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The summer transfer window has not failed to disappoint.
While the rest of Europe’s major leagues seem intent on tightening their belts, the Premier League has gone the other the way, with top-flight clubs spending more than £1.5billion so far during the window – and further deals are expected.
This is a record figure, surpassing the £1.43bn top division clubs spent in the summer of 2017.
Eight of the 20 teams have spent over £100m, with Chelsea leading the way as the division’s biggest spenders, closely followed by Nottingham Forest, who have added a startling 16 players.
The most eye-catching deals include Erling Haaland’s £51m move to Man City, Casemiro’s £70m switch to Manchester United from Real Madrid and Nottingham Forest signing Morgan Gibbs-White for £42.5m.
With just a week left until the transfer window slams shut on September 1 at 11pm BST, Sportsmail takes a look at where each club is looking to strengthen and who is on the radar.
Man United want a couple and Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp (above) may look for a midfielder – with just one week left to do a deal, Sportsmail looks at who your club is looking to sign
Arsenal
Mikel Arteta’s Gunners have been the early season pace-setters, as they remain the only team with a perfect record after impressive wins against Crystal Palace, Leicester and Bournemouth.
They added Manchester City pair Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko for a combined £76.5m, while the Gunners also signed hot prospects Fabio Vieira and Marquinhos and brought in back-up goalkeeper Matt Turner.
Arsenal are keen on Wolves winger Pedro Neto, with the 22-year-old emerging as a top target following month-long discussions with super-agent Jorge Mendes as Mikel Arteta looks to continue their perfect start.
However, the two clubs are far apart on a fee, while the Gunners also need to satisfy Financial Fair Play regulations after they were placed on a UEFA watchlist of clubs at risk of breaching FFP, meaning a deal may be hard to pull off.
The major business for Arteta’s side in the final week is likely to be outgoings as they continue to look to offload £72m flop Nicolas Pepe, along with other out-of-favour players such as Hector Bellerin and Ainsley Maitland-Niles.
Arsenal are keen on Wolves winger Pedro Neto, with the 22-year-old emerging as a top target after discussions with agent Jorge Mendes, as Mikel Arteta looks to continue their perfect start
Aston Villa
Steven Gerrard is under increasing pressure in the Villa Park hotseat after winning just three of his last 14 games in charge. This is likely to encourage the Villa boss to dip into the market in the final week.
A proposed move for Ismaila Sarr of Watford fell through over personal terms and the structure of the payment.
Diego Carlos joined the club for £26m from Sevilla this summer but ruptured his Achilles in just his second game, meaning the club may also strengthen in defence.
Despite spending heavily on Philippe Coutinho and Carlos and adding Robin Olsen, Boubacar Kamara and Ludwig Augustinsson, there are reportedly further funds available, with the club keen on a dynamic goalscoring midfielder.
Again, like Arsenal, Villa will need to trim their bloated squad with Morgan Sanson, Anwar El Ghazi and Frederic Guilbert among those facing uncertain futures at the club.
With summer signing Diego Carlos injured, Aston Villa may dip into the market for a defender
Bournemouth
After a slow start to the window, Scott Parker’s side are now in full flow with the additions of Joe Rothwell, Ryan Fredericks, Neto, Marcos Senesi and Marcus Tavernier.
Senesi is the only centre-back to arrive, but Parker will want to add more quality there to accommodate his shift to a 5-3-2 formation, while the Cherries lost Liverpool loanee Nat Phillips after promotion, along with Gary Cahill who was released.
Kieffer Moore has impressed so far in his short Premier League career, but with Dominic Solanke’s injury, Bournemouth will want to bring in another forward.
They have been linked with a £15m move for Bristol City’s Antoine Semenyo, who scored eight times and added 12 assists last season, but they face competition with Everton and Crystal Palace for the 22-year-old Ghana international.
Promoted Bournemouth could rival Crystal Palace for Bristol City forward Antoine Semenyo
Brentford
Despite Saturday’s heartbreaking west London derby defeat against Fulham, Brentford’s squad is looking in great shape.
They have filled the creative void left by Christian Eriksen by adding Keane Lewis-Potter and Mikkel Damsgaard for a combined £36.7m, while they signed talented young full-back Aaron Hickey from Bologna for £18m.
They also were astute in picking up Ben Mee on a free transfer following his departure from Burnley to add experience to the spine of their side.
