Premier League Transfer Needs: Where Every Club Must Strengthen Before Deadline Day - Part One

The start of the Premier League season also signals the beginning of the end of the summer transfer window. Clubs have until 11pm on September 1st to wrap up their business before the window slams shut until January.

And in the final weeks of the summer, there are still areas teams need to improve upon. In part one of this two-part series, we look at where Arsenal through to Fulham need to strengthen up until the deadline.

Arsenal - Versatile centre-back

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has made no secret of his desire to bring in another centre-back who can also operate at right-back. The Gunners boss wants his defenders to be able to play a number of roles, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes the exception. Given Saliba’s absence with a back issue, combined with Ben White and Jurrien Timber’s respective problems, a centre-back who can cover at right-back is key. Ezri Konsa is believed to be one of the club’s top targets.

Aston Villa - Midfield reinforcements

Aston Villa were stung in more ways than one this summer. Amadou Onana suffered an ACL injury at the World Cup. Weeks later, compatriot Youri Tielemans swapped Villa Park for Old Trafford. Morgan Rogers also departed for Chelsea. The Villans have sought to ease their midfield issues with the signings of Joao Gomes and Johan Manzambi from Wolves and Freiburg, respectively. Still a midfielder short, however, reports of a loan move for Joao Palhinha makes sense. The Portuguese star, whose goal kept Tottenham in the Premier League last season, is experienced in England’s top tier. He’s a fine short-term solution.

Bournemouth - Petrovic cover

Bournemouth have fared well in the summer window. The Cherries have secured replacements for Marcos Senesi and Alex Jimenez, with Antonio Silva and Janulu Sanchez joining from Benfica and Sevilla, respectively. However, on the verge of their first ever European campaign, the south coast side need cover for goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic. Fraser Forster and Will Dennis are just not quite up to standard. Wolves man Sam Johnstone has been linked with an immediate Premier League return. The 33-year-old would be a sturdy deputy for Petrovic.

Brentford - Left-back investment

After a successful debut campaign under Keith Andrews, Brentford need to push on. Jordan Henderson’s replacement has signed on, Mamadou Sangare joining from French side Lens. They are still in the market for left-back investment, however. Rico Henry and Keane Lewis-Potter are Andrews’ first-choice options. They have since been linked with a move for West Ham’s El Hadji Malick Diouf. The Senegal star was on Manchester United’s radar earlier this year. A full-back pairing of Diouf and Michael Kayode would be one of the best in the league.

Brighton - Central midfield additions

With Carlos Baleba tipped to leave Brighton this summer, the Seagulls need to bring in another body in the middle of the park. In truth, they need a new addition in midfield regardless. An energetic presence is vital in order to match Fabian Hurzeler’s demands and ease the burden on the experienced Pascal Gross. Senegal international Lamine Camara is among the top targets for the Seagulls, though they’d to act fast in order to land the Monaco man. Indeed, rivals Crystal Palace and Chelsea have both recently been credited with an interest in the 22-year-old.

Chelsea - A new number one

Robert Sanchez was parachuted into the number one spot at Stamford Bridge upon his 2023 arrival from Brighton. The Spaniard has failed to convince he’s worthy of being Chelsea’s long-term option between the sticks. In truth, it’s remarkable that the Blues are yet to replace Sanchez. They were linked with a move for Mike Maignan last summer but the deal failed to come to fruition. Yes, the Frenchman may stunt Mike Penders’ growth, but he’d be an elite option that Chelsea are crying out for in goal.

Coventry - Pace out wide

Coventry took a while to get going in the market, but they’ve strengthened well. Carl Rushworth and Frank Onyeka have made their respective loan moves permanent. Caleb Yirenkyi is a fine addition to the Sky Blues. However, they need to add some pace out wide to bolster their frontline. A loan move for Mykhailo Mudryk isn’t completely out of the equation either. The Ukrainian is keen to prove his worth having sat out the last 18 months of his professional career owing to a doping ban. Now back available and eager to impress, Coventry boss Frank Lampard could do a lot worse than maximise his Chelsea connections to land Mudryk.

Crystal Palace - Marquee middle of the park signing

Having bolstered in defence, at wing-back and in attack, central midfield is the only remaining area Crystal Palace boss Pierre Sage is hoping to strengthen. Sage had hoped to bring Mamadou Sangare to Selhurst Park from Lens this summer, but were beaten to the Mali international by Brentford. As such, they have turned their attention to another Ligue 1 star. Lamine Camara is high on the club’s wishlist, though there is a lengthy list of suitors monitoring the 22-year-old.

Everton - First-choice right-back

A starting right-back remains Everton’s priority in the final weeks of the summer transfer window. They have been linked with a host of stars to fill the spot on the right side of the defence, with the experienced Kyle Walker among those mooted with a Hill Dickinson Stadium move. Celtic’s Alistair Johnson is a rumoured target, as is Crystal Palace’s Daniel Munoz, though Tottenham have also been linked with the Colombian. Rather, Everton should turn their attention to West Ham’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka. The DR Congo international, who is also on Aston Villa’s radar, would be a perfect fit for David Moyes’ robust Everton side.

Fulham - Strength in depth at centre-back

Shea Charles and Cesar Palacios both made the move to Fulham this summer to strengthen the midfield, while Gonzalo Garcia is a solid forward addition as Alphonse Areola utilises his Real Madrid links. They are still short of centre-back options, however, following Issa Diop’s move to Ipswich. The Morocco international wasn’t first-choice at Craven Cottage, but Areola will want a fourth senior centre-back on the books. Fulham could yet replace one Moroccan centre-back with another. Rennes man Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal may not arrive as a starter in west London, but the 20-year-old would be a handy signing for the Whites.