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Premier League clubs have been some of the biggest spenders in the transfer market over the past decade. The trend has continued in the ongoing summer transfer window as well.
Manchester United pulled off one of the biggest signings of this electrifying transfer window, bringing back club legend Cristiano Ronaldo to the Premier League after 12 years.
The Premier League's top six clubs have spent over £500 million in the 2021 summer transfer window, and a few more millions could be added to that figure on deadline day. Arsenal have been the highest-spending Premier League club this transfer window, having spent £132 million on the likes of Ben White and Aaron Ramsdale.
The transfer window for Premier League clubs is set to close on 31st August, which could see clubs scrambling to seal a few late moves. On that note, here's a look at the signings each top-6 team could make on deadline day.
#6 Arsenal | Max Aarons
Max Aarons is tipped to be the man to replace Hector Bellerin at right-back, as the Spaniard could make a return to his boyhood club.
Aarons is regarded as one of the most promising full-backs in English football, and had previously attracted interest from European powerhouse Bayern Munich. However, Norwich City slapped a £35 million price tag on the youngster, which proved to be a stumbling block for the German champions.
According to the Sunday Mirror and Express, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and technical director Edu have identified Max Aarons as a long-term signing for the full-back position.
Even in the post-COVID-19 economy, Aarons will cost Arsenal upwards of £25 million, but he perfectly fits the club's policy of recruiting young talents. The Premier League club could also lose Ainsley Maitland-Niles before the close of the summer window, which could force them to double down on their interest in Aarons.
#5 Tottenham Hotspur | Adama Traore
One of the most likely deadline-day signings on our list, Adama Traore could join forces with his former boss Nuno Espirito Santo at Tottenham Hotspur.
Adama Traore showcased an impressive performance in his most recent Premier League outing against Manchester United. He was arguably the best player on the pitch, and gave Daniel Levy plenty of reasons to meet Wolves' £40 million asking price for the explosive winger.
After a torrid time last season, Tottenham Hotspur need to make solid signings to challenge for the top-four spots in the Premier League once again.
According to Sky Sports, Spurs are also considering a loan deal for Traore. That would see him join on a season-long deal with the option to make it permanent for £40 million.
#4 Liverpool | Jarrod Bowen
Liverpool are desperately in need of increasing their English players' quota to stay in compliance with FA-enforced foreign players' quota for Premier League clubs.
Jarrod Bowen could prove to be the perfect signing in such a scenario. The Englishman could provide cover to Liverpool's attacking trio of Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino. He could prove to be an excellent squad player, having showcased impressive performances for West Ham last season, especially in the second half of the campaign.
According to several reports, Bowen could cost the Reds in excess of £35 million, but the Reds have expressed strong interest in signing the West Ham forward. The 24-year-old played all of West Ham's 38 Premier League matches last season, registering an output of eight goals and five assists.
Liverpool find themselves right on the periphery of the 17-player limit for non- 'homegrown' players. So, a talented English prospect like Bowen could be the perfect signing in more ways than one.
#3 Manchester City | Nuno Mendes
The Premier League champions have failed to land their primary targets in the strikers' department this transfer window, missing out on Harry Kane and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Erling Haaland and Dusan Vlahovic, too, have decided to stay put at their respective clubs. That means Manchester City are unlikely to sign any striker in the 2021 summer transfer window. However, the Cityzens might look to strengthen in the left-back position, where they lack depth and class.
The Premier League champions have recently been linked with Sporting's full-back, Nuno Mendes.
According to Portuguese outlet Record (via Sport Witness), Manchester City are impressed by the 19-year-old. Mendes could provide tough competition to Oleksandr Zinchenko for the left-back role.
Various reports have claimed that Sporting has set a £43 million price tag on the young prospect, which could put off the Premier League club, though.
#2 Manchester United | Ruben Neves
Among the Premier League clubs, Manchester United arguably enjoyed the best transfer window. They secured two extremely key signings of Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho, and topped that off by bringing club legend Cristiano Ronaldo back 'home'.
However, Manchester United lack depth and class in the middle of the park. Ruben Neves could be the answer to United's midfield problems, with recent reports suggesting the club are interested in the Portuguese midfielder.
Manchester United's last Premier League fixture against Wolves was a perfect audition of sorts. Neves dictated play from the middle of the park, and linked up play between defence and attack fluently. While Fred and Scott McTominay are good players, they do not match up to the world-class pedigree of the players around them.
United have also been linked with the likes of Saul Niguez of Atletico Madrid and Eduardo Camavinga of Rennes.
#1 Chelsea | Jules Kounde
According to multiple reliable sources, Chelsea are extremely keen on the signing of promising centre-half Jules Kounde.
Despite signing Romelu Lukaku for a whopping €115 million, the Blues have conducted very little business in the transfer market in terms of incomings. Kounde could potentially become the Premier League club's third summer signing, after Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Bettinelli.
According to Marca, the France international has an €80 million release clause in his contract, which could prove to be a stumbling block, though. Fabrizio Romano's latest report claims that negotiations are still ongoing between both clubs, and a deal could be struck on deadline day for the player's services.
Even after splurging €115 million on their former player, Chelsea have made a net profit of over €7.35 million. The Blues are certainly capable of meeting Sevilla's high asking price and further strengthening their impenetrable defence.
