With the summer transfer window either rushing or creeping toward completion, depending on whether you want your club to buy a new player or hold onto an asset, it’s due time we address the needs of each team with time ticking away.
[ MORE: Tuesday’s transfer rumor roundup ]
[ RELATED: Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea targets find new homes ]
ARSENAL
I’ll again risk the ire of some who believe Alexis Sanchez to be a striker, but Arsenal needs another forward for this mix if they want to be taken seriously as a Premier League contender (especially if Olivier Giroud is out for longer than a week or two). Could Radamel Falcao make his way from Monaco to the Emirates? It seems doubtful, as Wenger would have to really fork out dough. It seems Loic Remy would be a neat bridge for Arsenal, as the crosstown move from QPR would be cheaper (and Remy is a proven Premier League entity for the price). The Daily Star says Alessio Cerci could also be a target for the Gunners, and that would be an intriguing, if unorthodox (old, 27), move for Wenger.
ASTON VILLA
The defense looks good, maybe even strong, but the attack has been far from deadly. Maybe it was the Villans on their heels against Newcastle, but Paul Lambert’s crew could really use a striker while they wait for Christian Benteke. The dynamite striker is recovering from his achilles injury well and could be back in September, but betting on a quick return to dominant form seems risky. Gabby Agbonlahor and Darren Bent looked their ages against the Magpies. Surely Lambert knows he needs some attacking flourish?
BURNLEY
Sean Dyche isn’t having a ton of luck in the market, and Burnley need help if they are going to find their way to Premier League safety. Perhaps the loan market is the play, but that hasn’t stopped Dyche from trying to steal midfielder James McArthur from Wigan and Watford middle man Lewis McGugan. In truth, Burnley certainly need to improve its midfield in the hopes of helping with possession. McArthur would be a big get for the club, but Fulham and Leicester are both said to be in the mix.
CHELSEA
Surely Blues fans have bittersweet feelings about what would seem to be the inevitable departure of Petr Cech, but otherwise the final moments of this window should be mostly calm for Chelsea. The biggest piece of interest will be whether Fernando Torres goes and how much of a bath the club will have taken after dropping a record transfer fee on him in 2011. Of course, that’s about to be broken by men named Louis and Angel at Manchester United. There’s been a little buzz about Mattia Destro moving from Roma to Chelsea, but it’s hard to see i Lupi willing to make the move. It would be a coup for Jose Mourinho.
CRYSTAL PALACE
Another team in need of attacking help, but who is making the signings? There are reports linking Palace to Sochaux striker Cedric Bakambu, and he might be a clever addition to the ranks of Marouane Chamakh, Frazier Campbell and Dwight Gayle. The latter three have all contributed some, but not one has been a consistent force in the Premier League. That needs to change.