An intriguing January transfer window is now just a month away, with a number of clubs and high-profile players expected to be in the spotlight.
The January transfer window generally sees clubs operate with a more measured approach than in the summer, but perhaps this year will be different.
After an extraordinary summer, in which Lionel Messi left Barcelona and joined Paris Saint-Germain, Cristiano Ronaldo returned to Manchester United and Manchester City smashed the British transfer record with the £100million acquisition of Jack Grealish, there's a lot to look out for once more.
Following their mega-money Saudi-led takeover, all eyes will be on Newcastle as new manager Eddie Howe gets a first opportunity to improve his squad with a relegation battle ahead.
Manchester United are also in a fierce battle, though in the hunt for a Champions League place, and it will certainly be interesting to see what funds interim manager Ralf Rangnick is given.
Meanwhile, Antonio Conte has openly spoken of the need to improve his Tottenham squad, with a busy month ahead for Fabio Paratici.
With the opening of the transfer window swiftly approaching, Sportsmail takes you through everything you need to know.
Eddie Howe's Newcastle are expected to be busy after their big-money Saudi-led takeover
Tottenham are also set for an intriguing window as Antonio Conte aims to improve his squad
The Premier League transfer window officially opens on Saturday, January 1.
That will also be the case in Scotland, as well as the majority of European leagues, including the Bundesliga and Ligue 1.
There are a couple of exceptions, however, being La Liga and Serie A, where the windows won't open until January 3.
When is deadline day?The Premier League transfer window will come to a close on January 31 at 11pm.
While the start date differs this year across the European leagues, January 31 will be the final day of activity throughout the continent.
We saw a number of enticing deadline day deals take place over the summer, including Ronaldo's return to United, Chelsea's acquisition of Saul Niguez and Takehiro Tomiyasu's move to Arsenal.
Who are the big names potentially on the move?Premier League clubs continued to spend over the summer, despite the financial burden brought about by the emergence of the coronavirus pandemic.
They will be boosted this season by the return of full capacity crowds, while the likes of Liverpool may look to act with the African Cup of Nations taking place over January and the start of February.
However, perhaps it's players coming to the end of their contracts - including the likes of Paul Pogba, Kylian Mbappe and Jesse Lingard - who may dominate the impending transfer talk.
So, who are the big names to look out for?
Jesse LingardFirst up is Jesse Lingard, who has played just 76 minutes of Premier League football this season.
The midfielder - who shone during a six-month spell with West Ham last season - is keen to depart on loan in January once more before his contract runs out this summer, as reported by Sportsmail in November.
Lingard is desperate to make Gareth Southgate's squad for next winter's World Cup in Qatar, but with the fierce competition in midfield he will need regular playing time.
The 28-year-old rejected United's contract offer back in October. The proposal was worth less than his current deal, with Lingard not interested in resuming talks.
Midfielder Jesse Lingard, 28, rejected Manchester United's contract offer back in October
He is a player who could benefit from the arrival of Rangnick and the departure of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, however.
Nevertheless, talk of a return to West Ham will certainly take place throughout the window after Lingard scored nine goals and assisted five in just 16 Premier League appearances for the Hammers last season.
A loan move would certainly suit West Ham, who will lose Said Benrahma for most of January due to his AFCON participation.
However, with the London club currently sat fourth in the Premier League and in a battle for the Champions League spots, it remains to be seen whether United would let him join a genuine rival.
Donny van de BeekAnother Manchester United player to keep your eye on is Donny van de Beek, who has experienced a torrid time since making his £35m move from Ajax last summer.
The Dutchman has featured just four times in the Premier League this season, coming off the bench in each occasion.
Sportsmail reported in late October that Van de Beek had even changed his agent in an effort to bring an end to his nightmare spell.
Conversations had then been held with Everton and Wolves with a view to a January move, though his newly-acquired agent, Ali Dursun, may have different ideas.
Donny van de Beek's fortunes could change after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was finally sacked
Like Lingard, however, the Dutchman is another player who could benefit immensely from the arrival of Rangnick.
Having been entirely overlooked by the Norwegian, there was a certain irony as Van de Beek notched the final goal of the Solskjaer era during a glowing substitute appearance in an otherwise desperate 4-1 defeat to Watford.
He also started in United's crucial 2-0 win over Villarreal, which saw them clinch a place in the Champions League knockouts, before Michael Carrick opted to place him on the bench once more in the 1-1 draw with Chelsea.
Whether Rangnick's arrival will change things for Van de Beek remain to be seen, but he's certainly a player who will be in the spotlight in January.
Paul PogbaCompleting the key United players to look out for is Paul Pogba, whose contract comes to an end this summer.
Interestingly, Rangnick has spoken of Pogba in the past, stating he wouldn't swap Naby Keita for the Frenchman back in 2017 during his time with RB Leipzig, insisting the midfielder wouldn't fit the club's style of play.
It remains to be seen whether Rangnick will make use of Pogba's talents, particularly with the midfielder still out with injury, after he was ruled out for up to eight weeks on November 8.
However, according to The Athletic, Pogba - who has been rehabilitating in Dubai - is 'enthused' by Rangnick's arrival. The Frenchman has reportedly heard good things about the German from fellow professionals.
Paul Pogba is set to be a free agent this summer with his United contract due to expire
With Pogba's contract coming to an end this summer, the 28-year-old will be free in January to discuss a pre-contract agreement with a foreign club.
He's been linked with the likes of Real Madrid, Juventus and PSG in recent years, while agent Mino Raiola has also raised talk of an imminent exit of late.
He said in November: 'December is the month of dreams… and I can't stop dreams, but it is better to not speak about Paul.
'If some former Man United players don't speak about me and Paul, they won't work anymore.
'It's too early to speak about Paul Pogba's contract. Let's see what happens. I can't stop anyone from dreaming.'
Harry KaneHarry Kane was a prominent feature of the summer transfer window, having made it clear he wanted to leave Tottenham before the 2020/21 season had even come to an end.
The England captain was desperate to leave for Manchester City but no deal materialsed as Tottenham
