EPL clubs ready for January sales

EPL target ... Atletico Madrid's Diego Costa

Clubs at the top and bottom of the Premier League will be examining their options with the January transfer window now open.

League leader Arsenal has been heavily indebted to the form of Olivier Giroud but some Gunners fans worry that the attack lacks the depth to sustain a title challenge.

Lukas Podolski's return from injury is a boost but an out-and-out striker is surely needed if it is to continue its charge, with Real Madrid's Alvaro Morata and Atletico Madrid's Diego Costa linked with a move.

The latter has also been mentioned as a potential target for fellow title challenger Chelsea, which lies two points off the leader despite having failed to really hit top gear so far this term.

A lack of goals from Jose Mourinho's strikers has played a major part in that, with Porto's Jackson Martinez mentioned as a potential addition along with Costa - a man Atletico Madrid director of football Jose Luis Caminero insists is not interested in moving to the Premier League.

"Right now Costa does not think of leaving, he is contracted to Atletico," he told Marca.

"He has renewed with us which is important. He has shown that he wants to continue at this club."

Second-placed Manchester City has no such problems in attack, having netted 54 goals already this term.

Its main target would appear to be a centre-back, while resurgent rival Manchester United will look to bolster its midfield.

Atletico Madrid's Koke, Marco Reus of Borussia Dortmund and Athletic Bilbao's Ander Herrera have all been linked to the Old Trafford giant, while there has been talk of David Moyes making another move for left-back Leighton Baines.

That would be a huge blow to fourth-placed Everton - linked to Los Angeles Galaxy's Landon Donovan and CSKA Moscow winger Aiden McGeady - while neighbour Liverpool also hopes to do business to keep its UEFA Champions League qualification challenge going.

Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United make up the top seven, with both clubs in need of attacking reinforcements.

Emmanuel Adebayor's rejuvenation has lessened Tottenham's need for a new striker, although Jermain Defoe'spotential departure has prompted Mirko Vucinic, Javier Hernandez and Giuseppe Rossi to be linked with the club.

Newcastle has been tracking Lyon forward Bafetimbi Gomis for a while and it would be no surprise if it tried to bring back Chelsea's Demba Ba - a move another of his former clubs, West Ham United, would also be interested in.

Hammers co-chairman David Sullivan has promised funds will be available in January, with Everton forward Nikica Jelavic among those linked with a move to east London.

Fellow strugglers Aston Villa, Cardiff City and Fulham could also do with new attacking options, while Crystal Palace has been linked to Stoke City journeyman Peter Crouch.

Hull City may well renew its interest in West Bromwich Albion's Shane Long, while Mark Hughes and Michael Laudrup have announced their intentions to make attacking signings at Stoke City and Swansea City.

Bottom-placed Sunderland is also hoping to do business this January, despite bringing in 14 players during the northern summer.

Gus Poyet has already secured Fiorentina fullback Marcos Alonso on loan, while Liam Bridcutt at former club Brighton & Hove Albion, Aston Villa's Charles N'Zogbia and a move to re-sign Stephane Sessegnon from West Brom have been reported.