Every Premier League club's priority in the final month of the transfer window
Welcome to August and the final month of the summer transfer window.
In 31 days' time, the new Premier League season will be in full swing and deadline day will once again be upon us. There's already been more than £1billion spent around the top flight, with the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United all splashing the cash in pursuit of players such as Declan Rice, Alexis Mac Allister and Mason Mount.
But the huge spending won't stop despite the return of competitive football, as managers, sporting directors and supporters plead with their club's bigwigs to back the team with more signings. Could it be a star striker who'll bag 20 goals? Or how about a rock-solid centre-back to keep them out? Maybe even a wildcard winger who can change a game from the bench...
With that in mind, let's take a look at all 20 Premier League teams and their biggest priorities one month out from deadline day.
Arsenal - ship out the deadwood
For Arsenal fans, this summer has largely been what they wanted after making great strides last season. With the momentum-seizing additions of Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber, the Gunners have added much-needed squad depth and future-proofed key areas.
Marcel Sabitzer completes Man Utd transfer after last-minute deadline day dash
Now the task for Arsenal's hierarchy is to sanction the right amount of outgoings which could either fund a late move for a fourth major signing or simply balance the books. Nuno Tavares, Cedric Soares and Nicolas Pepe are just some of the players who Mikel Arteta could wave goodbye to, with the Gunners boss already making it clear that he wants to avoid having a bloated squad next season.
Aston Villa - add a forward
Tipped for a strong first full campaign under Unai Emery, Villa have already made significant signings in Youri Tielemans, Moussa Diaby and Pau Torres. None of those are strikers, however, and after finishing seventh last term by scoring the fewest amount of goals in the top half, Emery could do with some goalscoring support for Ollie Watkins.
Cameron Archer and Jhon Duran are prospects who could blossom by 2024, but a more tried and tested forward would be a welcome addition. A big-money move for Juventus winger Federico Chiesa has been mooted in the Italian press, while Atletico Madrid's Joao Felix is another surprise candidate to rock up and enjoy some European football at Villa Park.
Have your say! Which club has done the best business this summer? Let us know in the comments section.
Unai Emery has already signed Moussa Diaby but could do with another forward who can provide goals (Aston Villa FC)Bournemouth - bolster the midfield
After losing Jefferson Lerma to Crystal Palace earlier in the window, new Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has made it clear exactly where he wants to strengthen before September 1. Although Ryan Christie is seen as a creative midfielder, an injury to Philip Billing forced the Scot to operate in a deeper role during Saturday's pre-season loss to Atalanta, summing up the Cherries' lack of options.
Speaking to BBC Radio Solent, Iraola declared: "We need different styles, different types of players who can help us in the three positions we use in the midfield. The club is trying to sign the players, but we have to wait for the right situation. We all think it's better to wait a little bit more for the correct player - the player who suits your style and is better for the club."
Brentford - make up for Toney's absence
Ever since it was confirmed in May that Ivan Toney would be serving an eight-month ban for breaching the FA's gambling restrictions, Brentford supporters' focus turned to the question of who would be stepping up to fill the gaping hole. While young German starlet Kevin Schade's deal has been made permanent, the Bees haven't signed a brand new forward.
It's not like Brentford haven't been looking, though. Two club-record bids for Nottingham Forest ace Brennan Johnson have been rejected, signalling that Thomas Frank may prefer to work out a new system until Toney returns to action after January 17. After all, Frank admits it's 'impossible' to fully replace his talisman.
Thomas Frank knows how difficult it'll be to replace Ivan Toney (AP)Brighton - bring in a left-back
Now to a club that's so good at recruiting talent we should barely be giving them any hints. However, it's evident where Roberto de Zerbi and co could do with some extra cover and preferably European experience ahead of their first ever campaign as a Europa League side: left-back.
With Polish youngster Michal Karbownik transitioning into a central midfielder while out on loan at Fortuna Dusseldorf, it leaves fan favourite Pervis Estupinan as the only recognised left-back in De Zerbi's squad. 18-year-old Jacob Slater could take some time to break into the senior squad, but it won't be easy convincing someone in their prime years to come in as a backup to Estupinan.
Man Utd deadline day live updates as Sabitzer completes loan move
Burnley - find a goalscorer
Alright, everyone wants one of these, but Burnley fans know that their Championship-winning campaign was one done without a 20-goal player. Instead, it was very much a team effort with a great deal of cohesion allowing the goals to be shared around.
Repeating that, especially while trying to retain possession in Vincent Kompany's preferred style, will be a seriously tough ask - not to mention how top scorer Nathan Tella is back at Southampton after his stunning loan stint. Wout Weghorst may have returned to Turf Moor but his spell at Manchester United demonstrated his lack of cutting edge in front of goal, and there are lingering doubts that £8million January addition Lyle Foster can step up. Kompany will have great contacts to lean on but time is running out.
