Kylian Mbappé, who this week was named as the top striker in the world in ESPN FC’s 100 best players, will not be moving to the Premier League, as Real Madrid have officially signed him. But the clubs in England will be busy doing business during this summer’s transfer window, which opens for the Premier League on June 14 and the rest of Europe on July 1, hoping to improve their squads while staying within financial regulations.
So, in the spirit of some fantasy football, here is a guide to the one player each Premier League club should sign this summer.
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ARSENAL
Newcastle striker Alexander Isak
ASTON VILLA
With Villa playing in the Champions League next season, they should think big. Napoli’s impressive winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION
Whoever takes over from outgoing manager Roberto De Zerbi needs to end his experiment of rotating the goalkeepers. Why not make Arsenal’s unsettled man between the sticks, Aaron RamsdaleDavid Raya has established himself as the clear starter.
BOURNEMOUTH
Their style of play is easy on the eyes, but Bournemouth concede too many goals. The fix, then, is signing an uncompromising defender such as Brentford’s Ethan Pinnock
BRENTFORD
The bad news? Brentford seem certain to lose their talisman Ivan Toney during the summer window. The good news, or at least the silver lining? It will give the Bees a war chest to rebuild. They should consider signing LaLiga’s 24-goal top scorer, Artem DovbykGirona.
Any transfer fee would be high, but it’d be worth it.
CHELSEA
Who knows what might happen next at the soap opera that is Stamford Bridge? There may have to be high-profile departures (such as Conor Gallagher?) to meet financial targets, but Ivan Toney seems a sensible signing to boost their attacking power. It is only a matter of time before he rediscovers his scoring touch.
CRYSTAL PALACE
Manager Oliver Glasner has an exciting team when everyone is fit. His problem is that the excellent Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise struggle to stay off the physio’s table, so Glasner needs cover. Arsenal’s out-of-favor Emile Smith Rowe
EVERTON
Finances are a touchy subject at Goodison Park after the club was hit with two separate points deductions by the Premier League for breaching financial regulations. But they’ll need to splash some cash to solve their main problem — a lack of goals. Blackburn Rovers’ Sammie SzmodicsChampionship during the 2023-24 campaign, could be the right player at the right price.
FULHAM
Willian has been a fabulous signing, but he’s in the veteran stage of his career. To fill his boots, Fulham should consider a cheeky bid for Callum Hudson-Odoi
IPSWICH TOWN
Every promoted club needs an upgrade or two, and one idea here is Ross BarkleyLuton Town’s relegation. Barkley wants to stay in the top flight, and Ipswich would do well to oblige him.
LEICESTER CITY
Barcelona’s finances are in such poor shape that the Catalan giants have to offload players. The Foxes could take advantage of this opportunity by bidding for RaphinhaFerran Torres
LIVERPOOL
New manager Arne Slot will know all about West Ham’s superb Mohammed KudusAjax team facing Slot’s Feyenoord in the Netherlands.
Kudus is a menace and strikes me as a Liverpool-type player.
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MANCHESTER CITY
Who could improve City, fresh off a fourth Premier League title in a row? Pedro NetoJérémy Doku on the left flank to make City even better. A scary thought.
MANCHESTER UNITED
This season, the Red Devils looked too vulnerable at the back. Notwithstanding their terrific — and let’s face it, surprise — FA Cup win over City, they still need to bolster their defence. The answer might be Barca’s Ronald AraújoLisandro Martínez would give United a steadier look.
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NEWCASTLE UNITED
If Isak leaves the club this summer, Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke could be the way to go. He is coming off his best season with 19 league goals, and he’s been coached to be less a team player and more selfish in attack, all the better to break down defenses.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
There are few problems (if any) with their attacking options, but defensively they remain vulnerable. How much they have to spend might be an issue — you figure they’ll be on a fairly tight budget — so Peterborough’s classy young central defender Ronnie Edwards
SOUTHAMPTON
With all three promoted clubs relegated at the end of last season, the Saints must strengthen to give themselves a chance of survival in the Premier League. One way to do that would be signing all-around midfielder Nicolas SeiwaldRB Leipzig, who could also star in this summer’s Euros for Austria.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Spurs are looking to expand their attacking options. Might this be the right time to convince Marcus RashfordManchester United after a troubled season at Old Trafford? A change of scene could revitalize his career and help Tottenham stay top-four contenders.
WEST HAM UNITED
With Lucas Paquetá’s future in doubt after he was charged with betting rule breaches, the Hammers need a new playmaker. Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
When everyone is fit, they have a decent team. But manager Gary O’Neil will want a top-half finish next season. To get there, they could sign striker Elijah Adebayo
