Arsenal have already completed a sizeable portion of their summer business, most notably the £34 million acquisition of Christos Tzolis as a direct replacement for Leandro Trossard and the free‑transfer signing of Illan Meslier as a third‑choice goalkeeper after his exit from Leeds United. Yet, despite these moves, the Gunners still have a considerable amount of work left before the window shuts.
The champions are intent on capitalising on their league triumph by bolstering the squad with top‑level talent, particularly on the left wing and in central midfield. Early in the window, the club explored the financial implications of a potential swoop for Real Madrid’s Brazilian winger Vinícius Júnior. However, recent reports suggest that the Portuguese giants are confident the 23‑year‑old will renew his contract, meaning he is unlikely to depart this summer.
Arsenal’s scouting network continues to monitor his situation, but the prospect of signing him now appears slim. With Vinícius off the table, Arsenal’s shortlist for a left‑wing alternative includes PSG’s promising youngster Bradley Barcola and Atletico Madrid’s prolific forward Julián Álvarez. The Gunners have also been linked with Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers, but Villa have rejected Arsenal’s valuation, leaving the English side to look elsewhere. In midfield, Arsenal are keen to add a creative engine and a physical presence.
They have identified Newcastle United’s Brazilian midfielder Gabriel Guimarães as a prime target. Guimarães has reportedly told the Magpies that he would prefer a move to north London, and preliminary discussions via intermediaries have taken place. Newcastle, however, have signalled that they are not willing to sell at the moment, leaving Arsenal to consider alternative options. Funding for these ambitions is expected to come from player sales, an area where the club has historically struggled.
The contracts of Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus are both entering their final year, with the latter valued at roughly £18‑£20 million. Martinelli’s deal includes a club‑held option for an additional year, protecting Arsenal from losing him on a free transfer should a suitable buyer not materialise.
The sale of either forward is unlikely unless a suitable left‑wing replacement arrives first. Defensive depth is also a concern. England centre‑back Ben White has attracted interest from Everton, but injuries to Jurrien Timber and William Saliba may persuade the manager to retain White for the start of the campaign.
Saliba’s back problem is expected to keep him sidelined for an extended period, prompting Arsenal to explore other centre‑back options. John Stones was once on their radar, but he has since signed for Inter Milan, and a potential deal for Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa has stalled over valuation disagreements.
Elsewhere in the Premier League, Aston Villa are under pressure to balance their books in line with UEFA’s financial fair‑play regulations. The club has already sold Youri Tielemans and Morgan Rogers for a combined £152 million. New signings such as Johan Manzambi, João Gomes and Alejandro Garnacho have arrived to reinforce Unai Emery’s squad, but further reinforcements may be needed, especially with the uncertain futures of Leon Bailey and Emiliano Martínez. Bailey is reportedly close to a move to Hull City, while Juventus continue to monitor Martínez, though a valuation gap has led them to consider alternative goalkeeping options like Zion Suzuki.
Chelsea, the Premier League’s biggest spender this window, have also been active. They secured the services of veteran striker Danny Welbeck from Brighton on 1 August, adding experience to Xabi Alonso’s side.
However, Welbeck’s arrival has created a surplus of forwards, meaning players such as Nicolas Jackson and Liam Delap could be earmarked for departure to trim the squad and meet UEFA settlement requirements. In defence, Alonso has already brought in Maxence Lacroix to bolster the centre‑back ranks and is negotiating for left‑back Pep Chavarría from Rayo Vallecano, though a valuation gap remains.
Valentin Barco, an Argentine capable of playing both midfield and left‑back, was also signed on 2 August. Promoted side Coventry City have continued to reinforce their squad, adding centre‑back Aurèle Amenda from Eintracht Frankfurt for around £17.2 million and winger Loum Tchaouna from Burnley for £20 million. Manager Frank Lampard is also close to completing the £22.5 million purchase of goalkeeper Carl Rushworth from Brighton, a player who impressed during his loan spell that helped secure promotion.
