Everything is still up for grabs in the Premier League this season, for betting punters and footy fans alike, with Liverpool closing the gap on Man City at the top of the table. Man Utd, Spurs, Wolves, West Ham and Arsenal are all being tipped by betting experts to claim the fourth Champions League spot, and the relegation fight looks like it could go right down to the wire.
No matter what’s going on in the present odds lines, it is the job of people like footballing directors and scouts to scan the future. It falls to them to see which players are odds-on favourites to be shown the exit come the end of the season, and which fresh faces will be required to fill those open spots on a squad roster.
That’s what is explored here: to see which players are high up on the hit lists of some of the Premier League’s biggest and best clubs.
It will be interesting to see how things develop at Stamford Bridge this summer and whether Chelsea’s stars will be tempted to jump ship
Conor Gallagher – Chelsea Loan Sensation
This young attacking and yet versatile midfielder has been on Chelsea’s books since 2019 but has spent all of his professional career out on loan, at places like Charlton, Swansea, and West Brom.
His most recent destination is Crystal Palace, where he has shone brightly this season, providing both game winning goals and precious assists. He is also something of a dead ball specialist.
Having broken into the England squad, he is now viewed as one of the top talents in the English game. It was previously expected he would return to his parent club, but what with all the upheaval at Stamford Bridge, new owners may be tempted to cash in on the 22-year-old. There will be no shortage of suitors readying their summer bids.
Lots of teams that are looking to recruit will already be working hard to put pre-contract agreements in place, so they can be ahead of the game when the transfer window reopens
Tariq Lamptey – South Coast Flyer
Lamptey was yet another product off the Chelsea conveyor belt, but one that the West London club deemed surplus to requirements. They might just be regretting that decision, because Lamptey has been in sensational form for Brighton, both last season and this season.
Possessing raw pace, and the ability to deliver killer crosses, there is a strong chance that this diminutive player will be snapped up by a big club over the summer.
Bukayo Saka – Testing Arsenal’s Purse Strings
At the age of just 20 Bukayo Saka is already seen as the smiling assassin of both the England and Arsenal midfields, clearly rated highly by Gareth Southgate and Mikel Arteta. It is for this reason that he and his agent are pushing for a lucrative new contract at the Emirates, which could keep him in North London for the long term.
However, the Gunners are far from being assured of Champions League football next season and the likes of Liverpool and Man City are waiting in the wings to scoop up this prodigious talent if he becomes available.
Jesse Lingard – Perennial Bench Warmer
It seems like football fans have been calling Jesse Lingard a good young prospect forever, and that’s because they have, with Lingard now being a 29-year-old Premier League veteran. He doesn’t have many miles on the clock, having been chief bench warmer at Old Trafford for the bulk of his career and now surely is the time for him to leave his little Manchester comfort bubble behind.
West Ham would only be too glad to have him back, and there would be plenty of other mid-table sides keen to acquire his services as well. If he rejects more approaches in the summer, his career may go down as one of the most lacklustre in Premier League history, especially for a player who is so clearly talented.
