1 Ideal Transfer For Every Premier League Team This Summer
Time to ready your F5 button for the craziest time in the world football calendar: transfer season.
Teams will all look to do business early, especially with the transfer window opening early this year on June 1 due to the FIFA Club World Cup.
With that in mind, the B/R football writers Leo Collis and Nick Akerman will aim to improve every Premier League team, from champions Liverpool to newcomers Sunderland, with an ideal transfer for every club.
Got your own transfer in mind? Submit your thoughts now in the comments section of the app.
Arsenal: Alexander Isak
1 of 20
I honestly don’t know what will be left to write about when Arsenal sign a world-class striker.
Gunners manager Mikel Arteta has an excellent goalkeeper, defence, midfield and wingers who lay on continual chances, but he does not have a finisher who strikes fear into opponents.
We all know this. It’s a running joke at this point, this season’s injuries acting as a nudge-nudge-wink-wink just to reinforce the point. Mikel Merino shouldn’t be close to starting up front for Arsenal. Nor should Kai Havertz.
The north London side just needs to go for it. Get the person who scores goals for fun. That’s Alexander Isak, the Newcastle United star who will likely cost north of £125 million. It doesn’t matter if the club are serious about winning trophies. Liverpool and Manchester City will get better next season. Arsenal can’t sign 18 defenders and pretend the same will happen.
Get Isak, capitalise on a brilliant squad and seize the opportunity before it’s too late.
- Nick Akerman
Aston Villa: Joan Garcia
2 of 20
Credit to Aston Villa, who balanced a return to European Cup competition while remaining competitive in domestic action and earning a Europa League spot for next season.
But the west Midlanders need reinforcements, and they also might have to deal with a high-profile departure.
The possible exit of goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez could hurt badly, as the Argentina international has played a huge part in the team's return to relevance.
His successor could be in Spain. While Espanyol's Joan Garcia has been linked with a move to Arsenal or Barcelona, he'd surely take an almost guaranteed starting berth with Villa rather than a spot on the bench elsewhere.
The 24-year-old has quickly made a name for himself in La Liga, keeping eight clean sheets and doing his part to stop Los Periquitos from sliding toward relegation.
His agility and assuredness in one-on-one situations could be valuable in the Premier League, and he has a reported release clause of €25 million, per Football Espana, meaning he's an entirely gettable option.
- Leo Collis
Bournemouth: Georgiy Sudakov
3 of 20
Bournemouth’s excellent season really lost momentum at the finish line.
It looked like a spot in the UEFA Conference League would be possible, but Andoni Iraola’s side ended in ninth place after running out of steam.
A major issue becomes apparent when you dig into their stats: The Cherries just haven’t been getting enough goals from midfield.
New striker Evanilson scored 10, with rotational wingers Justin Kluivert, Antoine Semenyo and Dango Ouattara scoring 12, 11 and seven, respectively. The next top scorer behind them is outgoing centre-back Dean Huijsen on three. David Brooks and Ryan Christie are the most prolific central midfielders with two each.
Therefore, a goal threat from the middle should be on Iraola’s list. Shakhtar Donetsk’s Georgiy Sudakov is the perfect fit and looks ready for the next step after 13 goals in 24 starts in the Ukrainian top flight this season.
The 22-year-old can play as a No. 10, further back in the middle or on either wing. He’s also a great investment for the future and has the potential to represent a Champions League club before too long.
- Nick Akerman
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Brentford: Harvey Elliott
4 of 20
Brentford might have to get comfortable with the idea Bryan Mbeumo won't be with them next season, as clubs will certainly come in with bids for a player who had a combined 27 goals and assists in 2024-25.
The signing of Fabio Carvalho might have been made as a long-term succession plan, but the 22-year-old only played 445 league minutes during the campaign, so he might not be quite up to the standard the Bees will need to make that loss hurt less.
They should get a healthy fee for Mbeumo, though, which means they can make a splash in the transfer market.
Liverpool's Harvey Elliott is still not getting a look-in under Arne Slot, despite demonstrating plenty of ability whether in midfield or on the wing.
To take the next step in his career, he needs consistent minutes, and Brentford could be the perfect place to become a Premier League regular and make good on his immense promise.
