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30 July 2026

What does each Premier League side still require before the 2026/27 season gets under way? That is the central question we are trying to answer here.

We have looked at all 20 clubs ahead of the new campaign and picked out the one position each team most urgently needs to strengthen, beginning with Arsenal and their obvious need for a top-class left-winger, even after bringing in Christos Tzolis.

Signing someone to stop Declan Rice from being run into the ground would also be ideal, namely Bruno Guimaraes, but Arsenal’s clearest weakness is surely on the left wing.

Gabriel Martinelli managed only one Premier League goal last season and Christos Tzolis has arrived from the Belgian Pro League. That simply does not feel sufficient. Mikel Arteta may be right to believe Tzolis can develop into a world-class player, but relying on that alone would seem a touch naive.

Everyone has seen the Vinicius Junior links and, for Arsenal supporters, they are undeniably exciting. A move of that scale would be difficult to complete and no offer has been made so far, with Real Madrid and Vinicius discussing a new contract. There is a fair chance Arsenal’s name has been introduced as a negotiating tool by the player’s camp, but the fact the interest was first reported by David Ornstein does ease some of that scepticism.

Landing Vini would be more than a statement by the Premier League champions, but with that deal looking improbable, it is vital they move quickly and finally add a genuine X-factor to the attack.

Chelsea beat Arsenal to Morgan Rogers by paying above the odds and warping the market in the process. Paris Saint-Germain now want around £120million for Bradley Barcola, who is likely to become a British-record signing for Liverpool, while Yan Diomande is heading to Real Madrid. It is starting to look rather grim for Andrea Berta and company.

Athletic Club’s Nico Williams is an outstanding footballer and a player Arsenal admire, but his injury history makes him a significant gamble. Rafael Leao, meanwhile, probably does not offer enough out of possession for Arteta to seriously pursue him.

It really is a puzzle for the Gunners. But if they do add an elite left-winger, they will be very hard to beat in both the Premier League and the Champions League.

As noted above, Morgan Rogers is now a Chelsea player, which has left not just Arsenal wondering what might have been but Aston Villa needing to find a replacement.

Identifying someone capable of properly filling Rogers’ boots is far easier said than done, but it is unquestionably Unai Emery’s main priority.

It is quite hard to judge the level of player Villa can attract, even with Champions League football on offer. Someone like Bradley Barcola is clearly beyond reach amid interest from Arsenal and Liverpool, unlike Morgan Gibbs-White.

He may not be as glamorous a signing as Barcola — a France international and still only 23 — but Gibbs-White is a like-for-like replacement for Rogers and already proven in the Premier League.

In many ways, it makes almost too much sense. Gibbs-White is the best attacking midfielder available this summer. He will cost an enormous fee, though. And dealing with Evangelos Marinakis is not for the faint-hearted.

So… Ben White? Fine. Perfect.

After selling Marcos Senesi a year after losing Dean Huijsen and Illia Zabarnyi, then replacing him with the somewhat underwhelming Bafode Diakite, it feels as though centre-back should be Bournemouth’s top concern before the season starts.

That said, Alex Jimenez has been sent back to Italy after the Cherries triggered their obligation to buy from AC Milan because, well, you probably know why. That leaves a hole to fill, with Adam Smith surely no longer the answer at 35.

We will suggest a target, and that target is Arsenal’s Ben White. He is naturally a centre-back but has been used at right-back since 2022/23 and, crucially, he is a very good player — especially for a mid-table Premier League side.

There has also been plenty of talk around Benfica’s Antonio Silva, who would amount to a real statement signing.

Given Brentford’s shortage of natural left-back options, this felt like an obvious call for a team that actually needs to do very little in the summer window.

Keane Lewis-Potter’s displays have attracted attention and Aaron Hickey is finally getting close to full fitness, but this is surely the most straightforward choice on the list, is it not?

An offer has reportedly gone in for El Hadji Malick Diouf, but West Ham are understandably reluctant to sell. That would be a very smart signing indeed.

Danny Welbeck’s surprise switch to Chelsea has left a difficult gap in Brighton’s attack and Fabian Hurzeler must now work out how to replace him. He may already have the right answer in-house, with Georginio Rutter, Charalampos Kostoulas and Stefanos Tzimas all waiting for their chance, while Evan Ferguson is back after an underwhelming loan spell at AS Roma.

