Even after a summer of unprecedented spending, the Premier League transfer window is rapidly drawing to a close, yet many top clubs still have critical business to address. While some, like Manchester United, are reeling from a poor start and questioning their investments, others, such as Tottenham, are performing admirably despite their summer strategy and making astute late additions like Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig. Meanwhile, West Ham faces internal strife, and Chelsea navigates complex financial regulations with UEFA. We delve into the transfer needs of five prominent teams below.
1. Manchester United
The issues at Manchester United this summer are well-documented. Despite significant financial outlay, much of it directed towards their attack, the team currently holds one of the lowest scoring records in the Premier League for the current season. While strengthening the forward line was necessary, substantial critical investment is still required if United aims to merely tread water this season.
A top priority should be a central midfielder capable of dictating play from deep, a role that an increasingly less mobile Casemiro can only fulfill intermittently. Furthermore, few of the current center-backs possess the necessary ball progression for a modern back-three system. A new goalkeeper is also on the horizon, with United reportedly nearing a deal for Senne Lammens of Antwerp. The 23-year-old`s statistics are impressive, as he conceded one goal fewer for every two games than his post-shot expected goals (xG) value last season. Priced at just over $23 million, he isn`t a marquee signing, but given United`s apparent rebuilding phase, acquiring promising, low-wage players who could command higher fees in the future presents a compelling strategy.
As of Friday, United, a club with a considerable roster of fringe players, had yet to make a single transfer fee sale. While Marcus Rashford is on loan at Barcelona, and Antony and Rasmus Hojlund are expected to follow, this leaves the club with several players not integrated into Amorim`s (the speculated manager`s) plans. Following their disastrous EFL Cup exit, United must critically assess Amorim`s long-term future. If there`s any doubt about his tenure, there`s a strong argument to halt Alejandro Garnacho`s move to Chelsea, despite the player`s reported desire, and to expand Kobbie Mainoo`s role, particularly as his own future is under consideration.
2. West Ham
Tensions are rising in East London. A humbling defeat to Chelsea was followed by an EFL Cup exit, during which captain Jarrod Bowen was seen arguing with West Ham supporters – a worrying sign amidst growing fan discontent at the London Stadium. Bowen may have faced the brunt of the fans` anger, but the club`s management ultimately bears the responsibility for winning over the fanbase.
There is a widespread feeling that West Ham squandered the substantial funds received from Declan Rice`s departure, leaving them with numerous positional problems that the manager must resolve to keep the team in the Premier League. While replacing Rice`s unique qualities is impossible, the midfield severely lacks his attributes. James Ward-Prowse and Tomas Soucek, despite being the club`s best available options, lack mobility, control, and defensive strength. It remains to be seen if the arrivals of Monaco`s Soungoutou Magassa and Mateus Fernandes from Southampton will change this dynamic.
Beyond midfield, this squad has long needed a high-quality center forward, especially since Michail Antonio`s peak performance faded several seasons ago. Mohamed Kudus was sold to fund other transfers, but the attack, once seemingly rich with technical inside forwards, now appears creatively light, save for Lucas Paqueta. The team`s back-three system seems to lack a crucial central focal point. This necessitates significant spending within a very short timeframe, a decision David Sullivan may have little choice but to sanction given the potentially dire financial consequences of relegation.
3. Chelsea
Chelsea presents a more intricate case. One could argue that what the club needs most at the close of the transfer window is stability and a reduction in its bloated squad, offloading players like Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell from Enzo Maresca`s enlarged roster. However, a critical factor influencing Stamford Bridge is the settlement agreement with UEFA regarding breaches of the governing body`s squad cost and football earnings rules.
Besides a fine – $23 million unconditional, with a potential further $70 million in conditional fines – a key stipulation of the agreement 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 sales of players who departed from their Conference League-winning squad. Chelsea has made several lucrative sales, notably Noni Madueke, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and the imminent departure of Christopher Nkunku. They`ve also reduced costs by cutting ties with players like Jadon Sancho and Marc Guiu, but not every high-value sale contributes to this balance. For example, Joao Felix was not on Maresca`s List A last season, so his sale to Al-Nassr does not count towards the required balance.
While Chelsea has generated impressive revenue recently, they have also spent heavily, particularly with the anticipated arrival of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United. A sale like Nicolas Jackson or perhaps Benoit Badiashile would help create space for some of their summer signings to participate in Champions League football this season. Otherwise, Chelsea might need to resort to creative financial solutions once again.
4. Tottenham
Despite their transfer window being largely defined by targets they missed, such as Eberechi Eze, Tottenham has conducted some clever business, bringing in players like Kevin Danso, Kota Takai, and Mathys Tel. Kudus also appears to be a strong addition for the squad. What remains missing, however, is significant reinforcement in midfield, especially after James Maddison`s knee injury, coupled with ongoing doubts about Dejan Kulusevski`s fitness. This is where Xavi Simons, a long-term target for Chelsea, comes in, with Spurs now closing in on a deal. While he may not be immediately Premier League-ready in the same way Eze or Morgan Gibbs-White might be, 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? The potential exit of Yves Bissouma to Galatasaray would create a vacancy 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 single week, Tottenham will need a player who can dictate the tempo of a match more effectively than Rodrigo Bentancur. Pape Matar Sarr, Lucas Bergvall, and Archie Gray represent impressive future prospects, but for the immediate future, especially with a favorable run of Champions League fixtures ahead, a more experienced and steadying presence would significantly enhance the midfield engine room.
A winger would also be a beneficial addition, but given Daniel Levy`s reputation for brinksmanship, it is difficult to believe that all necessary transfers will be finalized before the deadline.
5. Fulham
While several teams like Everton and Burnley (who need quality additions) and even Liverpool (who could strengthen their attack and defense) require new players, few managers are as openly vocal about their transfer needs as Fulham`s Marco Silva. Speaking before their 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 AC Milan`s Samu Chukwueze. Reiss Nelson, who spent last season on loan, is reportedly eager to return, with Arsenal seeking a permanent sale. Raheem Sterling is also believed to be open to a move if Fulham targets him. These options suggest strengthening in wide areas is a priority. Additionally, the club hopes academy graduate Josh King can step up in midfield, with Andreas Pereira expected to return to Brazil with Flamengo.
