Buying and selling in this year's January transfer window is not expected to reach the records of last season, but that has not stopped Chelsea and Arsenal sounding the starting gun before December is out.
Thierry Henry could join his former club Arsenal, while Bolton's Gary Cahill looks set to make Stamford Bridge his new home, but where else do the top-flight clubs need to improve?
"I think that we are still short up front even with Thierry Henry. He might be needed to start a game or two but he will be of best use as an impact substitute. So it still stands that if Robin van Persie gets injured it will all come tumbling down. A striker is still needed.
"Elsewhere, it depends on injuries. At full-back, Andre Santos might be back soon, and there are certainly enough at the club so it's a matter of trying to get them back, rather than making panic buys. The forward positions need strengthening before the full-back areas, although it is a problem."
Potential targets: With Thierry Henry set to join the Gunners, Borussia Dortmund playmaker Mario Gotze, Lille midfielder Eden Hazard and Cologne striker Lukas Podolski have been linked with the club. Manchester City's Wayne Bridge could also solve their full-back problems.
"I think manager Alex McLeish needs to get someone who can break out from central midfield, create goals, score a few goals themselves and in the process feed Charles N'Zogbia and Darren Bent.
"N'Zogbia has been a disappointment but we know that, if you get the ball into the area - or played into the right areas, Bent is a consistent goalscorer. I would say a central midfield player who can provide that service is what they need in January."
Potential targets: Villa are among several clubs aiming to bring in Chelsea midfielder Josh McEachran on loan. Bayer Leverkusen's Swiss international midfielder Tranquillo Barnetta and Nottingham Forest full-back Chris Gunter are other names in the frame.
"It might be a case of wheeling and dealing in January for Blackburn, with one player moving on to enable another to come in. I think Michel Salgado might be leaving the club, so they would need a full-back to replace him. They may also need a centre-half if somebody comes in for Christopher Samba.
"David Dunn is the creative player in Blackburn's midfield but, at 32, he is not getting any younger. They might try to sign a midfielder and, like a lot of clubs, they could try to sign a striker.
"The only problem is that, if there are 20 goal-a-season strikers with experience about, bigger clubs usually want them. The club does have a wage structure too and the manager will have to be wary of that when bringing in new players."
Potential targets: Fulham striker Andy Johnson is out of contract in the summer. Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha and Nottingham Forest full-back Chris Gunter have also been associated with the club.
"With Alex leaving and Gary Cahill set to join Chelsea, I expect a busy January at Stamford Bridge. I think they will go back to do their shopping in Portugal. Andre Villas-Boas knows the market well having coached Porto and there are a lot of Brazilian and Argentinian defenders there who are made for the Premier League.
"Nicolas Anelka is also off and it wouldn't surprise me if one or two of the other established players were to leave this year. Florent Malouda and John Obi Mikel are both out of favour but whether another club is prepared to cough up for the transfer fee and their wages is another issue.
"When it comes to budget with Chelsea, who knows? They spent £50m on Fernando Torres this time last year but they must have one eye on the financial fair play regulations."
Potential targets: With Didier Drogba linked with a move, Porto striker Hulk might be a replacement. Then there is the small target of Tottenham midfielder Luka Modric, but the Croat says he is staying put. Everton midfielder Jack Rodwell has also been mentioned.
Thierry Henry could join his former club Arsenal, while Bolton's Gary Cahill looks set to make Stamford Bridge his new home, but where else do the top-flight clubs need to improve?
"I think that we are still short up front even with Thierry Henry. He might be needed to start a game or two but he will be of best use as an impact substitute. So it still stands that if Robin van Persie gets injured it will all come tumbling down. A striker is still needed.
"Elsewhere, it depends on injuries. At full-back, Andre Santos might be back soon, and there are certainly enough at the club so it's a matter of trying to get them back, rather than making panic buys. The forward positions need strengthening before the full-back areas, although it is a problem."
Potential targets: With Thierry Henry set to join the Gunners, Borussia Dortmund playmaker Mario Gotze, Lille midfielder Eden Hazard and Cologne striker Lukas Podolski have been linked with the club. Manchester City's Wayne Bridge could also solve their full-back problems.
"I think manager Alex McLeish needs to get someone who can break out from central midfield, create goals, score a few goals themselves and in the process feed Charles N'Zogbia and Darren Bent.
"N'Zogbia has been a disappointment but we know that, if you get the ball into the area - or played into the right areas, Bent is a consistent goalscorer. I would say a central midfield player who can provide that service is what they need in January."
Potential targets: Villa are among several clubs aiming to bring in Chelsea midfielder Josh McEachran on loan. Bayer Leverkusen's Swiss international midfielder Tranquillo Barnetta and Nottingham Forest full-back Chris Gunter are other names in the frame.
"It might be a case of wheeling and dealing in January for Blackburn, with one player moving on to enable another to come in. I think Michel Salgado might be leaving the club, so they would need a full-back to replace him. They may also need a centre-half if somebody comes in for Christopher Samba.
"David Dunn is the creative player in Blackburn's midfield but, at 32, he is not getting any younger. They might try to sign a midfielder and, like a lot of clubs, they could try to sign a striker.
"The only problem is that, if there are 20 goal-a-season strikers with experience about, bigger clubs usually want them. The club does have a wage structure too and the manager will have to be wary of that when bringing in new players."
Potential targets: Fulham striker Andy Johnson is out of contract in the summer. Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha and Nottingham Forest full-back Chris Gunter have also been associated with the club.
"With Alex leaving and Gary Cahill set to join Chelsea, I expect a busy January at Stamford Bridge. I think they will go back to do their shopping in Portugal. Andre Villas-Boas knows the market well having coached Porto and there are a lot of Brazilian and Argentinian defenders there who are made for the Premier League.
"Nicolas Anelka is also off and it wouldn't surprise me if one or two of the other established players were to leave this year. Florent Malouda and John Obi Mikel are both out of favour but whether another club is prepared to cough up for the transfer fee and their wages is another issue.
"When it comes to budget with Chelsea, who knows? They spent £50m on Fernando Torres this time last year but they must have one eye on the financial fair play regulations."
Potential targets: With Didier Drogba linked with a move, Porto striker Hulk might be a replacement. Then there is the small target of Tottenham midfielder Luka Modric, but the Croat says he is staying put. Everton midfielder Jack Rodwell has also been mentioned.
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