- Leo Collis
Brighton & Hove Albion: Jonathan David
5 of 20
Joao Pedro’s likely exit ensures Brighton will invest up front.
Danny Welbeck isn’t the type of player who can be relied on for form and fitness, despite an impressive year. The Seagulls' progress rests on identifying exciting players who can match the energy of their young manager.
They need to be massively ambitious and shoot for Jonathan David, the Lille striker who will be linked with Europe’s best this summer.
Fabian Huerzler’s side are at their best when playing slightly recklessly, with attacking numbers that overwhelm defences. They’re athletic across the board and thrive when the striker is able to get his foot on the ball while waiting for support. Welbeck and Pedro have done this well, but David is a step above. He’s also a lethal finisher, draws fouls to relieve pressure and is proven at Champions League level.
Like Arsenal, the next step is to show that eye-raising ambition. Make people think, "Damn, they actually got him."
- Nick Akerman
Burnley: Julio Enciso
6 of 20
It will be interesting to see how much Burnley spend in the summer. Their 100-point haul in the Championship saw them score 69 and concede just 16, but we know how things usually go when they’re promoted.
The Premier League is a different beast entirely, perhaps summed up by Josh Brownhill scoring 18 and providing six assists this year compared to his Premier League best of four goals and two assists. Luckily for Scott Parker, Brighton’s Julio Enciso may be available, if only on loan again, after failing to break into Fabian Huerzler’s plans this season.
Enciso gained some momentum during his temporary stay at Ipswich, but he needs regular game time to hone the skills that saw him initially impress at the Amex Stadium.
He’s a natural creative. His quality on the ball is backed up by the nerve to try outrageous things. Adding this unpredictability to the Clarets could make a huge difference in their fight to battle relegation.
- Nick Akerman
Chelsea: Viktor Gyokeres
7 of 20
Chelsea will return to the Champions League next season, and to supplement the abundance of young talent at the club's disposal, they'll need some proven experience.
While a new goalkeeper is still an area of need, they arguably need a proper goalscorer to upgrade on the still-erratic Nicolas Jackson.
There are a few big names on the striker carousel who could be up for grabs this summer, but Viktor Gyokeres is the pick of the bunch.
The Sweden international has just wrapped up a Primeira Liga-winning season for Sporting CP in which he scored 39 goals in 33 games. That's exactly the kind of hit-rate the Blues will be looking for.
Gyokeres would be an ideal target man for the attacking corps to both play off and service, and his eye for goal would be ideal for the lowest-scoring side among the Premier League's top-five finishers.
- Leo Collis
Crystal Palace: Moise Kean
8 of 20
Moise Kean’s name will probably get a big sigh out of people who haven’t watched Fiorentina this season. The former Everton striker was rubbish during his previous spell in the Premier League, at times barely looking bothered when he was on the pitch.
Things have changed, though. Kean scored 18 goals in 30 Serie A starts this season. He is a far more mature player than we saw in England, both physically and mentally. The Italian has learned to attack space well, a vital part of Oliver Glasner’s setup at Palace, where the speedy wingers can sometimes leave Jean-Philippe Mateta behind.
Although Eddie Nketiah has picked up some of Mateta’s slack in recent weeks, he can’t be relied upon for consistent output.
Palace’s FA Cup win means it’s time to push on. That should result in finding direct competition for Mateta, not an understudy. Kean is the man to go for.
- Nick Akerman
Everton: Liam Delap
9 of 20
It's the dawning of a new age for Everton.
The Toffees are set to leave Goodison Park for the Hill Dickinson Stadium, and the club's new owners, The Friedkin Group, has fully moved into the backroom.
While a big summer window might be out of the question, things at least look a little more promising from an incoming perspective.
Everton's needs are multiple, despite the fine job David Moyes did to guide the club to a 13th-place finish. But since only the relegated teams scored fewer than the Toffees in 2024-25, the striker position is where the transformation should truly begin.
Liam Delap might be drawing the attention of teams closer to the Premier League's summit, but Everton seem like the perfect landing spot for the 22-year-old.
He was the standout player in Ipswich's unsuccessful attempt to stay in the Premier League, scoring 12 and providing two assists. He won't be sticking around for a stint in the Championship, and with a reported £30 million release clause, he could be well within the Toffees' budget.
