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.
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Manchester United
Well, well, well. We’ve been here before, haven’t we? This time last year David Moyes was scrambling to sign players for Manchester United at the transfer deadline and could only get a deal for Marouane Fellaini over the line and this year Louis van Gaal finds himself in a similar situation. LVG has already signed Luke Shaw, Ander Herrera, Marcos Rojo and Angel di Maria for over $200 million, but United’s fans are expecting at least another two players to arrive. Nigel de Jong, Daley Blind and Arturo Vidal have been linked with the Red Devils all summer long. Can United get those three signings over the line before the deadline? Their season depends on it after a shaky start proved their current squad isn’t up to it.
Newcastle United
Alan Pardew has once again hopped over the English Channel and dipped into the French market with Remy Cabella and Emmanuel Riviere arriving from Montpellier and Monaco respectively, plus Daryl Janmaat has arrived from Feynoord. Pardew has spent nearly $60 million on transfers this summer, while Jack Colback has arrived on a free transfer. You do wonder where the goals will come from for the Magpies, as Loic Remy has gone back to parent club QPR. Newcastle have yet to score in their two opening games, so signing a new striker before the deadline wouldn’t be the worst choice in the world.
Queens Park Rangers
The QPR board have backed Harry Redknapp over the summer and so far his team have lost two out of two, conceded five goals and scored zero. No time to panic for the R’s but they may need so more additions, especially up front, if they’re going to survive after promotion. Rio Ferdinand and Steven Caulker have arrived to form a new central defensive partnership, while Leroy Fer has come in from Norwich and Jordon Mutch has signed from Cardiff City. ‘Arry has also wheeled and dealed to bring in Chilean internationals Mauricio Isla and Eduardo Vargas on loan, but two or three late additions could really help QPR. Redknapp is a master of the transfer window. He needs to be this season as his side aim to kick on from a poor start to the season.
Southampton
It has been a summer of transition for the Saints this summer as a player exodus welcomed new boss Ronald Koeman to St. Mary’s. Out went Dejan Lovren, Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert to Liverpool, while Luke Shaw joined Manchester United and Calum Chambers went to Arsenal. So, how do you replace five internationals who were so influential in your success last season? Yeah, that’s a tricky one. Southampton have spent big with the likes of Fraser Forster, Graziano Pelle, Dusan Tadic, Shane Long and Florin Gardos all arriving. The loan signings of Saphir Taider and Ryan Bertrand also look like shrewd moves but one or two more players are needed. Athletico Madrid’s Toby Alderweireld has been mentioned, while Spurs winger Andros Townsend is on Saints’ radar. They will also look to keep hold of Morgan Schneiderlin and Jay Rodriguez.
Stoke City
The Potters have been active yet frugal in the window with Steve Sidwell, Phil Bardsley and Mame Biram Diouf arriving on free transfers. Playmaker Bojan Krkic has arrived from Barcelona in one of the shock signings this summer, while Dionatan Teixeira has also arrive at the Britannia. Stoke could lose U.S. international Geoff Cameron to Lazio or a whole host of other PL teams, while the Potters have to spend so more cash to strengthen before the deadline. In the past under Tony Pulis they loved to bring in three or four new signings at the end of the window but it could be too much to ask this time around.
Don’t forget to tune in to the “Transfer Deadline Day Show” on NBCSN (Monday, 6-8 p.m. ET).