While it's natural for fans to obsess over which new faces might be pitching up to their club in January, the flipside is who wants their existing stars?

Landing top targets in January is notoriously difficult. You're halfway through the season so clubs naturally want to keep their best performers. Therefore, interested parties are quoted a higher price and first-team regulars aren't going to be loaned out. That's not to say deals aren't there to be done during the winter window, but the trend now is for out-of-favour players to move on to create space in squads.

The big danger, however, especially for Premiership clubs, is pre contracts. Anyone whose deal is up next summer is free to speak to anyone they wish to from January onwards. Realistically, anyone who hasn't penned a contract extension by now is unlikely to do so. It does happen – see Connor Goldson's shock new four-year Rangers deal at the end of the 2021/22 season – but with bigger wages and signing on fees up for discussion, it's often too late by the time Hogmanay has been and gone.

Of course, not everyone who is out of contract will be offered fresh terms to stay. But Record Sport looks at who from each top flight club is on course to leave for nothing despite their current club's best efforts.

Aberdeen

Kelle Roos

The big Dutch keeper has proven a shrewd addition between the sticks. Joe Lewis' popularity at PIttodrie meant he wasn't going to be an easy man to replace, but Roos managed it seamlessly since joining from Derby County 18 months ago. Sure he's been part of some shocking results at the Dons, but also helped guide them to third in the table last season and into the Europa Conference League stage, where they’ve held their own in a tough draw. Barry Robson has said they will "push the boat out" to try to keep Roos, but knows they face competition.

Connor Barron

The young midfielder is back in the fold after being left on the fringes of the team by Jim Goodwin last season, following his knocking back the offer of a new deal. He was linked with Celtic last term, although given their midfield strength, he would certainly be one for the future, but they have since added Odin Holm so it seems unlikely now. Talks over a new deal have resumed but Barron is likely to be attracting interest from elsewhere.

Celtic

David Turnbull

Despite being a regular on the scoresheet when he does play, Turnbull continues to find himself in and out of the Celtic team. Reo Hatate's recent injury may provide him an opportunity in the coming weeks, but it seems that when the champions have a full midfield complement to choose from, Turnbull doesn't make the cut. He has a big decision to make ahead of his deal expiring in the summer, and his Scotland ambitions may benefit from a move away, with England his most likely destination if so.

Joe Hart

The former England No. 1 has come in for criticism for his displays this season and the thinking is that Celtic are on the lookout for a new first choice keeper with Hart's deal up at the end of the current campaign. Real Madrid's Andriy Lunin has been linked. It may be that Hart isn't offered new terms and at 36 with all he's achieved in the game, the time may be right for him to retire. But Celtic has made a mess of goalkeeper situations before (Craig Gordon, anyone?) so having Hart on the books just in case might be prudent.

Dundee

Joe Shaughnessy

The skipper was a solid addition to the newly promoted Dee squad in the summer. Experience at the top level was always going to be needed and Tony Docherty's men are so far making a fine fist of Premiership life. Holding on to guys who have been over the course will be vital if they stay up, as expected, this season. If Shaughnessy isn't offered new terms, then it's likely next season's relegation rivals/top six will see him as a useful addition.

Hearts

Beni Baningime

The Jambos would have likely made their move to tie down the former Everton man before now had it not been for a horror knee injury. Baningime was out for over a year, only making his comeback at the start of this season, and it's taken until recently for him to get fully back up to speed. A fit and on form Baningime is one of the best in the league outside the big two, but others will have noticed that and after such an injury hit time of it, a fresh start back in England may appeal, although he's been making the right noises as far as Hearts fans are concerned.

Craig Halkett

Another who's had a terrible time of it, and is approaching a year on the sidelines. He's back in training (alongside Craig Gordon, who is also out of contract but unlikely to be going anywhere else) and is expected to be involved in matchday squads again before too long. His presence in defence was missed last season and this. Frankie Kent's arrival has filled that gap to an extent, but Halkett is a leader that Hearts will want to stick around a bit longer.

Hibs

Paul Hanlon

Most out of contract at Easter Road this summer are their older heads - Hanlon, along with fellow stalwart Lewis Stevenson and experienced goalkeeper David Marshall. Hanlon is the youngest of that trio at 33 and Nick Montgomery may be hesitant to let all of the old guard go at once, still being new to the club as he looks to build his own squad after inheriting Lee Johnson's.

Christian Doidge

The big Welshman was seemingly on the way out under Johnson, having been shipped out on loan to Kilmarnock. He;s admitted himself he's had chances to leave before but loves it in Leith. This summer though, he may have to face up to the prospect of moving on. However, strikers are hard to find and with Adam Le Fondre out of contract, leaving just Martin Boyle and Elie Youan as the striking options, having a different type in reserve may be useful.

