With the opening of the transfer window fast approaching, clubs will be well underway with their plans to improve their squads before the Premier League season returns.
Telegraph Sport’s experts explain what every club needs to do this summer to improve their chances.
Arsenal are looking to add another striker to their attacking options, with RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko a serious target. A left-sided defender is also on the agenda, with the club having a long-term interest in Ajax teenager Jorrel Hato. Due to the uncertainty over the future of Thomas Partey, a new midfielder could also be needed. Arsenal’s financial firepower will depend to some extent on the amount of money they can generate for the likes of Aaron Ramsdale, Emile Smith Rowe and Eddie Nketiah.
The Champions League awaits Aston Villa, but also a summer of smart trading because the club adheres to strict PSR rules. Unai Emery will focus on a new right back, two midfielders and a forward. Douglas Luiz’s future is uncertain. Ross Barkley will join in July when Villa activates his £5m release clause with Luton Town.
With Lloyd Kelly out of contract and talks of a move to Newcastle, Andoni Iraola will be looking for a left-sided defender. The ex-Bournemouth captain played as a left back and centre-back during his five years at the Vitality Stadium. A back-up goalkeeper is also needed with New Zealander Alex Paulsen joining from Wellington Phoenix. Strikers Enes Unal and Luis Sinisterra have converted their loans into permanent deals. They could use a central striker, as they are completely dependent on Dominic Solanke.
Brentford
Brentford have already committed around £30m to the signing of striker Igor Thiago from Club Brugge. He will join the club in July and is seen as the replacement for Ivan Toney, who is expected to leave this summer. Brentford have been trying to find a high-class winger to add to their frontline for a long time, but without much success. Could this be the window where they finally land a top target at that position?
Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton completed their first major deal in February when they completed a £16 million transfer for Nordsjalland winger Ibrahim Osman. He will join the club this summer. Central midfield is an area where they have few options and they have previously shown an interest in Leicester City’s Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. A more pressing priority is finding a new manager following the departure of Roberto de Zerbi.
The amount of incoming business Chelsea do probably depends on how successful they are at selling players. Defender Tosin Adarabioyo has already arrived on a free transfer from Fulham and Chelsea are keen to add at least one more attacker. Chelsea are among the teams pursuing RB Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko and retain an interest in Michael Olise.
Crystal Palace
Much will depend on the future of Marc Guehi, Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze. How many of those three will leave and how much will the club collect in transfer fees? Guehi is certainly expected to leave and Palace are close to signing Real Betis defender Chadi Riad for £14m. They have been heavily linked with a free transfer for Japanese midfielder Daichi Kamada.
The smart money is that Sean Dyche would be happy for young Belgian midfielder Amadou Onana to star at Euro 2024, allowing Everton to pretend he’s not for sale while secretly encouraging significant bids. Dyche would then need a replacement central midfielder, although the departure of Andre Gomes means he will need one anyway. Everton will be truly desperate to resist attempts to sign Jarrad Branthwaite from Goodison. If he leaves, a replacement centre-back will be top of the agenda. Dyche has also had to rely too much on Dominic Calvert-Lewin. He caught fire at the end of the season, but more attackers are needed as Arnault Danjuma left at the end of his loan spell. Above all, Everton needs stable and wealthy new owners.
Fulham
Marco Silva is keen to boost his attacking options this summer and Fulham are interested in signing Emile Smith Rowe from Arsenal amid uncertainty over Willian’s future. Fulham may be looking to strengthen at centre-back following the departure of Tosin Adarabioyo on a free contract (he is set to join Chelsea). Can Fulham keep hold of Joao Palhinha? He is interesting for other Premier League clubs.