Ivan Toney has started the season in superb form, with two goals and two assists in three games, and if the 26-year-old continues in this vein, the club will need to stay strong to fend off interest in their talisman from the likes of Everton.
Thomas Frank will also need to sort the future of those players way down the pecking order such as Charlie Goode and Luka Racic, who both spent time away from the club on loan last year.
Brighton
Graham Potter’s side have shown their astuteness again in the market, raising funds with the sales of Marc Cucurella (£62m) to Chelsea and Yves Bissouma (£25m) to Tottenham, among others.
After signing Pervis Estupinan from Villarreal, a replacement for Cucurella has been sorted, while someone to finish the whole host of chances Brighton create would be welcomed.
The major business for Potter in the final week will be sorting out the future of Neal Maupay, who has been heavily linked with both Fulham and Nottingham Forest, but returned to the matchday squad for Sunday’s 2-0 win over West Ham.
Brighton’s outgoings may continue, with Neal Maupay linked to Fulham and Nottingham Forest
Chelsea
After an underwhelming start to the season and an embarrassing 3-0 defeat to Leeds, Thomas Tuchel has plenty of work to do.
The German is desperate for a centre-back, a striker to score goals and provide a focal point, while a creative ball-playing midfielder would be welcomed.
Chelsea have been heavily linked with moves for Leicester defender Wesley Fofana, Barcelona striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and midfielder Frenkie de Jong, plus Everton’s Anthony Gordon. They are likely to be the busiest side in the final week.
Tuchel also will need to sort out the futures of wantaway forwards Christian Pulisic, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Hakim Ziyech.
The Blues’ squad is extremely large and surplus players such as Ross Barkley and Michy Batshuayi, who didn’t even receive a squad number, must be moved on.
Chelsea want another centre back and may up their £70m bid for Leicester’s Wesley Fofana
Crystal Palace
Patrick Vieira’s side are keen for additions in central midfield and have not given up hope on a reunion with last season’s loan star Conor Gallagher.
The 22-year-old is desperate to play to give himself every chance of making England’s World Cup squad with regular first-team football, while there are question marks over whether Tuchel sees him part of the long-term future at Stamford Bridge.
However, recent injuries to N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic might mean the Blues hold onto Gallagher in the short-term.
Palace have also been linked with a move for out-of-favour Leicester midfielder Boubakary Soumare and they are keen to sign a versatile forward player who can operate wide and through the middle, like Bristol City’s Semenyo.
They were in for Ismaila Sarr until Aston Villa looked to steal a march on that move – but could revisit a move for the Watford star after his potential transfer to Villa collapsed.
Crystal Palace are keen on Leicester’s Boubakary Soumare as a Conor Gallagher replacement
Everton
Everton’s final week is likely to be shaped by whether Gordon completes his move to Chelsea, with the Stamford Bridge outfit willing to spend £60m on the homegrown winger, who is keen on the move.
The Toffees were already searching for a striker after Richarlison’s £60m departure to Tottenham and after Dominic Calvert-Lewin picked up another injury, with Frank Lampard’s side rivalling Newcastle for Watford forward Joao Pedro.
The Toffees have also been linked with Neal Maupay, Coventry City forward Viktor Gyokeres and Chelsea youngster Armando Broja, who spent last season on loan at Southampton.
Everton are also expected to complete a move for former midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye from PSG, although progress has stalled in recent weeks.
If Gordon does complete his move to Chelsaa, this is likely to provide Lampard with significant funds to reshape his attack.
Fulham
Marco Silva’s side have impressed on their return to the Premier League, with several of the Cottagers’ new signings such as Joao Palhinha and Andreas Pereira excelling.
But there is still plenty to do, with Fulham looking to seal deals for Roma winger Justin Kluivert and Brighton forward Neil Maupay, with additions needed up front given wingers Harry Wilson and Manor Solomon are set for spells on the sideline.
They have also been linked with a move for PSG left-back Layvin Kurzawa as Silva looks to build on Fulham’s unbeaten start.
Ivan Cavaleiro, Anthony Knockaert and Terence Kongolo are surplus to requirements at Craven Cottage and will need to be moved on in the final days of the window.
Leeds
It appears most of the business is already done for Jesse Marsch, who has brought in Brenden Aaronson, Luis Sinisterra, Tyler Adams, Marc Roca and Rasmus Kristensen after the big-money sales of Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips to Barcelona and Man City.
