The perfect transfer for each Premier League club to improve next season | OneFootball

The Premier League season has ended, and the summer transfer window is just around the corner.

With all the money in English football, it’s no surprise that the Premier League regularly tops the spending charts. Last season, the 20 top-flight clubs accumulated over £2.5 BILLION in transfer fees.

Surpassing that figure seems unlikely (although we’re sure Todd Boehly will be up to the challenge), but we can expect another busy summer. Here is one player each Premier League club should sign.

We are looking at the right signing for each club that would help them improve on last season’s performance.

Note: The teams are listed in the order they finished in the Premier League in the 2022/23 season.

Manchester City – Mateo Kovacic

Choosing a player for Manchester City is tough. They’re already the best team in the country by far – how on earth do you improve them?

They have incredible strength in depth in central midfield, but that could soon change. Kalvin Phillips has struggled since he arrived at the Etihad Stadium, while the futures of Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva are in doubt.

Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic has been linked with a switch to the Cityzens. The Croatian is technically excellent and would fit Pep Guardiola’s system like a glove.

Arsenal – Declan Rice

Arsenal came close to winning the league last season but stumbled at the final hurdle. Now is the time for them to regroup and prepare for another title challenge next year.

The prospective arrival of Declan Rice would be a huge statement of intent from the Gunners. He’s wanted by several top European clubs and is expected to cost up to nine figures.

Off the back of a Europa Conference League triumph with West Ham United, now seems like the right time for Rice to move on to bigger things.

With Granit Xhaka likely leaving Arsenal, the Emirates seems like a sensible destination.

Manchester United – Victor Osimhen

Everyone knows how desperately Manchester United need a striker – last season, their forwards scored a combined total of seven league goals.

Harry Kane has been closely linked, but perhaps they would be better off looking elsewhere.

The England captain is a phenomenal player and would improve their side instantly. But he’s also turning 30 next month. Man United already have a somewhat ageing squad and should be taking a long-term approach.

Victor Osimhen is currently the best under-25 striker on the market. The Nigerian has just enjoyed his most prolific season, firing Napoli to the Serie A title with 31 goals in all competitions.

Newcastle United – Kieran Tierney

Dan Burn has done an admirable job as a left-back since arriving at St James’ Park 18 months ago, and he could easily keep his place for next season.

However, if Newcastle United opt to pursue a younger and more attacking full-back, Kieran Tierney could be their man.

The Scotland international has been heavily linked with a move to the Magpies. He started just six league games for Arsenal last season and could rejuvenate his career on Tyneside.

Liverpool – Sofyan Amrabat

Just over a year ago, Liverpool were in the hunt for the quadruple. One year on, and they’ve failed to qualify for the Champions League. Where did they go wrong?

Part of the problem has been their defensive record. In 2021/22, the Reds conceded the joint-fewest in the league with just 26.

In 2022/23, they conceded 47 league goals, more than Man City, Newcastle, Arsenal, Man United, Aston Villa and Brentford.

While the struggles of Virgil van Dijk have been well documented, Fabinho’s decline has been less spoken about. A new defensive midfielder is in need at Anfield.

Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat has recently emerged as a talented option. He performed excellently in Morocco’s inspiring World Cup campaign and impressed in the Europa Conference League final despite the result.

Brighton and Hove Albion – Alex Scott

It feels pointless to suggest a signing for Brighton & Hove Albion. They tend to recruit relative unknowns who turn out to be inexplicably good.

Of course, the consequence of this is that these players then move on. Alexis Mac Allister has been sold to Liverpool and Moises Caicedo is also expected to leave. This will leave them needing a new addition in central midfield.

Bristol City’s Alex Scott has caught the eye of several Premier League clubs. The England youth international was named the Championship’s Young Player of the Season for his performances last year.

Aston Villa – Jack Harrison

Leeds United’s relegation has left the door open to a potential mass exodus at Elland Road. One shining light in their disappointing campaign was winger Jack Harrison, who scored five and assisted seven.

Aston Villa’s natural wide options are Leon Bailey, Emiliano Buendia, and Bertrand Traore, while Jacob Ramsey has also lined up there.

Having qualified for Europe, additional depth will be a necessity.

Tottenham Hotspur – Aymeric Laporte

Tottenham Hotspur netted 70 league goals last season, the fifth-highest tally in the Premier League. However, they were poor at the back, conceding the most outside of the bottom six.

If they wish to return to Europe, a better selection of defenders will be needed. Spain international Aymeric Laporte has been linked in the past, and the Lilywhites could be back in for him again.

Once one of Man City’s most important players, Laporte has fallen down the pecking order. He still has plenty to give to a side chasing the top four.

Brentford – Armando Broja

Ivan Toney has been the star of the show at Brentford over the last three seasons. Just last year, he was the Premier League’s third-top scorer with 20.

However, a series of betting breaches have secured him an eight-month ban, keeping him sidelined until January 2024.

For the first half of the season, the Bees will need a stop-gap. Chelsea forward Armando Broja could be a good target on loan.

