Premier League 2026/27: One key signing top Premier League clubs need
The 2026/27 Premier League season is about to commence with all clubs in the top division looking to strengthen their squads in the summer transfer window. While some may need wholesale changes, some clubs may just need a few signings to be ready for the season. With the transfer market becoming highly inflated, even big clubs are finding it difficult to find reinforcements.
Here we take a look at one key player all top Premier League clubs need for the upcoming season –
Arsenal FC – Left winger
The reigning Premier League champions are looking to strengthen their squad in order to defend their title. Going into the new season, Arsenal has a couple of key injuries in midfield and defence. However, they do have quality squad players in both those areas. With Leandro Trossard leaving and Gabriel Martinelli not considered a first-choice option by head-coach Mikel Arteta, Arsenal is definitely in need of a quality left-winger.
There has been recent speculation around Vinicius Junior from Real Madrid with Arsenal prepared to offer him the exorbitant wages that he demands. However, recent news coming from Spain is that Real Madrid isn’t willing to part ways with their talismanic Brazilian winger with new manager Jose Mourinho also a huge fan of the left-winger.
Having lost out Morgan Rogers to Chelsea, there aren’t many top-quality winger options in the market and if Arsenal fail to land Vinicius Junior, they could be in a pickle come the start of the new season.
Aston Villa FC – Central Midfielder
Aston Villa had a fine season last year as they won the UEFA Europa League and qualified for the Champions League again. Also, they have been at the centre of insane transfer activity with incomings and outgoings.
They have sold Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans and Donyell Malen while bringing in Alejandro Garnacho, João Gomes and Johan Manzambi so far. However, they still lack a central midfielder who can provide the kind of line breaking passes like Tielemans.
Unai Emery would be well aware about the taxing schedule with Champions League football to deal with as well. Key creative players having departed Villa Park this summer, they are in dire need of a physical presence in central midfield who can also contribute in attack. Last season too, Villa struggled and conceded goals consistently with injuries derailing their campaign towards the end. However, they managed to ensure Champions League qualification towards the end, in parts due to inconsistent performances from other top clubs as well.
The Villans needed players in wide areas as well and the addition of Manzambi and Garnacho could solve that issue. Their main concern should be a central midfielder who can help both in attack and defence. If Villa want to step up and be counted as prime title contenders, they definitely need an elite central midfielder who has pace, great technical skills and top defensive attributes.
Chelsea FC – Goalkeeper
Chelsea FC ended last season in a dismal 10th place, out of European competition yet again. For a club of Chelsea’s stature, it’s been another underwhelming season and they are trying to course correct with some important signings.
Chelsea has already signed Morgan Rogers, Marco Palestra, Geovany Quenda and is already in contact with Jordan Henderson, Danny Welbeck and Maxence Lacroix to add leadership, experience and improve squad depth. They are also pushing for a midfielder in Alex Scott and a left fullback with Marc Cucurella already having departed for Real Madrid.
Having seen their issues at the back last season, an experienced centre-back was also a priority. A proper defensive signing became a necessity, Hence, they are signing Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace.
However, we feel Chelsea needs a world-class ball playing goalkeeper. Robert Sanchez has been the starting goalkeeper for them but he isn’t good enough. He is prone to errors more often, not good on the ball and highly inconsistent. Although he improved last season, Chelsea do not have the luxury of a world class goalkeeper like Man City, Arsenal or Liverpool and if Alonso prefers a back-three formation, an elite goalkeeper becomes even more crucial for them to succeed.
Manchester City FC – Right Full-back
Manchester City has failed to secure the Premier League title for two consecutive seasons now and with the legendary Pep Guardiola leaving, their job won’t be any easier in the upcoming season.
The Cityzens still possess one of the best squads in the league and with a top-quality team with a high-quality bench, they are still going to be the contenders for the title. However, there has been news that one of their most important players Rodri could leave for Real Madrid this season. With Bernardo Silva, John Stones and Manuel Akanji, City would definitely be interested in signing a midfielder.
Although, they do have Nico Gonzales, Tijjani Reijnders and just bought highly-rated Elliott Anderson for a massive £120+ million yet they are still looking to add a defensive midfielder by bringing in young Ayoubb Bouaddi to the Etihad.
