Arsenal: Centre-back
New Arsenal manager Unai Emery will no doubt have identified central defence as an area in need of improvement, particularly as Laurent Koscielny – who showed signs of decline in 2017/18 – is out for the rest of the year. Konstantinos Mavropanos (above) looked promising in his handful of appearances late last season, but a strong, commanding presence at the heart of defence is still desperately needed at the Emirates.
Linked with: Sokratis (Borussia Dortmund)
Bournemouth: Centre-back
Last season was another successful one for Bournemouth, who secured a fourth consecutive campaign of top-flight football. Eddie Howe deserves credit for remaining loyal to several of the players who helped the Cherries reach the Premier League, but the time has come to find an upgrade on 33-year-old defender Simon Francis. Nathan Aké (above) was superb last term, and a commanding, mobile centre-back partner would help him shine even more.
Linked with: Diogo Queiros (Porto)
Brighton: Striker
Brighton’s failure to sign a striker last summer was widely considered a mistake likely to cost them their Premier League status, but Glenn Murray stepped up admirably with 12 goals. Jurgen Locadia (above) was added to the ranks in January but started just three Premier League games, two of which he was deployed out wide. Another centre-forward is therefore a must before the start of 2018/19.
Linked with: Nick Powell (Wigan)
Burnley: Centre-back
This is an important summer for Burnley, who will need to significantly bolster their squad depth in all areas ahead of a European campaign, while also retaining the team spirit that played such a big part in their seventh-place finish last season. Another centre-half would be useful – the long-serving Kevin Long isn't the greatest first reserve behind Ben Mee and James Tarkowski (above).
Linked with: Craig Dawson (West Brom)
Cardiff: Striker
Neil Warnock will be desperate to disprove the notion that he isn’t cut out for life at the top table following Cardiff’s remarkable promotion in 2017/18. Multiple additions will be required if the Welsh outfit are to stay up, but the area most in need of strengthening is up front. Five teams found the net more often than the Bluebirds in the Championship, with Kenneth Zohore (above) their top-scoring striker with nine.
Linked with: Salomon Rondon (West Brom)
Chelsea: Midfielder
Chelsea must sort out their managerial situation before turning attention towards signing players, what with Antonio Conte unlikely to be in charge by the time next season begins. Given that Cesc Fabregas’s powers are waning, a string-pulling playmaker should be at the top of the new man’s wish list. The jury is still out on Danny Drinkwater, Tiemoue Bakayoko and Ross Barkley – midfielders who were all bought last season.
Linked with: Jean Michael Seri (Nice)
Crystal Palace: Wide forward
The signing of Getafe goalkeeper Vicente Guaita will provide some much-needed competition for Wayne Hennessey between the sticks, so Palace should look higher up the pitch when it comes to identifying their primary targets. Christian Benteke endured a nightmare season last time out but is worth persevering with. Rather than an out-and-out central striker, then, Roy Hodgson should prioritise a wide forward as back-up for Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend (above).
Linked with: Andre Schurrle (Borussia Dortmund)
Everton: Centre-back
Everton’s recruitment was so poor last summer that they have overhauled that department of the club, with Marcel Brands replacing Steve Walsh as director of football. Another central midfielder wouldn’t go amiss, but a new centre-back is more crucial. Phil Jagielka (above) is now 35, Ashley Williams has been in decline for at least two years, Michael Keane struggled for much of last season and Ramiro Funes Mori has only recently returned from a serious knee injury.
Linked with: Jamaal Lascelles (Newcastle)
Fulham: Midfielder
Fulham were arguably the best team in the Championship in the second half of last season, but there’s plenty of work to do if they’re to avoid an immediate return to the second tier. Signing Aleksandar Mitrovic on a permanent deal is the first item in Slavisa Jokanovic’s in-tray, followed closely by the acquisition of a box-to-box midfielder to play alongside probing passer Tom Cairney (above).
Linked with: Dylan McGeouch (Hibernian)
Huddersfield: Wide forward
Huddersfield will be hoping that second season syndrome doesn’t bite next term, but it’s hard to see anything other than another year of struggle for the Terriers. Scoring goals was a problem last time out – no top-tier team found the net less often – and David Wagner (above) will be keen to bolster his attacking options, particularly in wide areas.
Linked with: Donis Avdijaj (Schalke)
Leicester: Centre-back
Wes Morgan has been a key part of the greatest period in Leicester’s history, but the 34-year-old is now past his best and can no longer be relied upon as a regular starter. With Robert Huth having already departed the King Power Stadium, a new centre-back partner for Harry Maguire (above) should be Claude Puel’s principal target this summer.
Linked with: Jonny Evans (West Brom)
Liverpool: Centre-back
The mid-season signing of Virgil van Dijk led to a dramatic upturn in Liverpool’s defensive solidity, and another top-class centre-back could turn a top-four battle into a title challenge next season. Dejan Lovren (above), while better than many give him credit for, remains prone to the odd error-strewn display and will be fortunate to begin 2018/19 as first choice.
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