Wout Weghorst will be looking to banish memories of his poor spell at Manchester United (Fran Santiago/Getty Images)Chelsea - add experience
After spending the first few weeks of his Chelsea tenure watching the Blues ship out a host of unwanted players, Mauricio Pochettino is now pleading for new signings. With the losses of Cesar Azpilicueta and Mateo Kovacic, the age profile of Chelsea's squad and amount of experience in the dressing room has dropped, yet Todd Boehly is still focussed on recruiting stars of the future.
Appearing to hint at the club's transfer strategy, Pochettino recently declared: "It is obvious that we may need to strengthen in defence. We need experience in midfield." The new Blues manager added: "I don't know (how many new signings are needed), because if I say some numbers I might create a problem. For me it is important, the club works really hard to try to improve all areas."
Crystal Palace - keep hold of their stars
With only one player signed so far - the aforementioned Lerma from Bournemouth - and still reeling from the loss of Wilfried Zaha to Galatasaray, Crystal Palace are staring down the barrel of yet another dreary season. Yes, Roy Hodgson might work his magic and keep them up, but any further sales could seriously damage their chances.
Michael Olise has recently been tipped for a move to Chelsea, while Eberechi Eze will've no-doubt caught the eye of bigger fish in the Premier League pond. The pair will be integral to Palace's survival hopes next term and potentially worth a heck of a lot more next summer.
Eberechi Eze is among Crystal Palace's most prised assets (Steve Bardens/Getty Images)Everton - sign a centre-back
As another side who've had a quiet summer and are being tipped to scrap towards the bottle of the table in the new season, Everton have a manager who's more than used to working on a budget in Sean Dyche. But at the core of his best Burnley teams was a strong centre-back pairing, and right now Toffees fans can't rave about that aspect of their squad.
The departures of Conor Coady and Yerry Mina have left James Tarkowski and Michael Keane - both 30 - as the default first-choice duo, while Jarrad Branthwaite has come back from a successful loan spell with PSV Eindhoven. Although Branthwaite deserves a chance, Red Bull Salzburg's Oumar Solet - who boasts Champions League experience and at just 23 has won two Austrian titles - continues to be linked and would represent a savvy addition who Dyche can mould into a reliable part of Everton's rearguard.
Fulham - end the Mitrovic saga
After a surprisingly impressive campaign last time out, Fulham began to falter in the spring when Aleksandar Mitrovic served an eight-game ban for his antics towards referee Chris Kavanagh in the Cottagers' FA Cup quarter-final loss to Manchester United. Now the Serbian striker, so long their talisman and most reliable goalscorer, wants out.
It's been reported that even if his move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal falls through, Mitrovic will demand to leave West London. Manager Marco Silva can't risk an unhappy star from eroding the positivity built up during his reign and if Fulham can offload him to the Middle East for a sizeable fee, the funds will help not only sign a replacement but bolster their squad depth to avoid a case of second season syndrome.
Aleksandar Mitrovic wants to leave Fulham (PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)Liverpool - snap up Lavia
With Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain gone, there's a hole at the centre of Jurgen Klopp's side. Mac Allister and fellow new signing Dominik Szoboszlai should work a treat in possession going forward, but it's the screen in front of the back four which Klopp needs to address.
Romeo Lavia may only be 19 and suffered relegation with Southampton last season, but the Belgian's brilliance is clear to see. Liverpool are keen, making multiple offers which are yet to meet the Saints' asking price, and the sooner Klopp can embed him into the base of his midfield, the better. His arrival would complete the midfield rebuild which has arguably become bigger than anticipated at the end of last term, adding excitement and jeopardy in equal measure.
Luton - find a goalkeeper
After rejecting their option to sign American goalkeeper Ethan Horvath on a permanent basis following their promotion via a dramatic play-off final, Luton are still looking for a new No.1 goalkeeper to start between the posts at Kenilworth Road next term. Manchester United veteran Tom Heaton had been a target but the Red Devils blocked his department, according to multiple reports.
Blackburn Rovers' Belgian shot-stopper, Thomas Kaminski is another name linked, just like West Brom's Alex Palmer. One thing's for sure, boss Rob Edwards will want the vacancy filled as soon as possible.
Luton want Tom Heaton but Manchester United recently blocked the move (Mike Lawrence/ISI Photos/Getty Images)Man City - avoid overselling
For the last decade, it's been widely accepted that Manchester City have the strongest overall squad in the Premier League and now the world. Yet Pep Guardiola kept his selection pool relatively small last season, opting for a tight-knit group who eventually romped to the treble.