Tzimas suffered a cruciate ligament injury in December, Kostoulas is only 19, we are not even certain Rutter is a true centre-forward at this stage, and Ferguson’s development has stalled dramatically.

We do like Kostoulas, but it feels as though Brighton need more of a reference point in attack — someone who can come in immediately and replace Welbeck on a like-for-like basis.

Maxence Lacroix solves a major issue for Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea because of his ability to play in a back three, a role he performs at the highest level. The Frenchman is an ideal fit for that system, if Alonso continues to favour three centre-backs instead of four, as he did at Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid.

That, once again, leaves Chelsea needing a top-class goalkeeper.

We are fully aware of Mike Penders. He is an excellent young goalkeeper and absolutely deserves an opportunity ahead of Robert Sanchez after an impressive loan season at Strasbourg, where Filip Jorgensen — now reportedly third choice — is expected to join, making it three consecutive seasons in which the Blues have sent a reserve goalkeeper to their sister club.

We would not object to Penders becoming Chelsea’s No.1 this season, but with Alonso seemingly keen to add more experience, as suggested by the expected arrivals of Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck, an established international goalkeeper feels like the correct next move.

Chelsea’s refusal to meet AC Milan’s demands for Mike Maignan last summer was strange, but a player of his quality and standing would be a signing that makes complete sense for Alonso and his new team.

Just look at the impact Granit Xhaka had at Sunderland. That alone should persuade Coventry to target a midfielder with Premier League and international pedigree.

Finding another Xhaka is much easier to say than to do, but if they can manage it, Coventry will give themselves a very good chance of survival.

Crystal Palace supporters are set for a fascinating season under new manager Pierre Sage after his remarkable success with RC Lens and, truthfully, the squad looks a little light in most areas.

Oscar Mingueza arriving on a free as Palace’s only signing so far rather underlines why Oliver Glasner departed and makes it painfully obvious that Sage needs many more additions before a season featuring four competitions, including the Europa League.

The impending move of Lacroix to Chelsea makes the need for a new centre-back even more pressing than it already was. Palace simply have to get this right. Replacing Joachim Andersen last summer was one challenge, but now they have also lost club captain Marc Guehi and Lacroix.

Would it be over the top to put the Eagles in the We Fear For Them bracket?

Jake O’Brien has done a respectable job, but it is time for David Moyes to sign a long-term right-back. Nathan Patterson has not met expectations and using James Garner there wastes what he offers in central midfield. Everton’s biggest need almost feels too obvious, to the point we are doubting ourselves.

Much like Crystal Palace, you could argue Everton can improve in almost every position and, if Iliman Ndiaye departs, replacing him will obviously become urgent.

As matters stand, though, finding the long-term successor to Seamus Coleman should be Moyes’ main focus.

After a quick glance at Fulham’s squad, we are now asking ourselves which position they don’t need to strengthen.

Alvaro Arbeloa has come in to replace Marco Silva and that alone makes us rather uneasy for the Cottagers. With Arbeloa pursuing several Real Madrid youngsters he already knows, it feels like the ingredients for trouble are there. We are not saying relegation. We are also not saying not relegation.

In any case, Fulham’s current centre-back options are Calvin Bassey, Jorge Cuenca and Joachim Andersen. That is not much depth. They have two right-backs and two left-backs, which is acceptable. Midfield looks decent enough numerically and there is enough Premier League quality there. Arbeloa’s attack, however, needs attention.

One of the Madrid players Arbeloa is keen on is Gonzalo Garcia, and that would certainly be intriguing. What we do know is that Raul Jimenez has gone and needs replacing, with Rodrigo Muniz and Jonah Kusi-Asare simply not enough.

Fulham also require more width. Kevin and Oscar Bobb are good footballers, but an injury to either of them would suddenly leave the squad looking very thin.

Kusi-Asare, who spent 2025/26 on loan at Craven Cottage, is Fulham’s only signing of summer 2026. That is understandable to a degree because of the managerial search, but there is a genuine Sleepwalking Towards Relegation concern around Fulham.

