EPL Shopping List: What Will the Top Clubs Do Before the Transfer Window Closes?

The 2015-16 EPL season began last weekend, a little earlier than usual to accommodate the forthcoming European Championship in June. That means clubs still have nearly three full weeks while the transfer window is open, allowing them to tinker with their rosters. What should some of the big clubs — aka the clubs most American EPL fans follow — do between now and Aug. 31?

Arsenal — Seemingly every day this summer Karim Benzema’s name turned up in links to Arsenal. Based off the 2-0 loss to West Ham on Sunday, sure, the Gunners could use an A-1 center forward option over either Olivier Giroud or Theo Walcott. (If only soccer were that simple, right?) Granted, this a move that makes sense for Arsenal, but on the other side is Real Madrid going to move it’s only true recognized striker this late without a replacement lined up this late into the transfer window? A lineup with Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale is never going to lack for goals, but the Frenchman is somewhat irreplaceable at the Bernabeu. If Real move Benzema, it means Ronaldo (or Jesé) is playing the majority of minutes in front of goal.

The latest rumor is Arsenal making a run at Sevilla midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak. The EPL is flush with television cash, yet Arsenal’s only spent on new keeper Petr Cech this summer. Sevilla, despite its success in the Europa League, is a club that will always sell for a profit, so this is a deal that should be get done unless Arsene Wenger stubbornly refuses and decides to continue he version of the Emperor’s New Clothes.

Francis Coquelin showed he’s got a bright future at Arsenal during the second half of last season, but for Arsenal to head forward in both the EPL and Champions League it makes a lot more sense to have the 24-year-old Frenchman and a committed defensive midfielder like Krychowiak rather than relying on Mathieu Flamini or Mikel Arteta or whomever Wenger wants to try in the role.

Chelsea — The Blues are seemingly about to sign Baba Rahman, a left back from Augsburg, giving Jose Mourinho a different option than César Azpilicueta when needed. Overreacting over one match, especially for the defending champions, isn’t smart but the Blues might want to add a change of pace option coming off the bench. Juan Cuadrado fits that bill and he’s on the books at Stamford Bridge … only Mourinho doesn’t rate him for whatever reason.

Everton — EPL teams are spending like someone who just bought a bunch of Pets.com stock in 1999, yet Everton’s only major outlay is $6.2 million to bring Gerard Deulofeu to Goodison. It’s noble the Toffees are holding firm on Chelsea’s (and eventually Manchester United’s) advances on defender John Stones. As it stands Everton allowed 66 goals in 51 matches last year in all competitions and opened the new season giving up two to promoted Watford. Roberto Martinez has work to do both on the field and in the market or it’s going to be a precarious season for the club.

Liverpool — Brendan Rodgers and FSG are done spending, it appears. How well that shapes into a winning soccer team? We shall see. The Reds still need to find homes for Mario Balotelli, Fabio Borini and Luis Enrique before September hits.

Manchester City — Rumors continue to link City to Wolfsburg’s Kevin De Bruyne for a deal worth in the $70 million range. From a neutral perspective this is unfortunate. If a team backed by a major corporation (Volkswagen) that’s about to embark on its first Champions League campaign can’t retain its best player, what does the future hold? Is the EPL going to siphon off talent from everywhere on the globe, save for the handful of clubs? (Spoiler: yes.)

Adding the Belgian playmaker would certainly boost Manchester City, but if its season-opening win vs. West Brom is any indication, returns to form by both Vincent Kompany and Yaya Toure will be just as important and can almost be treated like two new signings.

Manchester United — For all the big-name moves in and out of Old Trafford, United still need to resolve the David De Gea situation. The rumors linking the club with Pedro aren’t going away in light of his game-winning goal in the UEFA Super Cup. Louis van Gaal team needs another creative offensive player and it may come to regret letting Roberto Firmino land at rival Liverpool.

Tottenham — Spurs are close to selling off Roberto Soldado to Villarreal and it seems inevitable that Saido Berahino will come over from West Brom once the clubs settle on a price. Tottenham, like most other EPL teams, don’t necessarily need more players but rather to settle on a first choice XI and rotation that works.

[Photos via Getty]