It looks like it’s going to be another busy summer of transfer gossip as so many signings look genuinely needed at most of the big six clubs.
With Manchester City and Liverpool miles ahead of the rest this season, it’s clear that Chelsea will require major surgery to catch them – provided they can escape a transfer ban.
MORE: Jadon Sancho to Man Utd: 3 ways Solskjaer could line up if MUFC clinch £100m transfer, including all-out attack formation
Arsenal and Manchester United, meanwhile, are under even more pressure to invest after both finishing outside of the top four – though the Gunners could still be handed a Champions League lifeline as they can qualify for the competition with a win over Chelsea in the Europa League final later this month.
Unsurprisingly, the rumours are already coming thick and fast as the transfer window opens this week on 16 May, so here’s our look at as many as 25 players from overseas who could be heading to the Premier League for next season…
Kalidou Koulibaly
One of the best defenders in the world, Kalidou Koulibaly could be a Virgil van Dijk-esque signing for Manchester United, with the Daily Mirror claiming the Red Devils have made the Napoli star their number one target for this summer. While it would be intriguing for neutrals to see the Senegal international ply his trade in England, it could also be a game-changer for United if they get a deal done.
Tanguy Ndombele
One of the top performing midfielders in Europe this season, Tanguy Ndombele will surely not be a Lyon player for much longer, and the Premier League could be his next destination, with Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham among his long list of suitors, according to Euro United…
Adrien Rabiot
Set to be a free agent this summer, Adrien Rabiot could be one of the bargains of the transfer window, and the latest from the Mirror is that Manchester United are considering a move for the Frenchman.
Malcom
AS reports that Brazilian flop Malcom is one of a number of players who could be turfed out by Barcelona this summer. This could be good news for Arsenal, who need a winger of his style and who have been linked with the former Bordeaux starlet by Don Balon.
Samuel Umtiti
Samuel Umtiti is another Barcelona player on that list from AS, and also another linked with a potential transfer to the Emirates Stadium. The Mail claim the Gunners are interested in the France international, who, despite his recent struggles at Barca, would clearly be a major upgrade on someone like Shkodran Mustafi, and a fine long-term replacement for the ageing Laurent Koscielny.
Joao Felix
It remains to be seen if Benfica will let this wonderkid go after just one outstanding season in their first-team, but it’s not surprising to see Joao Felix’s name coming up a lot in the gossip columns, with the Evening Standard claiming Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is eager to bring him to Man Utd.
Luka Jovic
Recent speculation suggests exciting young striker Luka Jovic may be heading to one of Spain’s big two, but Marca did recently also list the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal as being in the running, with the Blues one of the Serbian’s biggest admirers. Watch this space.
Robert Lewandowski
One of the finest strikers in Europe for much of the last decade, Robert Lewandowski could reportedly be on his way out of Bayern Munich this summer in something of a squad revamp ahead of next season, with Chelsea and Liverpool said to be ready to pounce, according to the Mirror.
Hirving Lozano
One of many exciting young talents impressing in the Eredivisie at the moment, PSV forward Hirving Lozano has been linked as a top target for Manchester United by the Metro, which makes sense as the Mexico international could be an ideal replacement for the struggling Alexis Sanchez.
Philippe Coutinho
After an unhappy spell at Barcelona, Philippe Coutinho could do well to return to the Premier League, where he showed the best form of his career with Liverpool. Cadena Ser have linked him with Chelsea as a replacement for Eden Hazard, while the Mirror have mentioned MUFC as being among his suitors.
Jadon Sancho
One of the most exciting young players on the planet, Jadon Sancho has really shone since taking the gamble of leaving Manchester City as a youngster in order to develop at Borussia Dortmund. So far, it’s paid off, so could the 19-year-old now return to England? The Sun have been among the numerous sources to link him with Manchester United, and he certainly seems ideal to fix their problems in attack.
Kostas Manolas
A solid centre-back who seems ideal for the rough and tumble of the Premier League, Roma’s Kostas Manolas has been linked with Arsenal by Calciomercato, and, like Umtiti, seems just the upgrade they need on the likes of Mustafi.
Bruno Fernandes
Linked with both Manchester clubs after a superb campaign with Sporting Lisbon, Bruno Fernandes looks likely to have Old Trafford and the Etihad Stadium to choose from this summer, according to the Sun.
Gareth Bale
It wouldn’t be a transfer window without Gareth Bale, and Football Insider talk up his potential return to the Premier League as they claim Tottenham are exploring the possibility of re-signing the Welshman. He has of course also been linked with Man Utd by Don Balon.
Toni Kroos
According to Don Balon, Toni Kroos seems set to be offered to Liverpool as part of a deal for Reds forward Sadio Mane, though another Don Balon report has also linked him as Arsenal’s preferred target to replace Aaron Ramsey. Either way, it would certainly be exciting to see the classy German midfielder in England.
Raphael Varane
A top defender who could perhaps do with a fresh start after a difficult season at Real Madrid, Raphael Varane has been linked as one possible solution to Manchester United’s defensive woes by the Independent.
Douglas Costa
A skilful and exciting flair player, Douglas Costa could be a great addition to the Premier League as he seems likely to be on his way out of Juventus, with Tuttosport linking the Brazilian with Tottenham.
Antoine Griezmann
Another transfer rumour regular, could this finally be the year Antoine Griezmann makes the move to English football? Not so long ago Sport were claiming Manchester United were leading the chase for the France international’s signature, but that rumour hasn’t really gone anywhere since then. Still, he makes sense as a target to potentially replace Alexis Sanchez or Romelu Lukaku.
Ruben Dias
A highly-rated young defender, Ruben Dias looks the real deal after an impressive season for Benfica, and Record, with translation from Sport Witness, claim Man Utd have held talks over signing him to solve their defensive issues.
Nicolas Pepe
One of the most explosive forwards in the game this season, Nicolas Pepe is surely going to earn himself a move to a big club this summer, and it could in England with either United or Arsenal, though it could also be with Paris Saint-Germain, according to the Mirror.
Nabil Fekir
Another of Ligue 1’s brightest stars, Nabil Fekir was strongly linked with Liverpool last summer and a recent report from L’Equipe, translated by the Mirror, suggests the Reds will be trying again for the French playmaker this summer.
Julian Brandt
Another exciting young attacker being linked with Liverpool is Bayer Leverkusen’s Julian Brandt, with his club seemingly concerned he’s going to leave for either the Merseyside giants or their rivals Borussia Dortmund this summer, according to ESPN.
Christopher Nkunku
Arsenal continue to be linked with versatile PSG starlet Christopher Nkunku by the Evening Standard, and he seems like a signing with real potential to be a success in the Premier League.
Saul
According to Cadena Ser, as translated by Team Talk, it looks like Premier League champions Manchester City are ready to pay big for Atletico Madrid midfield star Saul Niguez, who has surely earned a shot at one of Europe’s elite clubs.
Thomas Partey
Finally, yet another top player being linked with Manchester United is Atletico Madrid’s Thomas Partey, with Ghana Web talking up interest from Old Trafford in what could be a superb move to give Paul Pogba the midfield partner he needs.
