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The 2024/2025 Premier League season is fast approaching and clubs are taking the initiative already ahead of a seemingly busy window.
Reinforcements to be acquired and holes to be plugged in the squad by respective managers.
Here, we take a look at some of the ideal transfers to massively strengthen the top six sides.
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Manchester City
The champions of England and the world at large cruised to another English top flight title by pipping local rivals Arsenal and Liverpool after a three-horse title race.
The Cityzens have already acquired the services of Brazilian winger Savio from sister-club Girona as they finally find suitable legs to plug the hole left by Riyad Mahrez’s departure to Saudi Arabia.
Mathues Nunes’ arrival from Wolverhampton Wanderers has not quite been the surreal piece of business and the club are still linked with Brazilian duo Lucas Paqueta and Bruno Guimaraes to stalk up the midfield department.
The ideal pick this summer would be in the goalkeeping unit. Despite first choice shot-stopper Ederson Moraes’ remarkable ball playing capabilities, he had the worst save success rate across Europe’s top 5 divisions.
Being dropped by Pep Guardiola after being replaced by Stefan Ortega against Tottenham Hotspur in the title run-in has reportedly triggered exit rumours. If that does happen, the club would need a new goalie to either rival Stefan Ortega or take the starting shirt.
Ideal pick: Mike Maignan (AC Milan).
Stopgap: Giorgi Mamardashvili (Valencia).
Liverpool
Dutch gaffer Arne Slot has been confirmed as Liverpool first team coach for the 24/25 season. After a successful season with Feyenoord Rotterdam, Slot has big boots to fill as he takes over from Jurgen Klopp.
Arguably, one of his toughest tasks would be getting the best out of Liverpool’s attacking department and fit the necessary profiles in the squad.
Alexis Mac Allister and Wataru Endo rotated the role at the base of midfield last campaign, as with the elite clubs, the Merseyside based outfit require a world-class personnel to compete on the long run and consequently liberate the Argentinian playmaker.
However, the pick here is at center-back. Ibrahima Konate’s constant injury woes has seen youngster Jarell Quansah break into the senior fold and Joe Gomez continues to provide support across the entire backline. With Virgil Van Dijk gradually nearing the tailend of his career, it’s long overdue for the club to now find a left-footed center back.
Despite Josko Gvardiol openly declaring the club is childhood team last summer and reported interest in David Hancko and Castello Lukeba, nothing happened over the previous summer.
Ideal pick: Riccardo Calafiori (Bologna).
Stopgap: Lutsharel Geertruida (Feyenoord Rotterdam).
Arsenal
Mikel Arteta’s Gunners have settled for back-to-back second place finishes in the first division as a result of Manchester City’s dominance. A common determinant in that period has been Guardiola’s return to a pure no 9 in Erling Haaland. The Norwegian has cruised to successive golden boot awards in his first two seasons. Remarkably setting a league high record goals in a season.
In that period, Arteta has called on Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah, Leandro Trossard and occasionally Gabriel Martinelli to lead the line from the middle of his front three. More frequently, it was a role awarded to summer signing Kai Havertz last campaign and regardless of his fine form, the club require a trusted out and out striker to command their title charge.
Ideal pick: Alexander Isak (Newcastle United).
Stopgap: Benjamin Sesko (RB Leipzig).
Manchester United
Oblivious of what happens with Erik Ten Hag over the summer, Manchester United have a number of issues to address in the squad in terms of departures, arrivals and the wage bill.
The INEOS management team should be looking to get on the front foot this summer to return the Theatre of Dreams to glory days.
A backup or veteran striker to share the minutes or lift the weight of Rasmus Hojlund’s soldier should be a consideration. A creative winger as well as a massive overhaul in the defensive unit.
The pick is however in midfield. English midfielder Kobbie Mainoo looks exactly like the kind of talent to build the team around on the long run and with interest in club captain Bruno Fernandes gradually piling up, it’s important the club finds the right profile to complete the trio.
Carlos Casimiro now looks miles past his glory days and the club should be headed for an all-action midfield profile that can be the steel man, break opposition advances, use the ball and occasionally make the box crashing runs.
Ideal pick: Amadou Onana (Everton).
Stopgap: Mats Wieffer (Feyenoord Rotterdam).
Tottenham Hotspur
Ange Postecoglou’s debut season at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium was one with mixed reactions. Starting the season well by going atop the log followed with periods of abysmal performances all around the country.
Although there were glimpses of Ange ball being slowly implemented, the gaffer himself has admitted there are players that need to be rid off ahead of the next campaign.
Heung-Min Son rotated the striker and left wing position for the bulk of the campaign with support not looking to be coming. James Madisson and Dejan Kulusevski suffered dips in form while Timo Werner and Brennan Johnson are not quite the top-notch decision makers in the final third spaces.
A pure striker or creative winger to allow Heung-Min Son stick to one role should be the club’s pick.
Ideal pick: Ivan Toney (Brentford).
Stopgap: Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace).
Chelsea
Mauricio Pochettino’s shock dismissal from Stamford Bridge at the end of the campaign raised eyebrows despite the rousing end to the season.
Enzo Maresca’s arrival in West-London should expectedly usher in a new wave of possession football for the Blues.
Tosin Adarabioyo has already arrived in a bid to strengthen up the defensive unit and the goalkeeping department will reportedly be entrusted to Robert Sanchez and Djordje Petrovic.
Up top is where the club’s headache is. Cole Palmer and a fully fit Christopher Nkunku will solve a bit of the club’s concerns while the other bit is who takes up the central striker spot.
Nicolas Jackson led the line last season and finished the campaign third for big chances missed (24) only behind Erling Haaland and Darwin Nunez also totaling a shot conversion rate of 17.5%.
Maresca’s free flowing football requires an elite topman for perfection and that profile should be atop the club’s transfer list.
Ideal pick: Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli).
Stopgap: Romelu Lukaku (Back from loan).
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