While a Xhaka-type addition would not hurt, Hull’s astonishing defensive numbers in the 2025/26 Championship make it clear they will be punished in the top flight if they do not sign a commanding centre-back. Or perhaps three.

Last season, Sergej Jakirovic’s side recorded an expected goals against figure of 82.5 — the second-highest in the Championship — yet somehow conceded 19.5 fewer goals than expected.

We are not entirely sure how they managed that, but we are sure they will not get away with it in the Premier League.

Ipswich let in 82 goals in the 2024/25 Premier League, a major reason they were relegated at the first attempt. In contrast to Hull’s priority, we think they should follow Sunderland’s model — just like Coventry — by signing an experienced No.6, albeit one with greater defensive instincts to shield the back line.

Gary O’Neil’s team must continue working in the transfer market if they are to avoid the same outcome as two seasons ago. They have made some useful attacking additions and bringing in Issa Diop was smart business, but if they could simply go and sign the next N’Golo Kante, that would be ideal. You are welcome.

Harry Wilson already addresses a major issue for Daniel Farke. His output for Fulham last season was excellent, producing 10 goals and seven assists in 36 Premier League appearances.

The Welshman brings goals from wide areas and can operate as a No.10, but it goes without saying that he is at his best on the right, where he can cut inside onto that superb left foot.

A goalkeeper was unquestionably Leeds’ top priority and they have dealt with that long-running problem by reportedly agreeing a deal for Manchester City and England star James Trafford in what is already a candidate for signing of the season.

What Leeds should now target is another goalscorer: either someone capable of displacing Dominic Calvert-Lewin or a versatile, quick No.10. The Whites have been strongly linked with Julian Brandt, who is an excellent option and someone Leeds would be crazy to reject.

Adding more technical quality around DCL in attack feels like the bigger priority, and if Farke can also find someone faster and more direct to play alongside Brandt, Leeds will be a frightening proposition.

Replacing Mohamed Salah was never going to be simple, but it is certainly easier than anyone expected after a disappointing 2025/26 season from the Egyptian king.

Victor Munoz was quickly signed from under Newcastle United’s nose to help fill the void left by Salah, yet Liverpool still require someone we already regard as elite rather than a player who may become elite.

Liverpool’s best option on the left wing is probably Rio Ngumoha, which is both amusing and exciting, while the right side is very much open. Bradley Barcola appears extremely likely and would be a superb signing. But for £125million-plus? There is definitely room for doubt. Especially as he mostly operates off the left.

Matheus Nunes keeps proving everyone wrong with his excellent displays at right-back, yet we are not sure what Enzo Maresca’s long-term vision for that position is. Our feeling is that Pep Guardiola’s successor will eventually want a natural defender there.

Tino Livramento has been linked for some time and would be a solid signing, but his injury record is a serious concern. It has so far discouraged Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United from spending heavily on the Newcastle defender.

Whether it is Livramento or someone else, signing a right-back should be Maresca’s priority… until Real Madrid sign Rodri. If that happens, everything changes and City will step up their pursuit of Morocco wonderkid Ayyoub Bouaddi.

We think both Manchester clubs should sign a new right-back. In fact, we also think United need a left-back and see Newcastle’s Lewis Hall as the ideal option, but Luke Shaw has played well under Michael Carrick, while Patrick Dorgu, Harry Amass and Diego Leon are alternatives too. Carrick’s two right-backs, Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot, are naturally comfortable on the left and offer decent cover.

At right-back, though, is where we believe Manchester United have the greater issue.

Dalot and Mazraoui are both serviceable in that role, but neither feels like the long-term solution, so an upgrade should be the priority after Carrick addressed the Casemiro-shaped gap in midfield by signing Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans.

A third midfielder is also on the agenda and a natural left-winger would not hurt either, although Marcus Rashford is back and it remains unclear how much appetite there is to sign him. But if United add a top-class right-back to a starting XI that is beginning to take shape nicely, they will head into 2026/27 looking like a very balanced side.

Losing Sandro Tonali was a painful blow, especially to a direct rival in Tottenham rather than Arsenal or Manchester City, but it will not hurt nearly as much as losing Alexander Isak to Liverpool last summer.

