Chelsea
After guiding Chelsea to a Champions League victory, Thomas Tuchel has not yet been backed in the transfer market. Even after winning the Champions league, Chelsea do need a player here and there to properly mount a title challenge next season.
Defence – Chelsea’s apparent pursuit of Achraf Hakimi came to an end after the Algerian decided to move to PSG. Reports of Chelsea not even having made a bid for Hakimi has surely infuriated Chelsea fans. Marcus Alonso , Davide Zappacosta are all set to leave the club if the right offer comes in. Marc Guehi’s departure to Crystal Palace on a permanent transfer however does not dent the already bloated centre half contingent at Chelsea. Antonio Rudiger’s contract talks reportedly reached a dead end but the rumour is that both the club and Rudiger are keen on reviving talks. Chelsea are offering a 3 years contract with a pay rise.
Midfield – Chelsea are in the market for a holding midfielder and none fits the bill perfectly than Declan Rice. A Chelsea academy graduate, Rice would surely love to move back to his former club. However, the asking price of £80m by West Ham United have surely deterred Chelsea from making a move for the young midfielder. However, recently there have been rumours that Tammy Abraham, who has fallen out of favour with Thomas Tuchel can be included in some sort cash + player deal for Declan Rice. Chelsea value Tammy Abraham at £40 million. Another name which has been high on Chelsea’s list is Aurelien Tchouameni who was a part of Ligue1 Team of the season at just 21 years of age. Ross, Barkley, Ruben Loftus Cheek, Connor Gallagher, Ethan Ampadu, Tiemoue Bakayoko and many others can seek moves away from Chelsea this summer.
Attack – Erling Braut Haaland is the hottest property in world football right now and Chelsea are hot on his heels. Borussia Dortmund have repeatedly made it clear that the Norwegian is not at sale. However a huge offer of €175m might actually force Dortmund into selling Haaland this season, rather than losing him for €75m next season when his release clause kicks in. Oliver Giroud has already left Chelsea to join AC Milan , days after signing a new contract at Chelsea. Tammy Abraham could also be on his way out of Chelsea, with the Blues demanding £40m for the striker.
Manchester United
Champions League qualification and 2nd place finish in the league can be termed as progress under Ole Gunnar Solksjaer. However, the shortcomings of the squad was quite evident in what proved to be a very long and tiring season.
Goalkeeper –The recent acquisition of Tom Heaton on a free transfer raises a few questions over the order of ranking of the goalkeepers. Sergio Romero is set to leave United after running down his contract and reports suggest that Lee Grant might take up a position in the coaching team. Dean Henderson and David De Gea are set to battle it out once again for the goalkeeping spot. However, United might be willing to listen to offers for De Gea , whose exorbitant wages are a deterring factor for any club willing to move for him.
Defence – United seem to be in the market for a backup right back and the name of Kieran Trippier has often been floating around. Brandon Williams and Diogo Dalot might leave United on loan if the move for Trippier materializes.
Raphael Varane seems to be the first-choice centre back target for United. The Red Devils are willing to offer Varane the wages he is demanding. However, a fee with Real Madrid still remains to be negotiated as Varane heads into the last year of his contract. Other names that have been touted as alternative targets are Pau Torres , Jules Kounde and Christian Romero.
Midfield – The lack of a proper holding midfielder has been the root of numerous problems for Ole , with neither Fred nor McTominay being suited for the role. Ole’s preference is Declan Rice. However , the Englishman has his heart set on a move to Chelsea , who also seem unwilling to pay the £80m that West Ham are demanding. According to recent reports, United also like Eduardo Camavinga, but are prepared to wait till the end of the window to see his 40m price tag drop. Questions, however remain , as to how Camavinga would adopt to this role.
Paul Pogba is entering his last year of contract and United seem unwilling to meet his wage demands. Rumours have recently been making the rounds that Pogba’s representatives are offering him to Paris Saint Germain , with Manchester United asking for around €60-70m. The departure of Pogba might pave the way for United to move for Saul Niguez or Leon Goretzka.
Attack – The signing of Jadon Sancho has been completed and an official announcement is eagerly awaited by fans all over the world. The one year contract extension of Cavani has been triggered and this makes it unlikely that United will move for a striker in this transfer window.
Arsenal
The fact that Arsenal have finished 8th for the last 2 seasons definitely means that something has to change. Transfer reinforcements have never been more important.
Goalkeeper – In the goalkeeping department, a homegrown player is first choice, and therefore a deal for Andre Onana is highly unlikely. The first choice as a GK is Aaron Ramsdale, followed by Sam Johnstone. Runnarson is all set to leave.
Defence – Hector Bellerin will leave and most likely join Inter Milan. Tyler Adams, Mert Muldur and Max Aarons could be his possible replacement. There has been a lack of credible sources linking Arsenal to a Right Back. A surprise inclusion to this list, though unlikely, could be Chelsea’s Valentino Livramento.
Coming to central defenders, a deal with Brighton for Ben White has been agreed, subject to a medical. Luiz has left permanently and Saliba has left on loan.
Nuno Tavares has joined Arsenal. Kolasinac could leave with clubs in Italy and Turkey interested but his high wage demands could be a problem.
Midfield – Lokonga has joined from Anderlecht. Guendouzi has left for Marseille. It’s highly unlikely that Ceballos will be rejoining. Torreira has fallen out of favour. Xhaka is all set to leave for AS Roma, with Jose Mourinho particularly keen about the player. So Arsenal need another midfielder. Sassulo’s Locatelli is the first choice but the player prefers a move to Juventus. Ruben Neves, Bissouma and Sander Berge are the other mids linked with Arsenal. Hale end graduates Willock and Ainsley Maitland-Niles could leave with several EPL clubs interested.
Leicester City’s James Maddison is top target and could be the marquee signing of this window. Odegaard also an option if Maddison proves to be too expensive. Early indications are that Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti wants to keep Odegaard as a #10.
Attack – Willian and Nelson could leave. That would mean increased game time Martinelli and academy graduate Kido Taylor Hart.
Eddie Nketiah could leave. Arsenal want to sell Lacazette too. If both leave, Tammy Abraham could be an option. Otherwise Arsenal would struggle to finance a deal for Tammy, who is valued at £40 million by Chelsea.
– Supratim Roy , Kinjal Bhattacharyya , Subhadro Sen Gupta , Sayan Chakraborti
The Sport Catalogue 