The Premier League is the richest league in the world with some of the world’s most powerful clubs. No league in world football spends money quite like the Premier League.
Under the ownership of Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital, Chelsea set a new record for spending in a single transfer window last summer, while Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal have flexed their financial muscles in recent years.
Across the Premier League, clubs will be looking to try and find the players in the upcoming summer transfer window that can help them push to conquer their goals. There are potentially some huge names on the cards this summer, and if this transfer window is anything like the last, then fans are in for a treat as more big-profile players make their swashbuckling moves.
On that note, let us take a look at three big transfers we can expect to see happening in the Premier League this window.
Moises Caicedo (Brighton to Chelsea)
Moises Caicedo was Arsenal’s main transfer target for much of the January transfer window but the deal didn’t materialise, and the Gunners went on to sign Jorginho from Chelsea.
Having stayed at Brighton, Caicedo played a crucial role in the club’s success this past season, helping them achieve Europa League qualification. The Ecuador international was a mainstay in Roberto de Zerbi’s side, and besides impressing in the middle of the park, he also operated as a makeshift right-back during the business end of the campaign.
Caicedo is among the most sought-after transfer targets of the summer, with Chelsea’s new manager Mauricio Pochettino keen on recruiting the defensive midfielder. With N’Golo Kante’s departure to Saudi Arabia, and Mateo Kovacic’s move to Manchester City almost confirmed, Chelsea will need reinforcements in the middle of the pitch. Fringe option Ruben Loftus-Cheek has also been linked with a move away with AC Milan the most widely discussed destination.
So, Caicedo could be an excellent option to bolster Chelsea’s midfield unit. Of late, Chelsea are seemingly leading the race for the Brighton star’s signature. The Seagulls are expected to demand upwards of £70m—the fee Arsenal offered in January which was rejected.
Declan Rice (West Ham to Arsenal)
With Arsenal facing the prospect of losing Granit Xhaka to Bayer Leverkusen, Mikel Arteta is keen to strengthen his squad with at least one new central midfielder this summer. West Ham skipper Declan Rice is one of Arteta’s top midfield targets for the upcoming transfer window.
The Gunners have been given hope in their pursuit of Declan Rice after West Ham chairman, David Sullivan, confirmed after the club’s Europa Conference League triumph that the midfielder has played his last game for the club and will be sold this summer.
Arsenal lead the race for Rice but face competition from Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea and Bayern Munich. The England international, who could be an excellent option for Arteta’s side, is valued in excess of £100m and West Ham are prepared to stand firm on that figure with a couple of initial offers rebuffed by the side.
Harry Kane (Tottenham to Manchester United)
It is no secret that Manchester United need a striker.
Wout Weghorst returned to Burnley after his loan spell ended, while Anthony Martial cannot be trusted to stay fit for any meaningful run of games. Marcus Rashford scored 30 goals this past campaign, but Manchester United desperately require an out-and-out No.9 to take them to the next level.
Ten Hag has made Tottenham star Harry Kane his No.1 priority, although he is being kept in the dark behind the scenes due to the ownership saga. Randal Kolo Muani, Rasmus Hojlund and Victor Osimhen are also being monitored, but Ten Hag wants to bring Kane to Old Trafford and bolster his attacking unit, though his club will apparently have to fend off interest from Real Madrid.
Kane is among one of the finest strikers in Europe and he would surely be a major upgrade on any of United’s current options. With Tottenham failing to qualify for Europe next season and Kane fast approaching 30, the English star will certainly be looking to add some trophies to his CV in order to complement the truckload of goals he’s scored.
However, it remains to be seen whether Tottenham want to do business this summer. Kane could reportedly cost a minimum of £100m if any potential transfer is to materialise—and if any club in the Premier League could afford this mammoth fee, it is Man United.