As the summer transfer window for Premier League clubs draws to a close after a period of unprecedented spending, it`s clear that many top-tier teams still have critical business to finalize. At the lower end of the table, Manchester United`s disappointing start to the season has them pondering further expenditures to reclaim their former glory. Conversely, Tottenham, riding high despite a summer focused on converting loan deals and adding a couple of players to Thomas Frank’s squad, also faces strategic decisions. Meanwhile, discontent brews at West Ham, and Chelsea`s transfer dealings require complex financial calculations to comply with UEFA`s settlement agreement. Below, we delve into the situations of these five key teams.
1. Manchester United
There`s little need to overstate the obvious: Manchester United`s summer transfer strategy has been flawed. Significant funds, which the owner reportedly claimed were scarce, were almost entirely directed towards their attacking line. While addressing an attack that registered the second-lowest goal tally in the Premier League since the start of the 2023-24 season was necessary, the club urgently needs crucial investments elsewhere just to remain competitive this season.
A deep-lying midfielder capable of dictating play should be the top priority, especially given Casemiro`s increasing immobility. Furthermore, few center-backs in Amorim`s squad possess the ball-progression skills essential for a back-three system. A new goalkeeper is also on the horizon, with United reportedly close to signing Senne Lammens from Antwerp. The 23-year-old’s impressive statistics – conceding one fewer goal every two games than the post-shot xG of shots faced last season in the Pro League – are noteworthy. At just over $23 million, he`s not a marquee signing, but in a rebuilding phase, acquiring low-wage players with high resale value makes a compelling case.
Despite having a substantial “bomb squad” of players not in the manager`s plans, United had made no sales for a transfer fee as of Friday. Marcus Rashford is on loan at Barcelona, and Antony and Rasmus Hojlund are expected to follow, leaving the club with several surplus players. Following their disastrous EFL Cup exit to Grimsby, United must seriously evaluate Amorim`s long-term future. If conviction is lacking, there`s a strong argument to halt Alejandro Garnacho`s move to Chelsea, despite his desire, and to expand Kobbie Mainoo`s role as he considers his options.
2. West Ham
Tensions are already high in East London. A heavy defeat to Chelsea was followed by an EFL Cup exit, where captain Jarrod Bowen was seen arguing with West Ham supporters – a worrying sign amidst growing fan frustration at the London Stadium. While Bowen bore the brunt, he surely knows the onus is on the club`s management to appease the fanbase.
There`s a prevailing feeling that the club squandered the substantial funds received for Declan Rice, leaving Graham Potter with numerous positional issues if he`s to keep the team in the Premier League. While replacing Rice is an impossible task, their midfield notably lacks his qualities. James Ward-Prowse and Tomas Soucek offer neither mobility, control, nor defensive strength, yet they were the best West Ham had. Whether the arrivals of Soungoutou Magassa from Monaco and Mateus Fernandes from Southampton can change this remains uncertain.
Even with these additions, the squad has been crying out for a high-quality central forward since Michail Antonio`s peak years faded. Mohamed Kudus was sold to finance other business, but an attack once seemingly rich with technical inside forwards now appears light on creativity, save for Lucas Paqueta. Potter`s back-three system seems to lack a vital central focal point. Significant funds are needed in a very short time, and chairman David Sullivan may have no choice but to sanction them given the potentially severe financial impact of relegation, a prospect that cannot be overlooked.
3. Chelsea
Chelsea presents a more intricate case. One could argue that what the club needs most as the transfer window closes is stability and to offload unwanted players like Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell from Enzo Maresca`s bloated squad. However, a crucial factor looms over Stamford Bridge: the settlement agreement with UEFA regarding breaches of squad cost and financial fair play rules.
Beyond the immediate fine ($23 million unconditional, with a potential $70 million more), a key stipulation 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 recoup from sales of players from their Conference League-winning squad. Chelsea has made several profitable sales, notably Noni Madueke, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and the imminent departure of Christopher Nkunku. They`ve also reduced costs by moving on players like Jadon Sancho and Marc Guiu, but not all major sales count. Joao Felix, for instance, was not on Maresca`s List A last season, so his sale to Al-Nassr doesn`t contribute to this balance.
While Chelsea has generated impressive funds recently, they`ve also spent heavily, with Alejandro Garnacho`s arrival from Manchester United on the horizon. A sale, perhaps of Nicolas Jackson or Benoit Badiashile, would help create space for some of their summer signings to participate in this season`s Champions League. Otherwise, Chelsea might need to get creative again to balance their books.
4. Tottenham
Tottenham`s transfer window has arguably been defined more by the players they missed – particularly Eberechi Eze – than by those they acquired. However, some shrewd business has been done with additions like Kevin Danso, Kota Takai, and Mathys Tel, while Kudus also appears to be a strong acquisition for Thomas Frank. What remains conspicuously absent, though, is significant midfield reinforcement. Spurs were hit hard by James Maddison`s knee injury, and doubts persist over Dejan Kulusevski`s fitness. This explains their pursuit of Xavi Simons, a long-term target for Chelsea, now seemingly close to a move to Spurs. While he might not be “Premier League ready” in the same way Eze or Morgan Gibbs-White were, the best version of the Dutch international, the one who captivated the Bundesliga in 2023-24, would be a star for any team.
Would this conclude Spurs` transfer activity? Yves Bissouma`s potential transfer to Galatasaray would create a vacancy in deep midfield that Tottenham would be wise to fill, even after signing Joao Palhinha. The Portuguese international excels in a destructive role, but with Tottenham facing three high-caliber opponents in a week, they need someone who can better dictate the tempo of a match than Rodrigo Bentancur. Pape Matar Sarr, Lucas Bergvall, and Archie Gray are impressive future prospects, but for the immediate future, especially with a favorable run of Champions League games ahead, a more stable presence would enhance the engine room.
A winger would also be beneficial, but given Daniel Levy`s penchant for brinkmanship, it’s hard to believe every necessary deal will be completed.
5. Fulham
Many teams could be chosen here – Everton needs bodies, Burnley needs quality, and even Liverpool could benefit from strengthening their attack and defense. However, few managers are as vocal about their need for new signings as Fulham`s Marco Silva. Before Wednesday`s EFL Cup victory 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 from AC Milan. Reiss Nelson, who spent last season on loan, is eager to return, with Arsenal seeking a permanent sale. Raheem Sterling is also reportedly open to a move if Fulham targets him. Options exist to strengthen wide areas, while they hope academy graduate Josh King can step up in midfield, with Andreas Pereira expected to return to Brazil with Flamengo.
