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Who needs what on transfer deadline day?

Who needs what on transfer deadline day?

After weeks and months of speculation and tedious conjecture, it all comes down to a desperate trolley dash. On transfer deadline day clubs are presented with one final opportunity to make that one signing that’ll make all the difference. They have 24 hours to finalise things for the season ahead.

But who needs what on transfer deadline day this year? Over £1 billion has been spent by Premier League clubs over the course of the summer window, setting a new record. A few more millions will surely be splurged before the deadline passes at 11pm tomorrow night, so which potential moves should we keep an eye on and which clubs will be busy?

Chelsea

Antonio Conte has been left frustrated all summer long in his pursuit of a new centre-back, with the Italian scouring his homeland for the right candidate. However, Chelsea still haven’t been able to push through a deal for any of their Serie A targets, with several bids for several players rejected.

They have seemingly given up on Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly with the Blues unwilling to pay anything close to the €45 million being demanded for the Senegalese international. And so Chelsea will have to make do with Fiorentina left-back Marcos Alonso and Inter Milan midfielder Marcelo Brozovic, neither of whom are the type of player Conte originally wanted.

Sensationally, however, Chelsea could solve their central defensive issues by moving for David Luiz. Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly open to bids for the Brazilian, with the Blues tabling an offer of £30 million. But is Luiz really the kind of defender Conte needs or wants? He needs a centre-half so badly he might have to compromise.

Everton

The Goodison Park club have managed to keep hold of star players Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku, but they have enjoyed scant success in terms of bringing in new talent. Everton thought they had secured a deal for Deportivo La Coruna forward Lucas Perez only to be usurped by Arsenal. Now they are focussing on Napoli and Italy striker Manolo Gabbiadini.

However, the Toffees have already had a £20 million offer rejected and might be unwilling to go any higher. That could see them switch their attention elsewhere, with Wilfried Bony a potential target. The Manchester City striker would demand big wages, though, which could make any deal difficult.

Manchester City

With over £150 million spent over the summer, Manchester City will largely be concerned with moving players out of the club on transfer deadline day. Pep Guardiola is so keen to sell Eliaquim Mangala the Etihad Stadium club are willing to subsidise the wages of the French defender, following Joe Hart out of the club.

Bony is almost certain to leave City before the close of the window as well, with Everton and West Ham leading the race for the Ivorian striker’s signature. Samir Nasri is another unwanted player, with Sevilla set to win the race ahead of Galatasaray for the playmaker’s signature. Guardiola remains a little light in the way of attacking options, with Sergio Aguero his only true out-and-out striker, but with exceptional number nines at a premium right now he will have to make do with what he has.

Manchester United

The Old Trafford club have enjoyed an exceptional summer transfer window, securing all four of their top targets - Eric Bailly, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Paul Pogba. However, reports claim Jose Mourinho is hoping to add two more defensive reinforcements before the transfer window closes on Wednesday night.

Jose Fonte and Fabinho could both be Manchester United players by later this week, with Mourinho keen to add some experience to his still raw and unpolished backline. However, the moves could depend on whether players can be shifted out of Old Trafford, with Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones most at threat. There might still be more movement to come at United this summer.

Tottenham Hotspur

This summer transfer window has been a tumultuous one at White Hart Lane, with Spurs struggling to make any real impact. They had hoped to bring in Munir El Haddadi on loan from Barcelona, but the young forward has now signed for Valencia as part of the deal taking Paco Alcacer to the Camp Nou.

Spurs certainly need a striker to provide back-up to Harry Kane and Vincent Janssen, although Mauricio Pochettino is seemingly focussed on signing a winger. A bid has already been rejected for Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha, with the Selhurst Park club steadfast in their stance that the 23-year-old won’t be sold this summer. Could Spurs now turn to Moussa Sissoko?

There will also be some outgoings at White Hart Lane before the close of the transfer window, with Ryan Mason completing a switch to Hull City on Tuesday. More could follow him out of the club. Transfer deadline day will likely be a hectic one for Pochettino and Spurs.

West Ham

Having moved into their new London Stadium home this summer, West Ham have long been linked with a number of high profile players as they aim to make a statement of intent. Alexandre Lacazette could be that statement of intent, with the Hammers reportedly making a bid of £43 million for the Lyon forward this week.

Time is running out for West Ham to push through such a blockbuster move, but there is no doubt Lacazette would move Slaven Bilic’s side up a notch in terms of attacking pedigree. They might, however, have to settle for Bony. Whoever they end up chasing, it seems almost certain a striker will arrive at the London Stadium on deadline day.