The transfer window closes in little over two weeks time and several clubs still have to do some business before the 2nd September.
One signing could be the difference between winning the title or coming second, while some clubs will be hoping that the business they do now will help them stay in the Premier League. Here is the one signing that each Premier League club should make before the end of the summer transfer window.
Arsenal- Luis Suarez
Arsenal had made Gonzalo Higuain their main transfer target earlier in the summer but decided to stop their pursuit of the Argentine striker in favour of making a move for Liverpool’s Luis Suarez. The Gunners thought that Suarez had a £40 million buy-out clause in his contract, meaning they could sign him relatively easily. However, there was no such clause in Suarez’s contract and Liverpool simply turned down Arsenal’s £40 million offer. The Gunners are still desperate to sign Suarez, with manager Arsene Wenger knowing that he needs to sign a quality player before the end of the summer so that Arsenal can challenge for the Premier League title.
Arsenal need a quality goal scorer if they are to compete with the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea and Suarez is exactly the type of player that would get the Gunners plenty of goals. With Liverpool not wanting to sell the striker, it may take a bid of over £50 million for Arsenal to sign Suarez. It maybe a lot of money and Wenger doesn’t like to spend huge amounts of money on one player but it could make all the difference come the end of the season.
Aston Villa- Gareth Barry
Villa narrowly avoided being relegated from the Premier League last season, with Christan Benteke scoring the goals that prevented the clubs relegation. Arguably the most important moment in Villa’s summer was when Benteke decided to sign a new contract with the club and rejected the advances of Tottenham. Manager Paul Lambert will want to improve on last seasons position in the Premier League table and he knows that he still needs to do some business before the 2nd September in order to make Villa stronger.
Last season, Villa were short of experience and it did show on several occasions. To address that, Lambert could make a move for former Villa captain Gareth Barry, who could be set to leave Manchester City this summer, with the player not being a part of Manuel Pellegrini’s plans. Barry left Villa Park in acrimonious circumstances and has been booed by Villa’s fans when he has returned to the club with City. However, Barry is a player of quality and Villa fans would probably forget about his exit if he comes back and puts in several good performances.
Cardiff City- Peter Odemwingie
Cardiff are playing in their first ever Premier League season and manager Malky Mackay has been eager to improve the Bluebirds squad this summer, smashing the clubs record transfer three times already. The clubs latest acquisition was Sevilla midfielder Gary Medel, who should add some steel to the clubs midfield. However, Mackay has already said that the club need one of two more big signings before he will feel comfortable with his squad. A quality striker is an important addition for any newly promoted side as they will often score important goals at the most important of times. Cardiff have been heavily linked with a move for West Brom striker Peter Odemwingie, who looks set to leave the Hawthorns this summer following a difficult six months with the Baggies. Odemwingie tried to force through a move to QPR in the January transfer window but failed to complete the move before the deadline.
Since then, the striker has been unpopular with the clubs fans and is actively looking to move. Odemwingie is a player with a lot of experience in the Premier League and will pose a threat up front for the Bluebirds if he does make the move to Cardiff.
Chelsea- Samuel Eto’o
Chelsea have been installed as favourites for the Premier League title by many bookmakers and that is mainly because of Jose Mourinho’s return to Stamford Bridge. The Blues won the Premier League title twice under Mourinho and there has been a huge wave of optimism at the club ever since the Portuguese coach returned. However, Mourinho knows that this isn’t the same all conquering Chelsea side that he left in 2007. The Blues have struggled to keep up with Manchester United and Manchester City in recent seasons and that is down to an ageing squad. Scoring goals has also been a problem for Chelsea, with Fernando Torres failing to fire on regular occasions. Mourinho knows that he needs to sign a quality striker for Chelsea to win the Premier League trophy and has been actively looking for one all summer.
He made Wayne Rooney his main target but he looks set to miss out on the Manchester United striker, with the Red Devils refusing to let him go. It means that Mourinho has turned his attentions to one of his former players, Samuel Eto, who played with Mourinho at Inter Milan. The pair enjoyed an excellent relationship and although Eto is 32, he is still a proven goal scorer and would add plenty of talent to the Blues front-line.
Crystal Palace- Yossi Benayoun
Crystal Palace are another newly promoted side who are actively looking to improve their squad this summer. Manager Ian Holloway doesn’t have the same amount of money that Malky Mackay has at Cardiff but that hasn’t stopped him signing several players in cut-price deals. The Eagles are most pundits favourites for relegation this summer and despite the business that he has done, Holloway knows that more players are needed if Palace are to stay in the Premier League. The most high profile player that Palace have been linked with is former Liverpool midfielder Yossi Benayoun.
