Premier League 2021/22: What each club needs before the summer transfer window ends

There was been a lot of money spent in the Premier League this summer – in particular the record-breaking £100 million signing of Jack Grealish – and while many clubs will be content with their transfer activity, there are still some that will be preparing for a busy fortnight as they look to bolster their squad.

We take a look at what each top tier club needs to do before the summer window ends below…

Arsenal

Arsenal have had an interesting window so far.

They have spent less than £25 million on Albert Sambi Lokonga and Nuno Tavares and the pair could prove to be a coup if they succeed, but £50 million on Brighton & Hove Albion defender Ben White is questionable.

Arsenal are unlikely to bring in too many more players and the position they need to focus on most is a back-up goalkeeper, however it has been made clear that their main target is Aaron Ramsdale from Sheffield United.

While Ramsdale is still young (23), spending a reported £30 million on a back-up is definitely a bit steep - especially when it seems unlikely that the former Bournemouth man will be good enough to start for Arsenal in the future either.

Other than a goalkeeper Arsenal’s most questionable figure is their manager, however it remains to be seen just how much longer he will remain at the Emirates – probably beyond the end of the transfer window.

Brentford

It is hard to say that a team like Brentford need to do anything as they begin their first season in the Premier League – especially to a side that were in League One not that long ago.

Brentford’s squad is full of hidden gems that have developed into superb talents and that could quite easily happen again this season.

Perhaps all they could do with is a little experience.

From Brentford’s starting XI that faced Arsenal last week, only Sergi Canos and Ivan Toney have a few Premier League appearances between them – both enduring disappointing spells with Liverpool and Newcastle United respectively.

Bringing in a couple of players that have competed in the top tier more regularly may help out Thomas Frank’s side, but I definitely won’t hold them to that.

Brighton & Hove Albion

Brighton & Hove Albion have lacked goals and creativity since they were promoted.

The Seagulls are relying too much on Neal Maupay and could do with another proven goalscorer – and someone who doesn’t have a similar injury record to Danny Welbeck.

Graham Potter also needs to bring in a centre-back following Ben White’s departure and you would like to think the £50 million they made could go far on his replacement.

Burnley

Similar to Brighton, Burnley need some more creativity in their rather lacklustre team.

Chris Wood has been impressive for them since his move from Leeds United, but the only bit of flair they have in the squad is Dwight McNeil.

A right-back would also be useful to replace 36-year-old Phil Bardsley who is looking further and further out of place in the top tier of English football.

Chelsea

Now that Chelsea have brought in Romelu Lukaku I don’t think they need to bring in anymore players, but instead get rid of some.

Chelsea are still holding onto a lot of dead wood and, while it won’t particularly affect their season, they could do with offloading the likes of Baba Rahman, Ross Barkley, Danny Drinkwater, Kenedy… the list goes on.

Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace have had a pretty impressive transfer window so far, however the Eagles are yet to snap up a striker.

Palace have struggled up top for a while and definitely can’t continue relying on Christian Benteke.

Patrick Vieira needs to sign a proper goalscorer whose impact will propel them up the table.

Everton

Everton needed quality wingers this window and while they did bring in wingers, I’m not sure ‘quality’ was covered.

For a club that have high expectations of themselves, bringing in Demarai Gray and Andros Townsend seems a bit underwhelming.

The Toffees could also do with a back-up striker. While Dominic Calvert-Lewin was brilliant for them last season, if he was to pick up an injury it could be disastrous for Rafa Benitez’s side.

Leeds United

Leeds United have done well to bring in Junior Firpo from Barcelona as left-back was their weakest position, even before Ezgjan Alioski departed.

However, the Whites could do with a few more squad players and back-up options to ensure they aren’t punished by injuries and fatigue throughout the season – a striker and a centre midfielder, in particular.

Leicester City

Leicester City have brought in some positive signings so far.

They have spent well and now I think their only concern is offering key players contracts.

