Unai Emery has already made five signings – Lucas Torreira, Bernd Leno, Sokratis, Mattéo Guendouzi and Stephan Lichtsteiner – so may settle for what he has. However, another centre-back would be very useful given Laurent Koscielny’s long-standing injury problems. Newcastle captain Jamaal Lascelles would cost up to £30m but the 24-year-old has the mentality and leadership skills Arsenal are crying out for at the back.

It took Eddie Howe a long time to really trust a central midfielder other than Andrew Surman, Dan Gosling and Harry Arter, the trio who earned the club promotion in 2015. Even then, Lewis Cook’s introduction to the side was a long time coming and Jack Wilshere also found minutes harder to come by than he might have expected. Bournemouth still have that trio in midfield, but none of them has a great goalscoring record in the Premier League. Conor Hourihane could be the answer. He scored 11 for Aston Villa last season and laid on 14 assists in the Championship the season before. He would also be available at a reasonable price.

Brighton & Hove Albion: Bouna Sarr

Birghton club captain Bruno is so loved that any suggestion he should be replaced needs to be whispered. However, the Spaniard turns 38 in October and back-up right-back Ezequiel Schelotto is not up to the task. Bouna Sarr, a converted winger, excelled at full-back for Marseille last season. He extended his contract with the club recently, but the 26-year-old would likely be within Brighton’s budget.

While Steven Defour and Jack Cork both impressed in the middle of the park for Burnley last season, Jeff Hendrick was far less convincing. With Sean Dyche still lacking some creativity in the middle of the pitch, he should look to Nick Powell, who is entering the final year of his contract at Wigan and has a point to prove having failed to make the grade at Manchester United. Burnley have picked up a few players in that position, including Tom Heaton, Michael Keane and Robbie Brady.

Cardiff City: Marko Grujic

Marko Grujic spent the second half of last season at Cardiff City on loan from Liverpool and would be keen to show he is up to playing at this level, having returned from the World Cup. The Serbian had an impact last season, with Cardiff winning eight and losing just one of the 12 games he started. Another temporary deal may suit Liverpool and it would give Neil Warnock the physicality he wants in his team.

It would be a shock, but Arsenal aren’t a club who turn down offers from competitors when players’ contracts are winding down and Ramsey’s future is still up in the air. Maurizio Sarri is lacking a goalscoring midfielder to take the role Marek Hamsik played at Napoli and, if Ramsey could stay fit, he would be a very astute acquisition. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the 27-year-old fancied a change. He enjoyed a strong season last time out, with seven goals and eight assists in just 24 league appearances.

Aaron Ramsey scores for Arsenal against Chelsea in the FA Cup final in 2017. Photograph: Craig Mercer/CameraSport/Getty Images

Crystal Palace: Nils Petersen

Even if Wilfried Zaha does stay at Crystal Palace, Roy Hodgson should still be looking for another forward. Danny Ings has been linked with a move but it would be a huge gamble given his injury record. Seeking a proven goalscorer from further afield may be more cost effective. Nils Petersen, a surprising inclusion in Germany’s preliminary World Cup squad, is certainly that. The 29-year-old scored a goal every other game for Freiburg in the Bundesliga last season – only Robert Lewandowski scored more. Petersen now has 64 goals in 114 appearances for Freiburg and he wouldn’t cost the earth either.

Centre-backs Phil Jagielka and Ashley Williams will have a combined age of 70 by the end of August. While Everton are right to show faith in 21-year-old Mason Holgate, Michael Keane is still short of a top quality partner at the back. Yerry Mina has been linked with the club as he looks to find a way off the bench at Barcelona. The Colombian certainly caught the eye at the World Cup this summer, scoring in all three of his appearances. His strength and aerial dominance at both ends of the pitch would be real assets to Everton – and he is just 23.

Fulham look well prepared for the new season, having finally signed Aleksandar Mitrovic, the striker who joined the club on loan in January and fired them back to the Premier League. However, manager Slavisa Jokanovic is very clearly missing a left-back and would surely have been hoping to convince Southampton to part ways with Matt Targett after a successful loan spell of his own since the turn of the year. Fulham need to act fast to seal another permanent move for a player who was just as pivotal as Mitrovic last season, not least in affording Ryan Sessegnon the freedom to do what he does best.

David Wagner has upset the odds two seasons in a row – first to reach the Premier League and then to stay in it – but he will know that this campaign will be just as difficult. He has bolstered his squad, but an injury to either Aaron Mooy or Jonathan Hogg would leave the club short of options in midfield, particularly in terms of shielding the defence. Wagner has tended to sign young players, with 20 year-old Juninho Bacuna already arriving from Groningen. A move for another 20-year-old from the Eredivisie, the AZ Alkmaar midfielder Teun Koopmeiners, would add extra bite to the squad.