The Israeli is a hugely experienced player who has played for several Premier League clubs. His experience could be hugely important for Eagles and despite his age, Benayoun still has the ability to unlock even the best defences. Many clubs throughout Europe are chasing Benayoun, but Holloway will hope that he can tempt the Israeli to Selhurst Park for what could be his swansong season.
Everton- Victor Moses
It is a new era at Goodison Park after Roberto Martinez replaced David Moyes in the Everton hot seat. The Spaniard is regarded as one of the most talented young managers operating in Europe and comes to the club off the back of winning the FA Cup with Wigan Athletic. Martinez has spent most of the season trying to keep his squad together, with Leighton Baines and Marouane Fellaini being linked with moves away from the club. The former Wigan boss is also looking to improve Everton’s squad as he will have to try and compete with the likes of Liverpool and Tottenham for a place in the Premier League’s top six.
Martinez has linked with a move for Victor Moses, one of his former players at Wigan. Moses moved to Chelsea last summer but struggled to break into the Blues first team during his first season at Stamford Bridge and could be set to move away from the club, with places in the Chelsea first team likely to be very hard to come by. Martinez would love to be re-united with Moses and would give the winger the first team opportunities that he has struggled to get at Chelsea.
Fulham- Scott Parker
The Cottagers finished in mid-table last season and although many at the club feel that the teams first ambition should be to avoid relegation, many fans will be thinking that they can rival the likes of Everton and Liverpool for a place in the Premier League’s top six. The club signed Dimitar Berbatov last season and the Bulgarian made a huge impact on the clubs season. Martin Jol will be hoping to sign a player of similar quality this summer and the Dutchman has been linked with a move for Spurs midfielder Scott Parker. Tottenham are willing to let Parker leave, with QPR reportedly reaching a deal with Spurs to sign Parker.
However, the player has yet to decide whether he should move to Loftus Road, especially as the Hoops are now playing in the Championship. Parker would like to stay in the Premier League and Fulham could offer him that opportunity. Although Parker is 32, he still has a wealth of Premier League experience and would be a real asset to Fulham if he were to move to Craven Cottage.
Player has since signed!
Hull City- Nicklas Bendtner
Hull City are another newly promoted side that are favourites to be relegated this summer. However, their manager Steve Bruce is hugely experienced and the former Sunderland boss knows the Premier League well. He knows that the Hull need to sign several players if they are to remain in the top flight. The club have already signed Tom Huddlestone from Tottenham, a good move in many pundits books. However, the club will need goals if they are to remain in the Premier League and that will dominate Bruce’s during the final days of the transfer window. One player that Bruce is very interested in is Arsenal outcast Nicklaus Bendtner. The Dane struggled during his time at the Gunners and will leave the Emirates this summer.
Despite his troubles at Arsenal, Bendtner would still be a good signing for a newly promoted side due to his experience in the Premier League. He also had a good relationship with Bruce, who brought him to Sunderland on loan when he was manager at the Stadium of Light.
Liverpool- Willian
Most of Liverpool’s summer has been dominated by the speculation surrounding Luis Suarez future at the club. Despite this, manager Brendan Rodgers has been desperately trying to improve the Reds squad. He has signed young players like Luis Alberto and Iago Aspas but has so far failed to bring in a real marquee signing, with players Diego Costa and Henrikh Mkhitaryan rejecting the chance to move to Anfield. Rodgers desperately wants to improve Liverpool’s attacking options by signing an attacking midfielder and has now moved his attentions to Anzhi Makhachkala midfielder Willian.
The Brazilian only moved to Anzhi in January but may have to leave due to the clubs current financial difficulties. The player has already spoken about how he would love the opportunity of playing for Liverpool and the Reds have been linked with a £30 million move for the midfielder. With Willian almost certainly set to leave Anzhi, Liverpool’s chances of signing the Brazilian appear to be pretty strong. However, several clubs are also known to be interested in signing the midfielder, including Chelsea and Manchester United, which means the Reds may need to act quickly if they are to sign the talented midfielder.
Manchester City- Pepe
Manchester City have been one of the more busier sides in this summers transfer window, having spent a combined £90 million on players this summer. The club are desperately trying to bolster their squad following their poor defence of the Premier League title last season. Attackers like Stevan Jovetic and Jesus Navas have been signed, meaning the Sky Blues will a more potent attacking threat this season. However, attack isn’t where City have had there problems in pre season.
