It's deadline day!
ARSENAL
Where to begin? With Lukas Podolski out for 10 weeks you can add a striker to the list alongside a keeper, a couple of defenders and a couple of midfielders. Arsene Wenger’s been talking about the difficulty of trying to find players of the right quality, but as it stands he needs numbers, desperately. Julio Cesar would make sense in goal but for all the talk of Yohan Cabaye and Angel Di Maria, out wide and the attacking midfield positions are the only areas where they’re not short. Time’s running out and they need to act quickly.
ASTON VILLA
Villa got most of their business done early in the summer and though there’s always room for improvement, it’s pretty clear they’re not about to go and spend stupid money doing it. An experienced head at centre half to replace Richard Dunne wouldn’t hurt, but Paul Lambert is just as likely to stick with what he’s got.
CARDIFF
Rather than make wholesale changes to the side that got them promoted, Cardiff have gone for quality rather than quantity this summer. It remains to be seen if what they’ve got will be enough to keep them up, but they’re clearly not afraid to spend a few quid, so one or two more big-money deals aren’t out of the question.
CHELSEA
With deals for Samuel Eto’o and Christian Atsu about to be tied up, that should be it for Chelsea (barring any last-minute changes of heart from Man Utd/Wayne Rooney). Departures are more likely, especially in the attacking midfield positions. Victor Moses looks likely to be on his way to either Liverpool or Southampton, and while the prospect of selling to Arsenal or Spurs is unlikely, Juan Mata’s future is far from resolved either.
CRYSTAL PALACE
Joey Barton turned them down and Jimmy Kebe is reportedly in talks. Judging from that it appears that strengthening the midfield is Holloway’s top priority, but in truth they’re short all over the park and will be looking at anyone who might improve them. Could be a busy few days at Selhurst Park.
EVERTON
They could probably do with another option up-front but their activity over the next few days really all depends on Baines and Fellaini. If they leave for Old Trafford then there’ll be the best part of of £40m coming the other way. Bids for Shaun Maloney, Callum McManaman, James McCarthy (anyone from Wigan basically) would likely follow, and they’d need a new left back too.
FULHAM
Someone under 30 might be an idea.
HULL
It seems Steve Bruce is still in the market for a striker and Victor Anichebe and Niklas Bendtner have been linked with moves to the KC. They’ve already recruited ten new faces this summer though, so I wouldn’t expect too much more.
LIVERPOOL
Willian didn’t happen but the fact they go so close suggests there’s still money to spend. A bit more creativity in midfield still seems to be a priority, as is another option at centre half. Victor Moses, Arda Turan and PSG defender Mamadou Sakho have all been linked. You’d expect one or two arrivals by Monday.
MAN CITY
Another club who got their business done early. Knacked defender after knacked defender has made cover at centre half a priority though and Atletico Madrid’s Martín Demichelis looks set to join. A new keeper wouldn’t be the worst idea in the world either, given Joe Hart’s poor recent form.
MAN UTD
A midfielder. Please.
NEWCASTLE
A striker, clearly. Demba Ba has been linked with a loan move back to Tyneside and the Batefimbi Gomis deal is apparently back on too. Joe Kinnear hasn’t managed to get much done so far though, can we expect that to change between now and Monday?
NORWICH
The Canaries have bought early and seemingly impressively too. Their wobbly start might tempt Chris Hughton back in to the market, but given their outlay so far this summer, you wouldn’t imagine there’d be too much left to spend.
SOUTHAMPTON
The Saints were linked with Scott Sinclair after Jason Puncheon’s departure, but the Man City winger plumped for West Brom instead. Victor Moses would be a more than adequate alternative though, and would represent quite a coup were he to sign. Porto defender Abdoulaye Ba has also been linked, an extra option at the back wouldn’t hurt.
STOKE
They put a couple past Palace at the weekend but in fairness, most teams probably will this season. It’s difficult to see where the goals and creativity are coming from at the moment and after a low-key summer to date, I’d expect them to strengthen in those areas over the coming days. The likes of Mame Diouf, John Guidetti, Peter Odemwingie and Aaron Hunt have all been linked.
SUNDERLAND
They’re still getting linked with people but with 12 arrivals already this summer, Paolo Di Canio will at some point need to find contentment with what he’s got and concentrate on moulding those signings in to a team. It’s difficult to say what they need at this stage. Which of the new faces are actually good enough?
SWANSEA
Michael Laudrup has been busy this summer as he looks to get his side ready to fight on two fronts, at home and in Europe. Another striker has been mentioned to ease the pressure on Wilfried Bony and Michu but don't expect too much more.
TOTTENHAM
By the time Bale actually leaves, deals for Erik Lamela, Vlad Chiriches and possibly Christian Eriksen should all have been completed, and their squad will be looking strong. That, you’d imagine, would be that, especially when you consider the signings made earlier in the summer. You never know with Spurs though do you?
WEST BROM
Nicolas Anelka is back in training but they’re still looking short in attack, a striker or two could make all the difference. And with Ben Foster out injured for 3 months, a loan move for Jack Butland would suit all parties.
WEST HAM
They look solid enough in defence and midfield, another striker maybe? Andy Carroll doesn’t tend to be fit all that often…