It’s the summertime and that means transfer season. We’re breaking down the summer shopping lists of all 20 Premier League teams on Just Football by looking at what every team needs and who they are after or should go after.
In Part I we looked at the needs of the first 10 teams from Arsenal to Manchester United. In Part II, Mat Burt continues with a look at the Premier League Summer Transfer Window shopping list of the remaining 10 teams from Newcastle United to West Ham….
Premier League Summer Transfer Window 2015/16: What your club needs
Newcastle United
What they need
Where do Newcastle United need to strengthen in the summer? Well, based on last season, pretty much everywhere. New coach Steve McClaren has been promised funds to bring in new faces by owner Mike Ashley.
The players brought in last season didn’t convince (Emmanuel Riviere), and replacements are needed if the dire struggle of last year is not to be repeated. In defence, Fabricio Coloccini, and Mike Williamson didn’t inspire confidence – the 63 goals conceded in 38 games attests to that.
SEE ALSO: Scholes, Gascoigne, Cunningham – Top 10 most naturally gifted English footballers in modern history
Who fits the bill?
Wolfsburg’s Bas Dost has been the main man tipped to come into the attack, but is swapping Champions League football for the Toon a wise move? A crazy move for Mario Balotelli has also been mooted, along with a deal for talented Anderlecht youngster Aleksander Mitrovic.
Ron Vlaar is a free agent but he is no spring chicken at 30. Perhaps Ajax’s Joel Veltman or Schalke’s Joel Matip would be a better bet. Derby midfielder Will Hughes meanwhile is well known to McClaren and would love a tilt at the Premier League. The Magpies are also keen on PSV midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum.
Norwich City
What they need
Goals will keep the Canaries in the top flight so a proven goalscorer should be top of their shopping list. Cameron Jerome hit 21 last season, but the sole burden can’t rest with him. Graham Dorrans and Youssouf Mulumbu have already arrived in midfield, so perhaps a defensive acquisition would be in order for Alex Neil.
SEE ALSO: The rise and rise of Alex Neil: Norwich City’s no nonsense young Scottish manager
Who fits the bill?
While not proven in the top flight Rudy Gestede from Blackburn looks, for all intents, a Premier League striker. Hull’s Robbie Brady is a name being linked and would represent solid business. Also from Hull, Curtis Davies would add depth to the back four.
Stoke City
What they need
The potential signing of Xherdan Shaqiri from Inter Milan for £12m has already shown Stoke’s intent for next season; the fee is agreed and the deal will be completed pending personal terms. Expect some more injections of quality during the summer transfer window. With Chelsea reportedly signing Asmir Begovic for £8m a new keeper will be required as backup to Jack Butland – veteran Shay Given appears to be that man.
Mark Hughes, a forward himself in his playing days, does like a decent striker so with Peter Crouch at the tail-end of his career, (and a target for Tony Pulis), there could be another new striker arriving at the Britannia to join €8m signing Joselu.
.@stokecity manager Mark Hughes praises early impact made by new signing @JoseluMato9. http://t.co/oklPxbKO2q #scfc pic.twitter.com/ipe2zq9Fl8
— The Sentinel (@SentinelStaffs) July 10, 2015
Midfielder Marco van Ginkel may also be joining on loan from Chelsea as part of the Begovic deal, and while the youngster has been tipped for big things on these very pages, injuries have stalled his development in recent seasons.
Who fits the bill?
A prudent piece of business would be the signing of Glen Johnson on a free transfer.
Stoke’s pursuit of Dnipro’s Yevhen Konoplyanka has been well documented and he would certainly bring something extra to the Potters. Once more the name of Charlie Austin cannot be ignored and Hughes is another manager who will in all likelihood want the QPR striker given the chance.
ARCHIVE: Gems of the Lower Leagues: Charlie Austin
Southampton
What they need
It’s another summer of seeing the ‘Big Boys’ swooping to pick off Southampton’s finest with Nathaniel Clyne and Morgan Schneiderlin the latest targets. Ronald Koeman produced the transfer magic last year to compensate for the loss of Lallana, Lambert and Lovren and he’ll need to work that magic once again.
SEE ALSO: La Masia on Solent: Southampton Academy continues to thrive as Saints do it the Barcelona Way
That said, the completed deals so far look very promising. Juanmi is a player we’ve covered on Just Football, a real prospect, Cedric Soares is an adequate replacement for Clyne, Dutch keeper Maarten Stekelenburg comes in on loan and FC Twente’s Cuco Martina is another addition.
PHOTO: Juanmi slots home his first goal for #SaintsFC to level matters against @DieRotenBullen. pic.twitter.com/eqcsYfnjdb
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) July 8, 2015
Who fits the bill?
Koeman would do well to sign Feyenoord’s Jordy Clasie as the replacement for Schneiderlin. The lure of the South Coast might tempt Charlie Austin; Graziano Pelle scored 16 last season, but experienced drought spells. Celtic‘s Virgil van Dijk would also add steel at the back.
Sunderland
What they need
With Dick Advocaat signed on for another season, it will be time for the Dutchman to show his prowess in the transfer market to improve the Black Cats squad. “I don’t like to waste money,” Advocaat has commented, and what’s clear is he won’t splash cash for the sake of it.
Based on last season, there’s plenty to improve. Every position could do with strengthening but in particular Sunderland need a striker, a central midfielder, and one (possibly two) central defenders if they are to avoid yet another season battling against the dreaded drop.
Who fits the bill?
