1 Realistic Signing Each Premier League Club Should Target
Usually, once the World Cup has finished, football clubs can take a deep breath, assess their options in the market and start the serious work of reshaping their squads. Sure, some of the work goes on during the event, but with so much time left after it, plenty is put on ice too.
That changes this season. New rules dictate that the Premier League transfer window shuts on August 9—more than 20 days sooner than usual—to fall in line with the start of the new campaign. Clubs have until then to tie up their intended deals.
It's safe to say some of them need to get a move on. Chelsea and Everton, under new management, have signed just one first-team player; Tottenham and Burnley haven't signed any!
Here, we've selected one realistic signing each Premier League side could make between now and the end of the window.
Arsenal: Danilo Pereira, DM, FC Porto
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No one can accuse Arsenal of resting on their laurels. Their new scouting brain has delivered a number of new players in areas of obvious need: goalkeeper, centre-back and midfield.
It doesn't leave a lot else for new manager Unai Emery to fix, so he can now start to look at players who aren't entirely necessary but would help shift the Gunners into his own style.
A big, hulking defensive midfielder would help immensely with that. They've already signed Lucas Torreira, but if Emery is looking for his next Grzegorz Krychowiak or Steven N'Zonzi, then Danilo Pereira of FC Porto might be a good option.
Danilo's a destructive presence, dominates aerially, is lethal from set pieces and plays with both intelligence and grit. He's surprisingly swift across the ground given his build, too.
Bournemouth: Timothy Fosu-Mensah, RB, Manchester United
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With left-back bolstered by the signing of Diego Rico, it's time for Eddie Howe to address the opposite flank.
He's spent three years cycling between Simon Francis and Adam Smith at that position—players the club had in the Championship—and there are upgrades available out there. Smith lost his footing in the first XI last season and Francis is 33.
A temporary upgrade could be available on loan in the form of Timothy Fosu-Mensah. The Dutchman probably isn't good enough to command a role for Manchester United this season—particularly given they're in catchup mode on Manchester City and can't afford risks—but could slot into this Cherries side at right-back.
He's shown several strings to his bow over the last year—excelling in one-on-one defending but also providing dynamism moving forward—and can play centre-back and holding midfield too. That's a valuable asset.
Brighton: Roberto Rosales, RB, Malaga
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Brighton have been on a spending spree this summer, reinforcing several positions and buying good players at each turn. It leaves them with little to do in the market, with perhaps only a fourth centre-back or another right-back of need.
It's the latter need we'll focus on here, as despite Bruno's popularity with the fans and Ezequiel Schelotto's improving showings, there are better options out there—if you're feeling ruthless.
Roberto Rosales, relegated with Malaga last season but still a capable defender and creator, could be a nice, inexpensive acquisition to round off a great summer.
Burnley: Craig Dawson, CB, West Bromwich Albion
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With a European campaign already underway, it's clear Burnley are going to need a few more players to pad out the squad. They haven't signed anyone yet and time is ticking!
A defensive acquisition would make a lot of sense, and Craig Dawson of West Bromwich Albion seems an incredibly Sean Dyche type of player. He's robust, great in a deep block, can deputise on the right if Matthew Lowton needs a rest and at 28 years of age has plenty left in him.
According to the Mirror, he's handed in a transfer request and is training alone. If any player is ripe for a swoop, it's Dawson.
Cardiff City: Marko Grujic, CM, Liverpool
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Why overcomplicate? Marko Grujic was a success for Cardiff City last season in the Championship; in some cases it's best to go with what you know.
Per BBC Sport, Neil Warnock is of a similar opinion and is trying to secure the Serbian midfielder on another loan. It would make sense for both parties: Grujic is even further away from the first-team than he was last season, and this is a good chance to see him at Premier League level.
He might impress so much they work him into their 2019-20 plans. Otherwise, it's easier to sell him for a decent fee if he has a top-tier season under his belt.
Chelsea: Kasper Schmeichel, GK, Leicester City
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Leicester City may not wish to lose Kasper Schmeichel, but in signing Danny Ward for £12.5 million, they've effectively braced themselves for the Dane's exit.
