THE Daily Echo looks at where Saints’ Premier League rivals could be looking to strengthen during the January transfer window.

ARSENAL: The Gunners start 2014 at the top of the table, but Arsene Wenger's need for a striker is well known. Atletico Madrid's Diego Costa or Alvaro Morata at Real Madrid would fit the bill, while a new right-back would be handy.

ASTON VILLA: Could certainly do with a creative midfielder. Chelsea’s Kevin de Bruyne is a potential loan signing, while a striker would be handy given the current lack of goals.

CARDIFF: A pivotal month for City if they are to remain in the top flight. Controversial owner Vincent Tan will make funds available for whoever is eventually named Malky Mackay's successor, with Blackpool's Thomas Ince regularly linked with a move to the Welsh club.

CHELSEA: Jose Mourinho has said he will stick with the squad he has got for the season, yet they could do with some defensive cover and, most importantly, a striker. Midfielders Xabi Alonso, Nemanja Matic and Freddy Guarin have been heavily linked.

Striker Demba Ba could return to Newcastle.

CRYSTAL PALACE: Tony Pulis needs to make additions. Blackburn centre-back Scott Dann, Celtic midfielder Joe Ledley and Stoke journeyman Peter Crouch have all been linked. EVERTON: Landon Donovan has been linked with a third loan move from Los Angeles Galaxy. CSKA Moscow winger Aiden McGeady has been widely linked, while manager Roberto Martinez has to decide whether to sell Nikica Jelavic and John Heitinga.

FULHAM: The two-month loan of Clint Dempsey is a huge boost for the Cottagers, but they will need more if they are to avoid the drop. Rene Meulensteen may try to lure Anderson from former club Manchester United, while PSV Eindhoven's Ola Toivonen, Saints midfielder Jack Cork and West Ham's Ravel Morrison have also been linked. HULL: A renewed bid for West Brom striker Shane Long would not be a surprise, nor would Steve from facing page Bruce attempting to get Nick Powell on loan from Manchester United after his success at Wigan.

LIVERPOOL: Basle winger Mohamed Salah and Barcelona duo Cristian Tello and Martin Montoya have been linked.

MANCHESTER CITY: Manuel Pellegrini's most pressing concern could be at centre-half. Injuries to influential captain Vincent Kompany and Matija Nastasic this term have highlighted a lack of depth in this area. Joleon Lescott, in the final year of his contract, could move out if cover is found.

MANCHESTER UNITED: David Moyes has serious work to do on his midfield. Creative and holding players are needed, with Atletico Madrid's Koke, Marco Reus of Borussia Dortmund and Athletic Bilbao's Ander Herrera all linked. NEWCASTLE: Keeping Yohan Cabaye away from the likes of Arsenal and Paris St Germain would be a good start to a window in which Alan Pardew could do with adding a striker.

NORWICH: It looks unlikely that the Canaries will be doing too much business in January despite their precarious position. Millwall full-back Scott Malone has been linked, while they could renew interest in PSV's Toivonen.

STOKE: Hannover forward Mame Biram Diouf and Luuk de Jong of Borussia Monchengladbach have been mentioned. Stoke may decide to cash in on former England striker Peter Crouch.

SUNDERLAND: Gus Poyet has already secured Fiorentina full-back Marcos Alonso on loan, while Liam Bridcutt and Will Buckley at Poyet's former club Brighton, Aston Villa's Charles N'Zogbia and a move to re-sign Stephane Sessegnon from West Brom have all been mentioned.

SWANSEA: Another centre-half looks to be the order of the day. Espanyol's Hector Moreno has been widely reported as a potential addition, while Michael Laudrup will also look to sign a goalscorer with a loan move for Liverpool's Iago Aspas mooted.

TOTTENHAM: Emmanuel Adebayor's rejuvenation has lessened the need for a new striker, although Jermain Defoe's potential departure has sparked reports that one of Mirko Vucinic, Javier Hernandez or Giuseppe Rossi could be signed.

WEST BROM: Manchester United's Wilfried Zaha has been mentioned as a potential new face, albeit on loan, and defensive reinforcements would not go amiss. Keeping hold of in-form Long would be a boost.

WEST HAM: With club record signing Andy Carroll still yet to feature, Sam Allardyce needs goals and quick. Saints’ talisman Rickie Lambert, Everton forward Jelavic, Chelsea's Ba and Diego Forlan of Internacional have all been mentioned.