Transfer Talk: Five Premier League outcasts who need a move

The transfer window is reaching its final two weeks and plenty of Premier League stars still want to secure moves before it slams shut.

With two games of the season now played, some players will have a clear idea of whether they are in their manager’s plans.

We pick five outcasts looking for a new club ahead of the transfer deadline.

Nicolas Pepe (Arsenal)

Arsenal’s club-record £72million move to sign Nicolas Pepe from Lille in 2019 has been nothing short of a disaster.

The Ivory Coast international, 27, has showcased his ability at times but instances where he has frustrated have been far more common, scoring 27 times in 112 appearances for the Gunners.

The winger started just five Premier League games in 2021-22 and has not played a single minute of Arsenal’s first two outings this term.

Europa League football looks to be his best chance to impress should he stay at his current club, though regular minutes elsewhere could be a better option in reigniting his career.

Should he leave on a permanent deal, it seems unlikely Arsenal will recoup anywhere near the original fee they paid.

Harry Winks (Tottenham)

Across North London, Harry Winks is feeling similarly unloved at Tottenham.

The English midfielder was a surprise introduction to Spurs’ XI when manager Antonio Conte first arrived last November but played only 65 minutes across their final 13 Premier League games of the 2021-22 campaign.

Not in either of the Italian’s first two matchday squads this season, the 26-year-old knows now is the time to move on from his boyhood club.

Frank Lampard’s Everton had emerged as early frontrunners for his signature this summer, though talk of them making an approach has died down of late.

In a similar predicament are team-mates Tanguy Ndombele and Sergio Reguilon, who have both been told to find new clubs.

Billy Gilmour (Chelsea)

Billy Gilmour was a name on many people's lips last summer after an impressive European Championship with Scotland.

Wowing supporters and pundits alike with a handful of appearances in Chelsea’s first team as a teenager, a move to newly-promoted Norwich in July 2021 saw him get his first full season as a regular starter.

But the switch did not quite go to plan with the Canaries suffering relegation and Gilmour struggling to put his stamp on their midfield.

At 21, there is still plenty of time to become a success but with a host of midfielders ahead of him in West London, another loan move could be on the cards.

Everton are again a name to be mentioned with a move which would see him reuinite with Lampard, who handed him his first-team debut at the Blues.

That could mean another relegation battle though and a spell at a Championship side pushing for promotion could be the smarter bet.

Phil Jones (Manchester United)

It is hard to find a more peculiar career arc than that of Manchester United centre-back Phil Jones.

He was hailed by legendary Red Devils boss Alex Ferguson as a future captain of the club when he signed the fledgling defender from Blackburn in 2011.

But excitement towards the Preston native slowly turned into mocking after a host of injuries, comical errors and unconvincing performances during his decade with the club.

That said, Jones, 30, remains level with goalkeeper David de Gea as United's current longest serving player. 

He even won some plaudits when reintroduced to the side for four Premier League appearances under interim boss Ralf Rangnick last term.

With no move appearing close this summer, the No4 extraordinarily looks set for his 12th season at Old Trafford as it stands.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Liverpool)

Another whose injuries have blighted what was a very promising career is Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

The Liverpool man’s best spell at Anfield came during the Reds’ title-winning season of 2019-20 but fitness concerns have limited his impact in other campaigns.

Another hamstring issue has prevented him from featuring so far this season as his frustration continues.

With youngsters Harvey Elliott and Fabio Carvalho now coming through, it may be time for the former Southampton and Arsenal ace to chance his arm elsewhere as he enters the final 12 months of his contract.

Aston Villa and West Ham are possible destinations, though convincing any potential suitor of his fitness may prove the biggest obstacle.