Once Rushworth is secured, Coventry plan to hunt for a left‑back, a right‑winger and possibly a striker, while also looking to bring back midfielder Gustavo Hamer from Sheffield United as his contract enters its final year. Crystal Palace, under new manager Pierre Sage, have only added free‑agent defender Óscar Mingueza so far. Mingueza offers versatility, able to operate as a right‑back or centre‑back, providing depth as Palace search for a permanent replacement for Maxence Lacazette’s former partner, Marc Guehi. The club have also been linked with several centre‑back options, including Charlie Cresswell (Toulouse), Ruben Kluivert (Lyon) and Chibuike Nwaiwu (Trabzonspor).
Retaining Daichi Kamada for another year has eased the immediate midfield pressure, but Palace remain interested in Southampton’s Shea Charles as a potential midfield addition. Everton’s manager David Moyes is still busy in the final weeks of the window. The club’s top priority is signing a right‑back, with reports that they have approached Celtic for Canada international Alistair Johnston.
Additionally, Everton are looking to replace Idrissa Gana Gueye in midfield; while Hayden Hackney has arrived from Middlesbrough, his style is more ball‑playing, leaving a gap for a traditional destroyer. Striker recruitment is also on the agenda, with Liam Delap re‑emerging as a target after his move to Chelsea fell through. The club have also made loan‑to‑permanent deals, such as Tyrique George’s permanent move from Chelsea, but remain keen on adding another winger, possibly Newcastle’s Jacob Murphy.
Leeds United, after missing out on Julian Brandt, are now focusing on strengthening the squad with younger, high‑potential players. They are close to breaking their club record for goalkeeper James Trafford, with an initial £40 million fee plus add‑ons. This signing would likely see Lucas Perri head to Torino on loan.
Leeds also continue to chase a versatile left‑back/right‑back, with Noah Okafor being a potential candidate. In midfield, they have yet to secure Shea Charles from Southampton, despite multiple offers. Liverpool’s summer agenda remains centred on adding a left‑winger. The club have opened talks with PSG’s Bradley Barcola, though his £145 million price tag makes the deal challenging.
If Barcola departs Paris, Liverpool will need to decide who will replace Mohamed Salah on the right wing, as the Frenchman prefers playing on the left. Meanwhile, the club are not prioritising a new centre‑back despite injuries to Joe Gomez, as they trust the return of Virgil van Dijk and the fitness of Jeremy Jacquet. However, the emergence of Ryan Gravenberch as a deep‑lying midfielder may shift their recruitment focus. Manchester City, after splashing £116 million on Elliot Anderson, are now bracing for the possible loss of Rodri to Real Madrid.
The Spanish club have reportedly made contact, and while City intend to offer a new long‑term contract, the final decision may rest with the player. In anticipation, City are scouting Lille’s 18‑year‑old Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi and are also interested in left‑wing options such as Yan Diomande and Pedro Neto. A young striker to develop behind Erling Haaland, possibly Eli Junior Kroupi, is also on their radar, though the player’s injury history makes a move less likely. Chelsea, having spent heavily this window, are now looking to trim the squad.
With a surplus of forwards, players like Nicolas Jackson and Liam Delap could be on the move. In defence, the club have already added Maxence Lacroix and are negotiating for Pep Chavarría, while also signing Valentin Barco to provide depth on the left flank. Overall, with just a month left in the summer market, clubs across the Premier League and Europe are juggling incoming targets, outgoing sales, and the financial constraints imposed by UEFA’s regulations.
Arsenal, in particular, must finalise their plans for the left wing, central midfield, and defensive depth while ensuring they generate sufficient funds from player sales. The next few weeks will be decisive in shaping the squads that will compete in the upcoming season, and every club will be watching the market closely to secure the pieces they need before the transfer deadline arrives.