisit that path as they seek a long-term successor to 33-year-old captain Lewis Dunk.
Summer signing Diego Gomez officially joins the club on January 1 after completing the MLS season with Inter Miami. It is likely that he will go straight into the first-team squad.
Valentin Barco's loan at Sevilla looks set to be cut short and he could find himself on loan elsewhere in the second half of the season, with Porto among the clubs keen.
Jakub Moder's situation is under a cloud, with his contract expiring in the summer and interest in him from other clubs.
Going into the window, Brighton had no plans to loan out Evan Ferguson amid widespread speculation that several clubs are interested in him. Danny Welbeck is currently carrying an ankle injury and they do not want to reduce their forward options.
Left over from Chelsea in the summer is the issue of a new striker. They pursued Victor Osimhen right until the end of the deadline but no deal materialised and now he is on loan at Galatasaray.
Since then they could hardly have asked for a better start to the season or for better form from Nicolas Jackson, who has been excellent as the central striker. It may be that this has changed the thinking as to what kind of new striker they need.
Ipswich's impressive hitman Liam Delap is known to Chelsea head of recruitment Joe Shields and head coach Enzo Maresca from their time together in Manchester City's academy and a number of bigger clubs like what they have seen from Delap so far this term.
Chelsea are not expected to do much else unless other players leave and one who is certain to do so is Ben Chilwell after being frozen out of the squad. Carney Chukwuemeka is another, while there is also speculation around Christopher Nkunku and Axel Disasi.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is also an interesting one to watch given he has not started a Premier League game since signing in the summer from Leicester.
Other players out on loan may also be called back to go elsewhere for more games, including Lesley Ugochukwu, who is at Southampton.
Harvey Vale could head out on loan with Sunderland, Anderlecht and Heerenveen all keen, but Alfie Gilchrist looks set to stay on loan at promotion-chasing Sheffield United, where he is doing well.
Crystal Palace are primarily looking to sign new wing-backs on both flanks, as well as a new central midfield player, as Oliver Glasner looks for more depth in these key positions of his 3-4-3 system.
England U20 left-back Archie Brown, who plays for Gent in Belgium, is one they looked at in the summer, while German media have linked them with the more experienced Jan-Niklas Beste, although he signed for Benfica in the summer.
Nathaniel Clyne, Joel Ward, Will Hughes, Jeffrey Schlupp and Remi Matthews see their contracts expire on June 30 so can speak to foreign clubs from January 1.
Luke Plange returns from a loan at HJK Helsinki while 21-year-old striker Ademola Ola-Adebomi, 21, could return from his loan at SK Beveren and go elsewhere, as two of several youngsters the club are trying to develop via loans.
Everton's new owners apparently want to make some signings in the January window to boost their survival campaign and show they mean business.
A new forward and midfielder are understood to be the priority positions, while left-back is also being looked at, although two incomings is the most likely outcome at this stage.
As many as nine Everton players see their contracts expire on June 30 so can speak to foreign clubs from January 1.
Chief among them is Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has been of interest to Newcastle and others in the past year, as well as Michael Keane, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Idrissa Gueye.
Seamus Coleman and Ashley Young are likely to face their future prospects at the end of the season given their age, while Mason Holgate, Asmir Begovic and Joao Virginia are also into the last six months of their deals.
Fulham are thought to be keen to add another striker to their ranks and capitalise on a superb start to the season - one in which they could finish in a European qualification place.
Marco Silva has done an exceptional job this season after some clever work in the market in the summer, so there is not a huge amount further to do as they look to maintain the nice balance they have created in the squad.
One player they like is Brighton's Evan Ferguson but a deal looks difficult to do. The Republic of Ireland international's situation at Brighton is under a cloud, but his club are not keen to loan the 20-year-old to a rival.
It would therefore take a permanent bid - and a big one at that.
Fulham are looking at new long-term striker options with Raul Jimenez among those out of contract on June 30, so he can speak to foreign clubs from January 1, although there is a one-year option that can be triggered - as is also the case for Adama Traore.
Kenny Tete and Tom Cairney, however, are not thought to have that option and will also enter the last six months of their contracts this month.
Ipswich are another club looking to continue work from the summer and they would like to make as many as five new additions to help keep them in the Premier League.
They are looking at strengthening down the right-hand side of the team, as well as looking at new strikers and midfielders.
They had a £20m bid rejected by Middlesbrough for Emmanuel Latte Lath on Deadline Day but it remains to be seen if they will follow that up in this window.
In central midfield they are looking for more depth after adding Kalvin Phillips and Jens Cajuste on season-long loan deals.
Two or three players may also leave the club in January. Cameron Burgess, Luke Woolfenden and Massimo Luongo see their contracts expire on June 30 so can speak to foreign clubs from January 1.
