With Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi heading for the exit, Arsenal’s top transfer target is hardly a secret. Along with offloading the midfield duo, Mikel Arteta is keen to cash in on other squad members to free up funds to meet Thomas Partey’s release clause of €45m. Signing the Atlético Madrid midfielder would be some statement. The Ghana international is not just an exceptional ball winner, but he is also an impressive passer and good at dribbling the ball out from a deep position.
Aston Villa are in desperate need of both a striker and a right winger, so their long-standing interest in Ollie Watkins, who can play in both positions, is understandable. Throw in the fact that he signed for Brentford when Dean Smith was in charge and it’s a transfer that looks like a no-brainer. The Bees have seemingly signed a replacement in Ivan Toney but Watkins scored 26 goals last season – without a single penalty – and they will drive a hard bargain.
Dan Burn did a decent job last season but signing a left-back is a priority for Brighton. The giant defender lacks mobility or attacking threat, which is certainly not true of Pervis Estupinan, who is now back at Watford following an impressive loan spell at Osasuna last season. The Ecuadorian set up five goals in La Liga last season and Watford fans would love to see him in action but the club will be aware that they could make a very decent profit on a full-back who has never played for the club.
Burnley rarely make a splash in the transfer window, but a right winger must surely be on the club’s wish list. Robert Snodgrass has top-flight experience in abundance, is slipping down the pecking order at West Ham and is now entering the final year of his contract. He works hard and offers excellent delivery from wide areas, which Sean Dyche would value highly. If he wants more first-team football, the move would suit him well.
Having splashed the clash on outfield players, Chelsea’s need for a goalkeeper – to compete with Kepa Arrizabalaga or replace him – is abundantly clear. The club seem increasingly unlikely to spend big on a keeper, so Alessio Cragno could be a great option. Cragno has been outstanding at Cagliari for the last two seasons, making 4.3 saves per 90 minutes and saving 77.5% of the shots on target he has faced. Kepa’s figures are woeful by comparison, at 1.67 saves per 90 minutes and a save success rate of just 53.9%.
Much of Palace’s transfer strategy over the coming weeks will depend on whether or not they can convince Wilfried Zaha to stay at Selhurst Park. The club have already signed a capable replacement on the left flank in Eberechi Eze, though he can also play in a more central position. They lack depth the on opposite wing and could look to the Championship once more for reinforcements. Jed Wallace had a superb season with Millwall, ending the campaign as the only player in the division to reach double figures for both goals (10) and assists (13). His delivery from the wing could really benefit Christian Benteke.
With a new-look midfield likely to be in place come the start of the season, Carlo Ancelotti will hope Allan, Abdoulaye Doucoure and James Rodríguez are not the last players through the door at Goodison. Djibril Sidibe has returned to Monaco after his loan spell, leaving Everton short of cover at right-back. Santiago Arias, who is currently playing second fiddle to Kieran Trippier at Atlético Madrid, could offer some competition to captain Seamus Coleman. The Colombian is solid, which would allow Lucas Digne to do what he does best on the left.
It may seem an odd suggestion given how important Aleksandar Mitrovic is to Fulham, but the team really needs some competition up front. The Serbian has been hot and cold in the Premier League in the past, so the club cannot expect him to match last season’s 26-goal haul in the Championship. Carlos Fernandez, who is coming off an impressive season on loan at Granada, could be an ambitious option. The 24-year-old offers a real physical threat whether leading the line or off the main striker. He scored 10 goals from a modest 47 shots last season, so it may be a good time for Sevilla to cash in.
Rodrigo De Paul is a classy playmaker who is capable of playing anywhere across the midfield and could be a long-term replacement for fan favourite Pablo Hernández. The 26-year-old had a direct hand in 13 league goals for a struggling Udinese side last season, scoring seven and setting up six. His quality in the final third would be a real asset for Leeds. Only Luis Alberto, once of Liverpool but now at Lazio, created more big chances in Serie A last season.
Having now replaced Ben Chilwell with the versatile Timothy Castagne, Brendan Rodgers may look to strengthen his wide options further up the pitch. Ayoze Pérez operated from the right last season but never looked entirely comfortable. Emi Buendía put in some impressive displays for Norwich last season, even though they finished bottom of the league. The Foxes have gobbled up a Canary in the past – James Maddison made the same move in 2018 – and Buendía is another young creative player who is available. While the 23-year-old scored just once last season, he registered seven assists and ranked fourth in the entire league for both key passes (83) and dribbles (102).