The club have conceded several goals during the off season and currently only have two fit centre backs following Matija Nastastic’s injury which will keep the Serbian out of the first few weeks of the season. Manager Manuel Pellegrini is looking to sign a quality centre back and has his eyes on Real Madrid defender Pepe, one of the most physical centre backs in Europe. Real Madrid are reluctant to let the Portuguese defender leave but if City meet their £30 million valuation, then Madrid maybe willing to do business.
Manchester United- Cesc Fabregas
Manchester United have been quiet during their first summer without Sir Alex Ferguson. David Moyes has replaced the legendary manager at Old Trafford and the Scot is desperate to get his first season at the club off to a good start. Moyes has tried to sign several players this summer but without much luck. His main target is reportedly Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas, who has struggled to hold down at regular spot at the Nou Camp since his switch from Arsenal two years ago. Following a summer speculation, Fabregas announced his intention to remain at Barcelona but Moyes is still confident that he land his main target. Reports suggest that United are preparing a club record £40 million bid for Fabregas, an offer which could tempt Barcelona, as the La Liga Champions are looking raise funds in order to sign a new centre back.
A move to Old Trafford is also tempting for Fabregas, who would love the opportunity to play in his favoured central midfield position before next summers World Cup. If Fabregas isn’t playing much during the first few weeks of the season, a bid from United is likely, with Moyes hoping he can replace the recently retired Paul Scholes with the former Arsenal captain.
Newcastle United- Bafetimbi Gomis
Surprisingly Newcastle struggled during last seasons Premier League campaign, being a dragged into a relegation battle that they very nearly lost. Manager Alan Pardew is desperate to make sure the Magpies get back into the top half of the table this season and wants to add several players to his squad. However, he has struggled to bring in players during this transfer window and could be set to make lots of last minute deals as the end of the transfer window approaches.
One deal he has been eager to complete is a move for Lyon striker Bafetimbi Gomis. The Magpies had reportedly agreed a fee with Lyon but the move fell through, meaning Gomis stayed in France. Despite this, both Newcastle and Gomis are still interested in getting a deal done, with the striker eager to join the legion of French speaking playersthat are currently at St James’s Park. Pardew is also keen to add Gomis to his squad. Newcastle missed Demba Ba during the final few months of last season following the strikers move to Chelsea and Pardew would like to replace Ba with Gomis. It wouldn’t be a surprise if a deal was done before the end of the transfer window.
Norwich City- Fabio Quagliarella
Norwich have been busy during the summer, with manager Chris Hughton eager to add quality to the Canaries squad before the start of the season. Norwich had a good second season in the Premier League, avoiding a battle with relegation. However, Hughton knows that the Canaries will have to keep improving if they are to avoid a relegation battle again and this is one of the reasons why he has spent heavily. Ricky Van Wolfswinkel arrived earlier in the summer and scored on his league debut against Everton. To further enhance his attacking options, Hughton is looking to sign another quality striker, with his main target being Juventus front man Fabio Quagliarella.
The Italian could be available for a transfer this summer as Juventus have recently signed Fernando Llorente and Carlos Tevez, meaning there is no place in the clubs starting line-up for Quagliarella. The striker himself is reportedly interested in a move to Carrow Road, with the opportunity of playing first team football being particularly appealing to him.
Southampton- Pablo Osvaldo
Southampton were another team that punched above their weight last season. Many pundits predicted the clubs relegation back to the Championship but the Saints avoided a relegation battle for the most part, letting teams like Newcastle and Sunderland get sucked into the relegation scrap. Southampton’s owners are ambitious and want the club to be challenging with teams in the top half of the Premier League. For that to happen, Southampton will need to sign a quality striker that will score the goals that can lift them into the Premier League’s top ten. Manuel Pochettino’s main target is believed to be Roma striker Pablo Osvaldo, who is almost certain to leave the Italian club this summer. Some reports have been suggesting that Roma are trying to persuade Osvaldo to move to Southampton. At the moment, the striker isn’t convinced but if Southampton are able to sign the Italian, then that could be a huge step for them as they try and re-establish themselves as a Premier League team. Tottenham are also rumoured to be interested in signing Osvaldo.
Player since signed!
Stoke City- Jermaine Defoe
Earlier in the summer, Mark Hughes replaced Tony Pulis as manager Stoke. The Potters have regularly been over achievers in the Premier League, often punching above their weight. Last season, the club found themselves drifting towards the bottom end of the Premier League table, so Hughes was brought in to freshen things up. Hughes is a hugely experienced manager who has managed clubs at both ends of the Premier League. The Welshman is eager to stamp his mark on Stoke’s squad and will probably alter the clubs much criticised style of play. To do that, Hughes will need to sign some new players.
