It's the most wonderful time of the year: transfer season.
The sands of change are shifting upon an era of significant competition in the English Premier League. As the richest of investors begin to comprehend the value in global football, money injections have become a common occurrence. The league's mid-table teams of a past life, the Newcastles, West Hams and Aston Villas of the world, are suddenly capable of pulling out the checkbook and splashing exorbitant sums on the raw materials of sporting success stories. As I have always said, January offers respite to underperforming clubs and continuity for those that are exceeding expectations.
Combine that with the admittedly subjective perception that clubs seem more engaged in the oft-quiet January window, and we may have a month of earth-shattering news reports and Twitter bombs from Fabrizio Romano. Personally, I am eager to witness the conclusion of several long-standing sagas as well as the introduction of legitimate quality of the highest order.
As I have thoroughly enjoyed the scouting columns over the past two transfer windows, this article will be yet another in a series of speculative segments to identify a seamless and sensible fit for all 20 squads in the EPL. I have always preached a sense of realism in these posts and will thus continue to do so. Each of these players will be attainable from the approximate price range and bargaining perspectives. I have attempted to identify rather creative solutions to each team's most significant issue, but occasionally I have to revert to chalk and pick a current target, as the blog's top picture insinuates.
Regardless, let us not continue to waste time and immediately delve into the actual content.
Hardly the most creative selection in this article, but it has simply become difficult to refuse to acknowledge the potentially incredible transfer of Mudryk to Arsenal. The current league leaders are far from short on firepower, but the "Ukrainian Neymar" would add an extra element of explosiveness to one of the most effective front threes in all of world football. Mudryk joining Mikel Arteta would mimic the provision of a beautiful orchid to a scrupulous gardener, the final puzzle piece to an already completed jigsaw. Mudryk's all-encompassing UCL performances have emboldened his money-stricken club to demand €100 million for his services, though I expect that the clubs will find a compromise and reach a happy medium on the price. From a profile perspective, the precocious winger is one of the fastest players I have ever witnessed, capable of breaking a compact low-block with his bursts into space and phenomenal close-range dribbling ability. This is crucial for an Arsenal attacking signing, as it is a player they are lacking. They rely on the free-flowing structure of Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka, rather than raw physical traits. Martin Odegaard in the attacking 8 role gives them a solution to low-blocks, but to be relentless title challengers, you simply can't cede points to teams that like to sponge pressure. Mudryk under Arteta could develop into a world-beater for a team on the rise. Consequently, the youngster is a priority for the Gunners.
OTHER OPTIONS: DM Declan Rice (West Ham/Premier League), CB Evan N'Dicka (Eintracht Frankfurt/Bundesliga)
Aston Villa
RW Ismaila Sarr
Watford (Championship)
~€30 million
While I would hardly say that Jack Grealish is a club-defining player, his departure in the 2021 summer window has had severe ramifications on the play style of Aston Villa. Lacking an actual touchline winger, the Villans attack far too centrally and are thus susceptible to being overloaded in the final third, particularly considering they have not invested in an inverted fullback to ease the build-up. Thus, a promising, proven winger like Ismaila Sarr would fulfill a vast need for Unai Emery's underperforming team. For a club without any touchline wingers on either flank, Sarr is a perfect transfer, as he is one of the few attainable wide players who can cut inside or outside from LW and RW. He was highly impressive during Senegal's World Cup run, sustaining consistent brilliance with runs against the opposing RBs, a particularly impressive facet of his game when you consider that he has mostly played on the RHS at club level. The Watford star has thunderous ball-striking ability and he rarely gets stuck in 1v1 scenarios, due to his rapidity. I'd imagine that his recent foray as an outlet next a more natural 9 under Slaven Bilic would even allow Emery to experiment with the Senegalese as a second striker, though his purchase would be made with a different role in mind.
