Luke The transfer rumour mill has started to swirl again ahead of a month of madness in January.
The window hasn’t even opened and records have already tumbled with Virgil Van Dijk swapping Southampton for Liverpool for a whopping £75million.
So with that mega-deal whetting our appetite – we run through what the big sides might be looking for in the next few weeks.
Manchester City
The real question is, do they need anything at all? 18 consecutive wins has left Pep Guardiola’s side an incredible 15 points clear of Manchester United at the top of the tree.
But having lost out in the race for Van Dijk and with Vincent Kompany limping off against Newcastle United, will Pep be forced to dip his hand into City’s very large pockets?
Former Man United centre half Jonny Evans has been on the radar of the table toppers, as has Real Sociedad’s Inigo Martinez as Guardiola looks to bolster his backline options.
And questions still remain as to whether the City boss will go back in for long-time target Alexis Sanchez or wait until the summer to snaffle the Chilean forward on a free.
Manchester United
It has been far from a Merry Christmas for Jose Mourinho as his side having drawn 2-2 against both Leicester City and Burnley to leave them well adrift of their Manchester rivals.
The Red Devils now look set to open the coffers and a new left-back looks firmly on the agenda with Tottenham’s Danny Rose and Juventus’ Alex Sandro top of the shopping list.
And with Henrikh Mkhitaryan looking well on his way out of Old Trafford, Mourinho is in the market for a playmaker.
United scouts have cast their eyes over Dortmund sensation Christian Pulisic who would certainly fit this bill.
Mourinho could also try and tempt Mesut Ozil away from Arsenal but might delay that process until he is out of contract in the summer.
Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp will be delighted with his work before the transfer window has begun after landing Van Dijk to sure up a faltering back line.
The task now will surely be to keep hold of prized asset Philippe Coutinho until the summer.
The Brazilian magician has been in inspired form for the Merseyside club in recent months but could be tempted by a move away from Anfield.
Barcelona could splash some serious cash on the 25-year-old having bid for the playmaker in the summer.
Arsenal
The chances of Sanchez and Ozil staying in north London are becoming slimmer by the day as Arsene Wenger looks set to lose his prized assets.
Wenger could cash in now on his two stars but regardless of that, Arsenal’s squad needs investment if it’s to make the top four.
Steven NZonzi has been linked with a return to the Premier League and could beef up the Gunners’ midfield.
Wenger could renew his interest in Monaco winger Thomas Lemar as a long-term Sanchez replacement.
Chelsea
The defending champions are never shy to dip into the transfer market and may need to do so if they are to catch up with runaway leaders Manchester City.
Antonio Conte will no doubt be looking for a defender with David Luiz looking set to be shown the exit door at Stamford Bridge.
The Chelsea boss could look to Serie A and Roma’s Kostas Manolas as a viable replacement having shown interest in the centre-half in the summer.
Atletico Madrid winger Yannick Carrasco could also be another player on Conte’s wish list with the talented Belgian out of favour in Spain.
