10 Premier League stars big six clubs should target in January transfer window

In six weeks the transfer window will reopen with clubs up and down the country looking to improve their squads.

More than £1billion was spent by the 20 Premier League teams in the build-up to the new season and with income back up after the return of spectators, there could be more big spending to come at the start of 2022.

Manchester United thought the arrivals of Jadon Sancho, Cristiano Ronaldo and Raphael Varane would turn them into title contenders, but their early season form has shown there is still plenty of work to do.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp saw just one player sign during the summer, with Ibrahima Konate arriving from RB Leipzig. As they look to challenge Chelsea and Manchester City at the top of the table, he could sanction more signings.

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Arsenal were the top flight's biggest spenders over the summer, splashing out £150million, but owner Josh Kroenke has hinted more funds could be available for Mikel Arteta.

As for Tottenham, Antonio Conte will have his first opportunity to start shaping the squad in his image, having replaced Nuno Espirito Santo last month.

So which Premier League players could the 'Big Six' turn to in January? Mirror Football takes a look at 10 stars that would improve even the division's best teams:

Max Aarons - Norwich City

Transfer speculation has become part and parcel of Max Aarons' young career. It seems that in almost every window, the full-back is linked with a move away from Carrow Road.

Arsenal, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid were all said to have interest earlier in the year and despite Norwich's struggles overall, Aarons' reputation remains intact.

Yves Bissouma - Brighton

Bissouma was heavily linked with a move to Liverpool in the summer, ultimately remaining with the Seagulls under Graham Potter.

The Malian has played a key role in Brighton 's good start to the season, however, off-field issues could make any imminent switch more difficult.

Shane Duffy - Brighton

Arsenal sanctioned a £50m move for Ben White in the summer, but Brighton's defence have barely skipped a beat thanks to Duffy's displays.

At 29, and with just a year-and-a-half left on his current deal, Duffy could represent value for money for a proven commodity in the Premier League.

Ezri Konsa - Aston Villa

Tyrone Mings may be the Villa defender currently in the England squad, but ask most fans and they would suggest Konsa is the claret and blue star deserving of international honours.

Villa under Dean Smith had flattered to deceive during the early months of the campaign, but the former Brentford defender has maintained his impressive form.

But as Manchester City proved with their Jack Grealish pursuit, Villa's owners mean business and it will take a serious fee to land the 24-year-old.

John McGinn - Aston Villa

Another player who will be looking forward to Steven Gerrard's impact in the Midlands and another that has caught the eye in what has been a disappointing few months for the club in general.

Sir Alex Ferguson is reportedly a big fan of the Scottish international, while Liverpool were also linked with the all-action midfielder earlier this year.

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Dwight McNeil - Burnley

"We'll have to see what happens in the future but at the minute I'm happy at Burnley and I'm happy playing my football here," McNeil said earlier this year.

The winger has a genuine ambition to break into England boss Gareth Southgate's thinking ahead of next winter's World Cup in Qatar.

Previously linked with Manchester United, McNeil may believe that a move to a club in the upper echelons of the division could help him achieve his aims.

Raphinha - Leeds United

The Brazilian has been one of the standout stars in the Premier League since his move to Elland Road at the start of last season.

After scoring six goals and registering nine assists in his first campaign in English football, Raphinha has started this term just as impressively, finding the net five times in just ten games.

The winger's agent, former Chelsea star Deco, has recently revealed Liverpool 'like' Raphinha and although he is happy at Leeds, he does want to play in the Champions League sooner rather than later.

Ismaila Sarr - Watford

United saw a bid rejected for Sarr last year, when it looked inevitable the Senegal international would leave Vicarage Road following relegation.

However, he instead stayed with the Hornets, playing a key role in them bouncing back at the first time of asking.

He already has five goals this season and proved his credentials by ripping apart a woeful Manchester United this weekend.

Ivan Toney - Brentford

The Bees forward has quickly proven he is up to the standard of the Premier League, scoring three goals and creating two more for his team-mates.

Arsenal and Liverpool can both testify to Toney's credentials, having run both of their richly assembled defences ragged.

Toney recently declared he was a Liverpool fan and admitted he would have to consider a move to Anfield, should his boyhood side put a bid in.

Adama Traore - Wolves

A player Jurgen Klopp once described as "unstoppable" has seen his progress halted in recent weeks under new boss Bruno Lage.

Having started in the Portuguese's XI, Traore has now dropped to the bench, with question marks hanging over his future.

Traore has just 18-months remaining on his current contract and Molineux bosses could look to cash in now, or risk losing him for nothing in 2022.

There are few players more box office than Traore when he is on his game and there is a belief he could yet move up another level.