OTHER OPTIONS: CM Kevin Kampl (RB Leipzig/Bundesliga), CF Nicolas Jackson (Villarreal/LaLiga)
Bournemouth
LW Noa Lang
Club Brugge (Belgian Pro League)
~€20 million
Suddenly granted with a war chest of funds following the takeover by American billionaire Bill Foley's Black Knight FC ownership group, the Cherries will be expected to add some expensive reinforcements to gear up for a presumptive relegation scrap. The signing of egotistical forward Noa Lang will surely stir up the media, but it may well be the type of risky splash to amplify the club's fortunes. The last aspect any astute manager would welcome into a relegation fight is a lazy distraction and I would admit that Lang could amount to that under improper nurture. But he is one of the most naturally talented players on the market. The Dutchman is a supremely gifted ball-carrier, among the most effective and willing dribblers in world football. Lang combines a delicate body with powerful legs to burst past stronger full-backs; I've always believed that his dribbling style can translate to the physically taxing Premier League. In my opinion, placing such a ruthless dribbler next to a strong finisher like Dominic Solanke is a recipe for success. Lang's directness and ability to solely retain the ball in zone 14 would also allow the versatile Philip Billing to intrude in attacking areas (I find that Kieffer Moore's presence often causes Billing to shy away). Noa Lang's off-ball play may be more of a concern, as Bournemouth rely on their wide attackers to press the opposing center-backs in an incessant manner. Despite that, if Lang can be more purposeful without the ball, he'd add a crucial ball retention outlet to Gary O'Neill's squad.
OTHER OPTIONS: CB Harry Souttar (Stoke City/Championship), LB Brandon Williams (Manchester United/Premier League)
Brentford
CF Georginio Rutter
Hoffenheim (Bundesliga)
~€25 million
Ivan Toney is a truly remarkable striker, currently occupying third spot in the Premier League goal scoring charts, despite his modest upbringing. Two years removed from a stint with League One's Peterborough, Toney has become midtable Brentford's most indispensable player. Thus, the uncertainty surrounding his immediate future with the club, due to a variety of circumstances, has jeopardized the Bees' momentum. Thomas Frank will be eager to sign a striker to ease the load. I've been a fan of Georginio Rutter for a long time. He's a hybrid forward, athletic enough to occupy any position in a forward line. Though his excellence with his back to goal has caused some to profile him as a false 9, Rutter is a very instinctive striker and thus a very effective poacher. From my perspective, he is as effective in the box as he is supporting a fellow striker. While this suggestion was made as a Toney replacement, Thomas Frank would be salivating at the concept of a Rutter-Toney strike force, when the Englishman sorts out the betting allegations. Rutter's off-ball movement would complement Toney perfectly and his effective ball-striking on both feet would allow them to overlap in transition.
OTHER OPTIONS: CM Oliver Skipp (Tottenham Hotspur/Premier League), RW Kevin Schade (Freiburg/Bundesliga)
Brighton & Hove Albion
RW Nico Williams
Athletic Club (LaLiga)
~€45 million
Subtly, Brighton have been collecting a large sum of funds from their constant sales to Europe's elite. Ben White, Marc Cucurella, Yves Bissouma and Neal Maupay have all been moved on, resulting in a potentially inflated budget for the Seagulls to utilize. Per my estimation, Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams would be a project-defining transfer, a true wonderkid and a full Spanish international. We must be wary of history in this case, as Bilbao rarely deal their Basque stars elsewhere, but Premier League football could be a very appealing option for Inaki's brother. Though Solly March is serviceable for a club of BHA's stature, Williams would be a far more dynamic option. He is very strong, allowing for prolonged ball carries into the third phase. This physical superiority to most youthful wingers would allow for a smooth integration into the PL, a league that is typically unforgiving to young forwards. His retention abilities would benefit the bombing runs of Tariq Lamptey from right-back. I truly think his intent to stretch the backline and attack the low block are qualities that would suit Brighton very well. A dual-pronged system led by Kaoru Mitoma and Nico Williams would allow Brighton to consistently beat stubborn sides. Now is the time for Roberto De Zerbi to chase European football. An ambitious signing in this vein could be crucial to secure the Conference League in 2023.
