What the big five Premier League clubs want

The summer transfer window will close in two days time but who still needs what ahead of Deadline Day and which players could yet leave? Some top-flight clubs will be content with their business, while others are keen to add further reinforcements before the window closes.

Manchester City

Pep Guardiola has confirmed Manchester City are trying to sign another midfielder in the Fernandinho mould before the window shuts. Riyad Mahrez has been the only first-team addition since the side romped to the Premier League title in record-breaking fashion last term but Guardiola – who missed out on Jorginho – says he is only looking for “special talent”.

The Times have linked City with Julian Weigl, while reports in Italy claim a late move for PSG’s Marco Verratti could yet be on the cards. Out-of-favour Joe Hart is expected to join Burnley.

Chelsea

Eden Hazard and Thibault Courtois could be the big names involved in Chelsea transfers in the final days of the window, and although Maurizio Sarri has made clear he would like to keep both, money talks and could prize both from Stamford Bridge. Reports indicate Chelsea have made Jack Butland their top target to replace Thibaut Courtois if he leaves for Real Madrid, although the goalkeeper failed to turn up for training on Monday.

Jorginho has been the only new face at Stamford Bridge so far this summer, joining from Napoli for around £50m to team up again with new boss Sarri. But when Gonzalo Higuain moved to AC Milan and crushed any hope of bringing him to Stamford Bridge, the likelihood of Alvaro Morata starting the season as the club’s main striker shot up with time running out to find another possible replacement.

Sarri’s hands have been tied by having less than a month to finalise his squad, as the mess that was Antonio Conte’s sacking meant he was not appointed until July 14. The Italian said last week he wanted only “one more signing” before the window shut – and Wilfried Zaha is reported to be one option for the Blues.

Arsenal

New boss Unai Emery has already been busy in the market, signing Lucas Torreira, Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Stephan Lichtsteiner, Bernd Leno and Matteo Guendouzi. But the Gunners are looking to offload players before the deadline, with Emery admitting his squad is too big. Calum Chambers is set to join Fulham on a season-long loan, while West Ham are trying to sign fringe forward Lucas Perez.

Liverpool

Naby Keita, Fabinho, Xherdan Shaqiri and Alisson have all arrived at Anfield in a summer spree that had compunded Jose Mourinho’s woe and though Jurgen Klopp refused to rule out some last-minute shopping after a 5-0 win over Napoli – “We’ll see what happens” – outgoings appear more likely.

Divock Origi and Danny Ings could move on, while Sheyi Ojo may follow Ben Woodburn out on loan. Were the Reds to offload Loris Karius – who admitted last month he was considering his future at the club – Klopp would likely seeking a goalkeeping replacement.

Christian Pulisic and Nabil Fekir are less likely to join, and though it is understood a late move for either appears unlikely this window, Pulisic remains a long-term target for Klopp.

Manchester United

Jose Mourinho’s frustrations at United’s lack of activity in the transfer window have been clear and calculated – but with just three days to go until Deadline Day, it remains unclear whether they will force executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward into action.

Fred, Diogo Dalot and Lee Grant are the only players to arrive at Old Trafford this summer but there could be a fourth before Thursday’s 5pm deadline. Reported moves for Willian and Yerry Mina appear to be at an end but Sky sources have indicated that United are preparing a world-record bid for Leicester defender Harry Maguire.

Jerome Boateng is another option, according to Sky in Germany. Any other business looks set to concern departures, with Matteo Darmian the subject of interest from Napoli.

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