With the summer transfer window closing at 19:00 BST on Monday 1 September, football writer Alex Keble identifies the type of player that each Premier League club might still target.
Arsenal - striker
Mikel Arteta has strength in depth in almost every position now, but the injury to Kai Havertz has exposed one small issue.
If Viktor Gyokeres got injured, Arsenal would be back to where they were in 2024/25, when Mikel Merino had to fill in as a No 9 and the Gunners’ title hopes fell apart.
Gyokeres scored two goals in a 5-0 thumping of Leeds United to show he is already an important player for the team; it would be a huge psychological blow if he were sidelined and Arsenal had to return to the patterns of last season.
Senior transfers in so far: Kepa Arrizabalaga (Chelsea), Martin Zubimendi (Real Sociedad), Christian Norgaard (Brentford), Noni Madueke (Chelsea), Viktor Gyokeres (Sporting), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace).
Aston Villa – versatile forward
Villa have not been able to strengthen as they would have liked this summer, signing players who can play in multiple positions.
Unai Emery’s side are yet to score a goal this season.
The lacklustre performance in Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Brentford suggests Villa need a pacy forward to join Donyell Malen and Evann Guessand, preferably one comfortable playing just off the striker to add dynamism in the No 10 zone – where Emery focuses most of Villa’s play.
But width is also a major worry for Villa. They need a player who can hug the touchline and take on a full-back, as well as float around Ollie Watkins.
Senior transfers in so far: Yasin Ozcan (Kasimpasa), Zepiqueno Redmond (Feyenoord), Modou Keba Cisse (LASK), Evann Guessand (Nice).
AFC Bournemouth – centre-back
Bafode Diakite has made a strong start at centre-back but after losing Illia Zabarnyi to Paris Saint-Germain and Dean Huijsen to Real Madrid, Andoni Iraola will want at least one more player in that position through the door.
A clean sheet in a 1-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers doesn’t count for much – Vitor Pereira’s side need firepower – while Liverpool hit four past Bournemouth on the opening day.
Marcos Senesi was a back-up for Iraola last season.
Senior transfers in so far: Eli Junior Kroupi (FC Lorient), Adrien Truffert (Rennes), Marco Bizot (Brest), Djordje Petrovic (Chelsea), Bafode Diakite (Lille), Ben Gannon-Doak (Liverpool), Amine Adli (Bayer Leverkusen).
Brentford – striker
Yoane Wissa’s future may still appear up in the air, but even if Wissa was to stay at Brentford, head coach Keith Andrews could do with more goals in the team.
Bryan Mbeumo is a big loss, and although he played on the right, Mbeumo regularly joined Wissa in a front two. Dango Ouattara is a good signing who scored on his debut, but he scored seven goals last season compared with the 20 of Mbeumo.
Andrews looks set to play a more outright defensive game than his predecessor Thomas Frank. That means Brentford need a ruthless goalscorer to take rarer chances when they come.
Senior transfers in so far: Michael Kayode (Fiorentina), Romelle Donovan (Birmingham City), Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Antoni Milambo (Feyenoord), Jordan Henderson (Ajax), Kyrie Pierre (Aston Villa), Dango Ouattara (AFC Bournemouth).
Brighton & Hove Albion – striker
It feels like Brighton are perpetually in need of a proper No 9.
The loss of Joao Pedro is not going to be covered by 18-year-old Charalampos Kostoulas, who needs time to adapt and to develop. An experienced and reliable goalscorer in addition to Danny Welbeck (30 matches, 10 goals last season) could propel Brighton to the next level.
Brighton have scored just once this season from an Expected Goals (xG) of 3.3, underperforming against that metric by more than any other team in the division.
Senior transfers in so far: Tom Watson (Sunderland), Yoon Do-young (Daejeon Hana Citizen), Charalampos Kostoulas (Olympiacos), Diego Coppola (Verona), Nils Ramming (Eintracht Frankfurt), Olivier Boscagli (PSV), Maxim De Cuyper (Club Brugge), Sean Keogh (Dundalk), Kofi Shaw (Bristol Rovers).
