Arsenal
Confirmed major signings so far: Sead Kolasinac (Schalke, free).
Confirmed major sales so far: Yaya Sanogo (released)
Most needed: A striker
Arsenal have stars such as Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez in attack and in addition to holding on to these key figures, Arsene Wenger will be hoping to land a prolific striker to complement their other strengths. Olivier Giroud has never totally convinced at the elite level and could be on his way to West Ham this summer, while €65million-rated Alexandre Lacazette — who scored 37 times in 45 games for Lyon — has been targeted. They are also among a number of clubs rumoured to be interested in Kylian Mbappe, while they also had an approach turned down for another Monaco star, Thomas Lemar.
Bournemouth
Confirmed major signings so far: Asmir Begovic (Chelsea, undisclosed), Nathan Ake (Chelsea, undisclosed), Jermain Defoe (Sunderland, free).
Confirmed major sales so far: None
Most needed: Midfielder
With a big-money move for Chelsea defender Nathan Ake confirmed, Bournemouth can now set their sights on a midfielder, with Jack Wilshere unlikely to sign on a permanent deal. Chelsea youngster Ruben Loftus-Cheek has been one of the possible names mentioned.
Brighton
Confirmed major signings so far: Pascal Gross (Ingolstadt, undisclosed), Josh Kerr (Celtic, undisclosed), Mathew Ryan (Valencia, undisclosed).
Confirmed major sales so far: None.
Most needed: A striker
The newly promoted club have had a busy summer but still could do with a goalscorer. Chelsea youngster Tammy Abraham has been linked with a move, although they may want a more proven forward as another option to lead the line.
Burnley
Confirmed major signings so far: None
Confirmed major sales so far: Michael Kightly (released), Joey Barton (released).
Most needed: An attacker
One of Burnley’s biggest problems last season was a lack of goals. Huddersfield Town’s Nahki Wells now appears unlikely to join the club, while Stoke and Ireland attacker Jon Walters has been linked with a move to Sean Dyche’s side.
Chelsea
Confirmed major signings so far: None
Confirmed major sales so far: Juan Cuadrado (Juventus, £17.3m), Christian Atsu (Newcastle, £6.2m), Asmir Begovic (Bournemouth, undisclosed), Dominic Solanke (Liverpool, fee by tribunal), John Terry (released), Bertrand Traore (Lyon, £8.8m), Nathan Ake (Bournemouth, undisclosed).
Most needed: A striker
With Diego Costa expected to move and Monaco’s Tiemoué Bakayoko likely to replace the reportedly Man United-bound Nemanja Matic, a striker appears to be the main priority. Everton’s Romelu Lukaku, who played for the club as a younger, looks an ideal fit should the Toffees agree to part with their star player.
Crystal Palace
Confirmed major signings so far: None
Confirmed major sales so far: Fraizer Campbell (released), Mathieu Flamini (released), Joe Ledley (released)
Most needed: A centre-back
New boss Frank de Boer hopes to persuade Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho to join on a permanent deal, after he helped the Eagles avoid relegation during an impressive loan spell last season, though the club may struggle to persuade the highly rated defender to join, with a number of other teams understood to be interested in acquiring his services.
Everton
Confirmed major signings so far: Jordan Pickford (Sunderland, £30m), Davy Klaassen (Ajax, £23.6m)
Confirmed major sales so far: Tom Cleverley (Watford, undisclosed), Arouna Kone (released).
Most needed: A centre-back
Everton have not been shy to spend so far this summer, though they will likely have to delve deep into their pockets once more if Romelu Lukaku leaves as expected. Malaga forward Sandro Ramirez is one player who has been touted to fill the void, while Burnley’s £25million-rated Michael Keane has also been heavily linked with the club.
Huddersfield
Confirmed major signings so far: Laurent Depoitre (Porto, undisclosed), Aaron Mooy (Man City, undisclosed).
Confirmed major sales so far: None.
Most needed: A defender
The consensus seems to be that the newly promoted club will need to make a number of new signings to bolster their chances of Premier League survival. Inter defender Andrea Ranocchia, who impressed on loan at Hull last season, is one player they are reportedly targeting.
Leicester
Confirmed major signings so far: Harry Maguire (Hull City, £17m).
Confirmed major sales so far: Marcin Wasilewski (released).
Most needed: A striker
The Foxes have been a little overly reliant on Jamie Vardy at times for goals, with Man City youngster Kelechi Iheanacho one of the names mentioned as a possible reinforcement. Leicester will also hope to keep hold of key player Riyad Mahrez amid rumours that suggest the Algeria international seeks a move away from the club.
Liverpool
Confirmed major signings so far: Dominic Solanke (Chelsea, fee by tribunal), Mohamed Salah (Roma, £34.3m).
