The Barclays Premier League has never been so awash with money. European clubs though are all too aware how flush their English counterparts are and are determined to extract as much of the TV money as possible.
We are well used to a summer transfer saga and this year’s offering is Manchester United‘s determination to get Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba to return to Old Trafford.
With pre-season well and truly up and running and most players having returned to their clubs, it’s time to have a look at what business has already been done and who your club has been linked with.
Arsenal
Many Arsenal supporters have been unhappy at the lack of transfer business in previous windows.
It appears Arsene Wenger and the board are under pressure to use some of the cash rumoured to be in the bank this summer and appease the growing number of disgruntled supporters.
Arsenal made a move earlier in the summer by activating the release clause in Jamie Vardy’s Leicester City contract. The England international however chose to stay at the East Midlands club.
This week the Gunners have signed young defender Rob Holding from Bolton Wanderers for £2 million. While the defender may have potential, his acquisition is unlikely to be one to excite fans.
Momentum appears to be gathering around the Gunners’ interest in Riyad Mahrez of Leicester City. The Algerian played a huge part in Leicester City’s title winning season. Claudio Ranieri is confident he can convince his talisman to remain at Leicester though.
Done deals by Arsenal: Kelechi Nwakali (Diamond Academy), Granit Xhaka (Borussia Monchengladbach) and Rob Holding (Bolton Wanderers).
Bournemouth
AFC Bournemouth raised a few eyebrows with some of the fees paid for players last summer. The south coast club have continued this trend having signed Jordon Ibe from Liverpool for £15 million and Lewis Cook from Leeds United for £6 million.
Both players could look shrewd business though if they fulfill their potential under highly regarded young manager Eddie Howe.
Jonny Evans has been linked with a move to The Cheeries to provide some experience to the defence. Ragnar Sigurdsson, Steven Caulker and Lewis Dunk are other names linked with moves to Bournemouth.
Done deals by Bournemouth: Nathan Ake (Chelsea), Emerson Hyndman (Fulham), Lys Mousset (Le Havre), Lewis Cook (Leeds United), Jordon Ibe (Liverpool).
Burnley
Burnley have been struggling to get several deals done this summer and Sean Dyche is surely frustrated at these endeavors.
The Clarets are interested in bringing Liverpool defender Jon Flanagan to Turf Moor with suggestions the player is mulling over the offer. They have also had several bids rejected by Derby County for Irish international Jeff Hendrick.
Reports of interest in Stoke City’s Charlie Adam and Crystal Palace’s Joe Ledley have been circulating throughout the summer but it remains to be seen if the purse strings can be loosened to sign either experienced player.
Done deals by Burnley: Johann Gudmundsson (Charlton)
Chelsea
Chelsea are reported to be interested in bringing another striker to Stamford Bridge with rumours that Spanish international Diego Costa wants to leave.
Romelu Lukaku and Alvaro Morata are two of the names linked to the Blues but neither player is likely to come cheaply.
Everton have put a hefty price tag on Lukaku’s head to ward off potential suitors. Real Madrid will surely want a hefty profit if they are to cash in on Morata having recently activated a buy back option from Juventus.
It’s also believed new manager Antonio Conte would like to strengthen their defence and build from the back as doubts remain over John Terry. German international Jonathan Tah has been attracting the interest on the Blues.
Done deals by Chelsea: Michy Batshuayi (Marseille), N’Golo Kante (Leicester City)
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace have been linked with a high profile move for Liverpool striker Christian Benteke. The Reds appear keen to sell but so far have been unwilling to budge from their asking price. It may be a case of who blinks first or if another suitor to the big Belgian decides to enter the fray.
Fiorentina’s Khouma El Babacar is thought to be one alternative to Christian Benteke.
Reports aplenty that The eagles have made a bid for want away West Brom forward Saido Berahino.
Steve Parish may find Jeremy Peace a difficult man to deal with who appears to be still annoyed at the player’s previous attempts to force a move.