Burnley – winger
One thing lacking in the Burnley team is multi-season Premier League experience.
Scott Parker based his side’s promotion last season on a strong defensive record, with only 16 goals conceded, but already, after the 3-0 defeat at Spurs, we know he won’t be able to rely on 1-0 wins in the same way.
Burnley scored only 69 goals in the Championship last season. The problem isn’t up front - Lyle Foster is a good striker – but creating chances, especially from a low-base position.
They could do with a quick, creative and experienced winger, following the example of Sunderland’s move for Brighton's Simon Adingra.
Senior transfers in so far: Bashir Humphreys (Chelsea), Jaidon Anthony (Bournemouth), Zian Flemming (Millwall), Marcus Edwards (Sporting), Max Weiss (Karlsruhe), Quilindschy Hartman (Feyenoord), Axel Tuanzebe (Ipswich), Loum Tchaouna (Lazio), Kyle Walker (Man City), Jacob Bruun Larsen (Stuttgart), Lesley Ugochukwu (Chelsea), Martin Dubravka (Newcastle), Armando Broja (Chelsea).
Chelsea – centre-back
The Chelsea squad looks a lot closer to being title-ready than 12 months ago, as evidenced by a 5-1 thrashing of West Ham United without Cole Palmer.
There aren’t any real issues at the top end, even though Chelsea are reportedly looking at more wingers. However, in defence Chelsea appear to lack leadership.
This young team needs their own version of Virgil van Dijk to organise the defence and keep Enzo Maresca’s side in control of matches. Levi Colwill’s injury increases the urgency.
Senior transfers in so far: Estevao Willian (Palmeiras), Dario Essugo (Sporting CP), Liam Delap (Ipswich), Mamadou Sarr (Strasbourg), Joao Pedro (Brighton), Jamie Gittens (Borussia Dortmund), Jesse Derry (Crystal Palace), Jorrel Hato (Ajax).
Crystal Palace – inside forward
It almost goes without saying that Oliver Glasner needs an Eberechi Eze replacement. Ismaila Sarr did his best to carry the torch in Sunday's 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest but it speaks volumes that Palace mustered only eight shots on goal.
The inside forwards are essential in Glasner’s 3-4-2-1, and without a ball-carrying presence such as Eze's to flit between the lines, Palace’s tactical set-up will struggle.
Sarr proved to be a very good replacement for Michael Olise a year ago. Palace have a week to do that process again.
Senior transfers in so far: Walter Benitez (Eindhoven), Borna Sosa (Ajax).
Everton – right-back
It has been widely reported that David Moyes is searching for a right-back following Ashley Young’s departure at the end of last season. Jake O’Brien has been filling in for now, but he is more of a natural centre-back and not quite dynamic enough.
Everton supporters are excited by the prospect of Tyler Dibling and Jack Grealish tearing down the flanks this season, but any move towards more aggressive attacking football will be undermined if they are not backed up by reliable full-backs.
Dibling, in particular, is still learning the trade and will need to be led by an experienced right-back.
Senior transfers in so far: Charly Alcaraz (Flamengo), Thierno Barry (Villarreal), Mark Travers (Bournemouth), Adam Aznou (Bayern Munich), Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (Chelsea), Jack Grealish (Man City, loan), Tom King (Wolves), Tyler Dibling (Southampton).
Fulham – winger
Marco Silva needs creativity. He will hope not to keep relying upon goals from substitutes, as he did for 1-1 draws in Fulham’s first two matches.
Fulham need to be able to impose themselves from the first whistle and that means upgrades in the wide areas.
So far this season, Silva’s starting wingers have been Alex Iwobi (signed to play in midfield), Harry Wilson (a substitute for most of last year), and Timothy Castagne (a right-back).
“We have eight or nine days to correct some things,” Silva said after their Matchweek 2 draw against Manchester United. “We need to sign at least three players.”
Senior transfers in so far: Benjamin Lecomte (Montpelier).
