Who should the top six Premier League teams target this summer?

Fred in action for Shaktar Donetsk
City had expressed their interest in Fred during the January transfer window

The Premier League is the most gruelling league in the world. The fixtures, the physicality, the competition means that it takes an incredible amount of squad depth to compete and stay relevant in the league.

With the January window coming to a close, some teams got their targets, while others missed out. Here's looking at one player each of the top six teams should look to buy in the summer.


#1 Manchester City - Fred

A short, strong and hardworking player, Fred could be just the man Pep Guardiola needs to pull the strings behind the genius of Kevin de Bruyne and David Silva in the midfield. He isn't the most skillful player in the world, but he surely gives his all everytime he steps onto the field. With a wide passing range and awareness on the field makes him a player who'd thrive under Guardiola.

City lack any real cover for Fernandinho. Even though they have Ilkay Gundogan in their ranks, the German international is quite attack-minded and injury prone. Fred coming in would add some steel to City's midfield.

Manchester City were linked with him during the January transfer window, but the price tag set on him by Shaktar Donetsk was deemed too high by the Mancunian club's hierarchy. A summer bid is certainly on the cards.

Looking at Fred's career progression a big money move to the blue half of Manchester seems like the next logical step. Given Fernandinho turns 33 this year, Fred could be a long term replacement for the former Shaktar man.

#2 MANCHESTER UNITED

Rose in action for Spurs
Rose has just played eight games for Tottenham this season

DANNY ROSE

As strong a squad Manchester United might have going forward, defensively they're a little short. Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia, wingers by nature have been filling in at the full back positions. Valencia has been at the top of his game in his new position, and has made it his own. The same can't be said for Young.

If United are looking to compete with their cross town rivals, they need world beaters in every position. A sketchy Young and an out of form Luke Shaw will not cut it for the 13-time Premier League champions.

Danny Rose could be the man to solve this problem. The marauding full back, is just what the Red Devils need to take them to the next level. Rose has been out of favour ever since his rant about the club underpaying its players and could be in the hunt for a new club.

A perfect fit, this transfer serves well for everyone involved. Spurs will get to sell a player down the pecking order at the club for a high price, United will fill the only hole in their squad and Rose gets the move he's been waiting for quite a while now.

#3 CHELSEA

SSC Napoli v Bologna FC - Serie A
Koulibaly has been a vital cog in the defence for Napoli

KALIDOU KOULIBALY

The impenetrable Chelsea defence of last season has been a shadow of itself this year around. Shaky at best, the Londoners need to buy someone to solve their woes at the back as they have been leaking goals.

With David Luiz out of favour, Gary Cahill proving to be error prone and Rudiger not yet ready to make the Centre Back position his own, Senegalese international Kalidou Koulibaly looks like he's the one missing piece in the Chelsea squad.

Koulibaly is a strong and a no nonsense kind of defender. He's fast, tall and elegant on the ball. His ability to read the game is among the best in his position. Coming out of the defensive line to clear dangers is one of his biggest strengths.

The right footed defender at the heart of the defence will add much needed reinforcement to the back line of the Blues. His presence,at the back could make it imperious as it was during the days of John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho.

#4 LIVERPOOL

Villarreal v Barcelona - La Liga
Could Asenjo be the answer to Liverpool's goalkeeping woes?

SERGIO ASENJO

Liverpool's goalkeeping errors have been close to laughable over the past two years. Time and again their incredible attack has been let down by the errors of Simon Mignolet or Loris Karius.

After selling another star of their's to the La Liga, it's time they fix their goalkeeping problems by recruiting Villarreal man, Sergio Asenjo.

The 28-year-old Spaniard averaged over 3.1 saves per goal since returning from his injury. This is way over the dismal 1.2 by Mignolet and the even more shambolic 0.8 put up by Karius.

Strong in the air, commanding in his area and imperial at keeping the ball out of the net, Asenjo, valued at around £10 million, could be a cheap solution to a huge problem for the Merseyside team.

#5 ARSENAL

Benevento Calcio v SSC Napoli - Serie A
Jorginho could provide the much needed balance to the Gunners

JORGINHO

The arrival of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan show signs of there actually being light at the end of the tunnel for Arsenal fans. Put them together with Ozil and Lacazette, you have a strike force second to none.

As good as they look going forward, their midfield is nowhere close. Even while attacking, the presence of Mohamed Elneny and Granit Xhaka behind them gives no one confidence. Elneny just isn't Arsenal quality, while Xhaka is reckless and lacks pace.

Step forward Jorginho.

The Italian international has been Napoli's unsung hero this season by pulling the strings and ending opposition attacks at the half line itself is none other than this man.

A well rounded box to box midfielder, Jorginho can provide the defensive stability for the Gunners, which has been lacking since the days of Patrick Vieira.

Jorginho partnering either Jack Wilshere or Aaron Ramsey would provide the right balance to the team on the field. Maybe, his arrival at the Emirates could see Arsenal challenge for the title once again.

#6 TOTTENHAM

Barcelona v Sevilla - La Liga
Alcacer has five goals and three assists this season

PACO ALCACER

Tottenham can boast of having one of the most exciting squads in the world, on a shoe string budget. With the likes of Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen and Son Heung-Min among others, they truly are just one step away from being spoken of in the same breath as the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid. Titles, it's the only thing holding them back.

Goals do win you titles and currently the burden of scoring is on Kane for Spurs. The young Englishman has established himself as one of the world's best in his position. But when he's injured Spurs look like a completely different team. They lack the presence of a striker who's confident and has the tenacity to lead the line.

Paco Alcacer could be this man for Tottenham. Not a world beater for sure, but looking at the opportunities he's been given he's done well for himself. His chances at Barcelona have been few and far apart, but to his credit he's scored in almost every match he's started.

A tall strong forward with a poacher's instinct's is what Spurs lack at the moment. Someone who can step up to the plate whenever called upon but also not demand first team football week in, week out. Alcacer, in that sense, could be a perfect fit for the Londoners.

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Edited by Alan John