PL clubs, where they must strengthen and who they could buy

Michy Batshuayi: Premier League clubs scouting Marseille striker

Michy Batshuayi: Premier League clubs scouting Marseille striker

We take a look at where each Premier League club needs to improve and highlight two potential targets who could be signed during the window.

With the transfer window opening on January 1, most Premier League clubs will be looking at conducting business they hope can help them achieve their respective goals at the end of the season.

Arsenal

Mohamed Elneny: Midfielder set for Arsenal move

Arsene Wenger still has a few faces to come back from long-term injuries but having not purchased an outfield player in the summer he is likely to invest this time around with a defensively-minded midfielder high on his agenda.

Potential targets: Mohamed Elneny (Basle), Javier Hernandez (Bayer Leverkusen)

Aston Villa

Villa face a struggle to convince players to join their monumental battle against the drop. Remi Garde needs goals but may well look for reinforcements all over the park.

Potential targets: Gent striker Laurent Depoitre (Gent), Loic Remy (Chelsea)

Bournemouth

Bournemouth are expected to add to their strike force in January but Eddie Howe has made it very clear that unless the right people come about he will not be making rash decisions.

Potential targets: Juan Iturbe (Roma), Lewis Cook (Leeds)

Chelsea

The reigning champions are likely to tinker with the personnel in a squad which has woefully underperformed this season – but it would take a certain character to want to move to Stamford Bridge given there is no guarantee of Champions League football next season.

Potential targets: Jonathan Calleri (Boca Juniors), John Stones (Everton)

Crystal Palace

Charlie Austin: QPR striker still on Newcastle's radar

Crystal Palace are not short of strikers, but none are consistently scoring, and with Patrick Bamford’s disappointing loan spell cut short, that is where Alan Pardew will recruit.

Potential targets: Charlie Austin (QPR), Islam Slimani (Sporting Lisbon)

Everton

Everton need a replacement for out-of-form goalkeeper Tim Howard and reinforcements in attack given that Kevin Mirallas and Steven Naismith are likely to leave.

Potential targets: Steve Mandanda (Marseille) Andriy Yarmolenko (Dynamo Kiev)

Leicester

Claudio Ranieri has insisted he is happy with his table-topping squad but Leicester can strike while their stock is high. Keeping Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez is their main issue.

Potential targets: Nigel de Jong (AC Milan), Demarai Gray (Birmingham)

Liverpool

Steve Mandanda: Goalkeeper has 21 caps for France

Liverpool have one of the worst defensive records in the top half. Simon Mignolet, Dejan Lovren and Martin Skrtel have often looked shaky and need competition.

Potential targets: Steve Mandanda (Marseille), Nicolas Nkoulou (Marseille)

Manchester City

City boss Manuel Pellegrini has consistently said he has no need to strengthen, but another run of bad injuries – particularly up front – could change his thinking.

Potential targets: Jamie Vardy (Leicester), Mauro Icardi (Inter Milan)

Manchester United

Sadio Mane: Creative spark returns from one-match ban

With Luke Shaw, Marcos Rojo and Antonio Valencia injured, Manchester United are short in defence. But the main priority is a winger or a striker.

Potential targets: Sadio Mane (Southampton), Bruno Martins Indi (Porto)

Newcastle

Newcastle opted not to invest in the proven goalscorer they desperately needed during the summer after an open courtship of QPR’s Charlie Austin, and that yawning gap in their resources remains. They are also in the market for a winger.

Potential targets: Andy Carroll (West Ham), Benik Afobe (Wolves)

Norwich

Lack of goals and leaking them at the other end has proved a major problem for rookie boss Alex Neil in his first Premier League campaign. However, bringing in the right men at both ends of the pitch could prove a difficult sell, even under the guidance of new chairman Ed Balls.

Potential targets: Ivo Pinto (Dinamo Zagreb), Steven Naismith (Everton)

Southampton

Fraser Forster and Jay Rodriguez will be like new signings when they return, but another out-and-out striker would be wise. Morgan Schneiderlin has yet to be effectively replaced.

Potential targets: Tonny Vilhena (Feyenoord), Sebastien Haller (Utrecht)

Stoke

Stefan Kiessling: Reported January target for Liverpool

Stoke currently appear to have their strongest Premier League squad yet and, while not ruling out January dealings, boss Mark Hughes has stressed there is no “urgency” for new players. Keeping star names may well be the main objective.

Potential targets: Stefan Kiessling (Bayer Leverkusen), Simone Zaza (Juventus)

Sunderland

Sunderland’s most pressing need is defenders as Sam Allardyce looks to avoid the drop. Like their north-east rivals Newcastle, they have also been keeping tabs on Charlie Austin’s situation.

Potential targets: Lamine Kone (Lorient), Jan Kirchhoff (Bayern Munich)

Swansea

A new manager is top of Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins’ new year wish-list but a striker will also be on there with goals in short supply.

Potential targets: Loic Remy (Chelsea), Charlie Austin (QPR)

Tottenham

Saido Berahino: West Brom striker linked with Tottenham

Tottenham’s one-striker gamble has paid off so far but they need cover for Harry Kane if they are to cement their top-four place and perhaps even challenge for the title.

Potential targets: Saido Berahino (West Brom), Michy Batshuayi (Marseille)

Watford

Watford’s need for reinforcements has been lessened by a superb first half of the season but Quique Sanchez Flores would welcome cover up front and out wide.

Potential targets: Andros Townsend (Tottenham), Emmanuel Adebayor (unattached)

West Brom

West Brom chairman Jeremy Peace is traditionally reluctant to do January business but boss Tony Pulis could tempt him go back in for a couple of their initial summer targets.

Potential targets: Matty Phillips (QPR), Kerim Frei (Besiktas)

West HamSimone Zaza

Slaven Bilic insists he is happy with his squad but there is talk of a striker coming in on loan, while Carl Jenkinson has fallen out of favour at right-back.

Potential targets: Omar Elabdellaoui (Olympiacos), Simone Zaza (Juventus)