Sport
Top 10: Priority Premier League Signings This Summer
The season is nearly over and most clubs will be working frantically behind the scenes to identify their primary transfer targets for the transfer window. We decided to list ten of the priority signings that Premier League clubs need to make this summer.
Man City – Midfielder
Fernandinho, Manchester City’s Brazilian defensive-midfielder is the heart of the side and their form noticeably dips when he is absent.
The problem? He’s now 33 and won’t go on forever. City have tried other players in the position but it just hasn’t worked as well. If they’re going to continue fighting on four fronts every season, he won’t be bale to play every game and, as such, they need to recruit a specialist as his long-term replacement.
Candidates: Tanguy Ndombélé, Julian Weigl, Rúben Neves
Leicester – Striker
The Foxes aren’t exactly goal-shy and Jamie Vardy has scored 15 Premier League goals this season. However, he is 32 years old and, despite retiring from international football to preserve his club career, Leicester need to consider who might eventually take over his mantle.
When Vardy is absent, their only options are Kelechi Iheanacho, with four goals in 48 appearances for the club, or 32 year old Shinji Okazaki, 14 goals in 112 appearances.
Candidates: Aleksandar Mitrović, Che Adams, Andrea Belotti
Arsenal – Midfielder
Oh Arsenal, what have you done? Aaron Ramsey has responded to signing a pre-contract with Juventus by proving himself as their best player for much of the season.
It’s not going to be easy, or cheap, to replace the Welshman but if they can qualify for the Champions League next season, at least that will make it easier for them to lure a talented replacement..
Candidates: Éver Banega, Franck Kessié, Nicolò Barella
Chelsea – Striker
Chelsea have previously boasted some of the Premier League’s finest strikers. Gianfranco Zola, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka, Fernando Torres and Diego Costa have all played for the Blues over the last 20 years yet, at the moment, they have a curious lack of firepower up front.
Olivier Giroud and Gonzalo Higuain are both in their 30s and hardly setting the world alight and, at times, Maurizio Sarri has opted to play Eden Hazard as a false nine. If they are to challenge for the league again next season, recruiting a prolific striker is surely a must.
Candidates: Callum Wilson, Timo Werner, Mauro Icardi
Bournemouth – Defender
Despite a promising start to the season, Bournemouth have slid down the table as the year has progressed due to some leaky defensive performances. In fact, the 61 goals they have conceded in the league this season is more than any side currently outside the relegation zone.
Conceding at a rate of nearly two a game is asking for trouble in the long term and, if their slide had begun slightly earlier, they might have been in the relegation mix. It will be Eddie Howe’s priority this summer.
Candidates: Christopher Schindler, Kieran Tierney, Joe Bryan
Man United – Defender
United’s defensive issues are well documented. Jose Mourinho moaned about it last summer but wasn’t rewarded with the marquee signing that he craved, consequentially United have conceded more goals than any of their top six rivals.
With one of the world’s finest goalkeepers and an exciting array of young attacking talent up front, replacing the likes of Phil Jones and Ashley Young is surely pivotal to United’s future success.
Candidates: Kalidou Koulibaly, Harry Maguire, Eder Militao
Everton – Forward
The Toffees, on the face of it, have options in this department. Richarlison is the highest profile among these and has netted 12 league goals so far this year. However, looking beyond the Brazilian, Everton have struggled.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is the best of the rest with six league goals from 32 appearances. However, Theo Walcott (three in 33), Cenk Tosun (two in 23) and Ademola Lookman (zero in 18) have all underwhelmed. With Tosun and Lookman linked with moves away, Everton will need reinforcements.
Candidates: Michy Batshuayi, Edin Dzeko, Che Adams
Tottenham – Anyone
Literally anyone. Tottenham were the first Premier League side not to sign a single player in a summer transfer window since it was first implemented, then followed up by refraining from signing anybody in January either.
Certainly the cost of their new stadium has played a part but the price has been paid later in the season as they have slipped out of contention in the Premier League with their overworked players looking jaded. They need a big, big summer to match that stadium.
Candidates: Aaron Wan Bissaka, Adrien Rabiot, Jack Grealish
Crystal Palace – Striker
Palace have struggled to find a consistent marksman to lead their line since they got promoted . A list of top scorers since then reads; Dwight Gayle (8), Dwight Gayle (10), Dwight Gayle (7), Christian Benteke (15) and Luke Milovojevic (10). Gayle has since departed, as has Benteke’s scoring touch.
If Palace had a striker who could consistently convert their chances created by their dangerous wingers, they would be a far greater force.
Candidates: Rafael Santos Borré, Michy Batshuayi, Salomón Rondón
Newcastle – Rafa Benitez
Benitez appears to have kept Newcastle in the league for a second consecutive season, despite having his hands tied by Mike Ashley who is reluctant to invest in the playing staff whilst trying to sell the club.
If Benitez goes, back Newcastle to be relegated next season.
Possible replacements: None