OTHER OPTIONS: CB Mykola Mayviyenko (Shakhtar Donetsk/Ukraine), CM Samuele Ricci (Torino/Serie A)
Chelsea
CM Joelinton
Newcastle (Premier League)
~€50 million
Cue the laugh track. Despite the downright ridiculous suggestion, I am utterly convinced that Joelinton would be a successful signing at Chelsea. As we reflect upon our respective 2022s to celebrate New Year's Day, it's fair to state that nobody can take as much solace from their year as Joelinton. Widely considered by most to be one of the biggest Premier League flops of all time and the final stain on disgraced ex-owner Mike Ashley's reputation, the Brazilian maestro changed positions and reinvented his game under Eddie Howe. Howe recognized Joelinton's ball-carrying ability and press resistance, two key qualities that would appeal to Chelsea. The midfielder would offer a new element to Chelsea's current group, particularly his athleticism. Once considered to be an unfit hunk of a striker, he is actually very physically defined and he has refined his muscular physique to equip himself in aerial and ground duels. Chelsea under Graham Potter are set to be a high-press outfit; this requires willing runners. Current RCM Jorginho relies on his positional sense, which doesn't serve well in an up-tempo side. For an ex-forward, Joelinton's defensive work trumps Jorginho as well, notably racking up more blocks, clearances and aerials won per 90. So, rather than thinking of the unsexy name, imagine how a workhorse like Joelinton could improve Chelsea's stagnant midfield for a somewhat cheap price.
OTHER OPTIONS: CF Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid/LaLiga), CB Benoit Badiashile (AS Monaco/Ligue 1)
Crystal Palace
CM Sander Berge
Sheffield United (Championship)
~€20 million
Crystal Palace reached peak performance when they were sparked by the energetic Conor Gallagher. Since his return to parent club Chelsea, Patrick Vieira's men have been lacking any attacking intent in the middle of the park. Suddenly, one of the most aesthetically pleasing sides of the 2021-22 campaign are stale, often struggling to break down low blocks in open play. Sheffield United's Sander Berge has proven to be Premier League-quality and he is in the midst of a successful season in the English second tier. Berge was raw and too reliant on pace-and-power during his PL stint, but he has eased some of the erratic tendencies in his game. He is now an accomplished pivot, able to step forward or rotate through in a double pivot to build-up play a la Bruno Guimaraes at Newcastle. Palace are one of the sides that can afford to spend big money on a midfielder with simply adequate ball retention abilities, because they hit back on transition and need players between the lines to progress play. Berge can provide late runs into the box, an element missing from Jeffrey Schlupp and Cheick Doucoure's toolboxes. Call me crazy, but he reminds me a lot of Lazio's Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, considered by most to be a fixture in most underrated XIs. In the right environment, the Norwegian could become a €50 million signing for a possession-based team in need of a 6.
OTHER OPTIONS: RB Ridle Baku (Wolfsburg/Bundesliga), ST Viktor Gyokeres (Coventry City/Championship)
Everton
RW Anthony Elanga
Everton (Premier League)
~€35 million
Anthony Elanga's career at Old Trafford has stagnated following a drop in form and the arrival of more expensive replacements. With Amad Diallo excelling on loan at Sunderland and Antony set to start following his big money move, Elanga's spot on the wing in the present and the future has been stolen. His winning goal against Atletico Madrid in the UCL was a surefire sign of his promise, though being forced into an important role too early has proven to be detrimental to his development. However, a club like Everton could use a player of his skillset. Frank Lampard demands his wingers to be defensively responsible and quick enough to feature in transition. Elanga's lightning quick pace and versatility on both wings serve Everton well. If the Toffees are to create more (they are currently tied for 17th in goals per match with 0.8), a 4-3-3 is the way forward. Elanga adds a strong off-ball outlet to Manchester United, but that would be a more evident quality at a team like Everton, as the wide players are demanded to be more involved in the press. Lampard's structure is very congested centrally, due to Alex Iwobi's stint as a right-sided midfielder, so Elanga would likely have a lot of space to run into behind the opposing full-backs. Though he needs some polish and care to become the reliable difference-maker that academy aficionados were convinced was likely, Elanga may well be worth the fee.
