The 2019/20 Premier League season has only just finished, but the transfer market is open and already in full swing.
Chelsea have been the busiest in the summer window so far, with deadly attackers Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech already joining in big-money deals from RB Leipzig and Ajax respectively.
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Werner has already been training with Chelsea following his move from RB Leipzig
And more arrivals could be coming to Stamford Bridge as Frank Lampard accelerates his efforts to sign Kai Havertz from Bayer Leverkusen.
Meanwhile, Manchester City are said to be close to sealing their first signing of the summer with Valencia starlet Ferran Torres close to joining in a £40million deal, and Nathan Ake may well follow too.
But what position does every Premier League club – including newly-promoted sides Leeds and West Brom – need to strengthen in this summer?
Find out below…
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Arsenal – Midfielder
With William Saliba joining up with the Gunners squad for the first time since his impressive loan spell at Saint-Etienne, it seems there is now a defender to genuinely be excited about at the Emirates.
And although another is definitely needed, Arsenal should now be prioritising a move for an attacking midfielder to replace the out-of-favour Mesut Ozil.
Philippe Coutinho has been linked with a loan move but he seems to have lost his magic touch and Mikel Arteta should go all out to sign Dominik Szoboszlai from Red Bull Salzburg.
The Hungarian midfielder has had an excellent campaign, having scored nine goals and added 10 assists in 27 league appearances.
He has a release clause of just £22million which would make him a viable option for the club.
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Szoboszlai has been a long-term target of Arsenal and he is available on the cheap
Aston Villa – Striker
Their struggles at the top of the pitch has been clear for all to see this season so a proven goalscorer simply must be a priority this summer.
Dean Smith should look no further than former marksman Tammy Abraham. The Chelsea ace had a great league campaign in 2019/20, finding the net 15 times, but became a bit-part player at the end of the season due to the red-hot form of Olivier Giroud.
What’s more, the arrival of Werner at Chelsea could see his game time limited even more so perhaps a loan move back to Villa would be a no-brainer for both parties.
Villa should go all out to sign Abraham on loan this summer
Brighton & Hove Albion – Midfielder
Graham Potter has been praised for keeping the Seagulls up whilst playing an expansive brand of football this campaign, but he will know there must be additions if he is to keep his side in the Premier League next season.
A new defensive midfielder is a must and Watford’s Abdoulaye Doucoure would be a great option, though he won’t come cheap.
If not, Huddersfield’s Jonathan Hogg could be a handy acquisition as he is good on the ball and could work well with former teammate Aaron Mooy.
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Doucoure is a workhorse in Watford’s midfield and he will now be a wanted man
Burnley – Winger
Speculation has been rife about the future of Sean Dyche, who has so far refused to rule out leaving Turf Moor this summer.
The Clarets will barely have any money to spend this summer, but if they do find any cash they need to sign a new wide man.
Johann Berg Gudmundsson has barely featured this term due to a string of injury setbacks while Dwight McNeil and Ashley Barnes need more help in the final third.
Perhaps a deal for Watford’s Gerard Deulofeu could be a smart acquisition.
Like Doucoure, Deulofeu will be a wanted man now that Watford have been relegated
Chelsea – Goalkeeper
A left-back will almost certainly be signed this summer but right now a replacement for Kepa Arrizabalaga will be a priority for Lampard.
The Spaniard has kept just eight clean sheets in the Premier League in 2019/20 and just ONE clean sheet away from home all season.
Perhaps the most realistic target is a deal for Burnley’s Nick Pope, who has made 83 appearances in all competitions for the Clarets since joining from Charlton in 2016.
The 28-year-old has been a standout performer in Sean Dyche’s XI ever since he replaced now-Aston Villa ace Tom Heaton.
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Pope kept 15 clean sheets this season
Crystal Palace – Winger
Ryan Fraser has left Bournemouth after seven years on the south coast and he represents a ready-made replacement for Wilfried Zaha, whose time with the Eagles may come to an end this window.
