Seven Players to Watch in Summer Transfer Window

With summer transfer rumours swirling, here is a look at seven players to watch across the next few months.

Rumours are already running rife around the futures of various players from Manchester City’s Ederson to Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe to Chelsea’s Armando Broja and others, even despite the summer transfer window not opening officially until 14 June.

Some players however are set to dominate transfer speculation more than others so here is a look at seven potential names who will be making waves in the rumour mill this summer.

 

Aaron Ramsdale

After finding himself displaced by loanee David Raya and limited to just 11 appearances for Arsenal this season, Aaron Ramsdale will surely be a strong target for any team wanting a new regular first-choice goalkeeper.

Ramsdale though has reportedly been put on a £30m price tag by Arsenal underlining their view of his importance to the team, even if the Gunners do convert Raya’s loan deal into a permanent transfer.

Chelsea are rumoured frontrunners but with Djorde Petrovic having proved himself as a solid no.1 keeper for the Blues, you have to wonder if Stamford Bridge would be a wise move for Ramsdale who needs to join a club which offers him regular playtime if he wants to be England’s first-choice.

 

Caoimhin Kelleher

Linked with a move away from Anfield last summer, Caoimhin Kelleher will be glad to have stayed this season because he certainly lucked in with extensive game time due to injuries to Alisson which meant that he made 26 appearances – more than in previous four seasons combined.

This summer though sees change at Anfield with Arne Slot taking over following Jurgen Klopp’s exit, which throws Kelleher’s future back up in the air because Slot could stick with Alisson as first-choice which would surely lead to the Irish goalkeeper’s exit in search for regular game time.

Slot alternatively could make Kelleher his regular first-choice goalkeeper given his tendency to lean towards favouring younger players.

Much of Kelleher’s fate will ultimately hinge upon Slot’s goalkeeping plans but he hasn’t done too bad to give his transfer valuation a huge boost this season, which could lead to a battle for his signature if he moves on.

 

Tosin Adarabioyo

Having decided to leave Fulham after four seasons where he has often been at the heart of their defence and one of their better defensive goalscoring threats, Tosin Adarabioyo at 26 years-old is hitting his peak so should have no short of suitors this summer.

Linked with Newcastle, Chelsea and Manchester United, Adarabioyo certainly is in a position where he can head to a top-ten club and push for trophies but he could also have the temptation of Liverpool and West Ham who will have new managers.

Tottenham are also mooted to be in the mix but given their defensive quality, I do think that Adarabioyo might be wise to swerve the North London club and go somewhere like Newcastle where he will surely stand a greater chance of regular game time.

 

Conor Gallagher

With one season left on his contract at Chelsea and little hint that he could sign a new deal, now could be an ideal time for the Blues to cash in on their academy graduate, who has been a shining light in their midfield over the last two seasons.

Although he has only managed 10 goals and eight assists across those two seasons, he has been a proper energetic presence with his pace and creativity which will make him an asset for any suitors because he has simply stepped up when other Chelsea midfielders been sub-par this season.

Reportedly rumoured to be of interest of Aston Villa, Gallagher could have a chance at playing in the Champions League but profit and sustainability rules might be an obstacle, especially with Villa mooted to be signing Ross Barkley who can fill a similar role as Gallagher.

Either way this summer is going to be a big summer for the 24 year-old with plenty of teams set to be interested, unless he can agree a new contract at Stamford Bridge.

 

Kalvin Phillips

Having endured a difficult two seasons at Manchester City with one goal in 31 appearances plus a tough loan stint at West Ham, Kalvin Phillips’ future certainly will be in question this summer.

Currently at what should be the peak age of his career at 28 years-old, Phillips has hit a rut and one option could be to return to Leeds if they gain promotion otherwise he faces a tough decision over whether he stays in the Premier League or look to revitalise his career aboard.

Phillips though has to think carefully because his next move could be defining for the remainder of his career and chances of playing for England again, so expect his name to feature heavily this summer in the rumour mill.

 

Anthony Martial

Having struggled for form at times in his last four seasons at Man Utd despite still delivering a decent haul of goals and assists, Anthony Martial is available on a free transfer and a new environment could re-energise the French forward.

Martial’s pace and dribbling skills plus versatility as a wide or central forward also marks him out as a player worth considering, but he will need service and a nurturing environment to rediscover his best football after a run of inconsistent form and injury.

Although Tottenham looks like the only club publicly linked to Martial, he needs to think wisely about his next destination because he will need regular game time and a manager who can get more aggression and composure out of him beyond his end product.

 

Ivan Toney

Although this season has been difficult for Brentford’s Ivan Toney with four goals in 17 appearances following his return from an eight-month ban, he is still highly rated by many of Brentford’s rivals.

Throw in the fact that Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and West Ham are in need of a top central striker with raw pace and composure, we could well be in for a mega battle raging across the UK capital this summer for Toney’s signature.

Toney’s disappointing performances since his return from suspension also is unlikely to put Brentford’s local rivals off, as his versatility in playing as a lone striker or part of a front two makes him an attractive option from a tactical perspective on top of his end product.

Brentford however won’t sell him that easily so London-based football fans could well be hearing about Toney a lot as rumours swirl until his future is finalised.