PREMIER LEAGUE football may have only just returned after its World Cup hiatus, but clubs are already well ahead on their January business.
An unprecedented six week break ahead of the winter window means club chiefs have had plenty of time to get their ducks in a row and get cracking.
SunSport runs you through the top targets now that the window has officially opened…
WORLD CUP WONDERS
Gone are the days of players getting a huge move off the back of three good games in the group stage at World Cups.
But football’s biggest stage still offers a platform to cement a growing reputation and earn a move to a bigger club than was previously possible.
Just look at Cody Gakpo. The forward was on the brink of joining Southampton or Leeds United in the summer before a fine start to the season with PSV and a stellar World Cup earned him a move to Liverpool, sealed on Boxing Day.
The Dutchman is one of a number who caught the eye in Qatar and could arrive on these shores over the next month.
Portugal’s Goncalo Ramos, also a target for Saints last summer, now has far greater ambitions after stunning with a hat-trick against Switzerland having been selected ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo.
He may not just be replacing the former Real Madrid man for Portugal, with Manchester United linked with a move for the Benfica man after Ronaldo’s exit.
Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat was at the heart of Morocco’s stunning run to the semi-finals.
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A rock-solid presence in the middle throughout, the 26-year-old is already being talked of as a future Liverpool or Tottenham player – though January may come too soon.
BIG NAME MOVERS
January is not often the time for big name movers, but the extra planning time afforded by the World Cup means clubs have had more than enough time to mull things over.
Joao Felix is one who could be heading to the Premier League.
Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has hinted the winger, who joined for more than £100million in 2019, could be on his way having fallen down the pecking order.
Chelsea are front of the queue in English football, but they will not be alone in trying to bag the Portuguese.
The name on everyone’s lips at Arsenal is Mykhaylo Mudryk.
The Shakhtar Donetsk winger has spent the World Cup break perfecting his skills as a professional tease, throwing out comments about Arsenal, posting images of himself watching their games and even following them to Dubai earlier this month.
Mikel Arteta has responded with an opening bid of £52.5million, but will have to up their efforts to land their top target.
Finally, Ronaldo will not want to be ignored this month.
And to take the headlines, the Portuguese great completed a move to Saudi Arabia to play for Al Nassr, after his Man Utd contract was ripped up.
BIG SPENDERS
With the Premier League title race wide open, Arsenal are not going to want to miss a shot to unseat Manchester City.
The Gunners are ready to go again in the market, with a striker to help cover Gabriel Jesus being considered as well as midfield additions.
Palmeiras midfielder Danlio is being tracked, along with Leicester City’s Youri Tielemans.
Chelsea were planning a quieter window after a huge summer, but with Graham Potter’s side struggling to hit form more spending is on the cards.
A left-sided defender is a priority, with Monaco’s Benoit Badiashile and RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol on their list.
Armando Broja’s season-ending injury could also force Potter to add another striker to his squad next month.
SCRAMBLE AT THE BOTTOM
It is not just clubs a the top who need something to kick on.
There is a desperate scramble to fix problems and avoid relegation.
Rock bottom Southampton failed to sign a striker in the summer and will again look to bolster the attack to give new boss Nathan Jones a chance.
Everton gaffer Frank Lampard wants a new striker to help keep him in a job, while Ajax’s Mohammed Kudus is again a target after a summer move fell through.
David Moyes has warned budgets are tight at West Ham, but sources at the London Stadium haven’t ruled out the arrival of more attacking talent to fix their goal shortage.
