Following a summer where Premier League clubs shattered spending records, the transfer window is swiftly drawing to a close. Despite this unprecedented outlay, a significant number of top-tier teams still appear to have pressing transfer needs. Manchester United, for instance, faces a stark reality after a disappointing start to the season, prompting questions about the further investment required to reclaim their former stature. Conversely, Tottenham finds itself unexpectedly high in the league, a position achieved somewhat independently of their summer dealings, which included converting loan moves into permanent ones and bolstering Thomas Frank`s squad with two new players. As the deadline approaches, they`ve also secured the promising 22-year-old Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig.
Elsewhere, West Ham is grappling with internal discontent, while Chelsea faces a complex financial puzzle regarding UEFA`s settlement agreement. Below, we delve into the situations of these clubs and others.
1. Manchester United
Manchester United`s transfer missteps this summer have been widely documented. Despite their owner`s claims of limited funds, substantial resources were allocated primarily to the attacking line. While addressing the forward department was necessary given their status as the second-lowest scoring Premier League team since the start of 2023-24, the club`s overall critical investment needs extend far beyond merely staying afloat this season.
The top priority for United should be a deep-lying midfielder capable of dictating play, a role the increasingly less mobile Casemiro can only perform sporadically. Furthermore, few of the current center-backs in Amorim`s squad demonstrate the necessary ball progression for a modern back-three system. A goalkeeper signing is also imminent, with United reportedly nearing a deal for Antwerp`s Senne Lammens. The 23-year-old`s impressive statistics — conceding one goal fewer every two games than the post-shot expected goals (xG) value of shots faced in last season`s Pro League — are particularly noteworthy. At just over $23 million, Lammens isn`t a superstar signing, but in a rebuilding phase, acquiring players on lower wages with potential for future resale represents a sound strategy.
Remarkably, as of Friday, United – despite possessing a large roster of players deemed surplus to requirements – had not yet completed a single outgoing transfer for a fee. While Marcus Rashford`s loan to Barcelona, and potential moves for Antony and Rasmus Hojlund, would lighten the squad, several players would still remain outside Amorim`s immediate plans. The club`s humiliating EFL Cup exit to fourth-tier Grimsby Town on Wednesday further intensifies scrutiny on Amorim`s long-term future. If there isn`t absolute conviction in his tenure, a strong argument emerges for halting Alejandro Garnacho`s proposed move to Chelsea, despite the player`s apparent desire, and instead expanding Kobbie Mainoo`s role, particularly as his own future at the club is reportedly under consideration.
2. West Ham
Tensions are clearly rising in East London. A crushing defeat to Chelsea was quickly followed by an EFL Cup elimination, during which captain Jarrod Bowen was seen arguing with West Ham supporters – a concerning sign of growing fan unrest at the London Stadium. While Bowen faced the immediate brunt of fan frustration, he undoubtedly understands that appeasing the fanbase ultimately falls on the club`s management, not just the players.
The prevailing sentiment is that West Ham squandered the substantial funds received for Declan Rice, leaving them with numerous positional issues that Graham Potter must address to secure their Premier League status. A direct replacement for Rice has proven impossible to find, and their midfield now distinctly lacks his all-around qualities. Players like James Ward-Prowse and Tomas Soucek, while capable, fall short in terms of mobility, control, and defensive solidity, representing the best options West Ham currently possessed. It remains to be seen if the new signings of Soungoutou Magassa from Monaco and Mateus Fernandes from Southampton can significantly alter this dynamic.
Even with midfield reinforcements, this squad has desperately needed a high-quality center forward since Michail Antonio`s decline several seasons ago. Although Mohamed Kudus was sold to finance other transfers, an attack once brimming with technical inside forwards now appears creatively sparse, with Lucas Paqueta being a notable exception. Potter`s preferred back three system seems particularly to be missing a vital central focal point. This necessitates significant spending in a short timeframe, which David Sullivan may have no option but to approve, considering the potentially devastating financial consequences of relegation.
3. Chelsea
Chelsea presents a more intricate case. One could argue that what the club truly needs most as the window closes is a period of calm, coupled with offloading several unwanted players, such as Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell, from Enzo Maresca`s bloated squad. However, a critical consideration looming over Stamford Bridge is the settlement agreement with UEFA, reached due to breaches of the governing body`s squad cost and football earnings regulations.
Beyond the immediate $23 million unconditional fine and a potential additional $70 million, a key condition of the agreement mandates a positive `List A transfer balance.` This means Chelsea must generate more revenue from player sales (specifically those registered for European competitions) than they spend on new registrations for the Champions League. The club has successfully offloaded several players for significant fees, including Noni Madueke, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and the anticipated departure of Christopher Nkunku. Further cost-cutting has involved players like Jadon Sancho and Marc Guiu. However, not all high-profile sales contribute to this balance; Joao Felix, for example, was not included in Maresca`s List A last season, rendering his transfer to Al-Nassr irrelevant for these calculations.
While Chelsea has accumulated substantial funds through sales recently, they have also spent heavily, particularly with the expected arrival of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United. To accommodate some of their summer acquisitions for Champions League football, a significant sale, such as Nicolas Jackson or Benoit Badiashile, would be crucial. Otherwise, Chelsea may once again need to employ creative solutions to meet their financial obligations and squad registration rules.
4. Tottenham
Tottenham`s transfer window has arguably been characterized more by the players they missed – particularly Eberechi Eze – than those they acquired. Nonetheless, astute additions like Kevin Danso, Kota Takai, and Mathys Tel, alongside Mohamed Kudus, represent solid business for Thomas Frank`s squad. The critical missing piece, however, remains genuine midfield reinforcement. Spurs` midfield has been severely impacted by James Maddison`s knee injury, coupled with ongoing fitness concerns surrounding Dejan Kulusevski. This context explains their pursuit of Xavi Simons, a player previously linked with Chelsea, whom Spurs are now reportedly close to signing. While he might not possess the immediate Premier League readiness of an Eze or Morgan Gibbs-White, the dazzling form the Dutch international displayed in the Bundesliga during 2023-24 suggests he could become a star for any top team.
The question remains whether this concludes Spurs` transfer activity. Should Yves Bissouma depart for Galatasaray, it would create a vacancy in deep midfield that Tottenham would be prudent to fill, even after securing Joao Palhinha. While the Portuguese international excels in a destructive role, facing three high-caliber opponents in a single week necessitates a player capable of dictating the game`s tempo more effectively than Rodrigo Bentancur. Young talents like Pape Matar Sarr, Lucas Bergvall, and Archie Gray offer impressive long-term prospects, but in the immediate term, especially with a favorable run of Champions League fixtures approaching, a more composed and controlling presence would significantly enhance their midfield engine room.
A new winger would also be beneficial, but given Daniel Levy`s notorious tendency for brinkmanship in negotiations, it`s challenging to foresee all necessary transfers being completed.
5. Fulham
While several teams like Everton, Burnley, and even Liverpool, could benefit from reinforcements across their squad, few managers express their need for new signings as openly as Fulham`s Marco Silva. Ahead of their EFL Cup victory against Bristol City on Wednesday, Silva unequivocally 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 actively pursuing deals for wingers like Shakhtar Donetsk`s Kevin and AC Milan`s Samu Chukwueze. Reiss Nelson, who previously had a loan spell, is reportedly eager to return, with Arsenal seeking a permanent transfer. Raheem Sterling is also rumored to be receptive to a move if Fulham makes an approach. Options to bolster the wide areas clearly exist. In midfield, the club hopes academy graduate Josh King can step up, especially with Andreas Pereira anticipated to return to Brazil with Flamengo.
