The opening weekend of the Premier League season has concluded, yet the transfer window remains open for another seven days, giving clubs a final opportunity to address squad weaknesses identified in their first matches. With the deadline set for Tuesday, 1 September at 23:00 BST, managers and sporting directors are assessing which positions require reinforcement, which players are surplus to requirements, and what tactical gaps must be plugged before the window closes.
Results from the first round of fixtures have provided valuable insights into each club's needs. Some teams have already completed significant business, while others face urgent decisions about departures that could trigger cascading transfer activity. The pressure intensifies as each club weighs the cost of acting hastily against the risk of entering the season unprepared.
What does Arsenal still need?
The defending champions have already bolstered their midfield with Bruno Guimarães, their wing with Christos Tzolis, and their defence with Ezri Konsa. However, Arsenal remain active in the forward market and maintain a long-standing pursuit of a striking option to provide additional firepower in attack.
The club's interest in Julian Alvarez has proven difficult to advance due to multiple complicating factors, though Arsenal have indicated they will move decisively if circumstances allow the deal to progress. According to transfer tracking data, Arsenal's forward search has also expanded to include a three-way competition with Liverpool and Bayern Munich for Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola, with the race remaining active heading into the final week. Additionally, Arsenal have completed an agreement to sign 16-year-old striker Joseph from Liverpool, adding youth depth to their forward line.
What does Aston Villa need?
Aston Villa face a summer of significant departures and must address multiple positions simultaneously. The club's primary concern centres on striker availability, with Ollie Watkins' future uncertain as Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal pursues the England international. Should Watkins depart, Villa have identified Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson as a replacement target. According to reports from a major sports broadcaster, Jackson is keen on joining Villa and Chelsea value him at £65 million, making him a realistic option if the Watkins situation resolves.
Beyond the striker position, Villa require defensive reinforcement following Ezri Konsa's transfer to Arsenal. The club have opened negotiations with Club Brugge regarding central defender Joel Ordonez after seeing bids for Southampton's Taylor Harwood-Bellis rejected. Villa have made contact with Club Brugge over Ordonez as a central-defence option to help fill the void left by Konsa's departure. A winger also features on Villa's shopping list as they attempt to reshape their squad following a summer of upheaval.
What does Bournemouth need?
Bournemouth face the prospect of defending their squad from the advances of larger clubs during the final week of the window. Forward Eli Junior Kroupi and midfielder Alex Scott have attracted attention from bigger sides, though Bournemouth have made clear both players remain unavailable. In terms of incoming business, Bournemouth are largely satisfied with their summer activity and are closing in on a move for Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio, which would represent their final significant addition of the window.
What does Brentford need?
Brentford occupy a fortunate position, having completed excellent squad strengthening and now able to approach the final days of the window with selectivity rather than desperation. The club explored the left-back market, with West Ham's El Hadji Malick Diouf strongly linked, though the position does not represent an urgent priority given the versatility of Keane Lewis-Potter as a wing-back and the availability of Rico Henry and Aaron Hickey. The addition of experienced striking cover in the form of former England international Callum Wilson has provided depth that was absent in the previous campaign. Brentford's squad now possesses the all-round balance that Keith Andrews' side lacked, suggesting a relatively quiet conclusion to their transfer business.
What does Brighton need?
Brighton face the prospect of significant departures that will require swift replacement activity. Yankuba Minteh is anticipated to join Liverpool, while Carlos Baleba's move to Manchester United appears imminent. These exits would create vacancies in both attacking and midfield areas that Brighton must address within the compressed timeframe remaining.
The club's chairman Tony Bloom has emphasised the need to continue evolving and innovating while remaining true to the data-driven recruitment principles that have defined Brighton's approach. The departures of Minteh and Baleba necessitate the arrival of a defensive midfielder capable of providing physical presence in the centre of the pitch, alongside a proven winger at the highest level. With European football on the horizon, Brighton require sufficient squad depth to compete across multiple competitions while maintaining their target of securing a top-ten finish.
What does Chelsea need?
Chelsea supporters may desire another elite forward or a replacement goalkeeper for Robert Sanchez, but manager Xabi Alonso has indicated his squad is substantially complete for the summer window. The true priority for Chelsea involves reducing their bloated squad from 39 players to approximately 25 within the remaining eight days. This represents a significant logistical challenge, as the club must move fringe players on loan or permanently to avoid carrying frustrated players into the season. Without European football to provide rotation opportunities, Chelsea cannot afford to maintain an oversized squad, making outgoings the primary focus rather than incomings.