Leicester need to hold on to James Maddison, Harvey Barnes and Wilfred Ndidi, with a host of top clubs keen on their signatures.

Liverpool

What Liverpool need and what they will get are two very different things.

The Reds don’t have the squad depth they need to compete with Manchester City – nor did they last season – but it doesn’t look like they are intending on resolving that problem this summer.

So, bar transfers, what they do need this season is to get Sadio Mane back to his best.

The winger had a poor campaign last time out and if he can get back in amongst the goals then Liverpool will enjoy a much better season.

Manchester City

Man City have well and truly splashed out this window with the £100 million signing of Jack Grealish from Aston Villa.

Pep Guardiola’s side is near enough perfect (and very expensive) now and all they need is the world class striker to top it off.

While I think Erling Haaland would be the better option, it is clear City have their sights set on England striker Harry Kane and there is no doubt they already have the league title wrapped up if they manage to sign him up.

Manchester United

Manchester United have had a very good transfer window with the arrivals of Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane.

Looking at how Paul Pogba performed against Leeds United in their Premier League opener at the weekend, the Red Devils could do with the Frenchman committing to the club. However, you never really know what to expect with Pogba who is consistently inconsistent.

Ole Gunner Solskjær doesn't really need to bring in more players but rather just get his current ones being the best they can be.

Newcastle United

The arrival of Joe Willock on a permanent deal was definitely needed for Newcastle United, but they still struggle with squad depth.

Steve Bruce could do with bringing in a defender, as well as some more attacking reinforcements.

The Magpies will have another slow season if they are to rely on Callum Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin again – especially if they end up with lengthy spells on the sidelines again.

Norwich City

Norwich City have made plenty of signings this summer but, like Brentford, lack any experience.

Five members of Saturday’s starting XI (Tim Krul, Max Aarons, Grant Hanley, Todd Cantwell, Teemu Pukki) were in the Canaries’ squad that were relegated to the Championship two years ago, one (Ben Gibson) has spent a majority of his career in the second tier and four (Dimitrios Giannoulis, Pierre Lees-Melou, Lukas Rupp, Milot Rashica) are their new signings that have never competed in England before. Billy Gilmour is, of course, a brilliant signing but is another player who has made only a handful of appearances in the Premier League.

They may come to regret their strategy this summer, but we shall see.

Southampton

With the loss of Vestergaard it is obvious that Southampton need to bolster their defensive ranks.

They have done well in replacing Danny Ings with Adam Armstrong but could still do with some more attacking options.

Theo Walcott is probably not at the standard they should be aiming for anymore and the fact the former Arsenal winger is starting for Southampton shows where they are at.

Tottenham Hotspur

If Harry Kane leaves then it is obvious what Spurs need – a striker.

It is pretty difficult to replace one of the best strikers in the world, no matter how much Man City pay for him, but replacing him with someone like Patrick Bamford (as rumoured) is not good enough.

Talk of Lautaro Martinez heading to the capital is more like it.

Watford

Just like the other newly promoted sides, Watford will need experience this season and the additions of Danny Rose and Joshua King definitely bring that.

The Hornets have a particularly unknown squad with some rather young players, all of which looked exciting and full of energy in their win over Aston Villa at the weekend.

Keeping hold of Ismaila Sarr could also prove vital in their hopes to avoid the drop.

West Ham

West Ham have been disappointing in this transfer window after how successful the previous campaign was.

To continue last season’s form they are going to need to bolster their squad and bring in a striker rather than relying on Michail Antonio.

While the 31-year-old has done well for them in recent seasons, the Hammers need an out-and-out striker to help them reach European football again.

Wolves

Wolves seem to have relied on the same names every season since they were promoted – with the likes of Ruben Neves, Joao Moutinho and Conor Coady continuously finding themselves in the starting XI.

Wolves need to bring in fresh blood and not just fringe players, ones that are proven and will undoubtedly improve the team.