- Leo Collis
Fulham: Douglas Luiz
10 of 20
Joao Palhinha’s departure has left a hole in Fulham’s midfield. Andreas Pereira is likely to leave this summer, meaning Marco Silva needs to find legs and creativity in the middle.
Former Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz can provide both of these attributes in abundance. His time with Juventus is going badly and he needs to find a club who will build his confidence again.
Luiz, 27, developed into a leader at Villa and would make an instant impact at Craven Cottage, with his transitional play capable of launching speedy counter-attacks and halting the same coming back.
- Nick Akerman
Leeds United: Caoimhin Kelleher
11 of 20
While the heart says James Milner should be Leeds United's ideal signing on their Premier League return, the head says a sentimental move for the 39-year-old should be left well alone.
Instead, Leeds need some bold moves to make their Premier League stay a lengthy one, and that starts with a new goalkeeper.
Illan Meslier was a notable weak link the last time the club was in the top flight, and things weren't much better in the Championship. The Frenchman was dropped towards the end of the 2024-25 season after a string of errors.
Caoimhin Kelleher could be the answer to their woes. The Irishman is on the lookout for a new club to get more first-team football, and the impending arrival of Giorgi Mamardashvili is set to make the goalkeeping room at Liverpool a little crowded.
Leeds could swoop, shoring up their rearguard and potentially giving them a solid No. 1 for the next decade.
- Leo Collis
Liverpool: Antonio Silva
12 of 20
It's going to be a busy summer at Anfield. Jeremie Frimpong has reportedly completed a medical with the club, while moves for Milos Kerkez and Florian Wirtz are also said to be advancing.
But a center-back is notably missing from that collection of rumoured incomings.
The Reds' season could have crumbled if Virgil van Dijk or Ibrahima Konate had suffered serious injuries, with Joe Gomez spending time in the treatment room and Jarell Quansah taking a notable step back.
Benfica's Antonio Silva could be a fantastic signing, with the player a mainstay for the Eagles over the last three seasons and still only 21 years old. His clean injury record will also be a significant selling point, especially with Konate no stranger to the physio room.
- Leo Collis
Manchester City: Jamal Musiala
13 of 20
Kevin De Bruyne’s goodbye means there’s a hell of a gap to fill at the Etihad Stadium. Rumours have placed Jamal Musiala and Manchester City together for years. Now’s the time to act on it.
Musiala’s contract situation was seemingly sorted when he signed a new deal with Bayern Munich in February. That really shouldn’t put City off. He’s arguably the world’s best young attacking midfielder, a Kaka regen capable of dribbling through teams by himself.
City have relied on creative midfielders in their last two long-term projects in the shape of De Bruyne and David Silva. Musiala might just be the ideal man for the next era.
- Nick Akerman
Manchester United: Gonçalo Inácio
14 of 20
Where to begin?
Manchester United concluded the Premier League season in 15th place, marking their worst top-flight finish since relegation in 1974. Coupled with a lackluster defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final, it's clear something needs to change—and fast—at Old Trafford.
While it's no guarantee, Ruben Amorim should be offered a stay of execution by the United board, allowing him to fully implement his ideas that proved so successful at Sporting CP.
To do that, he might go shopping at his old club to bring in a player who knows exactly how he likes the game to be played.
Gonçalo Inácio would be a smart addition, taking up a spot on the left side of a back three, with Leny Yoro the long-term option on the right and Matthijs de Ligt holding things down in the middle.
A rebuild starts with solid foundations, and Inácio could help expedite that phase of the plan.
- Leo Collis
Newcastle United: Rayan Cherki
15 of 20
Champions League football should open a few doors for Newcastle. They’re back again. It’s now time to invest to try to better the group-stage elimination of 2023-24.
Lyon’s Rayan Cherki would signal real intent and is the type of player who could quickly become a fan favourite due to his hard work and intelligence.
Twelve goals and 20 assists across Ligue 1 and the Europa League will mean there’s fierce competition for his signature. Newcastle could use his particular skill of dictating play around the opposition’s box. He’s hard to pin down and has a knack of finding space before threading passes through to the striker, while offering a sense of control in the final third.