OTHER OPTIONS: CM Pascal Gross (Brighton & Hove Albion/Premier League), CB Tosin Adarabioyo (Fulham/Premier League)
Fulham
RB Max Aarons
Norwich City (Championship)
~€15 million
Right-back is a position of need for Fulham in January. Generally, Marco Silva's Cottagers have exceeded expectations at every corner, currently sitting an impressive 7th in the table, ahead of more hotly tipped clubs like Chelsea and Brighton. However, the signing of Kevin Mbabu (which I admittedly thought was a good transfer at the time) hasn't reaped many rewards. Kenny Tete has impressively stepped in to the right-back position in Mbabu's stead, but the former Ajax youngster is hardly a needle-mover. Once linked with Barcelona and Bayern Munich, Max Aarons is no longer considered to be one of Europe's best young right-backs. But he'd be a brilliant signing for the Cottagers. Able to fill in at left-back, Aarons is technically talented with two full seasons of experience as a starter at the PL level. That's a rare profile to find at his age. Add in his current contract status and the fact that he plays a position of need, he becomes an instant top target for Fulham. Aarons is a capable inverting FB, technically secure enough to contribute in the second phase, but also explosive enough to play as an overlapping right-back, offering an extra runner for the likes of Bobby Reid and Harrison Reed on the RHS. Aarons' time with the Canaries has improved his transitional defending, though he still needs to work on aggressiveness in 1v1 situations. Either way, I think the Englishman would be a top signing with potential for more.
OTHER OPTIONS: CM Pablo Maia (Flamengo/Brazil), LW Maxwel Cornet (West Ham/Premier League)
Leeds
RW Timothy Weah
Lille (Ligue 1)
~€20 million
As I watched over the Newcastle-Leeds match, I began to think of Brendan Aaronson's usage in the team. After every wasteful touch and poorly picked pass, I ultimately decided that he simply doesn't suit the right flank. Aaronson is at his best in combination play, typically sitting in front of a double pivot. He's eager to press, but also gifted at resisting the opposition's press; he just needs to play more centrally. Thus, signing a right winger, like American Timothy Weah, would add a cutting edge to Leeds' attack. Coach Jesse Marsch has already signed two U.S.-born players in Tyler Adams and Aaronson. Weah is the most dynamic of the three. A quick and skillful wide player, the Lille forward is structurally sound, understanding how to play a fluid role and when to press the LB or LCB. After a goal at the World Cup, he could cost a pretty penny, but for the role of a rapid outlet, capable of cutting inside or outside to take a shot at goal, he would likely be a bargain in the long-term. The issue that I have pinpointed for Aaronson is that he often pops up in central positions, rather than making purposeful runs behind the opponent's full-backs. This gives an element of ball-retention, but for midtable sides, a consistent difference-maker, like Weah, would prove to be more valuable than the profile that Aaronson brings to the table.
OTHER OPTIONS: CB Maximilian Wober (RB Salzburg/Austria), ST Che Adams (Southampton/Premier League)
Leicester City
CM Teun Koopmeiners
Atalanta (Serie A)
~€40 million
As key midfielder Youri Tielemans prepares for a summer exit, his replacement still hasn't been pinpointed. While this could be my Dutch bias stepping in, I believe that Atalanta's Teun Koopmeiners should be on the shortlist. Capable of providing immense attacking value from the 8 position in a double pivot, Koopmeiners would surely excel if Brendan Rodgers continues with the 4-2-3-1 system. This current version of Leicester has some similarities to Arsenal at the beginning of their project under Mikel Arteta. Reliable dynamics haven't been instilled into the culture, but the Foxes are a club ripe with individual quality. Thus, a full rebuild of the squad may be in order. I'm a big proponent of building a team around the midfield, as excellence in the second phase and the installment of an effective mid-block are always crucial aspects of the best teams. Koopmeiners, in my opinion, would play the Granit Xhaka left 8 role for Leicester City. His ball-striking and skillset in the half-space mirrors Xhaka's role for the Gunners. Though he could fill in his frame to adjust to the Premier League, Koopmeiners has the long passing range to provide real value immediately. At age 24, it's a wise investment.
