The Premier League's January sales are fast approaching - but this season's topsy-turvy table will make for a few unexpected twists in the transfer market.
Leicester City have defied all odds to lead the way at Christmas and other less-fancied clubs such as Crystal Palace, Watford, West Ham and Bournemouth are exceeding pre-season expectations.
But this time the rest of the league, emboldened by the coming injection of television money, simply have no need to cash in and sell their stars.
It means that the big guns will need to pay top whack to prise them away in January, making a big money offer that simply cannot be refused.
We take a look at 10 star performers at some of the clubs punching above their weight this season and how much it might take to buy them next month.
Jamie Vardy (Striker, 28, Leicester City)
The Leicester City hitman has been integral in their surprise ascent to the Barclays Premier League summit and leads the scorers' charts with 15 goals.
He also set a new Premier League record by scoring in 11 consecutive matches and his form has earned a maiden England call-up.
Potential suitors: Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham
Potential cost: £20m ($NZ44m)
Riyad Mahrez (Winger, 24, Leicester City)
The Algerian has been absolutely sensational this season as Leicester smashed expectations and soared to the top of the table.
He has scored 13 goals in the Premier League and also created six more with his skill, vision and trickery.
Potential suitors: Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham, Manchester City
Potential cost: £25m ($NZ55m)
Odion Ighalo (Striker, 26, Watford)
Few expected to see newly-promoted Watford within a point of the Champions League places at Christmas, but they have enjoyed a superb start to the campaign.
One of the main reasons for their success has been the dozen goals scored by Ighalo, while the Nigerian's signature 'Iggy Chop' piece of skill has left plenty of defenders baffled.
Potential suitors: Roma, Borussia Dortmund, Arsenal, Manchester United
Potential cost: £15m ($NZ33m)
Troy Deeney (Striker, 27, Watford)
Watford's captain has taken to the Premier League with style, helping the Hornets rise well above the relegation battle everyone thought they'd be in.
Using his considerable experience to good effect in leading the line, Deeney has contributed five important goals so far.
Potential suitors: Tottenham, Southampton
Potential cost: £16m ($NZ35m)
Yannick Bolasie (Winger, 26, Crystal Palace)
Alan Pardew's Crystal Palace have played some of the Premier League's most attractive football this season and they currently sit in sixth position.
The manager has not been afraid to unleash his pacy wingers at opposition defences and Bolasie has been in sensational form so far.
Potential suitors: Liverpool, Manchester United, Roma
Potential cost: £18m ($NZ39m)
Junior Stanislas (Winger, 26, Bournemouth)
Most observers didn't give Bournemouth a prayer in the Premier League but Eddie Howe's side have exceeded all expectations and are now 14th following wins over Chelsea and Manchester United.
Stanislas has scored three times in seven league matches this campaign and has been a superb attacking options for the Cherries.
Potential suitors: West Brom, Newcastle United
Potential cost: £8m ($NZ17.5m)
N'Golo Kante (Central midfielder, 24, Leicester City)
While Vardy and Mahrez may have stolen the headlines in Leicester's incredible start to the season, the industrious performance of Kante in midfield have also been key.
He is the rock that allows those around him to flourish and, having adapted so quickly to life in the Premier League, his £5.6m transfer fee already looks a snip.
Potential suitors: Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool
Potential cost: £12m ($NZ26m)
Dimitri Payet (Attacking midfielder, 28, West Ham)
The Hammers are on course for a high finish in Slaven Bilic's first season and much of their success has been down to the brilliance of Dimitri Payet, a summer buy from Marseille.
The French playmaker had scored five times and created three more in a dozen Premier League games before injury struck.
Potential suitors: Manchester City, Arsenal, Juventus
Potential cost: £18m ($NZ39.5m)
Matt Ritchie (Winger, 26, Bournemouth)
One of the Premier League's most industrious players, Ritchie has ran in excess of 200km for the Bournemouth cause in his 17 league appearances so far.
It's this boundless energy that could well keep Eddie Howe's side in the top flight when many wrote them off as sure-fire candidates for relegation.
Potential suitors: Manchester United, West Ham, Stoke City, West Brom, Everton
Potential cost: £7m ($NZ15m)
Scott Dann (Defender, 28, Crystal Palace)
The centre-half has been excellent at the heart of the Palace defence this season and his reliability has left many calling for him to be named in the England squad.
But Dann will certainly settle for Palace finishing sixth - their present league position - at the end of the campaign.
Potential suitors: Everton, Sunderland, Newcastle United
Potential cost: £10m ($NZ21m) - Daily Mail