Sebastian Coates and Adam Matthews are done deals. Celtic’s Virgil van Dijk has been linked before and would certainly be one to look at, with Michael Dawson a decent alternative.
very happy to come back again to play at SAFC! I hope to be a great year with the club! Muy contento… https://t.co/EXmjp7hr5J
— Sebastian Coates (@SebastianCoates) July 2, 2015
Patrick Bamford enjoyed his time in the North-East with Middlesbrough last season and with his chances limited at Chelsea would do well to move to the Stadium of Light. QPR’s Matt Phillips could also be a good signing, but the main three targets for now are Zenit’s Nico Lombaerts, Dutch Dynamo Kiev midfielder Jeremain Lens and what would be a surprise move for West Ham’s Stewart Downing.
SEE ALSO: 20 of the best Football League players of 2014/15 – Gems of the Lower League special
Swansea City
What they need
This transfer window could be key for Swansea City as they seek to cement their place in the Premier League (with the new TV deal just around the corner).
Garry Monk still wants to overhaul the squad he inherited from Michael Laudrup so further new arrivals shouldn’t be discounted. However, the Swans completed most of their business very early with Franck Tabanou, Andre Ayew, Kristoffer Nordfeldt, and Eder already signed and Jonjo Shelvey signing a new four-year deal.
https://twitter.com/AyewAndre/status/608698270874005504
Who fits the bill
According to Wales Online, Swansea’s summer business is down to its ‘dying embers’ with most business wrapped up early. There may now need to be departures before any new arrivals.
Tottenham Hotspur
What they need
Manager Mauricio Pochettino needs a goalscorer to support Harry Kane, who carried the goal burden alone last season. The back four also is in need of an upgrade and with a full season behind him, Pochettino has strengthened the backline with Kevin Wimmer, Kieran Trippier and Toby Alderweireld all new, clever recruits.
SEE ALSO: Meet Kevin Wimmer – Everything you need to know about Spurs’ new defender
Who fits the bill?
Spurs lost out to Liverpool for Danny Ings so could turn their attention to West Brom’s Saido Berahino. Fernando Llorente from Juventus is another option in attack. Ajax’s Joel Veltman would bring European experience and huge potential.
Per Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy:
“The window will be reasonably busy. We have already brought in four new players since the winter window and we’ve done deals for players who have now left.
“At the moment it is fairly relaxed. I would anticipate that, as the window goes on, the activity will happen in the last two weeks, but we are trying to do business early where we can.”
Looking forward to this new adventure! pic.twitter.com/YkCfUzlNyB
— Alderweireld Toby (@AlderweireldTob) July 8, 2015
Watford
What they need
New Watford boss Quique Sanchez Flores will be keen to bolster his defence this summer. Sebastian Prödl has arrived from Werder Bremen, talented Greek defender Jose Holebas joins from Roma and Lithuanian keeper Giedrius Arlauskis has signed, but expect further improvements at Watford, particularly in defence.
The midfield has been boosted by Etienne Capoue’s arrival, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Hornets adding further to their summer spending in midfield at attack.
Who fits the bill?
Adlène Guedioura had a very fine season on loan last year and securing his services on a permanent basis would seem a wise move. Genoa winger Diego Perotti has been identified as a target and could switch, while up front Troy Deeney and Matej Vydra could be joined by FC Sion striker Moussa Konate.
Flores’ knowledge of La Liga may see some Spanish arrivals at Vicarage Road with right-back Juanfran a possible return from loan at Deportivo.
West Bromwich Albion
What they need
There have been plenty of departures from West Bromwich Albion this summer, so Tony Pulis will need to start filling the gaps as the pre-season begins. Keeping Saido Berahino will be key, but there will be new arrivals in midfield in particular to compensate for the loss of Graham Dorrans and Youssouf Mulumbu.
Who fits the bill?
James McLean has already signed from Wigan. James Wilson on loan from Manchester United would be a smart piece of transfer business. Glen Johnson is available on a free, while in midfield play-maker Alex Pritchard excelled at Brentford last season and has just one year remaining at Spurs.
SEE ALSO: Generation Next: Alex Pritchard – Meet the spurs loanee starring in the Championship at Brentford
Peter Crouch will once again be tipped with a reunion with Tony Pulis and it would certainly add a new dimension to the Baggies frontline.
West Ham United
What they need
New manager Slaven Bilic will want to stamp his mark at West Ham so bringing in ‘his’ players will be key to that. The Upton Park club have the added burden of Europa League football so strength in depth is going to be needed.
They could be in need of a right-back and holding midfielder if Carl Jenkinson and Alex Song cannot be loaned again or signed. A striker is also a requirement with Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia needing support. Dimitri Payet and Pedro Obiang already look like good pieces of business.
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Who fits the bill?
Glen Johnson would solve the right-back issue, is free and is a West Ham boy to boot. Javier Hernandez would be a good signing upfront, but his injury at the Gold Cup could rule him out.
Loic Remy would provide an option should Chelsea be willing to sell, and the Hammers have also today announced the signing of Juventus centre-back Angelo Ogbonna for around £10 million.
BREAKING: The Hammers are delighted to confirm the transfer of Angelo Ogbonna from Juventus http://t.co/P19XrbnaN2 pic.twitter.com/Y9XcjIOehv
— West Ham United FC (@whufc_official) July 10, 2015
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The post 2015 Premier League Summer Transfer Window: What Every Team Needs (Part 2 – Newcastle to West Ham) appeared first on Just Football.