Now, for American boss Marsch, it is about keeping the existing squad together, with interest from Saudi Arabia-backed Newcastle in winger Jack Harrison, who has been excellent this season.
The club are not interested in selling him. Elsewhere, Tottenham are also contemplating a shock move for winger Dan James.
Leeds wingers Jack Harrison (centre) and Daniel James (right) are both wanted by other clubs
Leicester
Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester, generally so astute and forward-thinking in the transfer market, have signed… 32-year-old former Cardiff goalkeeper Alex Smithies on a free.
Losing hugely experienced goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel and promoting Danny Ward from within is all well and good, but the Foxes are the only Premier League side not to have signed an outfield player this summer.
But who can they get? Seemingly any incomings will have to be financed by outgoings, and there are plenty of potential deals on that front.
Leicester have reportedly rejected Chelsea’s third bid of £70m for defender Wesley Fofana – they want £80m – with interest in star midfielder James Maddison and Youri Tielemans, who has a year left on his contract and could leave for free next summer.
Crystal Palace are keen on Boubakary Soumare, who is not a big part of Rodgers’ plans and could leave if a suitable offer is received.
Goalkeeper Alex Smithies has been Leicester’s only arrival – Brendan Rodgers wants additions
Liverpool
Reds manager Jurgen Klopp has previously insisted they won’t be looking for a midfielder. But their recent injury crisis and poor start to the season might prompt a re-think.
Thiago is injured, along with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita and Curtis Jones, Fabinho has just come back from a knock and James Milner is now 36.
Perhaps Liverpool are keeping their powder dry so they can go all-in on trying to sign Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham next summer. But that might be 12 months too late.
Maybe dropping points against Fulham, Crystal Palace and now Manchester United – leaving them 16th after three games, below all three promoted sides – will sharpen their thinking.
AC Milan star Ismael Bennacer and Brighton wonderkid Moises Caicedo have been mentioned as potential options.
Liverpool have been linked with Brighton’s Moises Caicedo to ease their midfield issues
Manchester City
City – as ever – seem to have wrapped up their business early, bringing in Erling Haaland up front, Julian Alvarez on the wing and Kalvin Phillips in midfield to replace the departing Gabriel Jesus, Raheem Sterling and Fernandinho.
Oleksandr Zinchenko, generally used at left back for City, has gone to Arsenal, with Sergio Gomez of Anderlecht arriving in his place. But Gomez, 21, is the club’s only out-and-out left back.
Although Nathan Ake and Aymeric Laporte can potentially cover there, manager Pep Guardiola may want another full-back – perhaps Raphael Guerreiro, Renan Lodi, Alex Grimaldo or Kieran Tierney – could be on the cards.
But Guardiola has insisted their transfer business is done. A bit of kid-ology in action? On the outs, youngsters like Rico Lewis, Luke Mbete, Claudio Gomes and Samuel Edozie may still depart on loan.
Manchester United
After – finally – getting a midfielder in, Casemiro from Real Madrid in a deal which could reach £70m, the priorities are a young versatile forward, an experienced goalkeeper… and No 1 target Frenkie de Jong.
Eintracht Frankfurt’s Kevin Trapp has been mentioned in goal, with United exploring moves for Ajax winger Antony and PSV’s star forward Cody Gakpo.
The club have always wanted gifted playmaker De Jong, who worked under Ten Hag at Ajax, and still do despite Casemiro’s arrival.
Can they solve that £17m in deferred wages owed to him by Barcelona which has held up the move so far? Watch this space…
Defenders Phil Jones, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Axel Tuanzebe could be sold if suitable offers arrive, with potential loans for Shola Shoretire, Tahith Chong, Alejandro Garnacho, Amad Diallo and Facundo Pellistri, among others.
Erik ten Hag’s revolution at Man United may continue, with Ajax’s Antony on their shopping list
Newcastle
Newcastle, flush with cash and well backed by Saudi owners could still make a splash. Manager Eddie Howe has money to spend, basically, after desperately but successfully splurging £90m in January to save the Magpies from relegation.
They’ve already added Sven Botman from Lille, Aston Villa’s Matt Targett and Burnley’s Nick Pope but want a forward, with Callum Wilson injury prone and questions over Chris Wood’s performance levels.
