Manchester United holding the No7 shirt for Antoine Griezmann… but what does your club’s available jersey numbers suggest about the transfers to come?
MANCHESTER UNITED are reportedly keeping the No7 shirt free for the arrival of Antoine Griezmann.
The French forward, 26, opted to stay on at Atletico Madrid this summer, despite being heavily linked with an Old Trafford move.
In a conscientious move, Griezmann stayed on at Los Rojiblancos so as to not leave them short-handed as they play out the final six months of their transfer ban.
However, Atletico's embargo is set to be lifted in January, with Jose Mourinho keen on a move for the France star.
With that in mind, United have kept the iconic No7 jersey - famously worn by David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo and George Best - free for the potential arrival.
With that in mind, we take a look at the available shirt numbers at ALL 20 Premier League clubs, to grab an early insight into the potential January transfer targets.
From Chelsea and Liverpool both needing to replace club legends at No8, to Arsenal's need for a No3, there are a host of high-profile holes to be filled.
Check out the full list, below...
MOST READ IN FOOTBALL
ARSENAL
Numbers available: 1, 3 & 5
Positions: Goalkeeper, left-back, centre-back
Top targets: Jonny Evans, Virgil van Dijk
ARSENE WENGER is keen to bolster his defensive ranks, with Premier League centre-halves Evans and Van Dijk the potential heirs to the No5 jersey.
Meanwhile, boss Arsene Wenger could be in the market for the long-term successor to No1 goalkeeper - but No33 jersey-holder - Petr Cech.
Meanwhile, back-up for the left-back position alongside Sead Kolasinac would be a huge boost to the Gunners.
🏆Latest Champions League odds🏆
SUN BETS ARE BEST PRICE FOR BRITISH CLUBS IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
- Liverpool to beat Sevilla:
- Man City to beat Feyenoord:
- Spurs to beat Borussia Dortmund :
BOURNEMOUTH
Numbers available: 10
Positions: Centre-forward/attacking-midfield
Top targets: Demarai Gray
THE Cherries do in fact have a No10, Max Gradel, however he is spending the season on-loan at Toulouse.
Eddie Howe had hoped to land Leicester hot prospect Gray this summer, but fell short in his pursuit.
BRIGHTON
Numbers available: N/A
Positions: N/A
Top targets: Moussa Marega
WHILE the Nos1-11 spots are all filled at Brighton and Hove Albion, boss Chris Hughton did try - and fail - to land Porto striker Marega on deadline day.
BURNLEY
Numbers available: 7
Positions: Winger
Top targets: Aaron Lennon
SEAN DYCHE made no secret of the fact he attempted to land Everton winger Lennon this summer on a season-long loan deal.
He may be persuaded to go back into the market for a top wide-man this winter.
CHELSEA
Numbers available: 5 & 8
Positions: Centre-back and central-midfield
Top targets: Virgil van Dijk, Emre Can
DESPITE signing midfielders Tiemoue Bakayoko and Danny Drinkwater, the Blues still have a hole at No8 - the jersey last worn by Oscar, following the departure of club legend Frank Lampard.
Chelsea had hoped to land Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain but were beaten to the punch by Liverpool and could go in for Reds star Emre Can, who is out of contract in the summer.
Back in defence, Antonio Conte will still be hoping to land unsettled Southampton defender Van Dijk, but faces plenty of competition.
CRYSTAL PALACE
Numbers available: 9
Positions: Striker
Top targets: Oumar Niasse
NIASSE has had a torrid time at Goodison Park and been frozen out by boss Ronald Koeman - with the Eagles expressing interest in the striker this summer.
EVERTON
Numbers available: N/A
Positions: N/A
Top targets: Ivan Marcano
THE Toffees invested heavily this summer, bringing in the likes of Jordan Pickford and Gylfi Sigurdsson.
However, Koeman is interested in bringing experienced Porto defender Marcano to Goodison Park this January.
HUDDERSFIELD
Numbers available: 5 & 7
Positions: Centre-back and winger
Top targets: Sverrir Ingason, Andre Carillo
WITH current club No7 Sean Scannell on loan, David Wagner may be keen to replace him sooner rather than later, with the signing of Carrillo.
The Benfica winger is on loan at Watford for this season, with the Terriers aiming to bolster their defence with the signing of Iceland's Ingason.
LEICESTER
Numbers available: 4
Positions: Central-midfield
Top targets: Adrien Silva
AFTER losing Danny Drinkwater to Chelsea, Craig Shakespeare needed to fill a void in the heart of midfield, with Adrien Silva brought in.
However, the FA are now debating delaying the transfer until January, as the required documentation was filed 14 SECONDS late.