Leeds United – centre-back
Judging by the way Arsenal played through the defence in a 5-0 victory at Emirates Stadium last weekend, Leeds could do with strengthening at the back; Pascal Struijk and Joe Rodon, the pair used throughout the Championship season, will have to cope with the step up.
This is Rodon's first full season playing Premier League football, and he will be disappointed at how Gyokeres was able to cut inside and easily move through the defence.
Daniel Farke wants reinforcements in multiple positions. To avoid a relegation battle, Leeds’ money would be best spent on their foundations.
Senior transfers in so far: Lukas Nmecha (Wolfsburg), Jaka Bijol (Udinese), Sebastiaan Bornauw (Wolfsburg), Gabriel Gudmundsson (Lille), Sean Longstaff (Newcastle), Anton Stach (Hoffenheim), Lucas Perri (Lyon), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Noah Okafor (AC Milan), James Justin (Leicester).
Liverpool – centre-back
Ibrahima Konate was wobbly against both Bournemouth and in Monday's 3-2 win at Newcastle United.
Arne Slot won’t be happy that Liverpool have conceded four goals in two Premier League matches, and although the issue has often been sloppy passing through a disconnected midfield, control at the back would have helped significantly.
Depth is an issue, too. After the sale of Jarrell Quansah, Liverpool need a third centre-back if they are to defend their crown successfully.
Senior transfers in so far: Giorgi Mamardashvili (Valenica), Jeremie Frimpong (Leverkusen), Armin Pecsi (Puskas Akademia), Florian Wirtz (Leverkusen), Milos Kerkez (Bournemouth), Freddie Woodman (Preston), Hugo Ekitike (Eintracht Frankfurt).
Manchester City – right-back
We don’t yet know quite what the right-back will be expected to do in Pep Guardiola’s new Man City set-up. As Rayan Ait-Nouri holds the width, so far Rico Lewis has inverted into midfield, often moving between multiple positions at once.
That Lewis has been consistently linked with a move away from the Etihad Stadium this summer suggests Guardiola might not feel comfortable using the young midfielder at right-back for an entire campaign.
Full-backs who move into the midfield or the final third may be of interest to Guardiola again. A new right-back appears on the cards before the window ends.
Senior transfers in so far: Rayan Ait-Nouri (Wolves), Rayan Cherki (Lyon), Marcus Bettinelli (Chelsea), Tijjani Reijnders (AC Milan), James Trafford (Burnley).
Manchester United - goalkeeper
Ruben Amorim’s side have improved in many ways over the summer but their defence will continue to be a point of debate until they sort out their goalkeeping situation.
A steady and dependable 'keeper between the sticks is essential for the confidence of any team.
Altay Bayindir’s flapping at in-swinging corners seems to be making the team nervous.
It led directly to Arsenal’s winner on the opening weekend and made United vulnerable to Fulham’s set-pieces.
Senior transfers in so far: Matheus Cunha (Wolves), Diego Leon (Cerro Porteno), Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford), Benjamin Sesko (RB Leipzig).
Newcastle United – defensive midfielder
A more obvious pick here would be a No 9, but for several reasons Newcastle may end up focusing elsewhere.
Alexander Isak could remain at the club, and even if he doesn’t, the performances of Anthony Gordon and William Osula have shown that Eddie Howe has options up front, albeit the former is now suspended for three league matches following his red card against Liverpool.
In midfield, Newcastle are lighter. Sandro Tonali or Bruno Guimaraes alternate playing as a No 6 or a No 8 and Howe likes to play them together, but that means just an injury to one of them would leave the Magpies short in the No 6 position.
A battling defensive screen in the mould of Spurs' loanee Joao Palhinha would help ready Newcastle for the challenge of UEFA Champions League football.
Senior transfers in so far: Antonio Cordero (Malaga), Anthony Elanga (Nottingham Forest), Seung-soo Park (Suwon Bluewings), Aaron Ramsdale (Southampton, loan), Malick Thiaw (AC Milan), Jacob Ramsey (Aston Villa).
