Premier League Transfer Window: Key Needs and Club Strategies

The first weekend is in the books. The table is barely formed, but the market is still wide open and the Premier League is twitching with late-window nerves.

With the deadline looming at 23:00 BST on Tuesday, 1 September, managers and sporting directors have had their first hard look at what they’ve built – and what still isn’t there.

Here is where each club stands as the final week begins.

Arsenal: One big swing still to come?

The champions have already gone heavy through the spine and out wide. Bruno Guimaraes has stiffened the midfield, Christos Tzolis adds thrust on the flank, Ezri Konsa brings authority at the back.

Yet the itch they have not scratched is up front.

Arsenal retain a long-standing interest in Julian Alvarez. It is a complicated deal, full of moving parts and resistance, but the Gunners are poised to move if even a sliver of opportunity appears.

For some supporters, he is the missing piece.

“If you want someone who is Premier League proven, who has won it all from the World Cup to the Champions League, Julian Alvarez looks like the guy that can take Arsenal to the promise land of finally getting over the line in Europe,” says fan Watson. “Especially when there aren't that many elite forwards in the world.”

Aston Villa: Holes everywhere, and time running fast

What don’t Aston Villa need after this summer’s exodus?

Ollie Watkins is at the centre of a transfer saga, with Al-Hilal pushing hard. That has forced Villa to line up replacements, with Nicolas Jackson among the options.

They want a winger. They need a defender. Konsa has already gone to Arsenal, and talks are under way with Club Brugge for central defender Joel Ordonez after Southampton knocked back bids for Taylor Harwood-Bellis.

The Brighton defeat set alarm bells ringing for some fans.

“It is clear Aston Villa desperately require a striker more than anything right now,” says supporter Amy Finley. “Although I massively rate Victor Lindelof and Pau Torres, the display against Brighton has worried me slightly. Therefore, I would welcome another centre-back as well.

“It looks like we will be OK in midfield once Johan Manzambi is fit and with the addition of Leon Goretzka.”

Bournemouth: Hold what you have

Bournemouth’s priority is survival – not in the table, in the market.

They are used to being picked off. Now, with eight days left, they just want to emerge without losing a key man.

Big clubs are circling Eli Junior Kroupi and Alex Scott. The Cherries insist neither is for sale.

On the incoming side, they are almost done. A move for Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio is close, and beyond that, the plan is to keep the squad intact.

Brentford: Almost perfect, but one more spark?

Brentford have earned the right to be selective.

They have strengthened smartly and early, and now they can pick their shots. A left-back has been on the radar, with West Ham’s El Hadji Malick Diouf strongly linked, but the need is not desperate. Keane Lewis-Potter can operate at wing-back, with Rico Henry and Aaron Hickey also available.

Callum Wilson offers experienced cover up front. The squad, under Keith Andrews, carries a depth that was missing last season. A frantic deadline scramble? Unlikely.

Still, some fans want just a little more.

“Another forward option - particularly down the left - would take this window for Brentford from a nine to a 10 out of 10,” says Michael Johnston. Mykhailo Mudryk’s name is back in circulation, a player Brentford chased before his Chelsea move.

“Get someone like Mudryk in, and I don't think the transfer window could've gone much better for Andrews.”

Brighton: Rebuild on the fly, again

Brighton are used to losing stars and calmly rebuilding. This week looks no different.

Yankuba Minteh is expected to leave for Liverpool, which opens a gap in attack. Carlos Baleba is on the brink of joining Manchester United, so midfield reinforcements are likely to be discussed.

Other exits could follow, but Brighton will stay loyal to their data-led model.

“We must continue to evolve, invest and innovate while remaining true to the principles that have brought us this far,” chairman Tony Bloom told fans before the 4-0 win over Aston Villa.

Supporters know what is needed to keep pace.

“With Baleba's anticipated departure and Minteh looking likely that he might leave as well, we need to bring a defensive midfielder who can bring a physical presence to our midfield and a winger who is proven at the top level,” says fan Maz Mirzadeh.

“With European football, we need the squad depth to compete on all fronts if we want to secure a top-10 finish again.”