They've done so because interest in Schmeichel is high. The Sun's Richard Forrester has linked him with a move to Chelsea and that would make some sense: Thibaut Courtois is in talks with Real Madrid (according to Sky Sports) so they'll need a replacement, and the new man must be confident with the ball at his feet in order to slot into Maurizio Sarri's system.
Schmeichel's not the best goalkeeper the Blues could sign, but options seem sparse and his skill-set does suit the new regime.
Crystal Palace: Maxime Gonalons, DM, Roma
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Maxime Gonalons was a bargain buy for Roma last summer, joining on the cheap and playing a sparing, backup role. If a club were to approach for his services now, there's every chance Monchi would do you a deal.
Crystal Palace are in need of a Gonalons type of player: A veteran, commanding midfielder who brings stability to the centre. He's not quite good enough for Roma, but he'd be an excellent pickup for a Palace side who have lost central options Yohan Cabaye and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
Everton: Yerry Mina, CB, Barcelona
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With Lucas Digne reportedly all set to join Everton, per Goal, Marco Silva can now turn to his last remaining requirement from this transfer window: a new centre-back.
The current corps is a touch underwhelming; Michael Keane must take this opportunity to better last season's effort, while Ashley Williams and Phil Jagielka are past their peak. Mason Holgate is good, but it's important not to hang it all on his shoulders.
Yerry Mina—already linked to the Toffees by David Prentiss of the Liverpool Echo earlier this month—is available for transfer due to Barcelona running out of non-EU slots, and would be an intriguing fit with the Premier League's style.
Fulham: Ludwig Augustinsson, LB, Werder Bremen
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With Aleksandar Mitrovic signed and Alfie Mawson a near certainty, per the Evening Standard's Giuseppe Muro, Fulham need to shift their focus to left-back.
As it stands Maxime Le Marchand will start the season in that position, but he's a centre-back capable of filling in, rather than a long term solution.
Augustinsson has been linked to Craven Cottage already this summer, by Neil Moxley of the Mirror, and has progressed quickly since leaving Copenhagen. A solid defender and a willing attacker and crosser, he'd fit the bill.
Huddersfield Town: Quincy Promes, Wing, Spartak Moscow
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Huddersfield Town's objective coming into this summer was clear: Do everything they can to purchase goals. They scored the joint-fewest (28) in the Premier League last season and only just survived.
The sale of Tom Ince gives them the chance to buy a proven, goalscoring winger/creator—someone who can take the load off Aaron Mooy and help the nominated striker hit the back of the net.
In Quincy Promes, you'd get that. A speedy, direct option, he scored 15 goals and assisted seven in the league last season for Spartak Moscow and would be a game-changing purchase.
Leicester City: Thorgan Hazard, Wing, Borussia Monchengladbach
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File this under difficult, but not impossible.
Thorgan Hazard was Borussia Monchengladbach's most productive player last season, netting 10 goals and assisting five, despite largely playing from the flank. He used the campaign as a springboard into Belgium's World Cup squad and impressed against England when given the chance.
The Foals would be loathe to lose him, but Leicester have a habit of extracting very good players from Europe's better sides. There's a Riyad Mahrez-shaped hole in their team that Hazard would go some way toward filling.
Liverpool: Nabil Fekir, AM, Lyon
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In an interview with Le10Sport (h/t Liverpool Echo), Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas suggested the door might not be closed on Nabil Fekir. The medical confusion bled into the World Cup so everything stalled, but now that the tournament has finished, who knows?
The Reds could still do with him, that's for sure.
Another body in the attacking midfield rotation is required if they're to last the distance in three or four competitions, and the fact Fekir can play as the No. 10, wide or perhaps even up front (at a stretch) would complete Jurgen Klopp's setup.
Manchester City: Benjamin Pavard, CB, Stuttgart
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"He has become a star," France manager Didier Deschamps said of Benjamin Pavard to Kicker (h/t Bundesliga.com), having watched the 22-year-old start seven games and impress in his World Cup-winning campaign.
Per Goal.com both Tottenham Hotspur and Bayern Munich are showing an interest in Pavard, but while he'd be an excellent pickup for either side, Manchester City would be wise to elbow their way to the front of the queue.
