What a summer we’ve already seen, with several huge moves and some really interesting narratives from the transfer saga’s both in and out of the club. While it’s been a pretty dramatic few weeks, things haven’t stopped yet and with days remaining before the 1st September deadline, we’re taking a look at some of the transfers still needed.

In this post, we’re picking out 3 clubs who still have business to be done both in and out, and 3 players needing to sort out their plans going forward whether they want to stick it out at their current side, or make the permanent moves away to cut ties and start a fresh elsewhere.

With a huge final few days in the window, we want to know your thoughts on the confirmed incomings and outgoings, and all of the rumours you’re seeing across the news cycle. Let us know your thoughts over on our social media pages on Bluesky (@NextGoalWinner), Instagram (@NextGoalWin) and our YouTube page (@NextGoalWinner).

Liverpool

Losing Mo Salah and Robertson among others has been one of the main overhauls for Liverpool, not to mention their change in management, however given their huge summer last season they have been much quieter this summer at time of writing. There is a question over the team given their opening weekend draw with Newcastle, and an idea that they are lacking some depth in key areas ahead of a big season.

The reports coming out of the club are that they are going all-out for Bradley Barcola and then anywhere between 1-3 other new signings before the window shuts. Barcola will be a huge addition and guaranteed superstar talent that fans can get behind as they look to replace the talismanic Salah, and more additions in the likes of Yankuba Minteh, Ismaila Sarr, Adam Wharton and even Endrick as the names being discussed mean their business is certainly not done. There’s also speculation of departures with Gakpo expected to leave depending on arrivals and a few other outgoings to possibly follow.

Manchester United

Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos, Carlos Baleba and Karl Darlow as United’s new additions to the first team along with some young talents who could feature definitely upgrades the midfield priority, but leaves other areas a little understocked for a big season as we saw in their defeat to Hull. While United don’t want to act rash after quite a smart summer, the time is ticking and it’s expected that something will happen here to bolster either their defence or attack.

Last summer United focussed on their attacking recruitment, this summer on the midfield, but then this only highlights the defensive frailties on the left side and also even at centre back given injury concerns for De Ligt and Martinez in the past. I think left-back has remained the priority, but with United this summer they’re acting quietly which is a refreshing approach, with all 3 moves popping up once everything is sealed and little/no speculation or rumour in the build up.

Not only incomings at United but also outgoing will be a key feature of the closing stages, with links for a move away for Joshua Zirkzee and Marcus Rashford speculation still flooding the papers, while any other outgoings will be focussed around the younger talents at the squad either permanently or on loan moves to develop further.

Aston Villa

When the window ends, most people will be trying to look at the wreckage of Aston Villa to pick through what on earth happened this summer. With a complete overhaul with moves away for most of their experienced names in Malen, Tielemans, Rogers, Digne, Konsa, Watkins, Abraham and most probably Martinez before the window closes, while their incomings have been slightly odd with Joao Gomes having a disastrous debut, Garnacho who doesn’t quite offer the appeal for fans, Manzambi who impressed this summer at the World Cup, Suzuki as a new goalkeeper who had many elite suitors this summer and other names such as Wan-Bissaka, Guessand and Ruggeri also arriving.

While Unai Emery is a trusted elite manager, this pressure of the club overhaul whether based on finances or other factors, plus the Champions League schedule and expectation to qualify once again, it certainly adds pressure onto the club. They continue to be linked with moves in and out, with Nicholas Jackson recently looking a likely addition, rumours for Grealish and Rashford continue, a link with Todibo from West Ham and also lesser rumours for the likes of Zirkzee and Mateta. While it’s completely unpredictable from the outside perspective, I expect them to be one of the busier sides in the final days of the window.

Julian Alvarez

Julian Alvarez has slowly worked his way up to one of the saga’s of the summer. With speculation growing over time from the Real Madrid presidency talk around a potential switch between Atletico-Real, Barcelona being honest and open about their ongoing interest and Atletico batting away any and all moves, and more recently Arsenal stepping in with a possible option for the player despite his obvious desire to join Barca.

Alvarez is an incredible talent who I initially had as predicted golden boot winner for the World Cup, and although his tournament was relatively quiet all the way to the final, at 26 he has plenty of quality performances under his belt. Over 100 games for Manchester City and over 100 for Atletico, he has bagged 36 and 49 goals respectively in his 2 European club spells however at City it felt like he was overshadowed by Haaland’s dominance, while at Atletico they are the more ‘under the radar’ of the 3 elite sides in Spain. As a result, a big move to one of the giants of football would make sense, and could well put him in the conversation for the worlds top strikers for the next 5+ years.

Jack Grealish

At 30 years of age, it’s now fairly clear that Grealish needs the permanent move away from City. Despite playing a huge role in their treble winning season, he’s only managed 20 Premier League appearances in the last 3 seasons including last season with his loan to Everton which had a major injury setback despite a positive start. With that loan move not made permanent, the questions now continue over his future, with recent reports linking him to a move back to Villa which makes sense given their huge overhaul and the experienced head needed from a player like Grealish, while also Sunderland who head into a European campaign have been linked in a smart move where he could become an adored name and also the second run with Everton still a potential.

From my perspective, all 3 moves make complete sense but on a permanent basis. For Villa, there’s a huge narrative and staying within Champions League football makes complete sense, and he could massively benefit their new-look squad, Sunderland would be a massively fun move as he can guarantee superstar-status for them in this fun season involving Europe and a battle to stay present in the mid-table battle and Everton where he could be a missing piece to their European qualification as the new stadium is a place he’s already experienced playing in and could well settle here.

Marcus Rashford

As a United fan, my judgement on Rashford is mixed between wanting a homegrown talent to resurrect his career at the club and push us to the next level, while the realistic head can see that he’s not a perfect fit for the system and the huge off-field saga’s that swirl around Rashford could easily lead to negative headlines over his ‘effort’ and fans will be very quick to judge compared to other names. As a result, I think a final decision is needed here for the player and club to either push aside all differences and get back on track, or cut-ties entirely and let the player flourish elsewhere.

Links to Barcelona have gone entirely off the radar given their early summer move for Anthony Gordon, while staying in England brings questions on cost as Aston Villa have been linked recently given their previous loan for the player, while Arsenal have had a few links to bolster their left-side of attack, and other links have spread from Newcastle and Tottenham to Fenerbahce and Bayern across the summer.

Personally, I think we see Rashford stay at United, as any move would only likely be a loan which United need to avoid as they will need a replacement to come in late in the window. I think with Carrick at the helm, there’s a fresh start available and we’ve already seen in his second half appearance that he will be trusted throughout a big season for United as they return to the Champions League.