Kilmarnock

Kyle Vassell

The big Killie skipper has emerged as the main man for Derek McInnes. Not only is he a valuable source of goals, but his influence on the squad persuaded McInnes to hand him the captain's armband and Vassell has thrived on the responsibility. That won't have gone unnoticed, especially in the English lower divisions, which Vassell seems built for. However, feeling the love at Rugby Park could boost the Ayrshire club's chances of keeping him despite being able to explore alternatives in a few weeks.

Livingston

Joel Nouble

The big forward is the Livi player who often catches the eye and has been the most touted for a move over the last year or so. Despite Davie Martindale continutally quoting six figure asking prices, even suggesting a million, it looks like he's set to lose Nouble for nothing. He may not be a guaranteed starter for other Premiership clubs, but plenty would take him as a squad option to provide something different, such is Nouble's unique style and physique combo.

Motherwell

Liam Kelly

Would almost certainly be the biggest miss were he to leave Fir Park in the summer. A Scotland squad regular, the Steelmen's skipper may feel he needs to make a step up to boost his chances of getting the gloves for his country. He or Zander Clark will deputise for the injured Angus Gunn against Georgia and Norway, although the Hearts stopper is thought to have the edge. Interest in Kelly is likely to be high given his experience relative to his age, not to mention impressive displays despite Motherwell's poor form.

Rangers

Ryan Jack

Jack was only handed a one-year extension last season and given Michael Beale's trumpeting of Jose Cifuentes after signing him in the summer, it looked like it could be Jack's Gers swansong. But things have changed since Philippe Clement's arrival, with the Scotland international part of his favoured midfield line up. Jack has made it clear he wants to stay and it's unlikely contract talks would prove difficult if Clement feels the same way. If he doesn't then there would be no shortage of takers.

Borna Barisic

It's seemed inevitable that the Croat would be moving on at the end of his current deal. Numerous links to other clubs have failed to come to anything and Ridvan Yilmaz's big money arrival seemed to signal that a successor had been sourced. But Yilmaz can't seem to keep himself fit enough and Barisic remains first choice. Clement has already experienced difficulty in replacing him when injured so a fresh deal would seem to make sense, although a change of scene from the players' point of view wouldn't come as the biggest shock either.

Kemar Roofe

A proven goalscorer and still arguably the best finisher at the club. As ever though, getting him on the pitch consistently is proving just too difficult. Beale 's splurge on strikers in the summer doesn't appear to have produced a cast iron upgrade on Roofe, although Danilo looks like he could give him a run for his money. A fit Kemar Roofe is undoubtedly a more reliable option than Sam Lammers or Cyriel Dessers, but given both are on big money and new arrivals, Roofe may be a victim of circumstance and another club could land themselves a very useful if injury prone striker for nothing.

Ross County

Jordan White

The Staggies need a new boss and away from the bottom of the table before they can think about keeping their best players. A raft of Ross County's squad are out of contract and regardless of how they're doing, White has been their main goal threat for a while now. More will be needed to beat the drop and if he can provide, then keeping him might prove tricky.

Simon Murray

The well-travelled frontman's switch from ambitious Queen's Park last season raised eyebrows, but it proved a shrewd move as Murray helped keep County up. The same is required this season but even if it doesn't happen, whoever comes up to replace the Highlanders, this season's relegation rivals or next term's Championship hopefuls will all likely at least consider him as an option, especially on a free transfer.

St Johnstone

James Brown

Survival is the priority for Craig Levein's team right now. Ensuring they have Premiership football to offer those out of contract they want to keep will be key. Right back Brown has been a popular member of the McDiarmid Park squad and one of their most consistent performers, and could prove easy pickings should Saints fail to beat the drop.

Daniel Phillips

The athletic midfielder has proved a useful addition and versatile too. Levein has tried him at right wing back after spending most of his time in Perth playing in the middle of the park. If Saints are to build on the encouraging start under the former Scotland boss, then Phillips will be key and impressive displays will have him on other clubs’ radars, particularly in England.

St Mirren

Keanu Baccus

The Buddies have enjoyed an excellent first few months of the season and sit third. However, a heavy defeat to Dundee allowed those behind to make up some ground and Stephen Robinson;s squad could yet be tested. Plenty are out of contract in the summer but of those, Keanu Baccus stands out as the one to keep. A move down south fell through in the summer, but the Aussie international will no doubt be in demand once again. This time though, it may prove too big an ask for him to agree new terms and remain in Paisley for next season. That being the case, Saints may feel they need to cash in in January, although not if Europe remains a possibility.