Confirmed major sales so far: Andre Wisdom (Derby, undisclosed), Alex Manninger (released).
Most needed: Centre-back
Liverpool still badly need a centre-back after the Virgil van Dijk debacle, while left-back and goalkeeper are also areas that could be improved upon. Hull’s Andy Robertson has been linked with the club, as has Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly, who would likely cost around £52million.
Man City
Confirmed major signings so far: Bernardo Silva (Monaco, £43m), Ederson (Benfica, undisclosed)
Confirmed major sales so far: Pablo Zabaleta (West Ham, free), Enes Unal (Villarreal, £12m), Gael Clichy (released), Jesus Navas (released), Willy Cabellero (released), Bacary Sagna (released), Aaron Mooy (Huddersfield, undisclosed).
Most needed: A full-back
Despite already landing two big-money signings, City’s squad could still do with significant renovation. Pep Guardiola is expected to buy at least one centre-back, while full-back remains a priority amid the departures of Gael Clichy, Pablo Zabaleta and Bacary Sagna. Dani Alves is one player expected to link up again with his former Barcelona boss, after the player’s departure from Juventus was recently confirmed.
Man United
Confirmed major signings so far: Victor Lindelof (Benfica, £30.7m).
Confirmed major sales so far: Zlatan Ibrahimovic (released).
Most needed: A striker
With the departure of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the likely exit of Wayne Rooney, Man United will need at least one additional option in their attack line. A move for Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann has already been ruled out, while similarly high-profile names, including Harry Kane and Cristiano Ronaldo, have been linked with a switch to Old Trafford. £60million-rated Real Madrid star Alvaro Morata seems a more realistic option, however, with a move reportedly close.
Newcastle United
Confirmed major signings so far: Christian Atsu (Chelsea, £6.2m).
Confirmed major sales so far: Florian Thauvin (Marseille, undisclosed).
Most needed: A centre-back
Rafa Benitez is understood to want another option to provide competition for last season’s regular centre-back pairing of Jamaal Lascelles and Ciaran Clark. Eibar defender Florian Lejeune is expected to sign after the club activated an £8.7million release clause in his contract. The Magpies are also in the market for a striker, with Ireland’s Daryl Murphy and Serbian star Aleksandar Mitrovic among the expected departures. Porto’s Vincent Aboubakar, who scored 19 goals while on loan at Besiktas last season, is one of the names being mentioned in connection with a move.
Southampton
Confirmed major signings so far: None.
Confirmed major sales so far: Martin Caceres (released).
Most needed: A centre-back
With Virgil van Dijk set to leave despite Liverpool ending their interest in the player and the Saints’ claims to the contrary, new manager Mauricio Pellegrino will more than likely need to bolster his defensive options. Barcelona defender Thomas Vermaelen has been talked up as a possible replacement.
Stoke City
Confirmed major signings so far: Darren Fletcher (West Brom, free).
Confirmed major sales so far: Shay Given (released).
Most needed: Striker
Xherdan Shaqiri and Jon Walters have both been linked with moves away from the club. Consequently, an attacker would be a welcome addition to their squad. Jay Rodriguez has been one of the names mentioned as a possible target, though the Southampton striker appears more likely to join West Brom. Meanwhile, Irish international Glenn Whelan is expected to move on following the acquisition of Darren Fletcher, who operates in a similar role to the Dubliner.
Swansea
Confirmed major signings so far: Erwin Mulder (Heerenveen, free).
Confirmed major sales so far: Gerhard Tremmel (released), Marvin Emnes (released).
Most needed: A midfielder
One instance of a club where the more important question seems to be whether they can retain star players like Fernando Llorente and Gylfi Sigurdsson. Paul Clement’s side could also do with bolstering at the back and in midfield. They are reportedly frontrunners to sign Coventry City midfielder George Thomas, though they have been relatively quiet in the transfer market so far.
Tottenham
Confirmed major signings so far: None.
Confirmed major sales so far: None.
Most needed: A striker.
Particularly when Harry Kane was injured, Tottenham looked a little short up front at times last season. Vincent Janssen failed to convince as a back-up forward, with Borussia Monchengladbach hoping to sign the out-of-favour Dutchman. West Brom’s Salomon Rondon is one reported target, while Tottenham are also expected to buy at least one full-back, with Kyle Walker heavily linked with a move away from Spurs.
Watford
Confirmed major signings so far: Tom Cleverley (Everton, undisclosed), Will Hughes (Derby, undisclosed).
Confirmed major sales so far: None.