Fraser has undeniable talent and although he’s not been at his best this season, he would suit the Eagles’ counter-attacking style well.
However, some bigger clubs in the division may well swoop in for the Scot, who has plenty of years ahead of him in the Premier League at the age of 26.
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Zaha is a fan favourite at Selhurst Park but he may not be at his boyhood club next season
Everton – Winger
Alex Iwobi and Theo Walcott have both struggled for the Toffees since moving from Arsenal, and Bernard, despite impressing in bursts, has also lacked consistency.
Therefore, a young and direct winger should be targeted this summer and Ismaila Sarr from Watford fits the bill.
The Senegal forward impressed against Liverpool and Arsenal this season and has been a standout player for the Hornets in their disappointing relegation to the Championship this season.
He is a constant threat on the counter attack and already has plenty of admirers in the top-flight following Watford’s fall into the second tier.
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Sarr could seek a Watford exit now they are relegated to the Championship
Leeds – Striker
Canada international Jonathan David looks certain to be heading for a new club this summer and Elland Road could be his new destination.
The Gent striker scored 18 goals, with eight assists, in just 27 games in the Belgian league this season to put him on the radar of some of Europe’s top clubs.
David is still only 20 and has enormous potential so his next move will be intriguing.
The two clubs leading the race appear to be the Whites and Ligue 1 side Lille. It would be an enormous coup if Bielsa could snap him up.
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David has been on sublime form for Gent this season
Leicester City – Winger
The resumption of football couldn’t have gone much worse for the Foxes, but it’s still been a great season for Brendan Rodgers’ men.
The need for more firepower is evident as that was clear from the absence of James Maddison in the last quarter of the season.
Harvey Barnes has improved hugely this season and Ayoze Perez has been good in in parts, but another attacker to help Jamie Vardy up top needs to be brought in.
Perhaps Leon Bailey from Bayer Leverkusen would be a good signing for Leicester.
The Jamaican, who has been linked with Chelsea in the past, is direct, quick and has a good goal-scoring record in the Bundesliga.
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Bailey, 22, has a good goal-scoring record in the Bundesliga
Liverpool – Left-back
James Milner has been a superb deputy for Andy Robertson when the Scot has been sidelined, but injuries are slowly starting to catch up with the veteran midfielder.
A back-up for Robertson is needed and Jurgen Klopp should consider a move Norwich’s Jamal Lewis
Lewis, who plays internationally for Northern Ireland, is well accustomed to the rigours of Premier League football, making him a very attractive option indeed.
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Lewis could be on the move this summer and several top clubs may be interested
Manchester City – Centre-back
Pep Guardiola has spent an astonishing amount of money on defenders since he has been at the Etihad, but has remarkably never had a solid back four.
However, Nathan Ake is set to seal a £41m move from Bournemouth in the coming days.
City have also identified their replacement for Leroy Sane, with Ferran Torres set to join from Valencia, and other rumours have suggested that another centre-back could be signed.
Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly, who has been linked with a move to England for several years, is said to be the next man on Guardiola’s wish-list.
He fits the bill for the type of defender the Spaniard wants, with excellent distribution and an aerial presence to match.
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Kalidou Koulibaly is still one of the highest rated centre-backs in Europe
Manchester United – Winger
The Red Devils seem to have finally cemented a solid back four after years of disarray, and now their focus must be on adding strength in depth in midfield.
Another attacking midfielder – namely Jack Grealish – has been linked with a move to Old Trafford, but a move for an out-and-out winger is a must and Jadon Sancho could be man to take the iconic no.7 shirt.
The Borussia Dortmund ace had a blistering Bundesliga campaign, hitting 17 goals and the same amount of assists this season.
A deal for the England ace looks to be edging closer by the day.
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Sancho is a long-term target for Man United and a deal could be finalised soon
Newcastle United – Striker
Joelinton has had a torrid first season at St James’ Park but by his own admission he isn’t an out and out striker and prefers playing out wide.