What does Coventry City need?
Coventry are pursuing Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk as the Ukrainian looks to revive his career following a 20-month suspension for testing positive for banned substance meldonium. Defensive cover also features on Frank Lampard's agenda, with players like Luke Woolfenden potentially available for loan moves. Despite these targeted pursuits, Lampard believes Coventry have completed sufficient business to build a squad capable of maintaining Premier League status.
What does Crystal Palace need?
Crystal Palace have undergone significant change with the departure of Maxence Lacroix and the arrival of new manager Pierre Sage. The club has invested in building depth for their Europa League campaign but still require additional bodies in key areas. Sage has made explicit his desire for a senior centre-back, and Palace may be forced to pursue another defender following the injury sustained by Chadi Riad during the opening fixture against Everton.
Riad's injury has amplified the urgency of securing a first-team-ready centre-back to provide immediate cover. While Axel Disasi represents a positive start, a bigger permanent signing would strengthen Palace's defensive options considerably. A central midfielder would complete Palace's recruitment priorities, allowing Sage to implement his tactical vision with the necessary personnel in place.
What does Everton need?
Everton must sign a recognised right-back before the transfer window closes, addressing a weakness that has plagued the club for more than a year. This position has been acknowledged as problematic by everyone within the organisation, yet either a prime target cannot be agreed upon or remains financially out of reach. Talented midfielder Merlin Rohl was pressed into service at right-back during the opening match against Crystal Palace, while Jake O'Brien and James Garner have also been deployed in the position, highlighting the desperation of the situation.
Beyond the right-back position, Everton may explore adding another striker, with questions persisting over the suitability of Beto and Thierno Barry. Chelsea outcast Liam Delap has been regularly linked with a move to Goodison Park as a potential solution to the striking conundrum.
What does Fulham need?
Fulham manager Alvaro Arbeloa has expressed satisfaction with the club's transfer business to date, though he acknowledges that further additions could create greater squad balance. The club has explored moves for additional central defenders, with a pursuit of Rennes' Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal investigated two weeks ago, and this area could represent a key focus for late window activity.
Fulham operates outside the very top tier of the transfer market and has historically favoured deadline-day deals to complete business. A right winger remains an obvious gap, whether through retaining Oscar Bobb or providing serious competition for him, particularly given the need to replace the goal-scoring contributions of Harry Wilson. A right-sided centre-back is also required, as concerns exist regarding how Joachim Andersen will adapt to Arbeloa's new tactical system.
What does Hull City need?
Hull City's recruitment team has already enjoyed a busy summer but continues working on multiple fronts to add two new forwards in Mohamed Ali-Cho and Ilyas Ansah. Interest has also emerged in Real Betis winger Pablo Garcia, though negotiations have progressed more slowly than anticipated following the La Liga club's decision to raise their valuation of the 20-year-old. Stoke City's Sorba Thomas represents an alternative winger target.
A goalkeeper, midfielder, and right-back could all feature on Hull's agenda during the final week of the window. Manager Sergej Jakirovic would benefit from a left winger, an additional striker (assuming the Ali-Cho deal reaches completion), a central midfielder, an attacking midfielder, and a right-back to provide depth and challenge Lewie Coyle for the starting position. These additions would position Hull to compete effectively in the division.
What does Ipswich Town need?
Ipswich Town have invested over £150 million on 12 new signings since securing promotion to the Premier League. Manager Gary O'Neil expects further additions, with a striker and midfielder potentially arriving at Portman Road before the deadline. Fringe players like Anis Memeti could depart as O'Neil shapes his squad to his specifications.
What does Leeds United need?
Leeds have committed significant resources to signing goalkeeper James Trafford from Manchester City, making additional big-money signings unlikely during the final week of the window. The club maintains interest in taking Mykhailo Mudryk on loan but has been unable to strike a deal with Chelsea, who are exploring other left-winger options.
Leeds are also considering back-up options for forwards Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha and have been linked with Frankfurt goalkeeper Michael Zetterer should Lucas Perri join Torino on loan as anticipated. A left-footed left-back is desperately needed to provide cover for Gabriel Gudmundsson, while a forward or creative midfielder to compete with Harry Wilson, Brenden Aaronson, and Noah Okafor would represent valuable additions to Leeds' attacking arsenal.
What does Liverpool need?
Liverpool's priority remains the wide attacking areas, with the expectation that at least one and possibly two wingers will arrive during the coming week. Manager Andoni Iraola has suggested that personnel is not the issue regarding defensive midfielders, yet Liverpool's performance against Newcastle, in which the side conceded twice, suggests that addressing deficiencies in that department would be prudent.