Ipswich
Ipswich have secured their most important signing with Kieran McKenna’s new contract. The first port of call will be to see if the loans from their Championship promotion campaign can return to Portman Road. Chelsea midfielder Omari Hutchinson is ready for the Premier League, Bournemouth’s Kieffer Moore suits McKenna’s style of play and Brighton’s Jeremy Sarmiento is an exciting prospect. They want a goalkeeper to support Vaclav Hladky and are looking for smart Premier League loans or permanent deals for those who want regular football, such as Eddie Nketiah.
Leicester city
Leicester are entering the unknown after returning to the Premier League, with a potentially significant points deduction likely. The number of contracts will be limited and Leicester will try to raise money by selling players before June 30 to avoid future financial breaches. Jamie Vardy will sign a new contract in a major boost for the new head coach.
Liverpool
If Saudi Arabia’s fixation on competing with Liverpool legends continues, Arne Slot’s needs could look radically different from mid-June to late July/early August. For the time being, the balance of the selection only needs a few additions. Although Wataru Endo has performed admirably at times during the season, Liverpool do not have a defensive midfielder of the class of Rodri and Declan Rice. An upgraded backup left-back would also be useful, and the departure of Joel Matip in the summer will certainly see the centre-backs being heavily scouted – if not before the summer of 2024, then certainly before 2025. Virgil from Dijk cannot continue to carry the back four forever. .
The Premier League champions hardly need a makeover after another title in the Pep Guardiola era. Their arrival will be determined by which players leave City this summer. There was interest in Lucas Paqueta, but that is over following his FA charge for gambling offences. Pedro Neto is another player they have been looking at, but these are replacements if Bernardo Silva leaves. Likewise, Bruno Guimaraes is on their radar if Kevin de Bruyne is tempted by the Saudi Pro League. Ederson is also wanted in the Middle East and should be replaced by a strong number 1.
Raphael Varane’s departure from Manchester United means they are in the market for a centre-back. They want a Premier League-experienced striker to provide competition and support for Rasmus Hojlund up front, and should Casemiro leave, they will look at a central midfielder. Left back cover is needed for Luke Shaw, probably a young one. Diogo Dalot’s good season has eased the pressure on finding a right-back. They will be limited by profit and sustainability rules.
Newcastle are prioritizing the signings of a right winger and a goalkeeper, but manager Eddie Howe also wants a right-sided centre-back and a new striker if Callum Wilson leaves. A midfielder is also an option if Sean Longstaff is sold.
Forest are keen to continue to lower the average age of the squad and will look to repeat the likes of Murillo, Danilo and Callum Hudson-Odoi. Murillo is a target for a number of clubs in England and Europe, but Forest will demand at least £60 million. Forest will look to sign a new goalkeeper, creative midfielder, right-back and striker.
Southampton
A lack of goals was Southampton’s big problem when they were relegated in 2023 and the jury is still out on whether Adam Armstrong, their hero in the play-off final, can carry his prolific Championship record to the top. He deserves his chance, but extra quality will be needed in attack. Adam Lallana is also in talks about a return to the club where he started his career and helped win two promotions.
Ange Postecoglou has made it clear he wants to make big changes to his Spurs squad, but that may take more than just the summer transfer window. An attacker, a midfielder and a defender are the priorities for this summer. Conor Gallagher remains a target but he is being tracked by a number of clubs, while Eberechi Eze is also being eyed.
Julen Lopetegui is keen to recruit the entire squad as West Ham expect a busy summer. The plan is to move to a more progressive style of play and they will need players who are capable of doing so. Palmeiras winger Luis Guilherme is on their radar, while they also want a new striker, midfielder, centre-back and right-back. Lucas Paqueta’s future remains uncertain after he was accused of spot fixing by the FA. West Ham had expected to receive £85 million for him this summer. There could be interest from elsewhere in Mohammed Kudus.
Gary O’Neil will prioritize a new No. 9 this summer after missing out in previous windows. Finances will be tight and while there is no pressure to raise money, Wolves could make a big sale to secure funding. Pedro Neto is admired by Manchester City and Newcastle, and Wolves will demand £60m despite his injury problems last season.
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