Newcastle have tended to be a little gung-ho at times, relying on the relentless pace and power of Isak, Harvey Barnes, Jacob Murphy and Anthony Gordon. Cherki’s craft would provide attacking routes Newcastle don’t possess in their current setup, which largely avoids the use of a traditional No. 10.
- Nick Akerman
Nottingham Forest: James McAtee
16 of 20
Europe beckons for Nottingham Forest. While the Europa Conference League is something of a consolation prize after a Champions League place looked gettable, it's still a huge achievement for a club that was on the brink of relegation in 2023-24.
To handle an inflated fixture list, new players will be needed. The issue is brought into sharper focus with star Morgan Gibbs-White attracting the attention of some top clubs.
James McAtee could be worth a look as a potential replacement. The 22-year-old would slot into Gibbs-White's No. 10 berth comfortably, and he could also provide a back-up option on the right wing for Anthony Elanga (who may also be the subject of interest from elsewhere).
McAtee became a regular option off the bench for Pep Guardiola in 2024-25 and even muscled his way into the starting XI on three occasions.
It's obvious he's highly thought of, but with City having more expensive tastes and likely to drop some cash after one of their worst seasons in the last decade, McAtee would be better served looking for minutes elsewhere.
- Leo Collis
Sunderland: Jordan Henderson
17 of 20
Jordan Henderson is Sunderland born and bred. He was in attendance at the Championship play-off final. He’s likely been looking for a route back to England after ditching Liverpool for Saudi riches and then a frankly weird spell at Ajax.
No need to think too deeply on this one. The hometown lad returning to where it all began, offering experience and a winning mentality to a squad that will need strong leadership to have any chance of survival.
Just make sure the 34-year-old has got energetic legs alongside him in midfield.
- Nick Akerman
Tottenham Hotspur: Bryan Mbeumo
18 of 20
Against the odds, the 17th-placed team in the Premier League will be playing Champions League football next season.
Whether that's stranger than the sight of Tottenham Hotspur lifting silverware is a conversation for another column, but what is certain is that the Lilywhites need to do some shopping.
On paper, Spurs actually have quite a solid group of players, which brings Ange Postecoglou's handling of them into question. But upgrades and depth are never a bad thing, and one option could be lurking in the same city.
Bryan Mbeumo had an outstanding season for Brentford, bagging 20 goals to finish fourth in the league's top-scorer stakes. While Spurs might not look like a step up based on the Premier League's final standings, they do offer something Brentford can't: the chance of Champions League football. That simply can't be turned down.
Mbeumo, 25, would bring goals and energy to Spurs' right side. While that might be at the expense of Brennan Johnson, the Wales international is no stranger to lining up on the left, so a compromise could be found.
- Leo Collis
West Ham United: Christian Pulisic
19 of 20
Christian Pulisic has rejuvenated his career at AC Milan. He’s also outgrown them pretty quickly. The Italian giants missed out on European football next season, potentially providing the open door to coax him away.
This is an important few months for West Ham manager Graham Potter. He’s perhaps not under enough scrutiny, considering how little he’s managed to improve. That will soon change if they start next season badly.
Potter’s Brighton side used to work best with an energetic, interlinking striker stationed up front. We’ve seen him use Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus in this role in recent weeks.
Add Pulisic to the front three and you’ve suddenly got a hard-to-handle trio that can constantly rotate to keep the opposition guessing.
- Nick Akerman
Wolverhampton Wanderers: Diogo Jota
20 of 20
Vitor Pereira did a magnificent job guiding Wolverhampton Wanderers away from the relegation zone, and he'll be wanting some support in the transfer window to ensure his side doesn't start off slowly again.
With Matheus Cunha rumored to be heading to Manchester United, a new forward will be needed to fill the void.
Diogo Jota left Wolves in 2020 to sign for Liverpool, and five years later, it might be time for a stunning return to the west Midlands.
His injury record leaves a lot to be desired, but he's still got a deadly streak when he does make the pitch, scoring six and assisting four for Liverpool in 1,194 Premier League minutes—the equivalent of a goal contribution every 1.3 games.
With Wolves scoring only 54 goals in 2024-25 (1.4 goals per game), Jota could be a welcome arrival to boost that hit rate.
- Leo Collis
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