Therefore, Steve Bruce should give him a run-out on the wing and sign a goal-getter who actually knows how to put the ball in the back of the net.
Troy Deeney is Premier League proven and could be a great option, but if that fails, a move for former striker Aleksandar Mitrovic could be smart – though that will depend on whether Fulham are promoted.
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Deeney could be a good option for Newcastle now that Watford are down
Sheffield United – Goalkeeper
There has been a lot of speculation regarding the future of Dean Henderson, who is currently on loan at Bramall Lane.
Manchester United could make him their new no.1 in place of David de Gea next season as the Spaniard has struggled for form throughout the campaign.
Other reports have claimed Chelsea could also make a bid for the 23-year-old, who has been a standout performer for the Blades on their return to the Premier League.
Aaron Ramsdale has been touted as a possible replacement for Henderson should the England stopper return to Manchester United.
It is believed the Cherries will demand around £11m for their glovesman.
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Ramsdale is a reported target for Sheffield United this summer
Southampton – Centre-back
Saints had a brilliant turnaround following their 9-0 drubbing at the hands of Southampton, but they have still shipped in a disappointing 59 goals in the Premier League season.
That is more than any team not directly involved in the relegation battle since lockdown and Ralph Hasenhuttl is in the market for at least two new centre-halves.
Valladolid’s Mohammad Salisu, who has a £10.9m release clause, is said to be one his main targets in the market.
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Real Valladolid defender Salisu is a reported target for Southampton this summer
Tottenham Hotspur – Left-back
Spurs need to strengthen in several positions, including in midfield and on the wings, but their need for new full-backs is the biggest necessity.
Japhet Tanganga had to fill in as a makeshift right-back earlier this season when Serge Aurier was suspended, whilst Danny Rose was loaned to Newcastle and will probably stay there permanently.
A cheap option for Jose Mourinho could Ajax left-back Nicolas Tagliafico.
The 27-year-old has been a standout performer for the Dutch club over the last two seasons and would reportedly be available for £20m.
The Argentine provided five goals and five assists for Ajax in all competitions in 2019/20 and back in May, his agent admitted that the left-back would be looking for a new club in the summer.
Tagliafico could be a cheap full-back option for Mourinho
West Bromwich Albion – Attacking midfielder
Slaven Bilic has done a brilliant job to get the Baggies back in the big time but they need signings or they could go straight back down.
One player who should be high up on his wish-list should be QPR’s playmaker Ebere Eze.
The 22-year-old has racked up 14 goals and eight assists in 46 Championship outings for Rangers this season.
West Ham, Aston Villa and Newcastle are also said to be considering a move.
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Eze is a target for a host of Premier League clubs
West Ham United – Striker
The form of Michail Antonio and Tomas Soucek undoubtedly saved West Ham’s season and perhaps showed that the flashier signings such as Sebastien Haller and Felipe Anderson shouldn’t be relied on.
A striker needs to be brought in to partner Antonio and West Ham should go all out for Brentford ace Ollie Watkins, who has been brilliant this season with 25 goals in the second tier.
If Brentford are promoted through the play-offs, a deal for the 24-year-old would be unlikely, however.
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Watkins netted 25 goals in the Championship this season
Wolverhampton Wanderers – Centre-back
Ryan Bennett is set to return from Leicester after failing to make an impact at the King Power Stadium, but he may not play a further part for the club with Roman Saiss cementing himself as the third centre-back behind Conor Coady and Willy Boly.
Nevertheless, Nuno Espirito Santo will need another centre-back and who better to add than Jan Vertonghen?
He’s as experienced as they come and would do enormous things for the club’s squad depth, as well as provide fresh competition for any one of the centre-backs who has a dip in form.
It would be a great signing if they managed it, but a host of top European clubs are circling on the Belgian.
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Vertonghen has left Tottenham after almost a decade with the club
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