The Albanian impressed while on loan at Southampton two seasons ago, and he’ll be eager to prove himself once again following a difficult campaign.

Fulham – Axel Tuanzebe

Axel Tuanzebe was once a promising young player coming through the ranks at Manchester United. Now at 25 years old, he’s something of a forgotten man.

And, with his contract set to expire in the summer, his next move could be a crucial one.

Perhaps Craven Cottage could be the right place to revive his career. Fulham enjoyed a fine return to the top flight, comfortably avoiding a relegation battle.

If they could tighten things up at the back, a European push wouldn’t be out of the question.

Crystal Palace – Viktor Gyokeres

In recent years, Crystal Palace have been very effective at dipping into the Championship for talent.

The likes of Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise came from the second tier and have since become vital players for the Eagles.

It could be time for another look into the division below in the form of Viktor Gyokeres. The London outfit could do with a new striker, and the Swede is one of the best, netting 22 and assisting 12 last season for Coventry City.

Chelsea – Dusan Vlahovic

Given last year’s spending spree, maybe Chelsea would be best advised to avoid new signings this year. They shelled out over £500 million last term, recruiting 16 players.

And somehow, not one of them was a half-decent striker. The Blues finished 12th, and only four clubs scored fewer than their 38.

Being out of Europe will be a blow, but they still should have enough credit in the bank to attract highly-rated players.

Dusan Vlahovic reportedly wants out of Juventus – the Serbian would be an immediate starter at Stamford Bridge.

Wolverhampton Wanderers – Boulaye Dia

With just 31 goals, Wolverhampton Wanderers were the lowest scorers in the league.

Their top marksmen were Daniel Podence and Ruben Neves with six each, while their strikers scored a combined total of only six.

It’s clear that they need a new striker, and Villarreal’s Boulaye Dia seems like a good fit. The forward spent last season on loan at Salernitana, where he was Serie A’s third-top scorer behind only Osimhen and Lautaro Martinez.

West Ham United – Harvey Barnes

Despite Leicester City’s relegation, Harvey Barnes ended the term with his head held high. He notched a career-best 13 goals, making him the 12th-top scorer in the league.

As of now, West Ham United are leading the race for his signature. Given their participation in next season’s Europa League, they will be looking to add depth and quality to their squad.

Bournemouth – Ainsley Maitland-Niles

Bournemouth had issues at both ends of the pitch last season. Only three teams scored fewer than the Cherries, while only the bottom two conceded more.

And with regular starter Jefferson Lerma leaving on a free transfer, things may get even more concerning.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles has lost his way in recent years and is out of contract. Having lined up as a winger, full-back and in central midfield, the 25-year-old offers versatility that could be essential for Gary O’Neil’s side.

Nottingham Forest – Dean Henderson

Nottingham Forest find themselves with a huge gap to fill this summer. Last season’s main goalkeepers – Keylor Navas and Dean Henderson – were only on loan.

They are reportedly working on a permanent deal for the latter, who lost his place in the starting XI through injury last season.

The Manchester United man has one England cap and will be desperate for regular minutes to get himself in the frame for Gareth Southgate’s European Championship squad.

Everton – Danny Ings

Everton’s struggles in recent years have largely been due to a misfiring frontline. Last season, they were the second-lowest scorers in the league, and none of their strikers hit more than two.

Manager Sean Dyche may seek a reunion with former Burnley man Danny Ings. The pair spent just under three years together at Turf Moor, during which the forward enjoyed some of his most prolific days.

Ings has fallen out of favour at Aston Villa but still showed glimpses of his best stuff last season. In all competitions, he scored ten and assisted four from 1,935 minutes on the pitch.

Burnley – Valentin Castellanos

Although they cruised to the Championship title last season, Burnley need new recruits. Top scorer Nathan Tella has returned to parent club Southampton, having struck 17 and assisted five.

One possible replacement could be New York City’s Valentin Castellanos. After shining in Major League Soccer, the Argentine got a loan move to Girona, where he scored 14 goals – including four in one match against Real Madrid.

Castellanos can play through the middle or out wide, making him a similar profile to Tella. And at 24 years old, he has plenty of resale value.

Sheffield United – Manuel Lanzini

Much like Burnley, Sheffield United have also lost a key loan player in the form of James McAtee. The Manchester City loanee was their third-top scorer last year, hitting nine.

Attacking midfielder Manuel Lanzini could be available on a free transfer this summer, with his contract due to expire.

He has struggled for regular minutes at West Ham but still has the talent to do a job in the Premier League.

Luton Town – Zian Flemming

Luton Town were arguably too reliant on Carlton Morris going forward last year.

The Englishman recorded 27 direct goal contributions last year – over double the next most in their squad and making up nearly half of all their league goals.

Zian Flemming could be the perfect signing to lighten the load on Morris. The Dutchman has scored 71 goals from 185 career appearances and was the top-scoring midfielder in the Championship last term.