January is always an important month in the season -- on and off the field. While Ligue 1 returns after the winter break, clubs have the chance to add to their squads in the transfer window.
Getting it right this month could be the difference between a title challenge or falling away, while clubs at the other end of the table will desperately seek improvements to retain their Ligue 1 status.
As for PSG, here's a look at what lies in store for Laurent Blanc's men ...
What do the champions need this month?
There are one or two areas in the PSG squad that need improving. The French champions' obvious weakness is still the absence of a genuine creative talent to make the difference in the final third and improve the link between a largely defensive central midfield unit and the front three.
Les Parisiens' defence has also become a problem in recent weeks, with Thiago Silva and David Luiz looking less than assured in their latest performances. Although many of the problems at the back actually stem from Thiago Motta's massive loss of form in defensive midfield, the initial optimism surrounding the capital club's expensive rearguard pairing has now disappeared after just one clean sheet in their past six games across all competitions.
An extra striker would be a good addition too. Having an experienced, proven goal scorer to bring off the bench and offer something different to both Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edinson Cavani would be a very useful tool as Blanc looks for ways to make his labouring PSG side less predictable.
Talking targets -- who's in their sights?
So far, the name to have been mentioned in connection with PSG the most is that of Tottenham's Christian Eriksen. The Dane would bring the creative boost in attack that the team needs at present and would be another threat from set pieces when given the chance. However, the fact that Spurs are still in the Europa League means the 22-year-old will be cup tied and unavailable to Blanc in the Champions League double-header against Chelsea.
Other names to have been linked with the French champions regarding a January move include Stade Rennais' rising star Paul-Georges Ntep, Manchester United's Belgian starlet Adnan Januzaj, Eriksen's Tottenham teammate Erik Lamela and Barcelona's Pedro.
All of those players would arguably strengthen the current PSG side, but two of them -- Lamela and Pedro -- would not be eligible to play in the Champions League, making Januzaj and Ntep the best options in January.
With Ntep currently developing at a rapid pace in Ligue 1 with Rennes, now is perhaps not the best time to bring him into a team of top-quality individuals and considerably larger egos. As for Januzaj, the touted move in question is a loan one and the 19-year-old's chances of actually featuring regularly in the starting XI during a short stay in the second half of the season would be slim to none.
What do you expect Laurent Blanc to do?
Ultimately nothing. There is a greater chance that one or two players leave in January before PSG make another assault on the transfer market next summer armed with greater funds. It is expected that UEFA's financial fair play (FFP) restrictions will be eased next summer, with the French giants having proved that they have learned the meaning of selling to buy.
With that in mind, it seems more likely that sales will be sanctioned or that the current squad will be kept intact with the intention of making considerable changes to it next summer. A move could be made for one of Olympique Lyonnais' star talents -- namely Alexandre Lacazette -- with PSG having been credited with an interest in the French international in the past, but that would require a major sale in order to go through.
The chances of somebody like Edinson Cavani -- the most likely big-name departure at the time of writing -- leaving to make way for Lacazette are remote, with PSG still in continental competition and thus cup tying him for potential suitors.
Out the exit door
There are four possible players in the current PSG squad who could realistically depart in January.
Up first is Clement Chantome, who is approaching the end of his contract. A renewal seems highly unlikely for one of Les Parisiens' remaining pre-Qatar Sports Investments' homegrown talents, and the French champions could also earn a small fee if they decide to sell the 27-year-old before his current deal expires next summer.
Adrien Rabiot is another player raised in the capital club's fruitful youth academy who could make a move in early 2015.
The precociously talented 19-year-old has been linked with a host of clubs -- including Liverpool and Tottenham -- but the loan moves being suggested do not make much sense. Rabiot recently extended his contract until 2019 and it is unlikely PSG would send him on loan to a team where there is major competition for places. The new deal could simply have been a tactic to inflate the teenager's transfer value ahead of a permanent January move.
Ezequiel Lavezzi is another who has been linked with a move away and winter break opponents Inter Milan have been regularly mooted as suitors. Yohan Cabaye is the other potential player eyeing an exit. The French international has struggled to break into Blanc's starting XI and has been well below his best since arriving at Parc des Princes. It could be time for the 28-year-old to return to the English Premier League, where his stock remains high.
Likely arrivals
None. PSG will probably look back on last January's signing of Cabaye and feel that any potential arrivals could turn out to be similar flops.