It's been a fairly quiet summer so far, but plenty of out-of-favour stars will be hoping that changes over the next few weeks The summer...
It's been a fairly quiet summer so far, but plenty of out-of-favour stars will be hoping that changes over the next few weeks
The summer has flown by and we are now less than a week away from the transfer window slamming shut on Friday, August 30. So far, it's been a fairly quiet few months on the recruitment front. Last summer, the Saudi Pro League was making waves, but that particular market has shrivelled considerably this time out, which has had a knock-on effect on activity in Europe's major leagues.
As a result, there is a long list of players who have been attempting to manufacture a move away from their current clubs, only to find out that there simply is not a market for their services. That could all change over the coming days, however.
As the transfer window ticks towards closing, sporting directors always operate with a renewed sense of urgency. Here are just some of the players who will be hoping there is still enough time for them to secure a transfer this summer...
Kepa Arrizabalaga (Chelsea)
Be honest, had you forgotten the most expensive goalkeeper of all time was still at Chelsea? The £72m ($94m) the Blues paid Athletic Club back in 2018 for Kepa's services has proved to be a shocking investment and the Spaniard has been training away from the first-team group this summer after a underwhelming loan at Real Madrid. His wages will make a permanent exit difficult, but Bournemouth are exploring a loan in what would be a significant fall from grace.
After his falling-out with Pep Guardiola back in early 2023, there is no way back for Cancelo at Man City, and the Premier League champions are keen to get him off their books for good this summer. Barcelona were initially interested in bringing the Portugal international back to Spain after his loan spell last season, but the Catalans' financial issues means that is now off the table. Instead, the Saudi Pro League now looks his most likely destination.
Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea)
Chalobah was one of Chelsea's best players during the second half of last season, but that's not been enough to save him from the Blues' remorseless axe. First, the Cobham graduate was left off the U.S. tour squad and he's since been exiled from the club's first-team facilities. Several Premier League sides are said to be circling, but it's a sad end for a player who's more than good enough to feature regularly for his boyhood club.
Federico Chiesa (Juventus)
Chiesa has gone from being one of Italy's heroes of Euro 2020 to being out in the cold at Juventus following a run of injuries and Thiago Motta's appointment as the new manager of the Bianconeri. Still just 26, there is no doubt that the wide forward has plenty more to give, and Barcelona are among the clubs considering a move late in the window.
Ben Chilwell (Chelsea)
Maresca didn't mince his words when asked about Chilwell's future recently. "It is probably better to leave and get minutes," the Italian said. That would appear to be that when it comes to the ex-Leicester man's time at Chelsea, with the Blues boss claiming he doesn't see where Chilwell fits into his tactical system. Newcastle are among those who have been mentioned as potential suitors, but things will need to move quickly if the England international - who was made vice-captain last summer - is to avoid a season sat on the bench.
Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich)
Bayern already had a wealth of wide attackers available to them before Michael Olise joined from Crystal Palace, and it has seemingly been decided that Coman is now surplus to requirements as a result. The man who scored the winning goal in the 2020 Champions League final certainly has plenty more to give at the age of 28, and Barcelona are said to be considering a potential loan move for the France international.
Christian Eriksen (Manchester United)
It has never quite clicked for Eriksen since he joined United. And now he's entering the twilight of his career, it's best he departs Old Trafford to regain his smile. A reunion with former club Ajax has been mentioned repeatedly this summer and that would seem like a storybook way to bring his iconic career to an end.
Ansu Fati (Barcelona)
When Fati first burst onto the scene as an exciting 16-year-old, it felt like he was at the start of an unstoppable rise to the top of world football. Injuries have severely hampered his development since then, and after failing to reignite his career on loan at Brighton last season, Barcelona are likely open to letting him leave to ease their financial pressures. It would be an emotional exit, but it might just be the best decision for Fati.
