With Christmas Day almost upon us, so is the New Year, which means the opening of the 2018 January transfer window.

Yes, it is the final chance for Premier League clubs to buy, sell and trade players before the end of the 2017-18 season, whether your team is fighting for the title, or battling relegation.

With Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in cruise control and looking strong favourites to lift the top-flight title next year, rivals Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and Arsenal will surely be looking to strengthen effectively in a bid to cut the gap as much as possible in 2018.

Could Henrikh Mkhitaryan be offloaded by Manchester United next month?

Meanwhile, the likes of Swansea City, West Bromwich Albion, Newcastle United, Stoke City and AFC Bournemouth will be hoping to secure impact signings in the New Year in a bid to preserve their Premier League status come May.

Some players linked with January moves include Manchester United’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan (above) and Luke Shaw, Chelsea defender David Luiz, AS Monaco winger Thomas Lemar, Arsenal forwards Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott (featured image) and Sevilla midfielder Steven N’Zonzi, but who are the Top 5 transfer targets for Premier League clubs?

Here at Shoot! we have put together our Top 5 shortlist ahead of January 1…

Mesut Ozil (Arsenal)

Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil is out of contract come the end of the season, but could opt for an early January exit, with the club cashing in, should they receive a suitable offer.

The 29-year-old has been linked with a move to Premier League rivals Manchester United, having scored four goals and provided five assists in 16 league appearances this campaign, but will they wait until the summer to try and snap him up for free instead?

Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace)

Winger Wilfried Zaha is proving to be Crystal Palace’s Player of the Season, so far, despite The Eagles battling relegation at the wrong end of the table.

The 25-year-old has been deployed as a centre forward for Palace this term, netting four goals in 13 games, attracting interest from the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.

Alex Sandro (Juventus)

The Brazil international has been linked with a New Year move to Premier League sides Chelsea and Manchester United.

Sandro’s time at Juventus seems to be coming to an end, with the 26-year-old determined to leave Turin by the end of the season, despite making 18 appearances in all competitions for the defending Serie A champions this season.

Ross Barkley (Everton)

Despite not having featured for Everton so far this season, due to a hamstring injury, Ross Barkley could be set for a January exit from Goodison Park.

The 24-year-old scored six goals in all competitions last term under Ronald Koeman, and came close to joining champions Chelsea on deadline day earlier this campaign.

However, The Blues are set to renew their interest in the midfielder next month, with London rivals Tottenham Hotspur also thought to be interested.

Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur)

Having publicly criticised the club’s wage structure earlier in the year, defender Danny Rose looks certain to be on his way out of Tottenham Hotpsur, at least come the end of the season.

But Manchester United have been strongly linked with signing the England international in January for around £50m, with fellow left-back Luke Shaw seemingly failing to impress manager Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford.