The opening round of the Premier League has wrapped up, but clubs still have just one week until the transfer window shuts on September 1 to finalise their squads. The initial matches of the season have laid bare the weaknesses of teams, prompting sporting directors to ramp up their activity in the market.
Arsenal have already bolstered their midfield with Bruno Guimaraes, added width with Christos Dzolis, and strengthened their defence with Ezri Konsa. However, the Gunners are still on the hunt for a striker, maintaining a keen interest in Julián Álvarez and are poised to pounce should the opportunity arise, especially with Saudi club Al-Hilal negotiating a deal for winger Gabriel Martinelli.
Over at Aston Villa, a significant overhaul is underway following Konsa’s move to Arsenal and amid speculation surrounding Ollie Watkins’ potential switch to Saudi Arabia. The Birmingham outfit are in urgent pursuit of a striker, with Nicolas Jackson being a candidate, but also require a winger and a centre-back. Negotiations for Taylor Harwood-Bellis from Southampton fell through after an £18 million bid was rejected, forcing the club to turn their attention to Joël Ordóñez from Brugge, whose price tag is set at a minimum £40 million.
Bournemouth are focused solely on retaining their squad in the final days of the window. They insist that striker Elie Junior Kroupi and midfielder Alex Scott are not for sale, despite the interest from top clubs, and their transfer activity is nearly concluded following the signing of goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio from Juventus.
Brentford are remaining calm after securing Callum Wilson and strengthening their squad with Keith Andrews. Although they had explored the option of signing left-back El-Hadji Malick Diouf from West Ham, they have sufficient cover in Kino Lewis-Potter, Rico Henry, and Aaron Hickey. Fans and management alike are keen on Michail Mudrik as the ideal final addition to bolster their attacking options.
Brighton is anticipating the imminent sale of Yankuba Minte to Liverpool, which would free up space for a new forward as well as the possible departure of midfielder Carlos Baleba to Manchester United. They will need a robust defensive midfielder to compete in European competitions in light of this potential exit.
Chelsea, under the stewardship of Xabi Alonso, considers their transfer business largely done despite fans clamouring for a new goalkeeper to replace Robert Sanchez or another forward. The club's primary task is to trim their squad urgently from 39 players down to around 25 within the next eight days.
Coventry City, led by Frank Lampard, are in pursuit of Michail Mudrik following his 20-month ban for meldonium and are looking to strengthen their centre-back options, planning to loan out Luke Wolfenden.
Crystal Palace, under new manager Pierre Saja, are building their team for a Europa League push after the loss of Maxence Lacroix. Following injury to Shadi Riyad in the first match, they are in urgent need of an experienced top-level centre-back to partner Axel Disasi, and are also considering signing a central midfielder amid uncertainty surrounding Jean-Philippe Mateta's contract.
Everton are in desperate need of a professional right-back—an unresolved issue for over a year—which has led to players like Merlin Rel, Jake O’Brien, and James Garner filling in. Furthermore, the Merseyside club are contemplating signing a striker due to doubts over Beto and Tierno Barry, with interest in Liam Delap from Chelsea.
Fulham, managed by Alvaro Arbeloa, are eyeing targeted reinforcements: they need a right-sided centre-back due to Joakim Andersen’s adaptation to a new scheme (previously exploring Abdelhamid Ait Bouhlal from Rennes), and also a right winger to create competition for Oscar Bobu following Harry Wilson's departure.
Hull City aim to sign two strikers—Mohamed Ali-Sho and Ilyas Ansan—and maintain interest in Real Betis winger Pablo Garcia and Sorba Thomas from Stoke City while also seeking a goalkeeper, midfielder, and right-back for Sergiy Yakirovich’s squad.
Ipswich Town has invested over £150 million on 12 newcomers but plans to add another striker and central midfielder, while offloading fringe players like Anis Memeti.
Leeds United are not planning significant outlays after their big signing of goalkeeper James Trafford from Manchester City but are hoping to secure the loan of Michail Mudrik or another left winger, alongside looking for a left-footed left-back to back up Gabriel Gudmundsson, a forward to rotate with Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha, and potentially a goalkeeper, Michael Zetterer from Eintracht, should Lucas Perrin leave for a loan to Torino.
Liverpool have made it a priority to sign one or two wingers, with Bradley Barcola, Ibrahima Mbaye, and Yankuba Minte from Brighton on their radar, as well as needing a traditional defensive midfielder to bridge gaps after conceding two goals to Newcastle United.
Manchester City is preparing for significant activity with the departures of Savinho, Rodri, Omar Marmush, and Nico Gonzalez: the club has already agreed to sign Ayoub Bouaddi and winger Allan from Palmeiras, expressing interest in Pedro Neto, and negotiating for Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea, aiming to add at least three or four players.
Manchester United are finalising their midfield following Carlos Baleba’s move and are now focusing all efforts on acquiring a left-back to challenge Luke Shaw, weighing up options between Lewis Hall from Newcastle, Alex Balde from Barcelona and Jorge Salinas from Racing, with a forward possibly coming in should Joshua Zirkzee leave.
Newcastle United under Matthias Jaisle are moving forward with a deal for midfielder Nico Gonzalez from Manchester City after selling Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali, while also searching for a mobile versatile striker to support William Osula and Johan Vissa.
Nottingham Forest under Oliver Glasner are in direct talks with Chelsea regarding striker Liam Delap and are interested in Fiorentina’s right-back Dodo.
Sunderland have resolved the positions of right-back Daiyan Metali and midfielder Jules Ahoka, but are urgently seeking a right winger (their top target is Eugeni Catamo from Lisbon’s Sporting) and another central striker to join Bryan Brobbey and Wilson Isidor after Eliezer Mayenda's departure.
Tottenham under Roberto De Zerbi are pushing through the transfer of Omar Marmush from Manchester City and are in dire need of a prolific centre-forward and a pacey winger to make the most of the rapid positional attacks favoured by the Italian boss.