Done deals by Crystal Palace: Steve Mandanda (Marseille), James Tomkins (West Ham), Andros Townsend (Tottenham)
Everton
Everton have a new manager in place in Dutch man Ronald Koeman and have snapped up Steve Walsh from Leicester to join their recruitment team.
With this in mind it’s understandable why The Toffees have yet to add to their first team squad this summer.
Swnasea midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson has been linked with a move to Goodison Park and the rumoured £25 million fee doesn’t appear to be a stumbling block with the club having new investors.
Expect to see a busy end to the window for Everton.
Hull City
Hull City have this week had their pre-season preparations for the coming season thrown in to turmoil with the news that manager Steve Bruce has left the club.
The Tigers are yet to make an addition to their first team squad.
Leicester
Leicester City have been active in trying to bolster their squad with Champions League football coming.
Managing to keep Jamie Vardy at the club for next season was seen as quite a coup at the time.
Norwich City’s Republic of Ireland international Robbie Brady has been linked with a move the East Midlands club.
The Dubliner stood out for his country at Euro 2016 and would likely be keen with a return back to The Premier League.
Done deals by Leicester City: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow), Nampalys Mendy (Monaco), Raul Uche (Rayo Vallecano), Luis Hernandez (Sporting Gijon), Ron-Robert Zieler (Hannover)
Liverpool
The Merseysiders are in the middle of yet another transition process at the club.
Liverpool added Geoginio Wijnaldum to their squad this week and their main priority now appears to be a left back. Jordan Amavi is the latest defender to be linked but new the Aston Villa owner appeared to have put paid to any move on social media.
Schalke’s Max Meyer has been linked in German media in the past week but any move for Meyer would surely see a high profile departure.
Many of the club’s supporters have been calling out for a deep lying midfielder to be added to the squad. As things stand though, that looks unlikely.
Done deals by Liverpool: Joel Matip (Schalke 04), Loris Karius (Mainz 05), Ragnar Klavan (Augsburg), Alex Manninger (Augsburg), Sadio Mane (Southampton), Georginio Wijnaldum (Newcastle United)
Manchester City
Manchester City have been extremely active in the market. Schalke 04 forward Leroy Sane is on the radar and the club hope to complete a deal for the exciting 20 year old.
Everton defender John Stones is also high on the wish list for Pep Guardiola as he looks to improve their back line with players comfortable on the ball.
The full back area is also one the club would like to strengthen and the club are know to have watched both Ricardo Rodriguez and Jonas Hector in recent months.
Man City also seem keen to add a few younger players to their books in the hope to loan them immediately back out.
Marlos Moreno, Gabriel Jesus, Geronimo Rulli and Reece Oxford are all targets. If City are successful in purchasing these young players it’s expected they’ll be immediately loaned out.
Done deals by Manchester City: Oleksandr Zinchenko (FC Ufa), Nolito (Celta Vigo), Ilkay Gundogan (Borussia Dortmund), Aaron Mooy (Melbourne City)
Manchester United
Manchester United‘s remainder of the transfer window is all about Paul Pogba now. Jose Mourinho has intimated that the Frenchman is the last piece in his summer jigsaw.
Mino Raiola who has already delivered two players to Old Trafford this summer has been in negotiations with the Old Trafford club for weeks now.
If for some reason The Red Devils don’t get their man, Jose Mourinho has declared they have 2 alternatives to Pogba.
Done deals by Manchester United: Eric Bailly (Villarreal), Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Borussia Dortmund), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (PSG)
Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough have been busy using Aitor Karanka’s Spanish contacts to bolster their squad for their return to the Premier league.
Lille midfielder Ibrahim Amadou and Hull City defender Harry Maguire have been linked with a move to the Riverside. The Tigers were quick to dismiss the report their defender might leave this week.
Done deals by Middlesbrough: Antonio Barragan (Valencia), Alvaro Negredo (Valencia), Viktor Fischer (Ajax), Victor Valdes (Manchester United), Marten de Roon (Atalanta)
Southampton
Southampton are yet another club beginning the season under a new manager. Claude Puel took over from the recently departed Ronald Koeman.
