Sheffield United are currently in the middle of a fifth successive season in League One, and if things don't pick up pretty soon, they will be embarking on a sixth come August.
Nigel Adkins has made it perfectly clear that the squad needs some reshaping. He has already said there are too many professionals on the books and he needs to clear some players out before he can bring any in.
That said, he would clearly like to bring in some quality to his squad as he looks to guide them to a play-off place at minimum.
The top two isn't completely out of the picture for the Blades, but if they are to make the automatic places, they will need an influx of quality players as quick as possible.
This article details FOUR Premier League starlets who Sheffield United could look to sign this January......
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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE 4 STARLETS!
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Ryan Kent
Kent has recently returned to Liverpool after a successful spell on loan at fellow League One club Coventry City.
While Liverpool have plenty of injuries, if Jurgen Klopp can fix that during the window, he may well let Kent go out on loan again to further his experience.
The winger impressed on loan at The Ricoh, and while Coventry would surely welcome him back, it would be wise for United to try and rival them in a fight for his signature should he become available.
Harrison Reed
Nigel Adkins may wish to utilise his connections with Southampton and make a move for the young central midfield player.
The blades have struggled for consistency in the middle of the park this season, with different combinations of player being used.
Reed would bring some much needed quality on the ball to the Blades and with only making one appearance all season, may see a move to Bramall Lane hard to resist with a promise of first team action available.
Sam Gallagher
Another from Southampton who Adkins may feel he can grab during the window.
Gallagher has recently returned to the Saints from an unsuccessful loan spell at MK Dons, where he failed to score in 15 appearances.
That stat is not indicative of Gallagher's overall qualities, and sometimes loan moves simply do not work out.
He may see dropping down even further down the leagues as beneficial to his development, and a player of his ability will be confident of being able to find the net in League One.
He could provide the perfect foil for Blades top scorer Billy Sharp.
Sadiq El Fatouri
El Fatouri is currently a key squad member in the Manchester United under-21 squad. A full back with pace and power, he could prove to be a shrewd gamble by Nigel Adkins if he made the move.
El Fatouri is known for playing for Gary and Phil Neville's Salford City, when Phil made a call to the Man United coaching hierarchy as he had a hunch El Fatouri could well play for Man United.
Neville was right, and El Fatouri was offered a contract. He may benefit from some first team football action in the lower leagues to continue his development, with Bramall Lane an ideal destination.