It seems as if Liverpool want to sign Thiago and Thiago wants to sign for Liverpool, so why has it not happened yet? Liverpool seem reluctant to stump up what seems a very modest fee, even if the player is entering the final year of his contract at Bayern. A deal is still likely to happen, which could pave the way for Gini Wijnaldum to join Ronald Koeman at Barcelona. The two midfielders are very different. Thiago is an elegant player in possession who will be at the heart of any attacking move. There are not many players who could improve Jürgen Klopp’s starting line-up, but the 29-year-old is one of them.
So they have missed out on Lionel Messi, but in truth that wasn’t really a problem position in City’s stellar squad. There are not many areas in need of drastic improvements, but given that Pep Guadiola is clearly still unconvinced of Benjamin Mendy’s merits, a new left-back may be on the agenda. While Raphaël Guerreiro was most commonly used at wing-back last season, City’s full-backs play so high there would not be much need to adapt, and the Portugal international can play in a back four, or even in midfield. That level of versatility would certainly appeal to Guardiola, and following arguably his best season at Dortmund – scoring eight league goals – the 26-year-old should be approaching his prime.
Zero points for creativity, but there is a good reason why Jadon Sancho remains Manchester United’s top target. Mason Greenwood was brilliant last season but he will be a No 9 in the long term and United still need a natural right winger. Sancho’s price tag rules out most of the market but United are capable of making a deal happen and Dortmund would sell for an astronomical fee. Sancho is an astronomical talent after all, having had a direct hand in 33 goals in the Bundesliga last season despite starting just 25 matches. His productivity in the final third is remarkable for a 20-year-old.
Kevin Mbabu has made real strides since leaving Newcastle four years ago. The right-back went back to his native Switzerland and impressed at Young Boys, earning recognition at international level and a subsequent move to Wolfsburg last year. He took time to cement his place in the team, but was in fine form in the second half of last season, particularly post-lockdown, averaging a whopping 3.7 tackles and 2.6 dribbles per 90 minutes. He has spoken fondly of his time at Newcastle and a return for the 25-year-old would be a boost for many of the club’s fans.
George Baldock played every minute for Sheffield United in the league last season, which was fortunate given how little cover they have at right-back. The versatile Ben Osborn can play in that role but Chris Wilder’s interest in his former Forest teammate Matty Cash – who has since joined Villa – is evidence that a right wing-back is still on the manager’s wish list. Bogle could fit the bill despite perhaps not building on the reputation he had earned under Frank Lampard at Derby. Still just 20 years of age, he registered five assists last season, averaging two tackles and two dribbles per 90 minutes.
Following the departure of captain Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl will be hoping to bolster his midfield. He will also be keen to add competition for Ryan Bertrand at left-back. If he signs Jonas Hector, he could kill two birds with one stone. The 30-year-old is a leader and full Germany international with vast experience.
It’s a familiar predicament for Tottenham. They desperately need another striker but not many players want a bit-part role as a back-up to Harry Kane. Finding a proven goalscorer who is willing to play second fiddle is not easy but there are few better impact subs than Luis Muriel. The Colombian scored 18 goals in Serie A last season, despite starting just 10 of his 34 appearances for Atalanta. With 11 of those goals coming from the bench, the striker is accustomed to such a role and offers a threat in behind with his pace, which Kane does not.
While the Baggies are believed to be in talks with Troy Deeney as they look to bolster their modest attack, could a more ambitious move for Mandzukic come to fruition? The 34-year-old made the move to Qatar in January but has cancelled his contract and is now a free agent. He will have a huge number of options given his pedigree but West Brom could hold a trump card in Slaven Bilic, who managed the striker with Croatia. The chance to be first choice at a Premier League club could appeal to a striker who has already been a success at the very top level in Germany, Spain and Italy.
Full-backs will be on the West Ham transfer agenda, with the left side perhaps a slightly higher priority. Owen Wijndal would be an exciting addition following an impressive breakthrough season at AZ Alkmaar, where he set up six goals in his 24 appearances in the Eredivisie. Exceptional on the ball, averaging 58 passes per game at an 88.1% pass accuracy, the 20-year-old has just earned his first call-up to the Netherlands squad.
The top priority following the departure of Matt Doherty to Tottenham for Wolves will be to find a replacement, with attempts to sign Ainsley Maitland-Niles seemingly dead in the water. Given the important attacking role their former right wing-back played, often popping up in the opposition box, the need for an attack-minded player could see Max Aarons come under consideration. The youngster had a difficult debut season in the top flight with Norwich, but he has shown in the past how effective he can be in a strong team. He was even linked to Bayern Munich earlier in the summer, but interest appears to have cooled and Norwich will likely be open to offers.
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