Southampton secured Irish international Shane Long to a new 4 year contract after being linked with moves to Liverpool and Spurs in recent months.
The signing of Hojbjerg from Bayern Munich is seen as a shrewd move by many.
Bartosz Kapustka, Matthias Ginter, Valere Germain and Darren Randolph have all been linked recently with moves to Southampton.
Done deals by Southampton: Nathan Redmond (Norwich City), Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Bayern Munich),
Stoke City
Stoke City have bids in for 3 players at the moment. Saido Berahino, Joe Allen and Ramadan Sobhi with the Egyptian the closest to a deal at The Britannia.
The Potters are hopeful of also completing a deal for Liverpool’s Welsh international Joe Allen in the coming week with reports emanating that the former Swansea player is due to meet manager Mark Hughes in the coming days.
Mark Hughes is sure to be backed in the transfer market by the owners of Bet 365.
Stoke City have yet to add to their first team squad this season.
Sunderland
Sunderland are another that lost their manager this week with Sam Allardyce becoming the new England boss. David Moyes has already been installed as his replacement.
Expect them to linked with several Manchester United players now Moyes is in charge. Although some would say that’s nothing new for the Black Cats.
Several reports that Gary Neville may link up with David Moyes as number 2 to the Scot.
Swansea
Swansea City have been linked with a move for striker Leonardo Ulloa of Leicester City. Bafétimbi Gomis is thought to be close to completing a loan deal to Ligue 1 club Marseille.
The South Wales club have made no secret of their desire to bring Liverpool midfielder back to the club but they face competition from Stoke City. As mentioned earlier though, Allen is expected to discuss terms with the Potters in the coming days.
Done deals by Swansea City: Mark Birighitti (Newcastle Jets), Leroy Fer(QPR)
Tottenham Hotspur
Spurs were recently chasing new Liverpool signing Georginio Wijnaldum but were reluctant to go anywhere near Newcastle United’s asking price.
Sofiane Boufal, Cristian Tello and Yunus Malli have all been mentioned as alternatives to the Dutch international.
Daniel Levy continues to be prudent with the club’s money. This is understandable with work under way with building the new stadium at White Hart Lane.
Deals towards the end of the transfer window are to be expected again.
Done deals by Tottenham Hotspur: Victor Wanyama (Southampton), Vincent Janssen (AZ Alkmaar)
Watford
Watford are another club with a new manager going in to the new season but this is nothing new for the Hornets.
Sofiane Boufal has been linked with a move to Vicarage Road but he may prove too expensive. The Lille player is also expected to be out with an injury until mid September. The Ligue 1 club are thought to be keen to sell in the summer to ease some financial pressures.
Done deals by Watford: Christian Kabasele (Genk), Brice Dja Djedje (Marseille),
West Bromwich Albion
West Brom‘s transfer plans appear to hinge on the future of Saido Berahino. The forward has made no secret of his desire to leave the Hawthorns and has been the subject of bids from Spurs in the past.
There have been rumours of friction between manager Tony Pulis and chairman Jeremy Peace because of the lack of transfer funds available.
Ciaran Clark, Jeffrey Schlupp and Lewis Dunk are among the names being linked to West Brom
Matt Phillips(QPR)
West Ham
West Ham‘s transfer window has been geared all around getting this elusive 20 goal per season striker. They have already lost out on Michy Batshuayi, Alexandre Lacazette and Vincent Janssen. Carlos Bacca is proving difficult to nail down. Mario Gomez and Loic Remy are two of the latest to be linked with the Hammers.
West Ham co-owner David Sullivan declared towards the end of the previous campaign that his club could not afford Liverpool striker Christian Benteke. Surely a claim he wishes he never made at this stage?
Done deals by West Ham: Toni Martinez (Valencia), Sofiane Feghouli (Valencia), Gokhan Tore (Besiktas), Ashley Fletcher (Manchester United), Havard Nordtveit (Borussia Monchengladbach)
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