It’s been a much bigger week this time around as suspected. The premier league clubs are back in pre-season training again. Basically all of the players are back bar the odd one here or there and this is my most exciting time of the year. The new season is just round the corner, the fixture lists are out and we can all discuss the transfers and outcomes of the teams now. Where will they all finish? Will Man City win the League again? Who will be the surprise package of the season? Can Newcastle sustain their form from last season? Are Liverpool and Chelsea back?
All I know for sure is that there are more players who won’t be part of the league this season, with a lot making the move to Saudi Arabia. Jordan Henderson and Fabinho, both of Liverpool seem the next couple to move. I think this would mark a big shift in the profile of the league over there, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic who constantly gets linked with top Premier League clubs has moved from Lazio and he is still at the peak of his powers. At this point it is still in the funny and intriguing stage, but there will come a point when this flood of oil money will be detrimental to European leagues.
Starting this week will be Manchester United. They finally have agreed the deal for Andre Onana, £47m fee, personal terms no issue and he will be a massive plus for them. For my money he is in the top 5 goalkeepers in Europe, particularly with his feet. Erik Ten Hag also knows the player very well from their time at Ajax. Rashford has signed a new long term deal, until 2028 so now they can concentrate on getting a number 9 in. Rasmus Hojlund is top of their list but is he the answer. He will also be pretty expensive and I’m not sure that links with him being “the next Haaland” are going to help him.
Over to Liverpool then who seem to be losing players left right and particularly centre mid. Jordan Henderson and Fabinho both strongly linked with Saudi Arabian clubs, and Fabinho is as good as done for around £40m. Henderson seems open to the idea of quadrupling his wages, who wouldn’t? But a fee not close to being agreed. Luis Diaz is the latest name linked. I don’t think Liverpool would want to lose him. He has started positively and the fans love him, plus who would replace him? Rumours still swirling of James Ward-Prowse but also his team-mate Romeo Lavia who looks top class, and would be one for the here and now as well as the future.
Over to Manchester City who still haven’t got Gvardiol over the line and that story has gone a bit cold. But I think that will get done, for a world record fee for a defender. Riyad Mahrez heavily linked with a move to Saudi, alleged price of £30m. He wouldn’t be someone they couldn’t replace and i think that opens the door to exciting youngsters like Dario Sarmiento and Cole Palmer. The biggest loss would be Bernardo Silva, the ultimate utility player and someone of great importance to Pep’s squad. Can play pretty much anywhere, with great class but also tenacity and they MUST keep hold of him. Not much else in terms of incomings though, but perhaps that will change if Mahrez and Silva were to leave.
I never really focus too much on the lower end of the league so I’ll give it a bit more focus this time. Bournemouth close to an exciting young signing, Milos Kerkez. He is a Hungarian left back and has a great future ahead of him. £15m as well seems a bargain. Luton have signed a few players, Tahith Chong from Birmingham for £4m as well as Marvelous Nakamba who was on loan to them from Aston Villa last season. Around £8m for him. In my opinion they are just planning for the championship the season after this one, and they will have a strong squad for it. Nottingham Forest are close to a £30m move for Dean Henderson. Hefty fee for the England international but again he has been on loan there and know what they’re getting.
I hope you enjoyed the roundup this week and keep it locked to Football For Kids for more exciting transfer stories!
