Five Premier League transfer sagas to expect this summer | OneFootball

Not many Premier League clubs can pull off a blockbuster move during the winter transfer window. That’s usually reserved for the summer market.

English teams typically view the January window as a chance to plug the holes in their squad either through a loan deal or a bargain transfer.

Manchester City’s move for Marc Guehi hammers home that point. The Cityzens took advantage of the player’s contract situation and paid £20 million to lure him away from Selhurst Park.

This comes after Palace had turned down much higher bids for their former captain, hoping to drive up his valuation by sparking a bidding war.

That came back to haunt them, and they must now find a way to fill the gaping hole Guehi left behind.

Meanwhile, the summer transfer window gives Premier League clubs a better chance to overhaul, rebuild, and strategically assemble a team capable of challenging on all fronts.

There are a few transfer stories that are already making the rounds and could dominate the headlines once the summer transfer window is on the horizon.

Read on as we look at five transfer sagas that could take the Premier League by storm next summer.

Manchester United – Casemiro & Bruno Fernandes

Manchester United midfielder Casemiro has announced that he will leave Old Trafford when his contract runs out at the end of the season.

The Brazilian had plenty of ups and downs throughout his spell at the Theatre of Dreams, but still found a way to make himself a fan favourite.

Casemiro’s exit will leave a massive gap in United’s midfield, and it could spark an overhaul, particularly if Bruno Fernandes follows him out the door.

Replacing Casemiro will keep United busy, but his early announcement gives them a six-month head start.

A few names have already been mentioned as potential targets, including Palace’s Adam Wharton and Nottingham Forest’s Elliott Anderson. However, the English duo will command eye-watering fees.

Atalanta’s Ederson is another one who has been tipped for a move to Old Trafford. 

He’d be a cost-effective addition for United, but there’s a chance he could struggle to adapt to the demands of the Premier League.

The possibility of Fernandes leaving could further complicate things for United. 

His contract runs out in 2027, which means next summer could be United’s last chance to recoup a mouth-watering fee for their captain.

Fernandes already has plenty of admirers in the Saudi Pro League (SPL), where clubs are reportedly plotting another mega raid on Europe.

If United are able to recoup a significant fee for the 31-year-old, they’ll have more than enough to rebuild a midfield that has been crying out for an overhaul for the past few years.

Arsenal – Gabriel Jesus

Arsenal could have a fight on their hands to keep Gabriel Jesus next summer, with Serie A giants AC Milan and Juventus eyeing a move for the Brazilian striker.

The 28-year-old recently returned from a serious knee injury that kept him out for nearly a year.

However, he has been in fine form for Arsenal since returning to the fold, notching three goals in seven games across the Premier League and Champions League.

His most recent contribution came in Europe, where he scored a first-half brace to steer Arsenal to a 3-1 win over Inter Milan, sealing their place in the Champions League last 16.

Gabriel’s performance at San Siro Stadium has now sparked interest from Milan and Juventus, but Arsenal may be reluctant to cut him loose, especially if he finishes the season in fine form.

The Brazil international will enter the final 12 months of his contract next summer, so Arsenal will have to decide whether to open talks over a new deal or cash in while his stock is high.

Liverpool – Mohamed Salah

Mohamed Salah’s public spat with Liverpool was always going to have serious consequences, and it hasn’t taken long for that to happen.

The 33-year-old ripped into the club publicly after falling out with manager Arne Slot, claiming that he was being made a scapegoat.

That row sparked speculation about Salah’s long-term future at Anfield, but Liverpool quickly made it clear that they want their club legend to see out the remainder of his two-year contract.

However, interest from the SPL could throw a spanner in the works. Salah has been named as one of several high-profile players the SPL is looking to sign this summer.

They have even inquired about the possibility of signing the Egyptian forward this winter, but Liverpool weren’t encouraging their ambitions.

That situation could change at the end of the season. Liverpool have previously turned down an earth-shattering bid from the SPL for Salah.

Al-Ittihad were keen to lure him across the desert with a mega £150m bid, but Liverpool weren’t interested in doing business.

If the SPL returns with a similar bid this summer, the Reds may consider it, particularly with Salah going through his worst goalscoring spell in Liverpool colours.

Chelsea – Enzo Fernandez

There has scarcely been a period of stability at Chelsea since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Consortium bought the club, and there are signs that the chaos may linger for a bit longer.

Enzo Maresca was expected to be the first long-term manager in Chelsea’s recent history, especially after winning the Europa Conference League and the Club World Cup in his debut campaign.

However, the Italian was sent packing after falling out with the club owners, making his successor Liam Rosenior the fifth permanent manager to work under Boehly and co.

That kind of instability could force players to reassess their future at the club, and Enzo Fernandez is one of those tipped to leave Chelsea.

That could happen as soon as next summer, with the World Cup winner linked with European powerhouses such as Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.

Madrid are still looking for a player who can replace Toni Kroos, and Fernandez checks that box, while PSG want to partner the Argentine with Joao Neves and Vitinha in the French capital.

Chelsea have already made it clear that they will reject any bids for Fernandez, who is considered a cornerstone of the club’s long-term project.

However, none of that will matter if Fernandez decides to push for a summer exit.

Tottenham Hotspur – Yan Diomande

Tottenham Hotspur are one of several European clubs that are drooling about the prospect of snapping up RB Leipzig talent Yan Diomande.

The talented teenager has half of Europe monitoring his situation ahead of a potential summer raid after his explosive breakout campaign in the Bundesliga.

Tottenham failed to bring in a winger who can fill the void left by former captain and club legend Heung-min Son, who moved to Major League Soccer last summer.

The Europa League holders have suffered the consequences, with Thomas Frank’s side languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League table.

A summer rebuild will be required to get Tottenham back into the upper tier of the Premier League, and Diomande is firmly at the top of their wishlist.

However, they could miss out on the Cote d’Ivoire international if they fail to qualify for the Champions League.

Tottenham have already explored the possibility of beating their Premier League and European rivals to Diomande’s signature by asking about a winter deal.

But Leipzig have shut down the possibility of letting him go mid-season, while warning interested clubs that it will take bids in excess of €100m to lure their most prized asset away next summer.