Most needed: A striker
New boss Marco Silva has already brought in midfielders Tom Cleverley and Will Hughes, with more expected to follow. Udinese’s Uruguayan striker Rodrigo Aguirre, who has scored 10 goals in 15 games while on loan at Nacional, is one of the players to attract the Hornets’ interest.
West Brom
Confirmed major signings so far: None
Confirmed major sales so far: Darren Fletcher (Stoke, free).
The Baggies secured a respectable 10th-place finish last season, but they have been dealt a blow with the departure of experienced midfielder Darren Fletcher. Joe Ledley, who has been released by Crystal Palace, is being talked of as a potential replacement. Meanwhile, the anticipated signing of £12 million-rated Southampton star Jay Rodriguez is set to bolster their options up front.
Most needed: A defensive midfielder
West Ham
Confirmed major signings so far: Pablo Zabaleta (Man City, free).
Confirmed major sales so far: Reece Oxford (Borussia Monchengladbach, loan), Alvaro Arbeloa (released), Havard Nordtveit (Hoffenheim, £8m).
Most needed: A goalkeeper
Both Adrian and Darren Randolph struggled to convince in the number one jersey last season, so it’s no surprise that out-of-favour Man City stopper Joe Hart has been heavily linked with a move. Moreover, Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud could join the England international in transferring to the club.
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Can’t really say I am surprised. Thought we might have a proper game 15 minutes in, but Leinster ooze talent, and just strangled our game. I would say Fitzgerald is a lovely footballer on front foot ball, but he takes the ball a bit too deep for my liking, and it ends up with all the players being smashed behind the gameline – against Leinster, that’s kamikaze. I feel if we had played Leinster two weeks ago we would have had a better chance, as they were clearly focused on a bigger prize, whereas this was a wounded Leinster restoring pride. Munster next, and I expect it will again be a bit of a mixed up squad for Connacht versus a first choice Munster squad at home full of Saffa bruisers playing like it’s the Heineken cup final. Not looking forward to it.
@Joe Vlogs: the year Connacht won the league they had a team of guys that were lucky to avoid injury for the most part of that season. That same core of players every game won them the league. They’ve a really small squad and when your missing as many players as they were last night it’s going to be hard for them to compete, but on they’re day they can beat anyone.
Does anybody know what the status is on Tom Farrell’s knee injury?
@Aidan Prior: just regarding our league winning season I think you’re totally off the mark. While we had a few key guys, nobody bar Bealham played every game, and he started the season at loosehead due to an injury to Buckley, and was behind White at tighthead until his injury. We managed rotation as any team does, I wouldn’t think we had a core of players any more or less than we’ve had any other season, we swapped in and out 4 different fly-halves all season, the difference was when we had a few of the non-first team lads out they performed. We had injuries to guys at key points of the season but just got on with it. I think we had some luck, but we had a far superior coaching set up, and attitude within the squad. That’s not to go hard on the current guys it’s just the reality.
@Joe Vlogs: it wasn’t full strength v Ulster and it won’t be against Connacht. You can also rest assured that they won’t be treating a match against Connacht like a Heineken Cup final. As for the South African comment, you sound like you’ve a chip on your shoulder.
@Joe Vlogs: Cloete was the only staffer that started against Ulster but you couldn’t really call him a bruzzer
@Joe Vlogs: Connacht started 8 from Leinster, 3 from Australia, 3 from Connacht and a Munster man. You really think you can have a go at Munster who started just 1 SA and started 11 from Munster?
@Joe Vlogs: cry more
@Aidan Prior: we had an injury crisis the year we won the Pro14, we couldn’t name a full bench in a Challenge Cup game away to Falcons week before Xmas. In New Year Carty got injured in Dubai, and MCGinty got his break.
Fundamental difference is calibre of squad overall, experience/physicality wise, likes of Muldowney, White, McCartney Naoupu. Friend has to cover lack of quality in squad filling with guys who’ve not completed full academy terms, saw it in immaturity of reverse penalty Murray conceded kicking the ball after bad lineout that lead to 2nd try and implosion. Then you’ve got guys like Oliver who didn’t make it at Munster most likely because of lack of game intelligence, all energy but does stupid stuff all the time, real momentum killers.
@Patrick Breen: of course I’m not saying that they played the same team every week but they had a close knit group of about 25 solid players that were there there abouts all season. The had a good attacking backline, a steady OH, and a capable pack. The loss of Muldowney, McGinty and Hendshaw was massive. Then this year the loss of Roux, Farrell, O’Brien and Bundee for the most part has been really felt. I don’t think they’ve been able to once field their best 15.
Connacht lineout used to be an issue and has been resolved but cant say the same for attacking or defending maul. Maul defense is shocking and thought we would have improved since the dragons schooled us in it. All credit to leinster but no excuse for try count of 8-2 and could have been worse.