David Datro Fofana (Chelsea)
The first signing of Chelsea's ridiculously busy 2022 January transfer window, it always felt like Fofana would struggle to make any sort of impact for the Blues. And so it has proved, with loan moves to Union Berlin and Burnley returning just four league goals. There's clearly some potential there, but he's just not going to get the minutes he needs to progress. Chelsea are open to letting him leave this summer.
Joe Gomez (Liverpool)
Gomez is now Liverpool's longest-serving player, but he may be about to lose that status. The England international was left out of the Reds' squad for their Premier League opener and he's currently considering his options ahead of a potential summer departure. He should attract some admiring glances before the window slams shut, with Newcastle and Aston Villa already making their interest known.
Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich)
Goretzka has been pretty brutally cast aside by new Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany, who has informed the German that he won't be handed many minutes this season following the arrival of Joao Palhinha from Fulham. Liverpool are looking for a midfielder following their failed pursuit of Martin Zubimendi, but negotiations will need to be swift.
Clement Lenglet (Barcelona)
Lenglet has been shipped out on loan to Tottenham and then Aston Villa over the past two season; a by-product of the financial maneuvering Barcelona have become famous for. He's experienced a busy summer so far, rejecting a string of approaches as Barca try desperately to get him off the wage bill. Lenglet is reported to have finally agreed terms with Atletico Madrid, though whether his exit is sealed before time runs out remains to be seen.
Gio Lo Celso (Tottenham)
Lo Celso has been close to leaving Tottenham permanently on a number of occasions, but it feels like this summer will bring the curtain down on his time in north London. The Argentina international previously shone during a loan spell at Villarreal, and a return to Spain feels like the likeliest outcome this time around too.
Ademola Lookman (Atalanta)
While Lookman doesn't necessarily need a transfer, given he is a key figure at a team in Atalanta who are upwardly-mobile and in this season's Champions League, it's pretty clear the Nigeria winger wants a transfer out of Bergamo. Lookman was left out of the Italian side's squad for their Serie A opener as a result, with Paris Saint-Germain seemingly set to beat Arsenal to the former Everton man.
Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea)
It wouldn't be a summer transfer window without speculation over Lukaku's future. His decision to return to Stamford Bridge in 2021 continues to blow up in his face, with the Blues seemingly having no intention of welcoming him back in from the cold after loan moves to Inter and Roma. Napoli are tipped to be next on the Belgian's ever-growing list of clubs, though there's still plenty of details to iron out.
Scott McTominay (Manchester United)
McTominay has made some important contributions to the United cause over the years, but it increasingly feels like he's reached the end of the line at Old Trafford. Fulham have been pushing hard to sign him all summer, with Everton also in the running, and the Scotland international must surely fancy a new challenge after slipping down the pecking order at Old Trafford last season. If Manuel Ugarte arrives, as expected, minutes will only be harder to come by, too.
Youssoufa Moukoko (Borussia Dortmund)
Once the hottest prospect in German football and still the youngest player to ever find the net in the Champions League, Moukoko has never quite been able to prove himself at senior level, whether due to injuries or dips in form. As such, he is now surplus to requirements at Dortmund, who have signed strikers Serhou Guirassy and Maximilian Beier this summer. Marseille previously showed an interest in Moukoko, while Real Betis have been linked of late.
Eddie Nketiah (Arsenal)
Nketiah is now 25 and it's increasingly evident that he's never going to be a regular starter in north London. Marseille reportedly went close to securing his services earlier in the summer, but that deal now appears to be dead. A Premier League transfer is more likely at present, with Nottingham Forest currently leading the race.
Victor Osimhen (Napoli)
Osimhen is far too good not to be playing in the Champions League, and even if Antonio Conte's ascension to the hot seat should improve Napoli's fortunes this season, the Nigerian can't afford to waste one of his prime years. But as he found last summer, clubs who can afford the transfer fee he'd command and his wages are thin on the ground. At least there's still time for things to change.
Djordje Petrovic (Chelsea)
What a strange few months Petrovic has experienced. After displacing Robert Sanchez as Pochettino's No.1 goalkeeper last season, he didn't even make the bench against Manchester City, with new signing Filip Jorgensen preferred. It's hard to judge what his natural level is, but considering his age, he needs to clinch a move.
Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)
Remember when Mikel Arteta outline an idyllic situation where Ramsdale and David Raya would rotate the No.1 jersey - perhaps even in the same game? It didn't quite work out like that last season, with the latter soon emerging an undisputed first choice. The Gunners would prefer that Ramsdale accept his lot as a second-string stopper, but the England international will no doubt have grander plans for his career at this stage. Wolves are said to be keen on bringing him to Molineux if a deal can be struck.
From the row that surrounded his lack of minutes at the 2022 World Cup to falling out of favour at Dortmund to his disappointing loan spell at Nottingham Forest, it's not been the best 18 months or so for Reyna. Now back at Dortmund, he remains well down the pecking order under new manager Nuri Sahin, and desperately needs to find a club where he can play regular minutes in a bid to impress incoming United States coach Pochettino over the course of the next couple of campaigns.
Jadon Sancho (Manchester United)
Heading into the summer, Sancho seemed certain to depart Old Trafford. However, following his high-profile fallout with Erik ten Hag last campaign, a route back into the first team seemed to open up, with the Manchester United boss striking a conciliatory tone and handing him some minutes in pre-season. But once the real stuff got underway against Fulham, Sancho was nowhere to be seen. A return to Borussia Dortmund would seem to make most sense, although Chelsea have also been linked for some reason.
Milan Skriniar (PSG)
Alongside Manuel Ugarte, Skriniar has been told he does not figure in PSG's plans after just one season in the French capital, as Luis Enrique swings the axe. The Slovakian centre-back joined on a free transfer from Inter last summer, so Les Parisiens are set to make a cool profit. Juventus and Bayern Munich are supposedly monitoring his situation.
Sterling is not the first victim of Chelsea's insane transfer policy - and he won't be the last, either. All the noises in pre-season seemed positive, with new boss Enzo Maresca describing him as one of his "most important players". This made it all the more shocking when the winger was left out of Chelsea's matchday squad on the opening day - a decision which prompted a strong statement from Sterling's camp. It's far from certain where he'll end up, but it's clear that his time at Stamford Bridge is over.
Kieran Tierney (Arsenal)
Tierney was once a pretty indispensable part of the Arsenal starting XI. Now, though, it appears the Gunners have outgrown him. And with competition for places at a record high at left-back, the Scotland international will be desperate for a route out of the Emirates before the transfer window closes. His current injury does throw a spanner in the works, however.
Ivan Toney (Brentford)
Toney's name has never been far from the rumour mill over the past few years, but he's never felt closer to leaving Brentford as he does at present. Left out of Thomas Frank's squad for his side's Premier League opener against Crystal Palace, Toney has been linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League, and with his contract set to expire next summer, the Bees will be hoping that demand for him heightens in the final week of the window. Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea have all been credited with an interest in the past.
Kieran Trippier (Newcastle)
Trippier may have been a regular starter for England during the summer's European Championship, but it seems his time in the Newcastle line up is at an end after he was first passed over for the captaincy before being left on the bench for the Magpies' Premier League opener against Southampton. As such, the ex-Atletico Madrid full-back is keen to move on, and Everton are among the clubs to have been linked with a loan move.
Matt Turner (Nottingham Forest)
Quite how long Turner will be able to hold onto the United States' No.1 jersey if he is not playing regular games remains to be seen, but it's highly unlikely he will be a starter under Pochettino if he stays at Forest given he is now third-choice under Nuno Espirito Santo. His switch from Arsenal last summer hasn't worked, and the 30-year-old now needs another new start.
Wilfried Zaha (Galatasaray)
Zaha was able to finally scratch his Champions League itch by joining Galatasaray last summer, but overall it's not been the best move for the Ivorian. He made just 13 league starts last season and the Turkish giants would be willing to let him return to the Premier League if the right offer comes in. Leicester and former club Crystal Palace have both been touted as potential landing spots, but his salary demands may be an issue.