Chelsea: Trim first, then think

Chelsea fans can see the holes. Some want a marquee forward. Others want a new goalkeeper, with Robert Sanchez yet to convince.

Xabi Alonso, though, believes the squad is largely set.

The real issue is volume. Chelsea have 39 players and need to cut that down to around 25 in eight days. The priority is clear: shift bodies out, avoid a bloated, unhappy group.

“Chelsea need to focus more on the outgoings than incoming players,” says supporter Savage Dan. With no European football, he warns against carrying too heavy a squad.

“If we were to bring anybody in, I think the priority is a top-drawer goalkeeper.”

Coventry: Survival first, then ambition

Coventry’s window has already been busy enough to give them a fighting chance of staying up. That is the baseline.

They are also in the mix for Mykhailo Mudryk, as the Chelsea winger looks to restart his career after a 20-month suspension for testing positive for meldonium. It would be a high-profile gamble.

Frank Lampard is also likely to seek defensive cover, while younger players such as Luke Woolfenden could depart on loan.

“Honestly, I think we have done enough in the transfer window to build a team that can stay up in this league,” says fan Conna Chahal.

Crystal Palace: New era, same old gaps

Change has swept through Selhurst Park. Maxence Lacroix has gone, and Pierre Sage has stepped in as the new manager.

Palace have tried to bulk up for a Europa League campaign, but the squad still feels light. Sage wants a senior centre-back, and Chadi Riad’s injury against Everton has only sharpened that need. Another defender could now be pushed up the list.

“Riad's injury has amplified the need for another centre-back who is first-team ready,” says fan Ollie Thomas. “Axel Disasi is a good start, but a bigger, permanent move would be great. That, plus a central midfielder, and we are set.”

Everton: One position, one glaring problem

Everton’s to-do list has one item in bold, underlined and circled: sign a right-back.

The problem has dragged on for more than a year. Everyone at the club knows it, but targets have either proved too expensive or out of reach.

Against Crystal Palace, midfielder Merlin Rohl filled in. Jake O'Brien and James Garner have also been used there. None of them is a long-term solution.

Time is almost up. A decision has to be made.

David Moyes may also consider another striker, with doubts still hanging over Beto and Thierno Barry. Chelsea’s Liam Delap is a recurring name in the rumour mill.

Fulham: Balance the picture

Alvaro Arbeloa is broadly satisfied with Fulham’s work so far. Still, he knows the squad could be better balanced.

They have explored moves for an extra central defender, including Rennes’ Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal, and that area remains high on the list.

This is not a club that trades at the very top of the market. It is one that often waits for late opportunities and enjoys a deadline-day move.

Supporters see two clear needs.

“It still feels like Fulham need a right winger - whether that is sticking with Oscar Bobb or providing serious competition for him - I think we need to cover for the loss of Harry Wilson's goals,” says John Charles.

“We also need a right-sided centre-back as there are serious concerns over how Joachim Anderson will fit Arbeloa's new system.”

Hull City: Ambition with a long shopping list

Hull have already been busy, but they are not done.

The Tigers are working on deals for two forwards, Mohamed Ali-Cho and Ilyas Ansah. They also like Real Betis winger Pablo Garcia, though that move has slowed after Betis raised their valuation. Stoke’s Sorba Thomas is another name of interest.

On top of that, a goalkeeper, a midfielder and a right-back are all being considered in this final week.

Fan Ryan Frankish sets out the ideal haul: “Over the next week, if we bring in a left winger, one more striker - assuming the Ali-Cho deal also gets completed - a central midfielder, an attacking midfielder and a right-back to add depth and challenge Lewie Coyle for the starting spot, we will be in a strong position to compete.”

Leeds: Money spent, now for fine-tuning

Leeds pushed the boat out to land James Trafford from Manchester City. That level of spending likely rules out any more huge deals.

They are keen on a loan for Mykhailo Mudryk but have yet to find agreement with Chelsea and are looking at other left-wing options.

Back-up for Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha is being weighed up. There is also interest in Frankfurt goalkeeper Michael Zetterer, if Lucas Perri heads to Torino on loan as expected.