You cannot really blame Tonali for wanting to leave and, wages aside, you probably can blame him for choosing Tottenham after successive 17th-place finishes.

Even so, Spurs are moving in the right direction under Roberto De Zerbi — a downward direction would literally have taken them into the Championship — and, without European football this season, they have a great opportunity to enjoy a successful campaign.

Newcastle are in a similar spot in that sense but, despite all their wealth, it is quite a bleak place to be right now. The Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules are significantly restricting the Saudi Arabian-owned club, making sales of star names such as Tonali and Anthony Gordon almost unavoidable. With around £170million raised through player sales this summer, Newcastle have been able to reinvest in several additions.

Bazoumana Toure has improved Eddie Howe’s wing options in a £40million move, Ewen Jaouen (£18m) is a promising young goalkeeper, while Sean Steur (£20.5m) and Aladji Bamba (£30m) are young midfielders capable of making an immediate impact.

Those two teenagers alone are not enough to replace Tonali and, with club captain and talismanic midfield engine Bruno Guimaraes keen on joining Arsenal, it is obvious where Newcastle’s priority lies in the final month of the transfer window.

They need a combative midfielder to sit in front of the back four. Someone with Tonali’s physicality and the technical quality to go with it. The market is not overflowing with options, but the Magpies would not regret spending huge money on somebody like Adam Wharton or Angelo Stiller.

Nottingham Forest were a difficult one to judge. Could they improve on Matz Sels in goal? Yes. Has Elliot Anderson truly been replaced? No, but that is almost impossible. They could also strengthen up front, but they currently have Chris Wood, Igor Jesus, Taiwo Awoniyi and Arnaud Kalimuendo.

The biggest need, however, is another centre-back capable of excelling in a back three, which Oliver Glasner will probably prefer after enjoying so much success with that system at Crystal Palace. That said, the Austrian is flexible enough to switch to a back four when needed.

Sporting CP’s Ousmane Diomande is reportedly close to joining. Even so, we still think Glasner is one centre-back short of the defensive depth he would ideally want.

Having said that, a wing-back in the mould of Daniel Munoz would be absolutely ideal.

Nico Williams is more than capable of starting for Forest at either right or left wing-back and, whichever side Glasner wants him on, the club should recruit someone for the opposite flank.

Munoz was a revelation on the right under Glasner at Selhurst Park, and a player of that profile should be the new Forest head coach’s top priority.

Sunderland’s transfer priority was not easy to identify after an impressive 2025/26 season, but the underlying numbers and their lack of depth in attacking midfield made that position stand out.

Enzo Le Fee has done fairly well in the Premier League and has probably played deeper than he would ideally like, but it has been for the good of the side.

With Europa League football on the horizon, Sunderland have gone about their summer business very quietly after last year’s wild spending spree on returning to the Premier League, adding only Thomas Meunier on a free transfer so far.

There is a clear shortage of creativity across Regis Le Bris’ team, which resulted in only 396 shots in the Premier League last season, the fewest among the teams that stayed up, while only Wolves and Burnley produced a lower expected goals total.

Le Fee ended the campaign with 53 chances created, 19 more than Granit Xhaka in second place, with defenders Trai Hume and Nordi Mukiele just behind him. So, yes, it is pretty obvious what Sunderland need.

Tottenham are very likely to sign Savinho, who has told Manchester City he is desperate to make the move. Even if we thought that transfer would not happen, we would still say a new centre-forward should be Roberto De Zerbi’s top priority.

Richarlison is not a poor player by any means, but we are not convinced he should be starting for a ‘Big Six’ club — one that has finished one place above the relegation zone in each of the previous two seasons. Dominic Solanke, meanwhile, is simply too injury-prone to be relied upon, which is a real pity.

Bournemouth’s Eli Junior Kroupi is the obvious standout option and would be a real statement signing for Spurs after spending around £230million on Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes and Jan Paul van Hecke, in addition to signing Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson on free transfers.

There are no attacking additions in that group for a side badly in need of reinforcements up front. De Zerbi is not short of wide options — though it may be more quantity than quality, to be fair — but he does not have enough when Richarlison and Solanke are competing for the starting role only when both are fit at the same time, which happens very rarely.