Ilkay Gundogan has been replaced by Kovacic, City's only signing so far, and while their pursuit of left-sided defender Josko Gvardiol rumbles on, the biggest concern for fans seems to be losing more experienced players and cutting things too fine. Riyad Mahrez has made the move to Saudi, while Kyle Walker, Aymeric Laporte and Bernardo Silva have all been tipped for exits.
It's obvious that the champions of Europe would be able to reinvest following their departures, but you can't pay for their importance in the dressing room. Guardiola knows that and judging by his comments during their pre-season tour of Asia, he's desperately not to lose his trusted stars.
Man Utd - ease their FFP woes
A few days ago we'd have simple wrote the words 'sign a striker' and that'd be that. Now, though, Rasmus Hojlund is flying in for his medical and Erik ten Hag is finally about to be given a new No.9.
That leaves the Red Devils priority being to recoup as much money as they can before the window slams shut, easing worries regarding Financial Fair Play and potentially aiding the club's ongoing takeover process. Harry Maguire, Fred and Scott McTominay to name but a few are all available for the right price, and Ten Hag could certainly do with a few outgoings in order to streamline his squad and balance his budget.
Harry Maguire is among the group of players tipped to leave Manchester United (Getty Images)Newcastle - fill out the defence
With Sandro Tonali and Harvey Barnes arriving as statement signings to instantly improve Newcastle's starting XI, the task for Eddie Howe - and Jason Tindal, of course - is to add squad depth on Tyneside. Fabian Schar and Sven Botman forged a superb centre-back pairing last term but a challenger alongside club captain Jamaal Lascelles could come in handy.
Maguire has been rumoured to be a target, as has Palace's Joachim Andersen. Right-back Tino Livramento is another heavily-linked name, but Newcastle have reached an impasse with Southampton regarding his asking price - not that the Magpies are strapped for cash.
Nottingham Forest - seal the deal for Henderson
Having had Dean Henderson and Keylor Navas on their books last season, Nottingham Forest are now scrambling for a No.1 with only Wayne Hennessey and Ethan Hovarth as senior goalkeepers currently at Steve Cooper's disposal. But the men from the City Ground have been happy to wait for Manchester United's Dean Henderson, who's spent the past fortnight in the USA at Ten Hag's behest.
The two clubs are thrashing out negations based on an initial loan deal with an obligation to buy. United, understandably, want fewer appearances to guarantee a sale, but Forest are wary of Henderson's recent serious injury which prompted them to bring in Champions League-winning goalkeeper Navas on loan from Paris Saint-Germain.
Dean Henderson is verging on a permanent move to Nottingham Forest (Jon Hobley/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)Sheffield United - find Ndiaye's successor
After deleting the footage of Iliman Ndiaye signing a new contract and inheriting club legend Billy Sharp's No.10 shirt, Sheffield United must use the £20m which they're about to get from Marseille to find a new star for their forward line. Paul Heckingbottom doesn't look set to have Manchester City starlet James McAtee on loan again, who alongside Ndiaye was at the heart of the Blades' promotion-winning attack.
Jesse Lingard on a free transfer could be a short-term fix or perhaps Heckingbottom and co could gamble on an exciting Championship prospect in Ilias Chair of Queens Park Rangers. Regardless of who comes in, they've got a tought act to follow.
Tottenham - resolve Kane's future
The most obvious answer here, we won't natter on. Tottenham either need to sell Harry Kane to Bayern Munich in the next month and stop him going to a Premier League rival, recouping a sizeable fee in the process, or keep him and tie the England captain down to a lucrative new deal - however unlikely.
West Ham - replace Rice
Another obvious one, David Moyes needs to find a way of surviving without midfield linchpin, club captain and undisputed star man Declan Rice. With £105m coming their way from Arsenal, the Irons should have the funds to properly invest, with McTominay, Conor Gallagher and Denis Zakaria all linked with a switch.
Rice's personality will also be different to replace, so the character of his successor will also be vitally important. Moyes may now finally be a trophy-winning manager, but if West Ham get this summer wrong he could be out of a job altogether sooner than he hopes.
Wolves - keep Lopetegui happy
If you've not been keeping up with events from Molineux over the summer, manager Julen Lopetegui isn't exactly satisfied. Despite Ruben Neves being sold to Al-Hilal for a reported £47m, with Nathan Collins also heading to Brentford for £23m, Wolves are strapped for cash - due to FFP restraints - and leaving Lopetegui to vent in various interview throughout the past few weeks.
The Spanish coach recently told Guillem Balague: "It's true that we need players. We have been talking about this since the end of last season. In May, we started talking about the new situation that we knew about before, the financial problem."
In short, Wolves strengthening in any area would please their boss.
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