The Premier League kicks off in just over a fortnight and the summer transfer window closes one month from now meaning a hectic race to land signings for every club
A fortnight out from the Premier League season getting underway and the mood among fanbases can already be divided in two because of the transfer window.
While last season’s top four have been spending heavily, below them there is no shortage of angst building among supporters as they await new arrivals and fear regression.
Chief among them Newcastle, who return to the Champions League thanks to finishing fifth but have a star player looking to leave. Alexander Isak is set to be the defining story of the window’s final five weeks, while Manchester United wait patiently for more arrivals capable of thriving in Ruben Amorim’s system.
Bournemouth have lost key figures who must be replaced and Brentford’s start to life post-Thomas Frank could be helped by more firepower after Bryan Mbeumo’s departure to Old Trafford.
Here is one position all 20 top flight clubs will be looking to strengthen between now and the September 1 deadline.
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Arsenal – Eberechi Eze
The top priorities, not least bringing in a proven goalscorer, have been ticked off already in a hectic window but bringing Crystal Palace ’s star man back to the club he played for as a boy would be another huge statement of intent.
Eze would be keen to cross the Thames again but the reported release clause of £68m is proving too spicy and the Eagles are under no financial pressure to sell as they embark on a first European campaign.
Aston Villa – Alejandro Garnacho
Argentina star has no future under Ruben Amorim at Manchester United and has been allowed to search for a new club.
He would be embraced overnight by the Holte End with a couple of high impact performances and Unai Emery ’s track record suggests Garnacho could also find the consistency he has lacked at United.
Bournemouth – Defenders
Departures of Milos Kerkez and Dean Huijsen have given the Cherries £90m to spend but Andoni Iraola still looks light on options at the back.
Adrien Truffert is the only outfield player in through the door, signed as Kerkez’s replacement for £12.5m, though two keepers have been brought in.
The Cherries are smart operators and will not spend for spending’s sake but they could regress without welcoming in some new faces.
Brentford – Mbeumo replacement
Keith Andrews faces a tall order after replacing Frank and losing Mbeumo is a massive blow. To see Yoane Wissa depart would be a nightmare – though that will not happen until at least one new forward arrives in West London.
Igor Thiago arrived last summer as Ivan Toney’s replacement but suffered a long-term injury so will no doubt feel like a new signing but depth is a must.
Brighton – Forward
Joao Pedro’s departure to Chelsea and the loan of Evan Ferguson to Roma has left Fabian Hurzeler with fewer options up top, meaning a new striker is a top priority. The problem for Albion is that that desire can also be applied to more than half the division.
Burnley – Goalkeeper
James Trafford was the biggest reason Scott Parker’s team won promotion back to the top flight. And despite bringing in German youngster Max Weiss, the return of Trafford to Manchester City after two years at Turf Moor is a big blow. Filling his shoes will not be easy but could determine whether the Clarets stay up.
Chelsea – Jorrel Hato
Free spending at Stamford Bridge shows no sign of slowing down thanks to the coffers being boosted to not far off £100m at the Club World Cup and a deal for young Ajax defender seems likely to happen.
Crystal Palace – Centre back
While Eze could depart, there appears to be a more pressing need at centre back – especially if Marc Guehi is sold before the window closes so Palace do not lose their captain for free next summer.
All indications for months are that the England international has little interest in penning a new deal meaning it is down to Palace to decide whether they would like to recoup some sort of fee.
Everton – Jack Grealish
Maverick winger is looking for a way out of Manchester City, albeit initially on loan, and David Moyes could bring him back to his best. He would improve the Toffees and become a fan favourite if he can hit the heights he is capable of.
Fulham – Striker
The Cottagers have had a very quiet window so far but with Carlos Vinicius heading back to Brazil and Rodrigo Muniz being linked with a move to a number of sides including Newcastle a back up forward must be near the top of Marco SIlva’s wishlist.
Leeds – Forwards
Seven new faces have already arrived through the door at Elland Road after a £65m spend but Daniel Farke remains eager to add to his options up front.