If Wilson’s latest injury setback will keep him out for a while, Howe has hinted their plans could change and they could step up their aims to sign an attacker.
They could go higher than their £30m bid for Watford’s Joao Pedro, although Everton may match that offer. The Magpies are also keen on Leeds’ Jack Harrison, although the Whites do not want to let him go.
Newcastle want a forward and Watford’s Joao Pedro (right) could fit the bill for the Magpies
Nottingham Forest
What could Nottingham Forest do in the last week of the window? They are an absolute wildcard under owner Evangelos Marinakis, already spending around £130m – the second highest total in the division – on an incredible 16 players.
Who could they go for next? Most players in Europe? They are interested in a Tottenham pair, £17m-rated defender Japhet Tanganga, or left-back Sergio Reguilon on loan, to cover for the injured Moussa Niakhate and Omar Richards, respectively.
They also want cover for Neco Williams at right wing-back, potentially centre-half Willy Boly from Wolves as Niakhate cover, plus Lyon playmaker Houssem Aouar and Brighton striker Neal Maupay.
Southampton
The Saints have put their faith in youth, signing youngsters like Gavin Bazunu, Armel Bella-Kotchap and Romeo Lavia, all of whom have been integrated into the starting XI, plus midfielder Joe Aribo from Rangers.
Moreover, highly rated Benfica striker Goncalo Ramos could arrive, with Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side holding talks over a £25m deal which would be a club record.
But the wider squad is large, and several players could leave in the next week or so. Centre backs Jack Stephens and Jan Bednarek could join Championship Watford and Aston Villa respectively.
Goalkeeper Alex McCarthy – displaced by 20-year-old Bazunu, midfielder Ibrahima Diallo and winger Mohamed Elyounoussi, Nathan Redmond and Theo Walcott could also leave.
Although the club’s official stance is that striker Che Adams is not for sale, the Athletic report Southampton are willing to sell him if they recoup around the £15m they paid for him.
Southampton are in talks with Benfica over a club-record £25m deal for Goncalo Ramos (right)
Tottenham
Tottenham are weighing up a surprise move for Leeds winger Dan James, with Antonio Conte considering the Welsh flyer as a replacement for Bryan Gil, set to join Valencia on a straight loan with no option to buy.
At the moment, Conte has Richarlison and Lucas Moura as cover on the wings but after Steven Bergwijn’s departure, is interested in adding the 24-year-old to his squad.
However, the club may look to sell players first – with £17m-rated Japhet Tanganga wanted by big spenders Nottingham Forest as cover for the injured Moussa Niakhate, and Steve Cooper’s side also keen on a loan for outcast left-back Sergio Reguilon.
Midfielder Harry Winks is out of favour and can leave, while Spurs look set to ward off Real Madrid interest in Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
West Ham
David Moyes’ side are rock bottom of the Premier League, with three losses from three, five goals conceded and zero scored – and Moyes keen for fresh blood to reinvigorate his ailing side.
The Hammers have signed Chelsea left back Emerson Palmieri for £13m to provide cover and competition for 32-year-old Aaron Cresswell, with Arthur Masuaku on loan at Besiktas.
They are also keen on Club Brugge attacking midfielder Hans Vanaken – the Belgian having reaffirmed his plans to join the East London side this summer – with talks between the sides continuing.
The club has also expressed interest in Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher, but Crystal Palace – where he spent last season on loan – and Newcastle would be rivals for his signature.
West Ham want to sign Club Brugge star Hans Vanaken, who has reaffirmed his desire to move
Wolves
The Midlands side have certainly backed Bruno Lage in the transfer market, funding a record £38m move for midfielder Matheus Nunes, as well as allowing him to shell out on Valencia winger Goncalo Guedes and Burnley centre back Nathan Collins.
There is still, however, a glaring weakness in the team: a striker. Mexican star Raul Jimenez has not been the same since his fractured skull and has only played 31 minutes this season, while Fabio Silva, 20, is on loan at Anderlecht.
Lage has been forced to play midfielders like Daniel Podence or widemen like Hwang Hee-chan up front and could use a focal point like Stuttgart’s 6ft 7ins target man Sasa Kalajdzic.
Wolves have opened talks with the Bundesliga club as they aim to sign the Austrian, also attracting interest from Manchester United, before the end of the window. They look likely to keep Neto unless Arsenal come in with a massive offer.