LIVERPOOL
Numbers available: 3, 4, & 8
Positions: Left-back, centre-back and central midfield
Top targets: Virgil van Dijk, Naby Keita
THE Reds have Alberto Moreno (No18) and Andrew Robertson (No25) at left-back... but neither took the traditional No3 shirt.
However, Jurgen Klopp could be tempted to add a new left-sided defender this January, as well as add Van Dijk to the heart of his back-four after a long, unsuccessful chase this summer.
In the middle of the park, Liverpool have been without a No8 since the departure of club legend Steven Gerrard.
However, record-signing Keita links up with the club next summer and could don the famous shirt.
MAN CITY
Numbers available: 6, 7, 9 & 11
Positions: Centre-back, winger and striker
Top targets: Virgil van Dijk, Joe Rodon
WHILE investing heavily in a new goalkeeper and no fewer than three full-backs, Pep Guardiola knows he needs to add some steel in the heart of defence.
City are one of many clubs keen - and confident - in landing Van Dijk, while Swansea youngster Joe Roden is shock option.
However, with star forwards Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus at the club, Guardiola is unlikely to swoop for a new No9 any time soon.
On the wings, with a wealth of options - particularly since the arrival of Bernardo Silva from Monaco - there are unlikely to be any new additions.
MAN UNITED
Numbers available: 7
Positions: Winger/forward
Top targets: Antoine Griezmann, Gareth Bale
MOURINHO has made no attempt to hide the fact his No1 target is Griezmann, with Bale another long-term target of the Red Devils.
At this stage it's more a case of when, rather than if, that one - if not both - join in January.
The No7 shirt will be waiting for them...
NEWCASTLE
Numbers available: 5
Positions: Centre-back
Top targets: Eliaquim Mangala
IN truth, Rafa Benitez knows he needs reinforcements all over the pitch in order to avoid Premier League relegation.
But with the No5 jersey waiting, the top target this January could well be Man City's Mangala - who is unlikely to feature much this season.
The only potential stumbling block would be the transfer fee, with owner Mike Ashley refusing to free-up funds for much activity during the summer.
SOUTHAMPTON
Numbers available: 1, 4 & 9
Positions: Goalkeeper, central-midfield and striker
Top targets: Gregoire Defrel, Yann Karamoh
ALTHOUGH none take the No1 jersey, Saints are well-stocked in the goalkeeping ranks and have No4 Jordy Clasie set to return from a season-long loan in the summer.
Their main target is a striker having netted just ONCE from open play all season - with Defrel and Karamoh high on the list of targets.
STOKE
Numbers available: 2
Positions: Right-back
Top targets: Ashley Young
WITH Glen Johnson bizarrely opting for the No8 shirt, a new No2 could be on the cards at the Potters.
With Young's career beginning to wind down, he is playing more and more in the full-back spot - with Stoke potentially intrigued by the option.
SWANSEA
Numbers available: 3 & 9
Positions: Left-back and striker
Top targets: Nelson Oliveira
WILFRIED BONY rejoined the Swans this summer... but incredibly snubbed the No9 jersey left vacant by Fernando Llorente to take the No2 shirt.
Should the Welsh club opt to go in for another new striker in January, the traditional number could go to Norwich man Oliveira - a summer target for the club.
TOTTENHAM
Numbers available: 8 & 9
Positions: Central midfield and striker
Top targets: Ross Barkley
VINCENT JANSSEN, Spurs current No9, was finally shipped off on loan to Fenerbahce this summer - and could be set to leave for good sooner rather than later.
With Fernando Llorente linking up with the club during the summer, hr was the obvious choice to take the shirt... but will need to wait for Janssen's permanent departure.
Meanwhile, Barkley is likely to leave Everton this winter, with Tottenham one of the clubs in pole position for the England star's signature.
WATFORD
Numbers available: 7
Positions: Winger
Top targets: Max Gradel
CURRENT No7 Nordin Amrabat is away on loan at Spanish side Leganes - and seems set to stay after gushing about the quality of La Liga.
Should the Moroccan fail to return, the Hornets could turn their attention back to a player they've admired for months, Bournemouth's Gradel.
WEST BROM
Numbers available: N/A
Positions: N/A
Top targets: Jonny Evans
THE Baggies were ambitious during the summer window, but successful, as they landed Kieran Gibbs and Oliver Burke.
Now their biggest signing will be to tie down Evans to a new contract.
WEST HAM
Numbers available: 1 & 11
Positions: Goalkeeper and attacking midfielder
Top targets: Andre Schurrle
SCOTTISH winger and current No11 Robert Snodgrass could yet return to the club after his spell on loan at Aston Villa.
However, West Ham are likely to go back in for former Chelsea star Schurrle - a potential No11 himself.