With the 2024-25 season now over, attention turns to the summer transfer window so here is a look at seven players to watch out for.
As clubs turn their attention to the summer transfer window which means plenty of rumours flying around social media and the press, some players will be the hot topic of conversations more than others.
Amidst the inevitably relentless rumour mil and potentially unfounded mootings set to do the rounds, I have picked out seven players who will genuinely be worth watching in the summer transfer window
Alexander Isak
Having found himself the subject of speculation that he could leave Newcastle for Arsenal or Liverpool in recent months, Isak will surely be one of the top players to monitor throughout the transfer window.
Newcastle however won the Carabao Cup and qualified for next season’s Champions League which would be lucrative enough to make any player stay at St James’ Park, yet Isak could be tempted by a title challenge which Arsenal and Liverpool can offer the Swede who has scored 27 goals and created six assists this campaign.
Eddie Howe’s Magpies consequently faces a massive fight on their hands to retain Isak or sell him for a strong price which could rumble on throughout the summer.
Bryan Mbeumo
After Ivan Toney’s sale last summer to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahli, Brentford could of struggled for goals yet Mbeumo stepped up with 20 goals and eight assists, which will surely catch the eye of top clubs given that he has one year left on his current contract unless the Bees activate an one-year extension option.
Considering that he joined from French club, Troyes for circa £4m in 2019 and is only 25 years-old, Brentford are in a superb position financially to profit from a sale without too much loss if can retain Yoane Wissa – who has displayed similar form as Mbeumo despite being three years older than the Cameroon international.
Manchester United are considered favourites as part of a revamp of their squad under Ruben Amorim but Liverpool and Arsenal are also thought to be in contention, with both clubs in a position to offer more title opportunities than Utd could at this moment in time.
Bruno Fernandes
Although Fernandes is widely expected to stay at Man Utd given his importance to the team as their top goalscorer this season with 19 goals and 18 assists in all competitions, you have to wonder if he might feel that now is the time to move on if want to realistically challenge for major league silverware.
Throw in the fact that he is 30-years-old and approaching the end of his peak years, it would be understandable if he wants to add some league and European titles to his club-level achievements which is unlikely to happen at Utd, meaning that a move would be his best hope.
Germany’s Bayern Munich plus Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal are reportedly interested but it wouldn’t be surprising if a top Premier League club try and make a move, such is his influence and leadership in midfield which would be an asset at a team like Manchester City following Kevin De Bruyne’s exit.
Many Premier League teams though seem to have one eye on building their squads for the future which makes a switch to another English club less likely.
Eberechi Eze
With 15 goals and 11 assists in all competitions for FA Cup champions, Crystal Palace this season, Eberechi Eze undoubtedly will have suitors keen to lure him away from the Eagles who are now preparing for their first Europa League campaign.
As much as I can see him staying at Selhurst Park where he will be a key squad player as the Eagles juggle domestic duties alongside their Europa League commitments, there is a sense that the 26-year-old deserves a chance to go to a top club and challenge for titles.
Although Man Utd are considered favourites, I do worry that it could end up being a repeat of Wilfried Zaha’s disastrous move at a time when the Red Devils were in a mess and in a period of change, which is something that Eze doesn’t deserve at the peak of his career.
Arsenal are also mooted to be interested but given their plethora of left-winger options, Eze would certainly face tough competition and risk not being a regular starter, which makes Tottenham and Man City look more likely options unless he reunites with Michael Olise at Bayern Munich who are too interested.
Nevertheless Eze is set for a huge summer in terms of his future as there should be no shortage of suitors for the in-form winger.
Jarrod Bowen
Despite West Ham’s poor season by their recent high standards, Bowen has been their bright light with 14 goals and eight assists in all competitions so it isn’t too surprising that he is being linked with a switch away from East London if he is to challenge for silverware.
The 28-year-old though is set to marry Dani Dyer during the off-season which would add some complications if a team outside London was to put in an offer, with Liverpool considered likely suitors but securing a regular starting spot feels a tough ask for Bowen against players like Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota.
Tottenham are thought to also be keen which would be a more attractive geographical offer but given their rivalry with West Ham, Spurs probably will be expected to pay a larger fee than any other suitor but will offer Champions League football which the Hammers are unlikely to achieve in coming seasons.
I am surprised however at Chelsea not being touted as a potential destination as it would suit both parties, as Bowen will stay in London but Enzo Maresca’s Blues would gain a versatile Premier League proven forward, especially given their striker struggles in the second half of this season.
West Ham have also iterated that Bowen isn’t for sale but given his performances, it is difficult to not see him attracting attention this summer.
Murillo
After a superb second season for Nottingham Forest with two goals in 37 appearances, Murillo unsurprisingly has been linked with Liverpool and Chelsea, whilst Spain’s El Classico rivals – Barcelona and Real Madrid are also thought to be monitoring the 22 year-old defender.
Forest though have secured UEFA Conference League football which will be tempting for Murillo to continue his journey with the team, unless he wishes to test himself at a higher level with Champions League action which will inevitably force Forest to sell him albeit at a positively sizable profit.
Depending on Murillo’s plans for next season, he could well be the defender to watch across the summer in the transfer window.
Aaron Ramsdale
Despite Southampton’s disastrous season which saw them relegated with just 12 points, Ramsdale undoubtedly is still of Premier League standards so it would be a surprise to see him still with the Saints come the start of next season unless he is up for the challenge of fighting for promotion on the South Coast.
That possibility though is something that I can’t see happening with Chelsea, West Ham and Man Utd reportedly in the hunt for a new goalkeeper, whilst Leeds are mooted to be interested in Ramsdale if Illan Meslier is moved on after an uncharacteristically difficult season by his strong standards.
Foreign interest also can’t be ruled out but Ramsdale is set to be on the move this summer if any interested clubs opt to swoop for his service.
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