There’s a little over a month to go until the transfer window closes, and you can be sure that there will be more high-profile moves between now and the end of August.
With that in mind, WhoScored.com have taken a look at the Premier League’s Big Six, identified an area in need of improvement and suggested a player they could seek to sign.
Manchester City – Right midfielder
Who should they sign? Michael Olise
The revelation that Michael Olise has a £35million release clause in his Crystal Palace contract has alerted defending champions Manchester City and Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea.
While the latter could use a player of his quality, the former’s interest doesn’t come as a surprise as they seek to bolster their squad.
Riyad Mahrez’s expected move to Al-Hilal means City are in the market for another right winger, and Olise would prove a superb replacement for the Algerian.
Despite playing for a Palace side that averaged the seventh lowest possession return (45.8 per cent) in the Premier League last season, Olise still returned a solid pass success rate of 78.4 per cent, so the 21-year-old would match Pep Guardiola’s demand for control.
The youngster also finished the campaign eighth for key passes (72), while no player aged 21 and under registered more assists than the Frenchman (11) in Europe’s top five leagues.
As a potential Mahrez replacement for the rumoured price, Olise could be perfect.
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Arsenal – Right midfield
Who should they sign? Mohammed Kudus
Arsenal have enjoyed an excellent window so far.
Jurrien Timber bolsters Mikel Arteta’s centre-back and right-back options, Declan Rice is a game changing addition to the midfield while we might see Kai Havertz at his best in a position that suits his strengths.
However, there’s a consensus that the Gunners are perhaps one body short in the final third.
The Gunners have been linked with a move for Mohammed Kudus, and if the Ghana star is up for grabs this summer, then Arsenal should make a move for the 22-year-old.
Kudus scored 11 times for Ajax in the Eredivisie last season, and completed more dribbles (91) than any other player in the Dutch top tier.
While viewed as a central midfielder, the 22-year-old’s versatility is a trait that would appeal to Mikel Arteta and able to play on the right, too, he could provide ideal cover and competition for Bukayo Saka.
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Manchester United – Striker
Who should they sign? Rasmus Hojlund
With Mason Mount and Andre Onana on the books, Manchester United’s next priority is a striker.
Having been linked with moves for Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen, Rasmus Hojlund has emerged as the club’s number one target as they seek to sort their goal issues.
Marcus Rashford was the only player to reach double figures for goals of all United players in the Premier League last season, while only Aston Villa (51) and Fulham (55) scored fewer than Ten Hag’s side (58) of those to finish in the top half.
Hojlund may have scored just nine times for Atalanta in Serie A last season, but the signs are positive that the Dane can take the Premier League by storm.
No player has scored more goals in Euro 2024 qualifying than the 20-year-old (6) and he has the attributes to succeed in England’s top tier.
There would be ample pressure on Hojlund to make an immediate impact at Old Trafford, but he looks a forward tailormade for English football.
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Liverpool – Central midfield
Who should they sign? Romeo Lavia
Liverpool have already strengthened in the middle of the park this summer, landing Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai from Brighton and RB Leipzig, respectively.
But the imminient departures of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho, coupled with Thiago’s likely exit, means Liverpool need to add further bodies in a key area of the pitch.
Romeo Lavia has emerged as a top target for the Reds in recent weeks following Southampton’s relegation, and despite Chelsea and Arsenal’s interest in the Belgian, Liverpool look to have won the race for the teenager, despite a £35m plus add-ons bid being rejected on Tuesday.
Only Moises Caicedo (142) won possession in the midfield third more times than Lavia (114) of players aged 21 and under in Europe’s top five leagues last season.
The Belgium international would be viewed as Fabinho’s replacement, but an ability to operate in a couple of midfield roles is an added bonus.
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Tottenham – Centre-back
Who should they sign? Edmond Tapsoba
The ongoing Harry Kane saga looks to be drawing to a close following reports that chairman Daniel Levy has been told by supremo Joe Lewis to sell the star striker rather than lose him on a free in 12 months.
Bayern Munich remain favourites to sign Kane and while some may demand Spurs sign a replacement for the England captain, the north London side have more immediate priorities elsewhere in the squad.
At least one new centre-back will join Spurs this summer, and the number one target seems to be Edmond Tapsoba to partner Cristian Romero at the back.
Tapsoba made more forward passes (879) than any other outfield player in the Bundesliga last season and this desire to set his side on the frontfoot is one of the main reasons behind the drive to land the 24-year-old.
Micky van de Ven is another target for Spurs, but Tapsoba’s European experience perhaps weighs in his favour.
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Chelsea – Centre-back
Who should they sign? Marc Guehi
Chelsea are working on a deal for Brighton ball winner Moises Caicedo to partner Enzo Fernandez in the middle of the park, but after Wesley Fofana’s ACL injury last week, the Blues could do with another body at the back.
Chelsea have made a habit of selling their bright young talents, with centre-backs Fikayo Tomori and Marc Guehi two who have gone on to shine elsewhere.
While Tomori is unlikely to leave AC Milan this summer, Guehi has emerged as a potential centre-back target for Pochettino’s side.
Crystal Palace won’t allow the 23-year-old to leave for cheap, and understandably so with Guehi winning possession in the defensive third more times (162) than any other player in the Premier League last season.
Secure the youngster’s services and Chelsea could have a solid centre-back partnership of Guehi and Levi Colwill next season, which is certainly an appealing prospect.
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