Transfer news is abuzz with Premier League clubs gearing up for the summer window in 2026, a time of strategic planning and significant investment. Each team has its own unique challenges and goals, from financial sustainability to squad refreshes and player retention. Here's a deep dive into the plans of every Premier League club, with a focus on their key priorities and potential moves.
Arsenal
Arsenal, the defending champions, are poised to invest in their first XI, targeting top-quality players to build on their success. Left wing and central midfield are their primary focuses, with a drive towards financial sustainability dictating the need for strategic sales. The club's interest in Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez, a top target last year, remains strong, but Atletico's determination to keep him could steer them towards other options like Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers.
Aston Villa
Back in the Champions League, Aston Villa aims to freshen their squad, adding more numbers while navigating UEFA's financial rules. Key targets include goalkeeper Emi Martinez, who has strong interest from Juventus, and Ollie Watkins, always a sought-after striker. The club is also in the market for a new first-choice goalkeeper and a central midfielder, with James Trafford at Manchester City on their radar.
Bournemouth
Bournemouth, focused on retaining key players like Rayan and Kroupi Junior, is also eyeing a left-sided centre-back and a new striker. The club is reviewing their goalkeeping options, with current work going into signing Lazio's Christos Mandas permanently following his loan. The future of right-back Alex Jimenez remains uncertain after his suspension by the club.
Brentford
Brentford, looking to freshen their squad in various positions, has already signed young centre-back Jannik Schuster from Red Bull Salzburg. Their priorities include left wing and central midfield, with targets like Feyenoord's Leo Sauer and Middlesbrough's Hayden Hackney. The club is also reviewing outgoings, with uncertainty around Mathias Jansen and Rico Henry, and considering a young versatile defender.
Brighton
Brighton, with a focus on making changes to their squad, has already signed young winger Zadok Yohanna from AIK in Sweden. Their targets include right-back, centre-backs, central midfield, and striker. The club is also in talks over a move to Tottenham for Jan Paul van Hecke, with a £30m offer for Spurs defender Luka Vuskovic.
Chelsea
New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso, with a strong squad, aims to add players with exceptional talent and character. The club is focusing on goalkeeper, centre-back, central midfield, and a new left-winger. Chelsea is one of the clubs with serious interest in Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers, along with Arsenal and Manchester United.
Coventry
Coventry, aiming to stay in the Premier League, is open to new players that can improve them in multiple positions. Priorities include left-back, centre-back, and the wings. The club is addressing goalkeeping needs, with a £20m bid for the Englishman Carl Rushworth knocked back. Reports have linked Coventry with Porto's Francisco Moura and Brazil's Matheus Martins.
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace, with a new head coach, Pierre Sage, aims to strengthen their squad for a Europa League campaign. Key focuses include retaining key players like Ismaila Sarr and Maxence Lacroix, and signing another right wing-back, a centre-back, potentially two central midfielders, and an attacking midfielder. The future of Jean-Philippe Mateta is uncertain after his January move to AC Milan broke down.
Everton
Everton, under David Moyes, has positional priorities like right-back and striker. The club is also looking to upgrade their defensive midfielder, with Idrissa Gana Gueye out of contract. Everton has made offers for Middlesbrough's Hayden Hackney, facing competition from clubs like Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest. There's also interest in West Ham's Jarrod Bowen.
Fulham
Fulham's transfer business is up in the air due to the need for a new head coach. The club is in need of a refresh, with obvious holes to fill. They are in need of at least one striker, with Raul Jimenez now at Wolves and Rodrigo Muniz returning from a long-term absence. They will also need at least one winger, with Samuel Chukwueze's loan from AC Milan ending.
Hull
Hull City, with the smallest budget in the Premier League, aims to add more depth to their squad, targeting quality, athleticism, and speed. Every position is being assessed, with the aim of supplementing the current group rather than breaking up the squad that won promotion.
Ipswich
Ipswich, after earning promotion back to the Premier League, has ambitious plans with as many as 10 new players arriving. The club is working hard to bring someone in within the next week to make headway with their summer recruitment, crucial to their hopes of staying up.
Leeds
Leeds, facing a big summer window, aims to solidify their place in the Premier League. Addressing the goalkeeper situation is a top priority, with talks continuing with Karl Darlow. The club may look to sign a striker again, relying on Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha, who both have patchy injury records.
Liverpool
Liverpool, planning to sign two wingers to replace Mohamed Salah, has Yan Diomande as a top target. The club is also addressing right-back and central midfielder needs, with the emergence of Ryan Gravenberch as a No 6 putting plans to bring in a holding midfielder further down the priority list.
Manchester City
Manchester City, working on the mega-signing of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, aims to add a striker and a right-back. The club is also in the market for another forward to support Erling Haaland, with Bournemouth's Eli Junior Kroupi on their list of targets.
Manchester United
Manchester United, poised to sign midfielder Ederson from Atalanta, is looking to replace the departing Casemiro. The club is also considering adding a left winger and is one of the many clubs with an interest in RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande.
Newcastle
Newcastle, taking an entirely different approach, aims to bring in younger players with a focus on financial astuteness after dropping out of the Champions League. There could be between six and 10 new arrivals, with a focus on European deals due to inflated domestic prices.
Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest, wanting to sign two central midfielders, is expecting Elliot Anderson to leave. The club is prioritizing the signing of a goalkeeper and a central defender to cover for potential departures of John Victor and Morato. They are also looking to bring in a replacement striker and attacking midfielder.
Sunderland
Sunderland, aiming to add depth to their squad, is working on signing Luthsharel Geetruida permanently after their option to buy included in his loan from RB Leipzig expired. The club may have to dip into the market for right-back and holding midfield cover.
Tottenham
Tottenham, with Roberto De Zerbi, has signed centre-back Marcos Senesi on a free transfer and is pursuing Brighton's Jan Paul van Hecke. The club is also looking to add another defender and a central midfielder who can dictate play. De Zerbi wants to bring in another striker with the ability to play across the whole front line.
