Get one more player in the door and maybe, just maybe, this could make all the difference…
The Premier League transfer deadline is fast approaching and clubs are flat-out trying to get those final deals over the line.
Forget about the energy crisis and massive inflation (if you can!), this has been a summer of Premier League spending like no other. On August 25, a week before the summer window closed, Premier League clubs had already spent more than £1.5 billion on transfers.
The record transfer window had previously been £1.43bn in the summer of 2017. Indeed, if more big deals get done before the summer’s transfer deadline, the spend for the current window could overtake the highest ever pumped out on players over an ENTIRE SEASON – £1.86bn in 2017/18.
Manchester United have agreed terms with Ajax over a £85.4m deal for their winger, Antony, while they are set to bring in goalkeeper Martin Dubravka on loan, with an option to buy, from Newcastle. Chelsea look to have Wesley Fofana coming in, while they are still pursuing deals for Anthony Gordon and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Transfer Deadline: What your club needs
With that transfer deadline on Thursday night, not long after Manchester United take on Leicester City, at King Power Stadium, we had a look at each Premier League squad and assessed their most pressing needs.
Some players have previously been linked with the club, others will be looking to move on in search of first-team football, others have been recommended by our scouts [co-workers] and there are some Irish names in there that could do a job.
Arsenal
The Gunners have started the season well, but could still do with some fizz up their right flank. Tariq Lamptey (Brighton) would be a great signing.
Aston Villa
Steven Gerrard’s side need some class and craft in the centre of midfield. If they could promise some regular football to Miralem Pjanic (Barcelona), they could be onto a winner.
Bournemouth
Dominic Solanke may have bagged a hatful of Championship goals, but the Cherries are still light of goalscoring options. In truth, they could do with five or six signings but a permanent or loan deal for Armando Broja (Chelsea) could do them wonders.
Brentford
Thomas Frank has assembled a decent squad that are turning over some big sides in the Premier League. Signing striker Martin Terrier (Rennes) would bulk up their attacking options, though.
Brighton & Hove Albion
Ben Brereton of Blackburn Rovers. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)Speaking of improving a side’s attacking options, Brighton can’t rely on Danny Welbeck and their clutch of tidy midfielders to climb the table. Ben Brereton (Blackburn) would be a good capture.
Chelsea
Sticking with the theme of the previous two signings, if Chelsea are serious about challenging the top two, they should forget short-term fixes and go get themselves Dušan Vlahović (Juventus).
Crystal Palace
After a successful loan season at Selhurst Park, Conor Gallagher (Chelsea) returned to his parent club and has been given a chance by Thomas Tuchel. Palace have returned with a £27m offer and would be massively boosted if the deal goes through.
Conor Gallagher of Chelsea. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)Everton
This one may be a stretch but if Tuchel is that keen on Anthony Gordon, the Toffees should ask for Hakim Ziyech (Chelsea) in return. A player of his talent could really get Everton going and spark life into an attack that would also have Neal Maupay and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Fulham
Joel Piroe of Swansea City pictured at Riverside Stadium. (Photo by Athena Pictures/Getty Images)They will be delighted that Aleksandar Mitrović has started the season in top form, but getting him some help, and a guy to ease the scoring burden, in Dutch striker Joel Piroe (Swansea) would be some tidy business.
Leicester City
The departure of Kasper Schmeichel, to Nice, has left the Foxes with Danny Ward in goal for them. One top, young goalkeeper that must be eyeing up a move so he can get regular football is Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool). The current Ireland No.1 would cost north of £25m, but Leicester may be flush for cash, soon enough.
Leeds United
There have been a lot of changes at Leeds in the past year, so they could do no harm in bringing in Jason Knight (Derby County) to add some life to a midfield that has lost Kalvin Phillips. As Derby are in League One, they could get the versatile Knight for a reasonable fee.
Liverpool
Virgil van Dijk said, after the recent win over Bournemouth, that it is a case of the more the merrier when it comes to midfielders. Liverpool always seem to be an injury away from being short in midfield so Youri Tielemanns (Leicester City) would be the perfect player to bring to Anfield.
Manchester City
The champions are not short in many departments, but could do with some competition for Joao Cancelo over on the left flank. To that end, José Gayà (Valencia) would be a tigerish option to use as back-up or to seamlessly drop into the starting XI.
Manchester United
He looks to have avoided their summer-long advances but if United could get Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona), they could have a midfield trio to rival most others in the league, and Europe.
Newcastle United
Eddie Howe’s side have splashed out £60m to bring in Alexander Isak, but it would be well worth going back to La Liga to try tempt Memphis Depay (Barcelona) for a move to St James’ Park. Cover his wages, and he could be bought for relatively little.
Nottingham Forest
For all 19 (yes, NINETEEN) of their summer signings, Forest still look iffy enough at the back. Andrew Omobamidele (Norwich City) would be a fine purchase. the Ireland international can cover centre back, full-back and is very comfortable on the ball.
Southampton
One week ago, he was getting linked with Manchester United and looking ahead to the Champions League. Then his team lost to Rangers and United finally got Antony. If he was still keen on proving himself in the Premier League, Cody Gakpo (PSV Eindhoven) would be a super Saints purchase.
Tottenham Hotspur
We have pushed the boat out and come up with TWO Spurs options. The first is Pau Torres (Villareal), a player that can come in and immediately improve their defence, and play in a back three or four. They lost out on Marc Cucurella, but they could offer first team football to Ben Chilwell (Chelsea) and sort a position that Spurs need strengthening in.
West Ham United
We were shocked to hear that Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea) could be up for grabs in the current window. As he can cover centre defence and play as a defensive midfielder, he makes a lot of sense for the Hammers.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Patrik Schick of Bayer Leverkusen. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)We have got ambitious for Wolves by targeting Czech Republic star and scorer of spectacular goals, Patrik Schick (Bayer Leverkusen). Would add some real dynamism to that Wolverhampton attack, which may be about to lose Pedro Neto.