Morgan Whittaker signs: Burnley FC's best and worst case transfer scenarios in January | OneFootball

Burnley will undoubtedly be one of the busier clubs in the January transfer window, with both incomings and outgoings set to be season defining

The January transfer window promises to make or break Burnley's season, with the Clarets in desperate need of attacking reinforcements, while also needing to keep hold of their star players if they're to get out of the league at the first time of asking.

Burnley have been ticking along nicely so far and find themselves sitting in second spot, although the five point gap to Sunderland at the summit will be a cause for concern to manager Scott Parker, who, despite being promoted out of this division twice, has never claimed a winners' medal.

Their lofty league position only tells half the story, as Parker's side were booed off following a goalless draw with QPR at Turf Moor on Saturday, which although the Clarets dominated in every statistical metric, can only be seen as a failure.

That result highlighted the main flaw in Burnley's game, which is in the final third of the pitch, and that's something that, after failing to address in the summer, Parker simply has to address in January.

It'll be a difficult task though, as not only is he trying to bolster his squad, he'll also be trying to fend off advances for his prized assets.

Best case scenario

Mike Tresor funds the window; Morgan Whittaker signs

One of few assets Burnley have left who are simply surplus to requirements, it would make logical sense to try and recruit as much of the £16m they paid for Tresor and use that money elsewhere.

Tresor has never made any meaningful impact at Turf Moor, and amid a run of illness and injury, it's hard to see what role he'll ever play for the club.

After the club's auditors issued a warning around the state of the club's finances after the last set of accounts, selling players is undoubtedly a requirement to fund any new arrivals.

One of those could be Morgan Whittaker, a player Burnley made two bids to sign over the summer.

The Plymouth man would bring the one thing Burnley are missing - goals - but playing off the right more often than not, he wouldn't solve their striking problems.

But if it was offered to most Burnley fans right now that the sale of Tresor would help fund the signing of Whittaker and a proper number nine in January, most would be content.

Worst case scenario

More key first team players leave - Luca Koleosho and Maxime Esteve the most important

After the summer window saw an absolute barrage of first team departures, most Burnley fans will be fearing a repeat in January, with big-name hitters Luca Koleosho and Maxime Esteve among those attracting the most interest.

Koleosho attracted summer interest from Wolves who, in the pits of a Premier League relegation battle, could revisit in summer. Esteve has always caught the eye of Wolves, while Everton and West Ham are also believed to be admirers of the young French defender.

Both Koleosho and Esteve have been first team regulars this season, and taking them out of the team would be a disaster as Burnley stand no chance of replacing with like-for-like quality.

In terms of incomings, failing to add a number nine would be worst case scenario.

With Lyle Foster out injured, Burnley are left with just Jay Rodriguez and Andreas Hountondji as recognised strikers, neither of whom are inspiring.