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The one player every Premier League club needs most in the transfer window

As the transfer window re-opens, we look at the business each club will be hoping to do between now and the end of August.

Arsenal

Italy: Roma v Olympique Lyonnais UEFA Europa League Alexandre Lacazette. SIPA USA / PA Images SIPA USA / PA Images / PA Images

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

Chelsea v Brentford - Emirates FA Cup - Stamford Bridge Ruben Loftus-Cheek. PA Archive / PA Images PA Archive / PA Images / PA Images

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

England U21 v Germany U21 - UEFA European Under-21 Championship - Semi Final - Stadion Miejski Tammy Abraham. Nick Potts Nick Potts

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

Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Stoke City v Leicester City - Britannia Stadium Jonathan Walters. PA Archive / PA Images PA Archive / PA Images / PA Images

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

Romelu Lukaku File Photo Romelu Lukaku. Peter Byrne Peter Byrne

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

Crystal Palace v Watford - Premier League - Selhurst Park John Walton John Walton

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

Crystal Palace v Burnley - Premier League - Selhurst Park Michael Keane. PA Archive / PA Images PA Archive / PA Images / PA Images

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

Manchester City v Hull City - Premier League - Etihad Stadium Andrea Ranocchia. Dave Thompson Dave Thompson

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

Manchester City v Celtic - UEFA Champions League - Group C - Etihad Stadium Kelechi Iheanacho. Mike Egerton Mike Egerton

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

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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

Italy Soccer Champions League: Juventus-Porto 1-0 Dani Alves. Isabella Bonotto Isabella Bonotto

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

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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

Besiktas v Benfica - UEFA Champions League - Group B - Vodafone Arena Vincent Aboubakar. Zuma Press / PA Images Zuma Press / PA Images / PA Images

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

Sweden v Belgium - UEFA Euro 2016 - Group E - Stade de Nice Thomas Vermaelen. SIPA USA / PA Images SIPA USA / PA Images / PA Images

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

AFC Bournemouth v Southampton - Premier League - Vitality Stadium Jay Rodriguez. PA Archive / PA Images PA Archive / PA Images / PA Images

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

Rochdale v Coventry City - Sky Bet League One - Spotland Stadium George Thomas. EMPICS Sport EMPICS Sport

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

West Bromwich Albion v Stoke City - Premier League - The Hawthorns Salomon Rondon. PA Archive / PA Images PA Archive / PA Images / PA Images

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

FC Lugano v BSC Young Boys - Super League Rodrigo Aguirre. Zuma Press / PA Images Zuma Press / PA Images / PA Images

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

Wales v Moldova- 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying - Group D - Wales Training and Press Conference - Cardiff City Stadium Joe Ledley. PA Archive / PA Images PA Archive / PA Images / PA Images

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

Scotland v England - 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying - Group F - Hampden Park Joe Hart. PA Archive / PA Images PA Archive / PA Images / PA Images

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.

h/t Sky Sports

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Paul Fennessy
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