OTHER OPTIONS: RW Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford/Premier League), CB Axel Disasi (AS Monaco/Ligue 1)
Liverpool
CDM Moises Caicedo
Brighton & Hove Albion (Premier League)
~€70 million
Liverpool's midfield, once the all-conquering engine of their dynasty, is suddenly among the weakest units of the Premier League big 6. Beset by injuries and inconsistency, Fabinho and Jordan Henderson have struggled massively to shield the defense as a lone 6. Brighton's Moises Caicedo is one of the most promising DMs in world football and would be an incredible signing for Jurgen Klopp's rebuild. The Ecuadorian's phenomenal positional sense allows him to break up attacks early in the build-up, a quality that has aided Fabinho throughout his time with the Reds. However, unlike the Brazilian, Caicedo is also a terrier, covering lots of ground and allowing for fluid transitions on the counter. One must remember that Caicedo is only 21 years of age, yet still bossing most Premier League midfields. CDM is usually a position that requires experience, so I would expect his anchoring traits to develop before he turns 25. He's more progressive than Fabinho and his experience under an elite tactician like Roberto De Zerbi is crucial if he wants to become a technical regista for Liverpool. Though the price tag would be exorbitant for somebody with only 23 career Premier League appearances, I'd be willing to make the bet.
OTHER OPTIONS: CM Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund/Bundesliga), RW Moussa Diaby (Bayer Leverkusen/Bundesliga)
Manchester City
CB Josko Gvardiol
RB Leipzig (Bundesliga)
~€90 million
What can you give to the team that possesses everything? That would have been my verdict in previous transfer windows, but Pep Guardiola's squad is as vulnerable as it has ever been. Though they are still betting favourites for the Premier League title, the Cityzens find themselves 7 points behind leaders Arsenal, having lacked creativity and defensive solidity in their recent matches. Manchester City have failed to keep up their impressive goals conceded numbers from 2021-22, currently allowing 0.3 more per 90 than they did in last year's title-winning campaign. Thus, World Cup starlet Josko Gvardiol should be a consideration. As Aymeric Laporte's contract winds down, I believe that Gvardiol is his natural heir. Adept in a deeper LCB role or as an inverted LB, the Croatian would cost a pretty penny, especially for a center-back, but he's so technically sound that he would appeal to Guardiola's system. I'd imagine that a transition period may be in order, but my eye says that Gvardiol has the most potential of any defender on the market. His elegance with the ball and physical dominance without it forms the ideal combination of a player that JDP sides are always chasing. Though he may never be sold for a profit, Gvardiol could be a pillar of Manchester City's backline for the next decade at the very least.
OTHER OPTIONS: CM Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund/Bundesliga), RW Dejan Kulusevski (Tottenham Hotspur/Premier League)
Manchester United
CM Frenkie de Jong
Barcelona (LaLiga)
~€80 million
For the sake of differentiating this article from my most recent sensible transfers post, I spent far too much time trying to pick a different midfielder for the Red Devils. But my sentiment from the summer still exists: Frenkie de Jong would be perfect for Manchester United. Erik Ten Hag has identified the right profile for the RHS of his double pivot with the signing of ex-Real Madrid star Casemiro. Now, the Dutch manager needs to raid Real Madrid's bitter rivals and bring his countryman to Old Trafford. Paired next to a more defensively minded player, de Jong would be welcome to contribute in the first and second phases at will, the two areas of the pitch where he excels the most. A rangy and clever off-ball runner, de Jong opens the spaces between the lines for the likes of Bruno Fernandes. As much as I love the Christian Eriksen renaissance, his ball-carrying skills aren't even in the same stratosphere as de Jong at this point of their respective careers. At Barca, de Jong plays as a lone 6 in Sergio Busquets' absence, limiting his ability to run with the ball. Having more freedom with a technically talented 6 beside him would simply allow de Jong to fulfill his potential as a progressive CM. Barcelona need the funds, United need the profile and de Jong needs a headstart in his career. This move suits all parties.