Leicester are looking to strengthen at right-back, centre-back and with a winger in January if they can, as they look to try and stay in the Premier League under new manager Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Given tight financial constraints that remain in place, however, they are primarily looking at the loan market, although those will have to come from abroad with two Premier League loan spaces already filled in Odsonne Edouard and Facundo Buonanotte.
Leicester are also looking at players coming into the last six months of their contracts and - at right-back - one player they like in particular is Kyle Walker-Peters at Southampton, who is in that situation.
Jamie Vardy is the most prominent player whose contracts expires on June 30, so can speak to foreign clubs from January 1. Daniel Iversen and Danny Ward are also in the same situation.
Liverpool are already fighting to keep Trent Alexander-Arnold from the clutches of Real Madrid midway through their title campaign.
They have had to reject an approach from the Spanish club to sign him already, and Real are free to speak to the player now he has entered the final six months of his contract.
He is one of three stars whose deals expire in the summer along with Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, who can also speak to foreign clubs and assess their options.
Salah told Sky Sports on Saturday that he is still "far away" from signing. "I don't want to put something in the media and people start saying stuff, but nothing really has moved on," he said.
They will only move for additions in January if the correct opportunity presents itself and much of the work they will do will be for the summer, but the situation around Salah, Alexander-Arnold and Van Dijk means they must also look at potential long-term additions in all these positions.
They are also still looking in the defensive-midfield area, although it remains to be seen if they return for Martin Zubimendi considering he turned them down in the summer. Left-back is also something the club are looking at long-term too.
Bryan Mbeumo and Antoine Semenyo are two forward players the club have been watching closely in 2024, however reports they are keen on Eintracht Frankfurt star Omar Marmoush have been quashed by sources on Merseyside.
Defender Rhys Williams returns from a loan at Morecambe and is likely to be loaned back out again elsewhere.
Pep Guardiola has confirmed that "in some positions we need help" via new additions in the January window. He pointed to those as "holding midfield and central defenders" after they won at Leicester.
Sky Sports News can already rule out two names that have been linked in midfield; City will not be pursing deals for Martin Zubimendi or Bruno Guimaraes.
In holding midfield, one issue they have for any newcomer is convincing them to sign even though Rodri is almost certain to come straight back into the team when he is fit.
Ruben Dias and John Stones have also been huge misses at centre-back and City not only need to improve now but develop the squad for the future. It will be difficult to strike the balance in what is always a tough market in January.
Summer-signing Claudio Echeverri joins the club officially on January 1 following the end of the Argentinian league season. He signed in the summer for £12.5m from River Plate but is a young player for the future in attacking midfield.
Then there is the prospect that Kevin De Bruyne can speak to foreign clubs from January 1 with his current deal expiring in June, as well as Ilkay Gundogan, although there is the option to extend the deal he signed in the summer by a further year.
Speculation on De Bruyne's future arose in the summer, as well as with the likes of Ederson, Kyle Walker and Jack Grealish. It will take big offers in terms of transfer fees and wages for those players to leave midway through the season but their situations have been brought into focus by City's sharp decline in form.
The imminent transition from long-time Guardiola partner Txiki Begiristain as sporting director to Hugo Viana, who will arrive from Sporting at the end of the season, also provides important context to any work City do in January.
Manchester United made it very clear when hiring Ruben Amorim that frivolous spending in the market was a thing of the past and operating sustainably was the only option moving forward. He knew he would not be able to bank on the January transfer window.
In an ideal world, Marcus Rashford would get the fresh challenge he is seeking and the club would bank circa £60m for him. However, there is no market for the forward at that valuation or even at a discounted price, given his hefty salary, poor form and reported off-field issues.
An exit, even on temporary terms, would take plenty of compromise. It seems to be in the best interests of both parties.
It is a constricted market and United have to construct the framework of an entirely new team.
It is an open secret that experienced and energetic wing-backs are needed to implement Amorim's style. The left side has been a priority concern for United given the stack of injuries, with Nuno Mendes one of the names that has been discussed internally.
United have to be creative to crack an almighty dilemma. Sky Sports News understands they are open to both permanent and loan offers for players without a future at Old Trafford. Christian Eriksen, Victor Lindelof, Casemiro and Antony could all be let go should suitors come calling.
Amorim has a squad ill-suited for his philosophy that do not believe in themselves at the moment, let alone having conviction in his path forward.
An injection of quality and dynamism seems non-negotiable - regardless of the financial gymnastics it would take to lift United from darkness into the light.
Newcastle are poised to try to do business but players will need to leave the club first.
There are a number whose futures are uncertain and have been for some time, including Kieran Trippier, Callum Wilson and Sean Longstaff, as well as others more on the periphery such as Martin Dubravka and Isaac Hayden.
