We are just over one week out from the close of the summer transfer window which normally means an uptick in terms of how urgent clubs become with any late business that they have planned. The opening games of the season often inject fresh impetus into that feeling of urgency and this campaign looks to be no different despite fairly positive results for the Premier League’s top six aside from Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur who both failed to register wins. Competition looks likely to be strong in the upper reaches of the EPL this term and we look at what the big six could need between now and next week’s deadline.
Honorable mentions
Although not yet part of the widely recognized big six, Aston Villa and Newcastle United have arguably deserved that status ahead of the likes of Chelsea and possibly Tottenham in recent years given their improved standing under Unai Emery and Eddie Howe respectively. For the Villans, the situation remains simple — they still need a reliable backup goalkeeper for Emiliano Martinez and an attacking reinforcement to play alongside or to alternate with Ollie Watkins. Joao Felix is now out of the picture for the Birmingham giants in attack but Wojciech Szczesny could be an option between the sticks but Villarreal CF seem keen as well. As for the Magpies, Marc Guehi has been their priority target for this window to reinforce the defense and those talks remain ongoing with Joe Gomez a possible alternative to Crystal Palace’s England international.
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola’s men currently look quite balanced despite the speculation linking them with a move to bring Ilkay Gundogan back to the club from Barcelona. Instead, the main area of interest for the defending champions should be a backup striker after Julian Alvarez left with Erling Haaland’s fitness now potentially decisive in whether City succeed or fail this season. Another position to watch is goalkeeper in the event that Ederson makes a late move as looked possible earlier this summer. Liverpool have also been linked with Valencia CF’s Giorgi Mamardashvili as Alisson’s long-term replacement but it is hard to see the Georgia international playing second fiddle to anyone which would necessitate either an automatic starting role or a loan to a club in need of a new No. 1 albeit only for a season.
Arsenal
Goalkeeper options seem to be a common issue for Premier League clubs with Mikel Arteta’s Gunners also facing this issue if Aaron Ramsdale is allowed to leave with Wolverhampton Wanderers now interested. A backup to David Raya means that Arsenal could be in a similar situation to Villa where they are looking for a backup option instead of a starter and those sorts of options are limited — especially at this late stage. The Londoners could also be in a similar situation in attack if Eddie Nketiah is allowed to leave having been linked with moves away all window. Arteta does not make signings for the sake of it and will not be rushed into doing business but might feel that the squad is short of cover in one or two areas if both Ramsdale and Nketiah leave the Emirates Stadium within the next week. There is also the topic of the Spanish tactician’s interest in Real Sociedad’s Mikel Merino at the same time that Liverpool are chasing another Txuri-Urdin star in Martin Zubimendi.
Liverpool
The Reds have shown their hand a little in seeing Martin Zubimendi opt to stay with Real Sociedad now rather than join Arne Slot’s new project. The Spain international caught the eye at this summer’s UEFA Euro 2024 but the new Dutch tactician is still getting to know his squad and midfield is clearly the area that he feels could do with a bit of a boost. Whether or not Liverpool go back to try to convince the Basque star once more or possibly pivot to Mikel Merino who Arsenal have been linked with very recently, Slot does not seem likely to be rushed into making signings for the sake of it. The Reds have also been credited with interest in Valencia CF’s Mamardashvili as Alisson’s long-term replacement which could involve a loan spell with Bournemouth but no move has been made on that front so far.
Manchester United
The Red Devils have been after a new defensive midfielder all summer and Paris Saint-Germain’s Manuel Ugarte remains of interest. The Uruguay international ticks many of the boxes that Erik ten Hag requires in this United side while Jadon Sancho clearly remains on the periphery and is of interest to the French giants. There is clearly a potential deal to be done there and it is just a question of whether or not the two clubs can reach a deal which both parties feel to be fair which sees Ugarte and Sancho swap places. It certainly seems as if it will require one in and one out to get this over the line after a protracted period of talks between United and PSG.
Tottenham Hotspur
Ange Postecoglou has clearly identified his central midfield as an area of concern having seen Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg leave for Olympique de Marseille and then Rodrigo Bentancur get hurt against Leicester City. Although Hojbjerg is arguably not the biggest loss, Bentancur getting injured could have disastrous consequences for Spurs given Yves Bissouma’s disciplinary issue which have seen him marginalized by Postecoglou recently due to his off-field behavior. At least one new option could be required in this next week if Tottenham are to avoid another busy January transfer window.
Chelsea
Now that Joao Felix is coming in, somebody really needs to show a firm hand with the Blues’ bloated squad. With Raheem Sterling coming out and speaking publicly before a ball was even kicked this season and Enzo Maresca hinting that a number of players are not going to get the minutes that they require, the only possible need for Chelsea between now and next week is a cull which sees a number of senior options leave so that the squad makeup starts to make some sort of sense. Right now, the London outfit are a mess on and off the field yet they keep spending money and players keep joining them.
KVSP