Nottingham Forest – right-back
“We have ahead of us the Premier League, Europa League, Carabao Cup and FA Cup,” Nuno Espirito Santo said in a recent press conference. “You know how many games this means for us. This is the respect that we have to show to our squad. Help them.”
Forest have signed good back-up options in almost every area – apart from right-back.
Their well-reported interest in Villa's Matty Cash suggests Forest want an attacking right-back with Premier League experience to compete with Ola Aina.
Senior transfers in so far: Igor Jesus (Botafogo), Cherif Yaya (Rio Ave), Jair Cunha (Botafogo), Dan Ndoye (Bologna), Angus Gunn, Omari Hutchinson (Ipswich), James McAtee (Man City), Arnaud Kalimuendo (Rennes), Douglas Luiz (Juventus, loan).
Sunderland – centre-back
An injury to defender Dan Ballard has only increased the urgency with which Sunderland are seeking reinforcements at centre-back.
Although Sunderland conceded 44 Championship goals last season, the fourth-fewest in the division, they have only bought in one centre-back so far to strengthen that position, Omar Alderete.
Defending was slack for both Burnley goals last weekend, as well as for the Foster strike that was ruled out.
Sunderland’s Expected Goals Against (xGA) against of 1.6 this season, the third-best in the division, is a false flag. Better teams than Burnley and West Ham will poke holes in Regis Le Bris’s back four if they don't strengthen.
Senior transfers in so far: Enzo Le Fee (Roma), Noah Sadiki (Union Saint-Gilloise), Reinildo Mandava (Atletico Madrid), Chemsdine Talbi (Club Brugge), Simon Adingra (Brighton), Robin Roefs (Nijmegen), Marc Guiu (Chelsea, loan), Arthur Masuaku (Besiktas), Omar Alderete (Getafe), Nordi Mukiele (PSG).
Tottenham Hotspur – No 10
Thomas Frank has made a superb start and he will largely be happy with the squad at his disposal, but injuries have focused attention on signing a new No 10.
James Maddison is set to be out for a while and it isn’t yet known when Dejan Kulusevski will be fit again. Spurs’ high-profile pursuit of Eze may not have been based on these injuries, but it did make the search more frantic.
A No 10 who can play in front of two holding midfielders will become more important once Spurs face mid-table sides happy to sit in a mid-block and invite Frank’s side to break them down.
Senior transfers in so far: Luka Vuskovic (Hajduk Split), Kevin Danso (Lens), Mathys Tel (Bayern Munich), Max McFadden (Leeds), Kota Takai (Kawasaki Frontale), Mohammed Kudus (West Ham), Joao Palhinha (Bayern, loan).
West Ham United – centre-back
Graham Potter’s side are short in multiple areas, but the struggles in the West Ham back three make centre-backs the top priority.
The way Chelsea easily opened West Ham up suggests what Potter needs most of all is speed.
It’s a defence that was repeatedly out-paced by Chelsea and Sunderland, leading to eight goals conceded already – the most in the Premier League.
Signing a top-quality – and quick – centre-back would allow Potter to risk a back four, rather than a back five, providing more quality in the middle and attacking thirds.
Senior transfers in so far: Jean-Clair Todibo (Nice), Daniel Cummings (Celtic), El Hadji Malick Diouf (Slavia Prague), Kyle Walker-Peters (Southampton), Callum Wilson (Newcastle), Mads Hermansen (Leicester).
Wolverhampton Wanderers – inside forward
Wolves have taken 15 shots in the Premier League this season, the second-fewest, while their 1.0 Expected Goals (xG) is the lowest.
The departed Ait-Nouri and Matheus Cunha contributed 32 goals and assists between them last season, some 59 per cent of Wolves’ Premier League total of 54.
With Tommy Doyle’s loan also ending, Wolves – who are yet to score a goal - need new creative No 10s to provide for in-demand striker Jorgen Strand Larsen.
Senior transfers in so far: Fer Lopez (Celta Vigo), Jorgen Strand Larsen (Celta Vigo), Jhon Arias (Fluminense), David Moller Wolfe (Alkmaar), Jackson Tchatchoua (Verona).