Despite a summer of unprecedented spending by Premier League teams, the transfer window is swiftly drawing to a close, yet a significant number of top-flight clubs appear to have unfinished business. At the lower end of the table, a sobering start to the season has Manchester United re-evaluating their spending to regain their former standing. Conversely, Tottenham, riding high at the other end of the division, has notably secured Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig, adding a promising 22-year-old to their squad alongside other deals, but still has critical areas to address.
Meanwhile, West Ham faces internal unrest, and Chelsea`s intricate financial situation with UEFA requires careful navigation. Below, we delve into these topics, highlighting the teams and their pressing transfer needs.
1. Manchester United
The issues at Manchester United this summer are clear. Despite substantial investment, particularly in their forward line, the team has struggled, registering one of the lowest scoring records in the Premier League since the start of 2023-24. While the attack needed attention, critical investment is still required elsewhere if United hopes to simply stay competitive this season.
Their top priority should be a deep-lying midfielder capable of dictating play, a role where an increasingly static Casemiro is only sporadically effective. There`s also a strong argument for acquiring center-backs who can progress the ball effectively, a must for a back-three system. A new goalkeeper is imminent, with United reportedly closing in on Senne Lammens from Antwerp. The 23-year-old`s statistics are impressive, having conceded significantly fewer goals than his post-shot expected goals (xG) value in last year`s Pro League. At around $23 million, he`s not a marquee signing, but in a rebuilding phase, targeting players on reasonable wages who can be sold for profit is a compelling strategy.
As of Friday, United, despite possessing a sizable roster of players not in the manager`s plans, had yet to make a single sale for a transfer fee. While players like Marcus Rashford, Antony, and Rasmus Hojlund are out on loan or expected to follow, this leaves the club with several individuals who don`t fit into Amorim`s system. Following their disastrous EFL Cup exit, United must question Amorim`s long-term future. If he isn`t deemed the manager for years to come, there`s a strong case for halting Alejandro Garnacho`s proposed move to Chelsea and expanding Kobbie Mainoo`s role, especially as he contemplates his future.
2. West Ham
Tensions are rising in East London. A heavy defeat to Chelsea was followed by an EFL Cup exit where Jarrod Bowen was seen in a heated exchange with supporters, reflecting growing fan frustration at the London Stadium. While Captain Bowen bore the brunt, he surely understands that the responsibility to appease the fanbase lies with those who employ him.
There`s a prevailing sentiment that the club squandered the significant funds received for Declan Rice, leaving Graham Potter with multiple problem positions if he is to keep the team in the Premier League. A direct replacement for Rice has proven impossible to find, and the current midfield lacks his crucial qualities. James Ward-Prowse and Tomas Soucek, while the best available, lack mobility, control, and defensive strength. Whether the recent acquisitions of Soungoutou Magassa from Monaco and Mateus Fernandes from Southampton can change this remains to be seen.
Furthermore, this squad has been crying out for a high-quality center-forward since Michail Antonio`s peak several seasons ago. While Mohamed Kudus was sold to fund other business, an attack once seemingly abundant with technical inside forwards now appears short on creativity, apart from Lucas Paqueta. Potter`s back-three system lacks a crucial central focal point. This necessitates significant spending in a very short timeframe, a reality David Sullivan may have no choice but to accept given the considerable financial repercussions of potential relegation.
3. Chelsea
Chelsea`s situation is more complex. While a period of calm and the offloading of unwanted players like Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell from Enzo Maresca`s bloated squad would be beneficial, a critical factor looms: their settlement agreement with UEFA for breaching squad cost and football earnings rules.
Beyond the $23 million unconditional fine (with an additional $70 million in potential fines), a key condition is that their `List A transfer balance` must be positive. This means they cannot spend more on players registered for the Champions League than they recuperate from those who departed their Conference League-winning squad. Chelsea has made several profitable sales, notably Noni Madueke and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and Christopher Nkunku`s departure is imminent. They`ve also reduced costs associated with players like Jadon Sancho and Marc Guiu. However, not every high-value sale counts; for instance, Joao Felix was not on Maresca`s List A last season, so his transfer to Al-Nassr does not contribute to this balance.
Chelsea has generated impressive sums recently but has also spent heavily, particularly with the impending arrival of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United. Sales such as Nicolas Jackson or Benoit Badiashile might be necessary to create space for some of their summer signings to participate in this season`s Champions League. Otherwise, Chelsea may need to find creative solutions once more.
4. Tottenham
Tottenham`s transfer window has arguably been defined by the players they missed, most notably Eberechi Eze. Nevertheless, the club has made shrewd additions like Kevin Danso, Kota Takai, Mathys Tel, and Kudus, who appears to be a strong fit for Thomas Frank. What remains conspicuously absent, however, is significant strengthening in midfield. The team was hit by a knee injury to James Maddison, and doubts persist over Dejan Kulusevski`s fitness. This explains their pursuit of Xavi Simons, a long-term Chelsea target, whom Spurs are now close to securing. While he might not be immediately Premier League-ready in the same way Eze or Morgan Gibbs-White were, the best version of the Dutch international, who captivated the Bundesliga in 2023-24, would be a star for any team.
Would this conclude Spurs` transfer activity? Yves Bissouma`s potential departure to Galatasaray would open up a spot in deeper midfield that Tottenham would be wise to fill, even after signing Joao Palhinha. The Portuguese international excels in a destructive role, but when facing three high-caliber opponents in a week, Tottenham will need someone who can dictate the tempo of a match better than Rodrigo Bentancur. While Pape Matar Sarr, Lucas Bergvall, and Archie Gray represent impressive future prospects, for the immediate term, especially with a favorable run of Champions League games ahead, a more steadying influence in the engine room would be a significant improvement.
A winger would also not go amiss, but given Daniel Levy`s reputation for brinksmanship, it`s hard to believe that all necessary business will be completed.
5. Fulham
While several teams like Everton, Burnley, and even Liverpool (who could benefit from additions to both attack and defense) have needs, few managers are as vocal about their desire for new signings as Fulham`s Marco Silva. Speaking before their EFL Cup win over Bristol City, Silva stated, “We have to [sign players]. This is the situation. I`m answering this way to you, and it`s not to put any more type of pressure at all. It`s because we don`t have other solutions.”
The Cottagers have been active, pursuing deals for Shakhtar Donetsk winger Kevin and Samu Chukwueze of AC Milan. Reiss Nelson, who spent last season on loan, is reportedly keen to return, with Arsenal looking for a permanent sale. Raheem Sterling is also believed to be open to a move if Fulham targets him. Options exist to strengthen wide areas, while the club hopes academy graduate Josh King can step up in midfield, with Andreas Pereira expected to return to Brazil with Flamengo.
