In Focus: The most pressing transfer need of every Premier League club

Time is ticking for Premier League clubs with the new campaign just around the corner and transfer deadline day edging closer.

While the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City and Leeds have been busy, others have had quiet windows so far.

Leicester are the only side yet to make a single signing, but every club in the top flight could still make improvements.

We have picked out the positions every Premier League outfit needs to strengthen.

Arsenal: Winger

Arsenal’s summer has been impressive, so much so that a winger was probably fourth on their list when last season ended.

But they have snapped up Gabriel Jesus up top, Fabio Vieira in midfield and are close to signing Oleksandr Zinchenko as a versatile option at full-back and in the centre of the park.

That means better cover than Nicolas Pepe for first-choice starters Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka is key, especially with Pepe expected to depart.

Aston Villa: Central midfielder

Aston Villa moved early in the transfer market — but they could still do with adding another central midfielder.

John McGinn, Jacob Ramsey and new signing Boubacar Kamara are a strong trio, yet Douglas Luiz could depart, while Morgan Sanson and Marvelous Nakamba have flattered to deceive.

Adding in another quality operator in the middle, potentially a progressive No8, would make Villa’s squad even more impressive.

Bournemouth: Centre-back

The departures of loanee Nat Phillips and the experienced Gary Cahill mean Bournemouth need reinforcements at the heart of their defence.

Skipper Lloyd Kelly was immense last term, but the Cherries went from conceding 0.7 goals per game when he played to 1.9 when he did not.

Chris Mepham, 24, and James Hill, 20, are the only other two recognised centre-backs in the squad currently.

Brentford: Creative midfielder

Without Christian Eriksen, Brentford may well have slid into a relegation battle last season.

They won seven of the 10 games he started, compared to six of the 28 prior to his full debut after a January arrival.

The Dane has since signed for Manchester United and it is essential that the Bees bring someone else in capable of unlocking opposition defences.

Brighton: Striker

Like last summer, the previous summer and the summer before that, Brighton are still on the hunt for a reliable goalscorer.

Neal Maupay and Leandro Trossard both registered eight league goals as the Seagulls finished ninth last term — their highest ever league position.

But if they can find a striker capable of finding the net more regularly, who knows how high they could go.

Chelsea: Centre-back

Despite the arrival of Kalidou Koulibaly, Chelsea still need to add more options at centre-half.

The ex-Napoli star and Thiago Silva are the only top-class centre-backs on the books, with Trevoh Chalobah and Malang Sarr providing some cover.

But Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen’s departures mean links with Sevilla star Jules Kounde are most welcome for the Blues.

Crystal Palace: Right-back

Joel Ward did little wrong for Crystal Palace last season, yet it feels like his is the next position for the Eagles to upgrade in.

Patrick Vieira’s first summer in charge saw the club recruit young and exciting players, and at 31 years of age Ward does not fit that profile.

A natural goalscorer is also on the menu but with Odsonne Edouard, Christian Benteke and Jean-Philippe Mateta still on the books, it is the right side of defence that takes priority.

Everton: Central midfielder

The spine of Everton’s side needs strengthening badly, and with James Tarkowski already in at centre-back, the midfield area is now key.

A whole host of players have left at the end of their contracts, leaving Abdoulaye Doucoure, Allan, Andre Gomes, Dele Alli and Tom Davies as the Toffees' only options in the middle.

Gomes and Allan could leave, while Davies and Alli are far from guaranteed starters — Frank Lampard need his board to act.

Fulham: Goalkeeper

After each of Fulham’s past two promotions, improving the goalkeeping position has been key. 

And it is the same again this term. Marek Rodak was their No1 last year but was not trusted in the 2020-21 campaign.

Ex-Tottenham keeper Paulo Gazzaniga is the current second choice, but Marco Silva will want more secure hands between the sticks if he is to keep his side up.