OTHER OPTIONS: ST Victor Osimhen (Napoli/Serie A), GK Diogo Costa (Porto/Liga Portugal)
Newcastle
CDM Edson Alvarez
Ajax (Eredivisie)
~€55 million
Bruno Guimaraes is one of the best midfielders in world football: technically gifted, press-resistant, a hard worker and eager to contribute in the final third. However, Guimaraes' progressive play sometimes leads to vulnerability in transition as he vacates the single pivot position to create an overload in the opposition's half. Newcastle need a more defensively-minded 6 to allow Guimaraes to push forward at will. Edson Alvarez of Ajax is an intriguing option. His time in a possession-based side means that he is technically secure enough to replace many of Guimaraes' qualities. He guards against transition sides very well, utilizing his strength in the tackle and athletic ability. Mercurial and rhythmic, Alvarez was actually purchased by Ajax as a Matthijs de Ligt replacement. He is a very good center-back and could slot in at RCB in cup competitions in Fabian Schar's absence. Also, if the Geordies under Eddie Howe are prepared to battle for league titles, Alvarez as an inverted RB would boost their potential as an up-tempo, high-possession club. There may be competition with Chelsea for the Mexican international's services, but I believe that Alvarez suits Newcastle's project far better.
OTHER OPTIONS: RW Kamaldeen Sulemana (Rennes/Ligue 1), RB Malo Gusto (Lyon/Ligue 1)
Nottingham Forest
CAM Iliman Ndiaye
Sheffield United (Championship)
~€15 million
Despite a dramatic squad overhaul in the summer, Steve Cooper's side have only shown flashes of the luxurious squad they appear to be. Currently sitting in the relegation zone, attacking reinforcements are a must for Nottingham Forest and I believe there is an absolute gem in the division below. Sheffield United are second in the Championship with 1.7 goals per game; the Blades' most significant contributor is Senegalese international Iliman Ndiaye. Capable of playing beside Taiwo Awoniyi in Nottingham Forest's front two or as a chance-creating 10 in the place of Morgan Gibbs-White, Ndiaye would be a more direct outlet for Forest. In a similar vein to Arnaut Danjuma from a couple years ago, Ndiaye is far too good for the Championship and warrants a move to the next level. He is currently leading the league in G/A, utilizing his electric pace and ball-carrying abilities to attack in transition. For a team that averages the lowest possession per game in the Premier League, Ndiaye could be a perfect creator, because he simply makes things happen for those around him. While Sheffield United's promotion push may complicate negotiations, Steve Cooper should be desperate to bring him in and increase the team's speed on the counter.
OTHER OPTIONS: LW Dango Ouattara (Lorient/Ligue 1), CDM Hayden Hackney (Middlesbrough/Championship)
Southampton
CAM Mohammed Kudus
Ajax (Eredivisie)
~€50 million
The transfer of Matheus Nunes to Wolves in the summer completely transformed my perspective of Premier League wealth. Before that signing, I would have never imagined that a club of Southampton's stature could ever woo a young stud from a historic club like Ajax. However, financed by Serbia's richest man, the Saints could instantly change their fortunes with an ambitious move for Ghanaian superstar Mo Kudus. One of the most creative strikers in world football, Kudus' time as an attacking midfielder and winger have transformed him into an elite playmaking CF, in the 99th percentile among forwards for passes completed, pass accuracy, dribbles completed and progressive passes. Last-placed Southampton, averaging 0.9 goals per match, would vastly improve with a proven youngster in that mould among their attacking options. In manager Nathan Jones' preferred 3-4-2-1 system, I'd imagine that Kudus would play as the CAM on the left side, replacing prospect Sam Edozie. Kudus' experience in the UEFA Champions League trumps any of the Saints' players. He'd be an instant talisman at St. Mary's and a player to build around if the club can avoid the drop.