Centre-backs who can thread passes like Pavard can are pretty rare. This isn't a position of dire need, but Pep Guardiola could do wonders with a player like him.
Manchester United: Toby Alderweireld, CB, Tottenham Hotspur
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According to Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News, Jose Mourinho is still fishing for Toby Alderweireld despite heavy links between United and Harry Maguire. Perhaps one is a smokescreen for the other?
If given the choice of either, for a similar price, Alderweireld should be the pick. He's older (29 compared to Maguire at 25), but he's a better player, one of the very best centre-backs in the world, boasting an all-round game honed by Ajax, Atletico Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur.
Newcastle United: Lucas Perez, ST, Arsenal
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They tried last season and failed, per Miles Starforth of The Shields Gazette. That shouldn't stop them from trying again now.
Lucas Perez to Newcastle United just feels right. He's a good striker who just isn't quite good enough to play for Arsenal—no shame in that—and would improve the Magpies up top.
Even with Yoshinori Muto on the verge of signing, per BBC Sport's Saj Chowdhury, Perez would be a smart addition. Rafa Benitez doesn't seem to like any of his current options, so a complete reload could be what's required.
Southampton: Filip Kostic, Wing, Hamburg
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With Dusan Tadic sold and Nathan Redmond about a year off his best form, Southampton are currently going into the season with a lot of unknowns in their attacking midfield ranks. If they were to make another signing, it should probably be in that area.
Filip Kostic, Tadic's compatriot, wouldn't cost a tonne (on account of Hamburg's relegation last season) and would refresh the wing corps. He's four years younger than Tadic, a bit more mobile, and a bit less hesitant when it comes to teasing the ball in too.
Tottenham Hotspur: Mateo Kovacic, CM, Real Madrid
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According to beIN Sports' Tancredi Palmeri, Mateo Kovacic has "communicated to his teammates that he is leaving." The Croatian's spell at Real Madrid has been laden with trophies but not playing time, and if he's decided to call it a day in the Spanish capital, few could blame him.
Tottenham Hotspur should waste no time in registering their interest in the World Cup runner-up.
He has that marauding, dribbling ability that could emulate Mousa Dembele but most importantly could help carry the load in the centre when Christian Eriksen is absent. He's no direct replacement—few are, and none fall into Spurs' price range—but he's an extra dose of quality in the centre they badly need.
Watford: Divock Origi, ST, Liverpool
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Watford need a striker, Divock Origi needs game time and probably won't find it at Liverpool this season. Sometimes these matches can be quite easy.
Origi's previous loan spell at Wolfsburg last season didn't go so well—he scored just six goals in 22 starts and missed an open goal against RB Leipzig—and could do with a fresh chapter to prove his worth. A loan spell in the Premier League could be just the ticket, and the Hornets are on the lookout for a cheap option, per Darren Witcoop of the Mirror.
West Ham: Leander Dendoncker, DM, Anderlecht
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West Ham's busy summer might not need a late, crowning transfer, but if they decide to dip into the market just once more, it should be for a defensive midfielder like Leander Dendoncker.
The Anderlecht man is capable of holding the fort in the middle and gifting Jack Wilshere the freedom to roam forward. He could even slot in at centre-back in a crisis—he's done that for club and country too.
With Cheikhou Kouyate suggested to be on his way out, per Darren Witcoop of the Mirror, there might just be a spot open in Manuel Pellegrini's squad for Dendoncker.
Wolverhampton Wanderers: Ruben Vezo, CB, Valencia
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Wolverhampton Wanderers' transfer window has had a fairly heavy Portuguese theme so far, with six Portuguese or Portugal-based players either joining or signing permanently following a loan.
Here we make that seven, with Ruben Vezo of Valencia coming in to fill a right-sided centre-back role in Nuno Santo's back three. As it stands either Ryan Bennett or Romain Saiss will play there, but questions remain over whether they're truly Premier League standard.
Vezo's career has been a little rockier than expected, never gaining a firm foothold in any side to date, but he has the sort of overbearing physicality that suits the Premier League and 17 starts for Valencia last season, showing promise.
All statistics via WhoScored.com