Leicester City: Domagoj Vida

Signing Jonny Evans was an astute move but Leicester will need another defender if Harry Maguire moves on. A move for another top performer in Russia could be on the cards should Maguire leave, with Domagoj Vida the subject of widespread interest this summer, not least from the Premier League. The imposing centre-back was pivotal for Croatia as they progressed to the World Cup final and he could be available for around £20m, having only signed for Besiktas on a free transfer in January. At 29 he still has three or four good years in front of him and he would go some way to replacing the threat from set pieces that Maguire can pose.

Domagoj Vida celebrates after Croatia’s first goal in the World Cup final in Russia. Photograph: Michael Dalder/Reuters

Andrew Robertson took to the left-back role superbly last season but Liverpool are short of quality at left-back if he suffers any injury problems. Alberto Moreno has proven an inadequate defender too often, and though James Milner could fill in, a younger alternative to offer competition would be a plus. With that in mind, Firpo impressed in the second half of last season with Betis and the 21-year-old has a £22m release clause that could prove to be modest if he continues to improve.

Manchester City: Thiago Alcântara



Pep Guardiola must be thinking about long-term alternatives for Fernandinho, who will be 34 on his next birthday. Ilkay Gundogan could play that role but, with Bayern Munich apparently willing to offload Thiago Alcântara this summer, Guardiola may want to sign him again. Fitness issues aside, the 27-year-old is among the best passers in Europe and is very adept at regaining possession. He is an exceptional talent so the lack of bids this summer is somewhat baffling.

Manchester United: Toby Alderweireld

Manchester United are seemingly weighing up a move for either Harry Maguire or Toby Alderweireld. The latter is undoubtedly the more proven of the two and would probably be available at a lower price. Tottenham would prefer not to sell to a rival, but Daniel Levy may be tempted if the price is right.

Newcastle United: Joe Bryan

After another slow summer, Newcastle are close to signing both Yoshinori Muto and Salomon Rondon to bolster their attack, but neither player is particularly prolific. With Paul Dummett the club’s only natural left-back, bringing in Joe Bryan from Bristol City would make a lot of sense. The 24-year-old is strong in the tackle and capable of supporting attacks.

Southampton unexpectedly flirted with relegation last season because they scored less than a goal per game in the Premier League. Charlie Austin is the club’s best finisher but has had countless injury problems; Manolo Gabbiadini has been extremely inconsistent; and Shane Long’s profligacy in front of goal is quite astonishing. Alcácer may not come cheap but he is a penalty-box striker who is keen to get off the bench at Barcelona. Still only 24, the striker has had a direct hand in 74 La Liga goals in his career, despite many of his appearances coming as a substitute.

Tottenham Hotspur: Jack Grealish

If it is true that Daniel Levy wanted to wait until the last minute before signing Jack Grealish on the cheap, the Spurs chairman has missed a trick. Grealish’s asking price has probably doubled now that new investors have come along and resolved Aston Villa’s financial crisis – for the time being. The 22-year-old is still an option and his ability to play as an attack midfielder, No10 or off the left flank would give Pochettino real options. He is also a homegrown player, which could be an issue for Tottenham.

Jack Grealish enjoys the celebrations after Aston Villa beat Middlesbrough in the Championship play-off semi-finals. Villa lost the final to Fulham Photograph: Clive Mason/Getty Images

With a huge squad packed full of players you forgot existed, Watford need to sell as much as they need to buy. But, in terms of strengthening the starting line-up, a centre-back that isn’t injury prone would be a boost. Christian Kabasele was their only central defender who started more than 20 matches last season and he could do with a regular partner. Ben Gibson may be able to leave Middlesbrough now they have signed Aden Flint from Bristol City.

West Ham United: Danny Drinkwater

With midfielders Cheikhou Kouyaté and Pedro Obiang potentially leaving West Ham, their transfer dealings may not be done yet. Jack Wilshere and Mark Noble look set to form a partnership in the middle of the pitch but a move for another Englishman has been suggested and it would make sense for everyone involved. Danny Drinkwater needs to revive his career and he is unlikely to play at Chelsea, especially after the arrivals of Maurizio Sarri and Jorginho. He would be a good fit for West Ham, where he could use his range of passing to pick out the movement of Felipe Anderson, Andriy Yarmolenko and Marko Arnautovic.

Wolverhampton Wanderers: Rúben Dias



Wolves love signing Portuguese players so must have an eye on one of the best young talents in the Primeira Liga. Rúben Dias was an unused substitute at the World Cup, but the 21-year-old centre-back is likely to become a mainstay for his country very soon. Strong with the ball at his feet, he would fit into Wolves’ back three easily. Signing Dias from Benfica would be a real statement of intent from Wolves.

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