However, we feel it’s the right full-back position that they have not addressed since last season. Rico Lewis and Matheus Nunes played in that position last season with even Abdukodir Khusanov deputizing when there were injuries but none of them provides the kind of quality required for a top full-back. This is one area City has overlooked so far and should be adding a quality right-back if they are serious about challenging for the title this season.
Manchester United FC – Defensive midfielder
Manchester United made massive strides last season ensuring a Top five finish and qualifying for the Champions League this season. The appointment of Michael Carrick worked wonders for the Red Devils as he guided them to a third-place finish. However, this season is going to be tougher with a demanding schedule with Champions League games to play as well.
United made some top forward signings in Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko but failed to sign a defensive midfielder and it showed in their games. Man United were far easier to bypass through the midfield and even though Bruno Fernandes had an exceptional season in attack, United missed a proper 6 deep in midfield.
They were looking to add Carlos Baleba to their squad last season but they weren’t willing to pay the exorbitant asking price from Brighton and Hove Albion. Although they have a young Kobbie Mainoo who could fill in but considering the number of games they will play, they do need another starting defensive midfielder. As per reports, they are still pushing for Baleba and may get their man this summer.
Liverpool FC – Right-winger
Liverpool FC had an abysmal season last year after winning the title in the previous season. Although they made some really good signings in Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez, they sold a lot of players as well and didn’t add squad depth which cost them with multiple injuries last season.
Liverpool has several key positions to address this season but none more important than the right-wing position vacated by possibly the best winger in Premier League history – Mohamed Salah. Liverpool was earlier linked with Yan Diomandé of RB Leipzig but the deal didn’t go through. Liverpool have also entered negotiations with Bradley Barcola of Paris Saint-Germain who can play both left wing and right wing but he is a predominantly left winger. Although they have signed Spaniard Victor Munoz as well who is another versatile winger but not a right-winger.
Of course, it’s challenging to replace someone as elite as Mohamed Salah and with the market being so inflated and fewer high-quality options, Liverpool might struggle to find that right wing signing they so badly need and may have to rely on the versatility of the wingers they sign.
Tottenham Hotspur FC – Striker
Spurs have struggled massively for the past two seasons, avoiding relegation both times. Hence, it was imperative for them to make transformative signings.
Spurs have done most of their signings before the World Cup and strengthened their midfield with Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes while also bringing in defensive reinforcements in Andrew Robertson, Jan Paul van Hecke and Marcos Senesi.
They have all but fixed their midfield and defence but the striker position is the one area they are lacking. Currently they have Dominic Solanke and Richarlison in their squad but Solanke is injury-prone and Richarlison hasn’t been as consistent as expected.
Finding a high-quality finisher will be a massive challenge for Spurs as there is serious dearth of elite strikers right now and most of them are either too expensive or untouchable from their club’s perspective. Hence, the Lilywhites need to be shrewd and rely on their scouts to find them a potential world class talent for a reasonable transfer fee who can help provide the goals they need to win games.
Newcastle United – Central Midfielder
The Magpies played in the Champions League last season but ended their league campaign in dismal fashion, finishing outside the Top 10 places. Newcastle have been rattled by losing not only key players like Anthony Gordon and quite possibly Bruno Guimarães (impending move to Arsenal) but also their head-coach Eddie Howe departing St James’ Park this summer.
Newcastle’s style of play under Eddie Howe depended on their midfield controlling the opposition with physicality, reclaiming the ball and starting counter attacks. Although they have added some young players in Bouzamana Touré, Sean Steur, Ewen Jaouen and Aladji Bamba to strengthen their squad depth, they need quality starting players to compete in the league. If Guimarães leaves though, Newcastle would have to find not only a high-quality midfielder but also an experienced player who could instantly become a part of the leadership group as well.
Additionally, with German coach Matthias Jaissle in advanced talks for the head-coach position, Newcastle might have to wait for the new head-coach to come in and provide recommendations for the kind of profile he would like in his system. The clock is ticking for them with the league to begin on August 22nd, 2026 and if the Geordies do not want a repeat performance of the previous season, they need to act soon and get a replacement for their outgoing captain.