“Leeds have had a great transfer window but they badly need another left-footed left-back as cover for Gabriel Gudmundsson,” says fan Lewis Deighton. Beyond that, he would like “another forward or creative midfielder to contend with Harry Wilson, Brenden Aaronson and Noah Okafor.”

Liverpool: Wide men and a missing anchor

Everyone knows where Liverpool are looking.

The priority remains the wide attacking roles, with at least one – and possibly two – wingers expected before the deadline. Names such as Bradley Barcola, Ibrahim Mbaye and Yankuba Minteh have all been on the radar.

Sunday’s chaotic draw at Newcastle underlined another issue.

Andoni Iraola insisted personnel was not the problem in defensive midfield, but the way Liverpool were cut open twice suggests otherwise. Rio Ngumoha looked uncomfortable on the right, and the gap between defence and midfield gaped open on the counter.

“It is no secret Liverpool have been actively looking in the market for wingers,” says fan Nahyan Chowdhury. “However, the performance also showed Liverpool may need a defensive midfielder to plug the huge disconnect between the defence and midfield, especially on the counter attack.

“Liverpool fans have been crying out for a Fabinho replacement since his departure, but it could be too late with a week to go.”

Manchester United: One more full-back, maybe more

Carlos Baleba’s imminent arrival will close the book on United’s midfield rebuild. The spotlight now swings to left-back.

Luke Shaw cannot be asked to carry the entire season. The club have a long-term interest in Newcastle’s Lewis Hall and are also assessing Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde, while Jorge Salinas of Racing Santander has been heavily linked.

Another forward could come in, but only if someone leaves. Joshua Zirkzee is the most likely departure in that scenario.

“A left-back is essential and this is not just a knee-jerk reaction to the defeat at Hull City - you can see United are short in that position,” says fan Jay Motty.

“We can not realistically expect Luke Shaw to play every game this season and there are still doubts as to whether Michael Carrick trusts Patrick Dorgu in defence.”

Newcastle United: Youth in, now experience needed

Newcastle’s youngsters did not blink on their Premier League debuts against Liverpool. They looked ready.

Matthias Jaissle, though, could still use a midfielder with proven top-flight experience after the sales of Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali. A move for Manchester City’s Nico Gonzalez is progressing.

A mobile, versatile forward is also on the wish list, someone to ease the load on William Osula and Yoane Wissa and offer different angles in attack.

Nottingham Forest: Quiet so far, but work to do

Only three new signings so far. That is a gentle summer by Nottingham Forest’s recent standards.

Work is ongoing. They want a striker and a full-back, and are in talks with Chelsea for Liam Delap. Fiorentina right-back Dodo is another target.

Manager Oliver Glasner has played down the need for midfield additions, even after Elliot Anderson’s move to Manchester City, but the final week can change minds quickly.

Sunderland: One wing short

Sunderland have ticked off two key needs, bringing in French full-back Dayann Methalie from Toulouse and Antwerp midfielder Jules Ahoka.

The next obvious gap is on the right wing.

Sporting’s Geny Catamo is the leading candidate. His coach Rui Borges says Catamo is “happy” at the Portuguese club, but that line has not always meant much when Premier League money arrives.

Up front, Eliezer Mayenda has gone, leaving Brian Brobbey and Wilson Isidor as the only senior central strikers. Another centre-forward feels necessary.

Tottenham: Final piece of De Zerbi’s puzzle

Spurs have spent big and reshaped the squad. Yet one question lingers: who finishes the moves?

If Dominic Solanke is not going to be the regular focal point, Roberto de Zerbi has to look again at his front line. Richarlison started the opening defeat at Brentford, and a deal for Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush is moving forward, but there is still debate over his best role.

Tottenham’s attacks are quick, sharp, often beautifully constructed – then they fade.

“Tottenham desperately need forward players who can turn De Zerbi's quick attacks into decisive moments,” says fan Kish Patel. “Currently Spurs have the players to play through pressure but don't have the players to maximise the situations this creates.

“A winger and a striker who can improve us will be a drastic upgrade.”

The clock is ticking. For some clubs it is about one last flourish, for others it is about plugging obvious gaps. By 23:00 on Tuesday, the excuses stop and the squads are locked in.