Leeds: Striker

Leeds have been one of the busiest Premier League sides, signing six players as well as losing Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha.

They have already brought in players to fill those holes, yet Patrick Bamford, Rodrigo and youngster Joe Gelhardt are their only options to lead the line.

With Bamford struggling to stay fit last term, Rodrigo flattering to deceive and Gelhardt still at the start of his career, another striker would not go amiss.

Leicester: Centre-back

Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers is the only Premier League manager without a new face in his squad at the moment.

But the Foxes could really do with another centre-back after shipping 34% of their goals from set-pieces last term, as well as a league high 15 from crosses.

Injuries to Wesley Fofana, Jonny Evans and Jannik Vestergaard did not help matters, yet Rodgers will want more competition and quality.

Liverpool: Central midfielder

It is well known that Liverpool are perhaps a touch short of options in the middle of the park.

They have looked light ever since Gini Wijnaldum left last summer and have been heavily linked with Jude Bellingham in recent months.

But do not expect the Reds to do any more business in the coming weeks. Jurgen Klopp has been pretty clear that they are done for the summer.

Manchester City: Left-back

Oleksander Zinchenko’s expected departure to Arsenal means Manchester City’s need for a left-back has only increased.

The Ukrainian and right-footed Joao Cancelo have been the main men over the past two seasons but Pep Guardiola wants to bring someone in more naturally suited to the role.

Brighton’s Marc Cucurella has been tipped as their first choice but City will be casting their eye over others too.

Manchester United: Defensive midfielder

Just like they were last year, Manchester United are crying out for a world-class holding midfielder.

Fred and Scott McTominay have been the ones tasked with that role in recent seasons but they are not up the level required.

Bringing in someone like Declan Rice who can operate in front of the Red Devils defence would be a vital step in improving fortunes under Erik ten Hag.

Newcastle: Striker

Upgrades all over the pitch in January and already this summer mean Newcastle look well-placed for their first full season under Saudi ownership.

But a new striker would be the icing on top of the cake with Callum Wilson injury-prone and Chris Wood their other main option.

If they can bring a 15-goal-a-season forward to Tyneside in the coming weeks, the Toon Army may well break into the top 10 or higher under Eddie Howe.

Nottingham Forest: Central midfielder

James Garner was key to Nottingham Forest’s successful play-off winning campaign — but the Manchester United loanee has returned to Old Trafford.

Philip Zinckernagel started each of their three play-off games as their attacking midfielder, yet Watford have since sold the loanee to Olympiacos.

Huddersfield’s Lewis O’Brien is close to a move but he will not be the only midfielder the Tricky Trees are after.

Southampton: Striker

Southampton went into the summer as one of the teams expected to do the most business and they have not disappointed.

But they still desperately need to add more quality to a forward line which did not fire on all cylinders last term — and is now without Chelsea loanee Armando Broja.

Che Adams and Adam Armstrong only have 22 top-flight goals between them, so if Saints want to avoid a relegation battle they really do need more firepower.  

Tottenham: Attacking midfielder

No club in the top flight has had a more impressive transfer window than Tottenham so far.

They have plugged plenty of gaps in their squad — but if they can bring in an attacking midfielder, it will look even more complete.

A return for Christian Eriksen never materialised but there are plenty of options still out there for Antonio Conte.

West Ham: Striker

West Ham are the final team in the "they need exactly the same as they did last year" camp.

Michail Antonio remains the Hammers’ only recognised striker and he only netted 10 league goals last term.

Not only does Antonio need help, West Ham could actually do with an upgrade if they are to continue challenging for European football.

Wolves: Striker

Like so many of their Premier League counterparts, adding a striker is vital for Wolves if they are to continue residing in mid-table.

Raul Jimenez was once again their top scorer last term, but he only had six goals in the league.

Only Hwang-Hee Chan, Ruben Neves and Conor Coady scored more than twice as Bruno Lage’s side struggled going forward.