With the European transfer window opening up again on January 1, TSN.ca takes a daily look around the soccer world at the latest rumours and reports heading into what is sure to be another busy period of transactions.

Cat-astrophe in the Making?

Sunderland has found themselves in a relegation scrap over the last two seasons and if the team continues to play in their current form, a repeat peformance is likely come May.

With only two wins in its first 16 matches, Sunderland currently sits 15th in the table and a scant two points above the drop zone. As another nervy last half of the season seems likely, manager Gus Poyet is stressing the need for reenforcements to help steer the ship to safety.

“If we don’t get more quality in, it will be 38 games and 38 points," Poyet told the Mirror. "If we lose two or three, everyone will start panicking and having heart attacks. 38 points from 38 games is not good enough for me. That is what we got last year."

Poyet says he's spoken to the team's director, Lee Congerton, already about the need for help, but is unsure if it's coming to the Stadium of Light.

“I want more quality," said Poyet. "Do I think I’ll get it? I don’t know. You know what is missing. It is clear what we need to do. That is down to recruitment."

What Poyet needs help with most is scoring goals. The Black Cats have only scored a paltry 14 goals this season, good for third worst in the Prem. Jozy Altidore and Connor Wickham have cut anonymous figures for most of the season, while Steven Fletcher leads the team with four goals. If goal differential comes into play when it comes time for relegation, as it has in the past, Sunderland will want to bag as many goals as possible and Poyet is right to question whether or not this group is capable of producing offensively.

The Stroot-ford End?

Since Louis van Gaal assumed control at Old Trafford, just about every single player on his Netherland international team has been linked with Manchester United, but there's one name that won't go away: Kevin Strootman.

With Roma crashing out of the Champions League in the group stage earlier this month, now could be the time that the defensive midfielder joins his former national coach on the red side of Manchester.

ESPN FC's Miguel Delaney reports that United's chances of capturing the 24-year-old have increased with the Giallorossi's exit from Europe's top competition. Though Roma has publicly denied their intentions (even just last week) of moving Strootman, who only recently returned from a knee injury that kept him out since March and out of the World Cup, they might have trouble turning down an offer of £30 million for the player.

While United's need for a defensive midfielder has been evident for some time, van Gaal could be tempted to add another player in January, considering the current dearth of defensive options at his disposal. All of Marcos Rojo, Daley Blind, Chris Smalling and Luke Shaw are currently on the shelf with a variety of injuries.

Familiar Faces?

One of the hallmarks of Harry Redknapp's lengthy managerial career has been his tendency to bring former players with him to his latest coaching destination.

On such player is Stoke City's Peter Crouch, who played for Redknapp at both Portsmouth and Spurs, and he could be joining him again at QPR.

Redknapp and his coach staff flew to Malaysia on Wednesday to meet with club chairman, Tony Fernandes, to discuss January transfer targets with help up front at the top of the list. The Daily Mirror reports that Crouch fits the bill perfectly and Redknapp would love to have his former charge back on his squad. In 14 league games this season, Crouch has found the net four times. Only Charlie Austin (with eight) has that many goals for QPR, so the need for forward help is obvious.

Another player who will likely be sounded out again by Redknapp is Toronto FC striker Jermain Defoe, who Redknapp attempted to sign in the summer and had agreed to personal terms with the 31-year-old.