The transfer window is open and as always Premier League clubs are expected to be very active. While the top-flight clubs will be scouting far and wide for players to strengthen their squads ahead of the 2023-24 season, they will also keep tabs on players in the UK, particularly from teams that have just been relegated to the Championship.
There are always talented individuals who will be deemed ‘too good for the Championship’ when they are part of a team that weren’t good enough to stay in the Premier League, and sometimes this provides the vultures of the top flight an opportunity to pick up these players for lower than their market value.
Southampton, Leeds United and Leicester City were confined to the second tier for the upcoming campaign and each of them possess some talented individuals who are likely going to have Premier League admirers this summer.
READ MORE:
-
Messi: It’s now or never for USA to fall in love with football
-
John Stones’ move into midfield was the key to Man City’s treble
Southampton
Southampton were extremely poor last term. Their project of having a young squad completely backfired and the lack of experience was telling. They still had some players who gave a good account of themselves who still have a lot to offer the Premier League.
Their captain James Ward-Prowse is no stranger to a transfer rumour. The midfielder has been linked with a St Mary’s exit in the past. With his set-piece abilities and overall impact in midfield, he will be highly sought after in the coming months.
Another midfielder attracting interest is Romeo Lavia, who was one of the standout performers for the Saints last year. The Manchester City academy graduate joined last summer for a £10.5 million fee and is set to command a £40m price tag this time around with Arsenal pushing for the talented Belgian’s services.
Forward Che Adams has been catching the eye of Nottingham Forest and Everton, who are both in need of more firepower to help them steer away from relegation trouble next year. The Scotland international is entering the final year of his Southampton contract so the club might be looking to cash in now rather than lose him for nothing in 2024.
Leeds United
Fresh ideas are needed at Elland Road. Andrea Radrizzani has sold his stake in the club to 49ers Enterprises, Leeds are managerless and without a sporting director. It seems like there will be plenty of changes at the club before the season begins, including some player exits.
Jack Harrison, Wilfried Gnonto and Tyler Adams would be deemed their most desirable assets. Harrison was nearly out of the door in January as he came close to joining Leicester before signing a new long-term contract with Leeds. He is a player who gives his all for the team and has developed into a fan favourite in LS11. Harrison played an important role in Leeds’ rise to the Premier League and deserves to continue playing at that level.
Italian winger Gnonto has certainly caught the eye at Leeds this year. The 19-year-old has dazzled with his sleek dribbling skills and Leeds could be in for a profitable sale of a player who joined them for around £4m.
Midfielder Adams has shown that he has what it takes to flourish in the Premier League, he just needs a stable team for that to happen. The American international has shown his quality on the international stage and he could be a shrewd investment for a club this summer with the foundations of a strong midfield in place.
Leicester City
The Foxes’ relegation from the Premier League was the most surprising of the three given that they had played in Europe the previous year and lifted the FA Cup in 2021. The past 18 months have seen rapid deterioration but there are some players who did their part in trying to maintain Leicester’s Premier League status.
James Maddison is the name touted around the most for an instant return to the promised land. The creative midfielder is being chased by Tottenham Hotspur, who are undergoing their own rebuild with new boss Ange Postecoglou at the helm. Spurs appear to be the frontrunners for his signature and the Foxes are believed to be seeking £50m to part with their star asset. But they will likely face competition from Newcastle United, who have been tracking Maddison since their takeover in 2021.
Another Fox who Spurs are thought to be tracking is Harvey Barnes. The wide man has chipped in regularly with goals and assists for Leicester and he is also believed to be on Aston Villa’s radar. Barnes loves to drive the ball forward and go up against his full-back, which is an attribute which goes down well in the Premier League.