The club has actively pursued wingers in the market, with Bradley Barcola, Ibrahim Mbaye, and Yankuba Minteh all linked with moves to Anfield. Sunday's display against Newcastle underscored the need for a winger, as Rio Ngumoha appeared uncomfortable operating on the right flank. However, the performance equally highlighted a potential requirement for a defensive midfielder to bridge the disconnect between Liverpool's defence and midfield, particularly on the counter-attack. Liverpool supporters have long called for a Fabinho replacement since his departure, though the compressed timeframe may make this objective unattainable.
What does Manchester City need?
Manchester City could represent one of the busiest sides during the remaining days of the transfer window. With Savinho departed and Omar Marmoush and Nico Gonzalez seemingly on their way out, significant gaps will require addressing. A deal for midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi has been agreed with Lille, and an agreement has been reached with Palmeiras for winger Allan. Winger Pedro Neto remains of interest, while speculation continues regarding a move for Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez.
Director of football Hugo Viana faces a demanding schedule in the coming days as Manchester City attempts to reshape their squad. The club has allowed numerous players to depart this summer, with Marmoush and potentially Gonzalez following Rodri and Savinho out of the door alongside several others. Bringing in three or four new names before the deadline appears essential, with two of those additions ideally being midfielders to restore balance to the squad.
What does Manchester United need?
Carlos Baleba's imminent arrival will complete Manchester United's midfield recruitment, shifting focus to the left-back situation and whether the club will bring in competition for Luke Shaw. Manchester United maintains a long-standing interest in Newcastle's Lewis Hall but is also assessing Barcelona's Alejandro Balde and has been heavily linked with Jorge Salinas of Racing Santander.
The club may also pursue another forward, though this likely depends on one of their existing strikers departing, with Joshua Zirkzee representing the most probable candidate for exit. A left-back is essential, not merely as a reaction to the defeat at Hull City but as a recognition that Luke Shaw cannot realistically play every match this season. Questions also persist regarding whether manager Michael Carrick trusts Patrick Dorgu in a defensive role.
What does Newcastle United need?
Newcastle United's young signings demonstrated composure during their Premier League debuts against Liverpool at the weekend. Manager Matthias Jaissle could still benefit from another midfielder possessing top-flight experience, particularly following the departures of Bruno Guimarães and Sandro Tonali. Newcastle are progressing with a move for Manchester City's Nico Gonzalez to address this gap.
Beyond midfield reinforcement, bringing in a mobile and versatile forward capable of contributing goals would ease the burden on William Osula and Yoane Wissa, providing additional attacking options and reducing reliance on the existing forward contingent.
What does Nottingham Forest need?
Nottingham Forest continue working on multiple deals after bringing in only three new faces during the summer window. A striker and a full-back would represent ideal additions, with the club in negotiations for Chelsea's Liam Delap and maintaining interest in Fiorentina right-back Dodo. Manager Oliver Glasner has downplayed the necessity for midfield reinforcements despite Elliot Anderson's departure to Manchester City, suggesting his focus lies elsewhere.
What does Sunderland need?
With the signings of French full-back Dayann Methalie from Toulouse and Antwerp midfielder Jules Ahoka completed, the obvious position Sunderland must fill is right wing. Sporting's Geny Catamo is the name most heavily linked with a move to the Stadium of Light. Sporting manager Rui Borges has insisted Catamo is content at the Portuguese club when asked about reported Premier League interest, though such statements do not necessarily indicate a player will remain unavailable.
Given that Eliezer Mayenda has departed, leaving Brian Brobbey and Wilson Isidor as the club's only first-team strikers, another forward capable of playing through the middle is probably required to provide adequate depth in the attacking department.
What does Tottenham Hotspur need?
Tottenham have invested heavily during the summer but face questions about their forward options. If Dominic Solanke is not going to feature regularly as the main striker, this represents the area where manager Roberto de Zerbi must focus his attention. Richarlison assumed the starting role during the opening weekend loss at Brentford, and while a deal for Manchester City's Omar Marmoush is progressing, uncertainty exists regarding whether this represents his optimal position.
Tottenham desperately require forward players capable of converting De Zerbi's quick attacking transitions into decisive moments. Currently, the club possesses the personnel to play through pressure but lacks the finishing quality to maximise the opportunities these situations create. A winger and a striker capable of elevating performance would represent a drastic upgrade to Tottenham's attacking threat.