The club have been linked with a move for Jermaine Defoe, who could be surplus to requirements at Tottenham. Defoe has moved down the pecking order at White Hart Lane ever since the club signed Roberto Soldado and with more new players set to arrive, Defoe’s chances of first team football appear slim. This means that Defoe could move to Stoke, where he could form a partnership with Peter Crouch. The pair have played together several times at Tottenham and Portsmouth and could re-united once again and be a success at the Britannia.
Sunderland- Moussa Sow
Sunderland were another team that were surprisingly drawn into a relegation battle last season. Paolo Di Canio was brought in a managed to keep the Black Cats in the Premier League. The Italian has been working hard to try and make sure Sunderland aren’t dragged into a relegation fight again and will still be busy trying to improve the clubs squad come September 2nd. One of the major problems for Sunderland last season was a lack of goals. Striker Steven Fletcher missed several games through injury while Danny Graham has yet to score a league goal for the club despite coming to the Stadium of Light in January.
To solve this problem, Di Canio wants to bring in a quality front man and has been linked with Fenerbache striker Moussa Sow. The Senegalese striker is a strong figure who scored 22 goals for the Turkish club last season, Di Canio would love to bring Sow to Sunderland and would hope that the striker could replicate his scoring record for Fenerbache in the Premier League.
Swansea City- Hector Moreno
Swansea arguably had their most successful ever season, winning the League Cup and finishing in the top half of the Premier League table. Manager Michael Luadrup is desperate to improve on that and wants to make sure the Swans don’t slip down the Premier League table. He has already signed Wilfried Bony for £13 million but is now looking to strengthen his defence.
Speculation continues to rumble on about Ashley Williams future at the club. The Welshman has been heavily linked with Arsenal and would be very difficult to replace if he did leave the Liberty Stadium. Laudrup has lined up Espanyol defender Hector Moreno as replacement should Williams leave for the Emirates. Even if Williams doesn’t leave, Laudrup may still make a move for Moreno to act as competition for the likes of Williams.
Tottenham Hotspur- Erik Lamela
Spurs narrowly missed on a place in the Premier League’s top four last season, losing out to Arsenal on the final day of the season. This meant that they missed out on the chance to qualify for the Champions League. The club are desperate to play in Europe’s top football competition again and have spent big this summer in order to give them the best possible chance of breaking into the Premier League’s top four. Spurs have already signed Roberto Soldado from Valencia and Paulinho from Corinthians but are looking to bolster their attacking options still further. Andre Villas-Boas is reportedly interested in signing Roma’s talented young winger, Erik Lamela. The Argentine scored 15 goals for Roma last season and is fast becoming one of the most exciting young players in Europe.
Some have suggested that Lamela could act as a replacement for Gareth Bale, who could move to Real Madrid this summer. However, it appears that Spurs will make a move for Lamela even if Bale stays. Bale and Lamela could form a devastating partnership with Roberto Soldado up front and would arguably be one of the best attacking combinations in the Premier League.
West Bromwich Albion- Scott Sinclair
West Brom had an excellent first season under Steve Clarke and have finally established themselves as Premier League side. Clarke is desperate to make sure the Baggies build on last season and stay in the top half of the Premier League. That could be hard without Roman Lukaku, who moved back to Chelsea, but Clarke will hope that Nicolas Anelka scores the goals that Lukaku scored last season. Supplying goal scoring opportunities could be more of a problem for West Brom this season but Clarke is hoping to resolve that by signing Scott Sinclair on loan from Manchester City.
Sinclair struggled during his first season at the Etihad and is thought to be desperate to leave so that he can get first team football elsewhere. The Baggies has reportedly come to an agreement with City where they sign Sinclair on loan this season and then bring him to the Hawthorns permanently next summer. It is now up to the player to decide whether he wants to play for the Baggies or sit on the bench at City for another season.
West Ham United- Demba Ba
The Hammers signed Andy Carroll earlier in the transfer window for £15.5 million but are still reportedly in the market for a striker. Sam Allardyce is looking to build on a solid first season back in the Premier League for the Hammers and hopes to have several quality strikers at his disposal throughout the season. Allardyce is particularly interested in signing Chelsea striker Demba Ba, who has only spent half a season at Stamford Bridge but looks set to leave following Jose Mourinho’s arrival.
Ba struggled to get into Chelsea’ first team last season and is looking to move to a club that will offer him plenty of first team football. West Ham would certainly do that, with Allardyce looking to put Ba up-front with Carroll. The Hammers main rivals for Ba were Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala but they are struggling financially so are unlikely to make a move for Ba, meaning West Ham are free to make their move.