The transfer guide arrives at part three, with five clubs that might all significantly invest in their squad. How many midfielders will Manchester United end up buying?
Friday 18 July 2014 11:55, UK
MANCHESTER UNITED
WHAT THEY NEED
Despite the renewed confidence around Old Trafford, and the arrival of Anders Herrera and Luke Shaw, there is still work to be done on this United squad. At least one central defender must arrive (and quite possibly two), while another dynamic midfielder would also be appreciated by supporters forced to cheer on mediocrity for too long. Finally, if Ashley Young and Nani can be moved on, a pacey winger to assist in quick counter attacks could also be more than useful.
WHAT THEY’LL PROBABLY GET
Each and every one of the Dutch World Cup squad, if reports are to be believed in the wake of Louis van Gaal’s appointment. Arturo Vidal would be the ideal coup, but with his transfer fee seemingly heading north on a daily basis, William Carvalho or the injured Kevin Strootman are cheaper options. In defence, either of Stefan De Vrij or Mehdi Benatia, who is also wanted by Chelsea, seem logical choices. Thomas Vermaelen seems unlikely and Mats Hummels unconvinced.
WHAT’S BEEN SAID
"I am very happy and very proud to be at Manchester United, I can promise the fans I will be a good professional and work hard. Louis van Gaal is one of the best managers in the world and, for me, I am lucky to be working with him." - Ander Herrera
NEWCASTLE
Enough transfers to lift a club currently surrounded in abject gloom. The arrival of Ajax captain Siem de Jong, Jack Colback, Remy Cabella, Emmanuel Riviere and Daryl Janmaat is a hugely positive start. But Papiss Cisse needs more goalscoring support and Matthieu Debuchy has sealed a move to Arsenal to mean more reinforcements are still needed. Buying players with Premier League experience would also be a logical move.
WHAT THEY’LL PROBABLY GET
More French players? Alexandre Lacazette and Clement Grenier would all be good additions to this squad, while Micah Richards and Jack Rodwell would also be sensible homegrown additions. Supporters would also appreciate a sense that the club's Academy products have hope of making the grade.WHAT’S BEEN SAID
"Clubs like Newcastle get accused of not signing English players but, at the prices they cost, mid-table teams in the Premier League simply cannot afford it. We recently inquired about an unproven player not in the side at one of our top clubs, and we were asked [for] £14million. He will not be joining. Yet we can pick up players such as Yohan Cabaye, Mathieu Debuchy and Moussa Sissoko for reasonable fees, all of whom were starring for France at the World Cup" - Alan Pardew, 30th June.
QUEENS PARK RANGERS
WHAT THEY NEED
Ageing internationals, seeking to use Loftus Road as the last stop on the night bus to comfortable retirement, might not be the best investments. These could be players who have a greater chance of being damp squibs than enjoying last hurrahs.
WHAT THEY’LL PROBABLY GET
QPR need to push on with deals for the likes of Steven Caulker and Jamaal Lascelles. They have signed Rio Ferdinand and Bobby Zamora has committed to a new one-year contract but it is understood Samba Diakite is set to leave.
WHAT’S BEEN SAID
"We have agreed a fee for Steven Caulker, who I like very much. I had him at Tottenham as a player and he has done very well. I think for him to come and play with Rio would be a great experience for him.” - Harry Redknapp, 17th July.
SOUTHAMPTON
WHAT THEY NEED
Only the small matter of new faces, new hope and new belief that they can overcome the sizeable losses to the squad. Mauricio Pochettino, Adam Lallana, Luke Shaw and Rickie Lambert have all left for pastures more lucrative, and Dejan Lovren also looks set to leave, while Morgan Schneiderlin continues to keep schtum over his immediate future. Southampton have a wonderful Academy but replacing such established talent will be impossible without significant reinvestment.
WHAT THEY’LL PROBABLY GET
Players from the Eredivisie, mainly, with Ronald Koeman expected to raid his homeland in search of value-for-money replacements. Dusan Tadic has already joined from FC Twente for £10million, while Feyenoord's Graziano Pelle joins him on the South Coast. Expect plenty of signings that could potentially be brilliant, or equally fall flat.
WHAT’S BEEN SAID
"Liverpool sent the offer and the club have not informed me. That was not right. Look, I would gladly stay at Southampton if the club had any ambitions, if they kept the key players. Not even the Liverpool bid would have dissuaded me" - Dejan Lovren, 6th July.
STOKE
WHAT THEY NEED
Stoke have been the busiest club in the Premier League this summer, already bringing in four players as Mark Hughes looks to build on his impressive first season at the Britannia. Mame Biram Diouf, Steve Sidwell and Phil Bardsley have all arrived on free deals, and Hughes is still likely to have the region of £20million to spend. Expect another striker to join Diouf in the Potteries.
WHAT THEY’LL PROBABLY GET
If Hughes can clear some of the dead wood from his squad (Cameron Jerome, Wilson Palacios, Brek Shea, Jamie Ness and others), he will look to bring in players (like Sidwell and Bardsley) with Premier League experience in midfield and defence, while he would surely look further afield for a striker. The permanent signing of Oussama Assaidi from Liverpool is also being discussed.
WHAT’S BEEN SAID
"It is a balance. Sometimes players recognise where they are in the group and make the decision themselves that they need to move on to progress their career. I do not anticipate a lot of players leaving, but some will feel their futures lie elsewhere" - Mark Hughes, 8th July.
