With the summer transfer window in full swing, attention turns to the Premier League’s traditional ‘Big Six’ clubs, as they look to influence their chances with football in play betting by strengthening their squad before deadline day at the end of August.
Last season saw Liverpool undergo a midfield rebuild, Arsenal tighten up their defence, and Manchester City build on their treble-winning side as they picked up a fourth consecutive Premier League title.
Attention now turns to the new campaign, which gets underway in a few weeks, and how each of the Big Six will be looking on the opening weekend.
In this article, we assess those sides and identify the players they could sign ahead of the 2024/25 season.
Chelsea
After spending £54million to bring in Tosin Adarabioyo (free transfer), Omari Kellyman (£19m), Guiu (£5m) and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (£30m) so far this summer, Chelsea seem to be investing in younger players as opposed to buying the biggest ready-made talent for astronomical fees, as they had previously done under Tod Boehly’s guidance.
After losing Thiago Silva in a poor season that saw them finish sixth and part ways with Mauricio Pochettino, Enzo Maresca is now in charge at Stamford Bridge, signing players that reflect his possession-based style of play. Expect a few more names to head for west London, including Manu Kone of Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Tottenham Hotspur
Ange Postecoglou is well aware of Tottenham Hotspur’s financial limitations, with the Australian slowly building a strong side in north London that has hung on the periphery of European elite for the last nine months.
As well as a move for Archie Gray who joined from Leeds United, Spurs may well bring in more defensive cover given their injuries, with the likes of Vanderson and former Lillywhite Kyle Walker-Peters returning to the club.
Arsenal
From one part of north London to the other, Arsenal are in for a massive summer as they look to add the finish touches to a side that aims to win the Premier League for the first time since 2004.
Mikel Arteta ran City close for the second time in a row, ultimately falling short, but is looking to improve on the depth of a defence that kept the most clean sheets in the league last term.
Riccardo Calafiori is heavily linked with a move from Bologna, while Daniel Bentley could be the new back-up goalkeeper if Aaron Ramsdale leaves the club this summer.
Manchester United
There are a number of areas Manchester United need to address this summer, with Erik ten Hag narrowly avoiding the sack despite overseeing the lowest finish in Premier League history for the Red Devils.
United did win the FA Cup, though, and that could attract a number of suitors to Old Trafford, including Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite, as well as Yahya Idrissi and Manuel Ugarte of Paris Saint-Germain, who could be a long-term successor to Casemiro in midfield.
If United are serious about a top-four pursuit, they should also look at investing in another striker, with around £40 million needed to secure Netherlands striker Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna.
Liverpool
Not much business is expected from Arne Slot in his first season as Liverpool manager. Replacing Jürgen Klopp is a challenging enough task as it is. Fortunately, the squad is settled following a rebuild last summer that saw the likes of Endo Wataru, Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch arrive at Anfield.
Liverpool are looking at adding Crysencio Summerville and Brajan Gruda before their opening game under Slot, away to newly promoted Ipswich Town.
Manchester City
Guardiola spent over £200 million last summer as they transitioned from the treble winners into a younger, more dynamic side. However, Guardiola is still eyeing up a number of transfers as he builds a dynasty at the Etihad Stadium.
With the likes of Jack Grealish and Kalvin Phillips expected to move on, midfield depth is required, and City could bring in Joshua Kimmich as a statement signing, leveraging their relationship with new Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany to get a deal over the line for the 29-year-old Germany international, who is reported to be unhappy at the Allianz Arena.
Kimmich worked with Guardiola in Bavaria and could take their side to the next level as they look for a fifth straight league title.