OTHER OPTIONS: ST Terem Moffi (Lorient/Ligue 1), CAM Christoph Baumgartner (Hoffenheim/Bundesliga)
Tottenham Hotspur
RWB Jeremie Frimpong
Bayer Leverkusen (Bundesliga)
~€35 million
With all due respect, Emerson Royal and Matt Doherty will not cut it for a club with Champions League aspirations. The right wing-back position has haunted Spurs for some time now. Manager Antonio Conte, the wing-back whisperer and 5-at-the-back preacher, has been severely hindered by the lack of dynamism on the RHS. Consider what Tottenham's talented RW Dejan Kulusevski could accomplish with an actual attacking full-back supporting him in possession. Dutch international Jeremie Frimpong has been garnering interest recently from Spurs' top-4 rivals Manchester United. The club would do well to swoop in first. With 7 goal contributions in the Bundesliga this year, Frimpong is one of the most attacking full-backs in Europe. His incisive runs through the backline would offer routes in the half-space for Kulusevski and Harry Kane to link up. His time in Scotland has made him fairly defensively acute, a crucial trait for a Conte system, as Tottenham will sponge a lot of pressure without the ball. I think Frimpong needs to be reined in by a top manager to achieve his full potential, so if Conte is patient, he'll have a real player on his hands in a position of need.
OTHER OPTIONS: CB Alessandro Bastoni (Inter Milan/Serie A), LW Jota (Celtic/Premiership)
West Ham
RB Valentino Livramento
Southampton (Premier League)
~€45 million
After a dreadful calendar year, the Hammers are in need of reinforcements in a number of a key areas. Vladimir Coufal has suffered a severe drop-off in form in recent months and is no longer one of the most trusted members of the squad. A new right-back is certainly on the watchlist. Southampton's Valentino Livramento has been held back by injuries this season, but the Chelsea academy graduate impressed with his defensive play and marauding runs from the full-back position in his debut season. This year, during my various watches of West Ham, they are simply far too wasteful and inaccurate with their crosses. With a physical beast like Gianluca Scamacca in the box, crosses from either flank should be a rather effective method of putting the ball into dangerous areas, despite the fact that Scamacca doesn't have an accurate header for a man of his size. Livramento is one of the best crossers in the Premier League, but he's also a powerful runner, able to progress the ball in a variety of ways. The purchase of Livramento would be a much-needed change from the blunt-edged Coufal. At just 20 years old, he can develop into a more complete full-back, though his aggressive style already lends itself well for an up-tempo team, as his sense of interceptions is off the chart. "Tino" is the complete package: tall, a duel-winner and progressive. The price tag will be hefty, but West Ham should pull the trigger.
OTHER OPTIONS: LW Hamed Traore (Sassuolo/Serie A), CDM Ibrahima Bamba (Vitoria de Guimaraes/Liga Portugal)
Wolves
CM Azzedine Ounahi
(Angers/Ligue 1)
~€40 million
Perhaps the prototype for World Cup breakout stars, Azzedine Ounahi was at the center of Morocco's infamous run to the semifinals in Qatar. His elite press-resistance and dribbling ability was available for the world to see. I personally appreciated his measured approach to football, as he was very progressive, but also cautious when advancing the play. He could be an alternative to Wolves' current midfield options, or even possibly be the defining factor to a 4-4-2 system change. A double pivot of Ruben Neves-Joao Moutinho with Matheus Nunes on the LHS and Ounahi on the opposite flank would assert a certain control for Wolves. Julen Lopetegui would have one of the best second phases in the Premier League. Of that list, there are three great ball-carriers, two space creators and three legitimate goal threats. Add in the signing of Matheus Cunha in narrow lanes as a second striker and Wolves will be much improved. This signing would also limit the effects of any long-term injury, as the club is lacking experienced midfield depth behind their starting 3.
OTHER OPTIONS: ST Jonathan David (Lille/Ligue 1), CDM Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City/Premier League)
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