Two bids for Feyenoord winger Igor Paixao have failed but talk of an interest in Roma’s Artem Dovbyk, who scored a dozen times last season, continues to gain volume.
Liverpool – Alexander Isak
The champions’ squad has already been boosted by an influx of talent but a sensational £120m deal for Newcastle’s top scorer could still be in the offing.
Liverpool can afford it without immediate sales but departures are expected at Anfield should the Sweden star arrive. Their hand is strong because few other clubs could afford him right now and it is unclear whether Newcastle can convince a player who does not want to be at the club to give his all.
Beyond that a deal for Guehi has been mooted for some time, a smart bit of business if Ibrahima Konate’s future is not resolved soon.
Manchester City – Right back
Pep Guardiola has welcomed back goalkeeper Trafford and revamped his midfield with 12 new signings since the start of the calendar year.
But with Kyle Walker moved on permanently, the right side of defence is one clear area that could do with an additional option before the deadline arrives.
Manchester United – Benjamin Sesko
Ollie Watkins has been talked up as a target but it is now clear that the club would rather RB Leipzig’s star man, who had also been on Arsenal ’s shortlist before they plumped for Amorim’s former goalscorer Viktor Gyokeres.
Sesko will not come cheap but he is the preferred option and at 22 is seven years younger than Aston Villa star Watkins.
Newcastle – Benjamin Sesko
This might only happen if Isak, who wants to leave, is sold for a huge sum and Manchester United decide against pursuing him.
It has been a difficult pre-season for Eddie Howe, despite signing Anthony Elanga, with Liverpool already usurping them to sign Hugo Ekitike.
The attraction of Champions League football is not yet translating into huge signings.
Nottingham Forest – Elanga’s replacement
Tying down Morgan Gibbs White to a new contract after a messy situation with Tottenham is a good move but Elanga’s sale to Newcastle means Nuno Espirito Santo could do with another option out wide.
Igor Jesus and Jair Cunha have come in from Botafogo but more arrivals are expected in the coming weeks.
Sunderland – A striker
It has been a busy window for the play-off winners with former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka the latest arrival, joining from Bayer Leverkusen.
Yet the Black Cats are favourites to go back down for a reason and head coach Regis Le Bris has made it clear that his dressing room needs adding to despite seven faces already in through the door.
Now their attention turns to adding a striker though talk of a move for Real Madrid youngster Gonzalo Garcia has proven fanciful. He is close to signing a new deal for the La Liga giants having put in a fine showing at the Club World Cup.
Tottenham – A creative midfielder
Their failed attempt to bring in Gibbs White points to Spurs wanting a creative midfielder to boost Frank’s squad ahead of a return to the Champions League.
They have made several signings, including turning two loan moves into permanent agreements, with Mohamed Kudus’ arrival from neighbours West Ham the stand out.
But it is a group that, despite ending the wait for silverware, has a lot of young talents who could do with senior heads able to provide guidance.
West Ham – A goalkeeper
Graham Potter’s squad could do with filling up in almost every department but after Alphonse Areola failed to entirely convince last season and Lukasz Fabianski left at the end of his contract, a new goalkeeper should be among the priorities.
And Leicester ’s Mads Hermansen could fit the bill. He was one of few bright notes in last season’s miserable relegation and the Foxes do need to sell to satisfy financial regulations.
Beyond that the Hammers need more pace in midfield – a major issue during last season’s struggle.
Wolves – Full backs
Captain Nelson Semedo walked away when his contract expired at the end of the season despite a supposed four-year offer being on the table at Molineux. His departure, like that of Rayan Ait-Nouri on the opposite side, has left the club with big holes to fill on either flank.
Hugo Bueno is back to challenge for a place on the left after a loan at Feyenoord and Ki-Jana Hoever has returned and been looked at in pre-season down the right.
However, there are huge question marks over both and Wolves are working both the European and South American markets in a bid to find new first-choice options, but missed out on Almeria’s Marc Pubill who joined Atletico Madrid instead.
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