Big window for Arsenal?
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The term ‘Big Six’ clubs is met with some anguish from certain football fans, and perhaps justifiably so. After all, Manchester United and Tottenham, who are part of the so-called elite group of English clubs, are currently 16th and 17th respectively in the Premier League. However, when it comes to worldwide interest and following, there’s little doubt that the six clubs of Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Man United and Spurs are the biggest. And the Red Devils are arguably even the biggest of that bunch by those parameters. Nevertheless, all six sides need significant work this summer. Premier League champions Liverpool are probably in the best shape, but had a quiet summer last year, and still have the arduous task of replacing world-class full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold in the next window.
Man City splashed out €237 million in January, but are still expected to spend further to get Pep Guardiola’s team back to challenging for the biggest honours. Arsenal still haven’t been able to get over the line and win a trophy this term, but Mikel Arteta is expected to be handed a huge transfer war-chest this summer. Chelsea, as ever, will be busy in the market. Serious work is needed at both United and Tottenham, but those two sides have the chance to salvage their seasons when they meet in the Europa League final, and victory would offer Champions League football for new signings arriving this summer. But what should the priorities be for each of these sides when the transfer window opens?
Liverpool – Priority: Full-backs/centre-back
Alexander-Arnold choosing to run down his contract and leave Liverpool has been the predominant story in the English game in the past week or so. Now the Reds must turn their attention to replacing him. They have been heavily linked with a move for Bayer Leverkusen wing-back Jeremie Frimpong, but the Dutchman’s skillset seems more suited to playing in a back five than a back four. It could even be that Frimpong is being signed as a back-up or long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah on the right wing. He has played in that position for his nation.
Liverpool do also have youngster Connor Bradley who could be Alexander-Arnold’s successor, which could lead the club to prioritise signing a left-back instead, with both Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas, ageing. Bringing in another centre-back may also be a priority with Virgil van Dijk now 33 and contract talks stalling with Ibrahima Konaté. They are one of a number of clubs being linked with Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen, although Real Madrid now seem to be front-runners for the Spaniard’s signature.
Arsenal – Priority: Striker/winger/holding-midfielder
Arsenal look set to have a very busy summer, with reports suggesting the club will be willing to spend big. It looks as though the deal to bring in Real Sociedad midfielder Martín Zubimendi is close to being sealed for a fee in the region of €60m. Now the Gunners attention will mainly turn to the forward areas, with new Sporting Director Andrea Berta looking to target both a striker and a winger. The two strikers being most heavily linked are Sporting goal-machine Viktor Gyökeres and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko. Both players have the potential to add a different dimension to Arsenal’s attack. Let’s not forget the club have been playing midfielder Mikel Merino up top for the past three months.
When it comes to wingers, Arsenal have been linked with Athletic Club winger Nico Williams and Real Madrid’s Rodrygo, who reportedly wants to leave the Spanish giants this summer. If the club are to finally get over the line and win a trophy, one would expect they need serious reinforcements to their frontline, and some more competitions for winger Gabriel Martinelli. The Gunners have also been rumoured to be in the race for defender Huijsen.
Man City – Priority: Midfielder/right-back
Manchester City had a busy January window, bringing in Omar Marmoush (€75m), Nico González (€60m), Abdukhor Khusanov (€40m), and Vitor Reis (€37m) for a combined €237m. They could be ready to spend big again this summer, after recording low net spends in recent seasons. Despite now having González, and Rodri set to return from injury, Mateo Kovacic and İlkay Gündoğan are both in their 30s, and City might look for more reinforcements in midfield. Reports suggest they are close to completing a big money deal for AC Milan’s goalscoring midfielder Tijjani Reijnders. No centre-midfielder has scored more goals in Europe’s top-five leagues this season.
Another position they may want to add depth too is right-back. Kyle Walker left to go to AC Milan on loan in January and looks unlikely to be a Man City player next season, with young Rico Lewis and midfielder Mateus Nunes sharing the right-back berth in Guardiola’s team for the majority of this campaign. They have been linked with both Newcastle’s Tino Livramento and Flamengo’s Wesley.
Chelsea – Priority: Goalkeeper/centre-back/striker
Predicting Chelsea’s transfer activity is always a difficult task. The Blues have already completed the signings of Brazilian wonderkid Estêvão, Sporting midfielder Dário Essugo, who will both arrive this summer, as well as Sporting’s Geovany Quenda who will come to London 12 months later. They are also largely expected to bring in centre-half Mamadou Sarr from sister club Strasbourg. However, the west London club are reportedly also in the race for Huijsen, but are behind Real Madrid as things stand.
Chelsea are also rumoured to be in the market for a striker to rival Nicolas Jackson. They have been linked with Ipswich’s Liam Delap and Napoli’s Victor Osimhen in recent weeks. Goalkeeper surely has to be an area the club also have to review. Robert Sanchez has made some fantastic saves, but has been a liability at times, and it would seem that Chelsea need to upgrade on the Spanish shot-stopper in order to challenge at the very top.
Man United – Priority: Forward/midfielder
Manchester United’s season has been well below expectations. To see the club 16th in the Premier League just doesn’t seem right. It’s likely that Ruben Amorim will be afforded the opportunity to bring in a number of his own players to suit his unique system this summer. Reports suggest the areas they will be targeting are a striker, a player to play in his ‘no.10’ role, and a central midfielder, with Casemiro and Christian Eriksen coming towards the ends of their careers. In terms of a striker, Amorim is said to be keen to link up with former Sporting striker Gyökeres, but a deal isn’t thought to be financially viable with financial fair play rules. Instead they could turn their attention to Delap, who is thought to be keen on a move.
Wolves’ Brazilian sensation Matheus Cunha could be Man United’s big money signing this window, with the 25 year old reportedly close to agreeing a deal to go to Old Trafford. he could potentially line up in one of those aforementioned no.10 positions behind the main striker. When it comes to centre-midfielders, Atalanta midfield hub Éderson has been mooted with a move to the Red Devils for some time and could add some more energy in the centre of the park.
Tottenham – Priority: Winger/midfielder
It has been fairly quite in terms of Tottenham transfer rumours at this moment in time. Perhaps because full focus is on the Europa League final. Spurs have the option to make winger Mathys Tel’s loan move permanent in the summer, with some recent reports suggesting Bayern Munich would be willing to accept a lower offer to offload the player. They could also be in the market for another winger, after an underwhelming season from Brennan Johnson, and captain Heung-min Son’s age catching up with him.
There have been loose links with West Ham’s Mohammed Kudus, as well as Liverpool winger Federico Chiesa, who has failed to make much of an impact at Anfield. Central midfield may be another area the north London club might look to strengthen this summer. There have been some rumours suggesting that Spurs could target Sporting captain Morten Hjulmand – the Danish midfielder has a current market value of €45m.