Then there are those who see their contracts expire on June 30 so can speak to foreign clubs from January 1, including Fabian Schar, Jamaal Lascelles, Emil Krafth, John Ruddy and Mark Gillespie.
If the club can make new additions, they would most like to do so at right-wing and have joined Liverpool in closely monitoring the likes of Bryan Mbeumo and Antoine Semenyo.
They also tried hard to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace as a new centre-back in the summer, with a string of bids turned down up until a final one of up to £65m.
Central midfielder, goalkeeper and right-back are also being looked at, while left-back Jamal Lewis officially returns to the club following a loan spell in Brazil with Sao Paulo.
Forest have had an exceptional season - far beyond their expectations so far - so are being cautious not to upset the balance they have created in the squad.
But they are also said to be mindful of the chance to capitalise on their position and ensure they finish among the top places in the Premier League.
They wanted to sign a striker in the summer and that remains the case, despite the excellent form of Chris Wood. Santiago Gimenez was among those they liked then but were unable to lure to the club. Will there lofty position help this time?
They are also said to be looking into further depth on the wing and a left-footed centre-back - and Forest have shown they will be ambitious in the market, not afraid to go for well-known names.
They have added some exciting young talent to their squad too and will be on the lookout for further additions in-keeping with their philosophy.
Lewis O'Brien officially returns to the club following the end of his loan at MLS club LAFC, and is likely to be loaned back out elsewhere.
Southampton remain keen to develop their squad with the right talent for the long term, with relegation an increasingly likely outcome.
West Brom's 10 points from the halfway stage remains the record 'great escape' - and Saints have six. They are 10 points adrift, with just one win from 19.
They primarily want to sign a new striker to score the goals that may put them back in contention to stay up. They clearly need help scoring goals though, with Cameron Archer their top scorer on five and summer addition Ben Brereton Diaz yet to score and struggling for form at the level. He has interest from Sheffield United.
However, Saints are also looking at the winger and defensive-midfield positions, with the possibility Lesley Ugochukwu is recalled by Chelsea. They may in turn bring back Shea Charles from his loan at Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship, and he is a promising player in his own right.
They also hope to keep Tyler Dibling, amid interest from a string of bigger clubs, following his burgeoning form, and want him to sign a new long-term contract - but he is yet to do so.
Two summer signings officially join the club on January 1 in Brazilian left-back Wellington, whom they bought from Sao Paulo, and 18-year-old Japanese striker Rento Takaoka from Nissho Gakuen.
Tottenham are looking to strengthen their squad this January, looking at a variety of positions given injuries to key players and the decline of form as a result.
Although he has done well under the circumstances, playing Archie Gray at centre-back has not been ideal so this is one area the club are looking to add depth, as well as in the forward positions and central midfield.
They wanted Conor Gallagher, or someone like him, in the summer, while Timo Werner was brought in on a loan deal in the winger positions rather than permanently, and the injuries to Richarlison and Wilson Odobert have left them short of options.
Spurs want those players back and competing for a place, and in particular Richarlison, who has no desire to go anywhere in January himself, Sky Sports News understands.
South Korean winger Min-Hyeok Yang, 18, officially joins the club on January 1 following the end of his time with Gangwon FC. He has already arrived in England and begun to settle into his new surroundings, but he is a development player for the future.
Struggling West Ham did a lot of business in the summer, which does not leave them much room for further manoeuvre in January.
What they are doing though is assessing the injury situation they are in, with Jarrod Bowen now joining Michail Antonio on the sidelines - so the striker situation is one they will look at closely to try and improve.
That is also because summer addition Niclas Fullkrug has not yet worked out, and Antonio is not likely to be back for a good while following his car accident earlier in December.
West Ham are also said to be looking at central midfield, having wanted to add another player there in the summer.
Wolves have made Lens' Kevin Danso their top centre-back target in January. The club are very interested in signing Danso after making centre-back their priority area to strengthen.
They are hoping to help new manager Vitor Pereira as much as they can in the market, which may see them sign two new players at the heart of defence.
Danso previously spent time in the Premier League on loan at Southampton during the 2019/20 season, joining from German club Augsburg.
The 26-year-old joined Lens in 2021 and has impressed both in Ligue 1 and for the Austria national team, including at Euro 2024.
Two loan players - Nathan Fraser and Chem Campbell - return from loan spells at Zulte Waregem and Reading respectively and should expect to find new loan clubs.
The 2025 winter transfer window officially closes on Monday February 3 at 11pm UK time in the Premier League.
The window for most major European leagues - including France (1pm GMT), Germany, Scotland and Spain - also closes on Monday February 3, though times vary.
Italian clubs, meanwhile, only have until 7pm on Saturday February 1 to do their business and the transfer window in Turkey closes on Tuesday February 11.
Further afield, the window shuts in Saudi Arabia on January 30.
The January transfer window is OPEN!
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