Arsenal — With Unai Emery replacing Arsene Wenger after 22 years at the club, there’s a new vibe to the Gunners. Midfielders Jack Wilshere (West Ham — Free), Santi Carzola (Villarreal — Free) and defenders Per Mertesacker (retired), Calum Chambers (Fulham — Loan) have gone, replaced by midfielders Lucas Torreira (Sampdoria — £26.6 million), Matteo Guendouzi (Lorient — £7.1 million), defenders Sokratis Papastathopoulos (Borussia Dortmund — £14.2 million), Stephan Lichtsteiner (Juventus — Free) and keeper Bernd Leno (Bayer Leverkusen — £22.2 million). Merged with Wenger’s winter additions Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, it will be interesting to see if the North Londoners can go from being content with top four to actually contending.
AFC Bournemouth — Eddie Howe has worked wonders with the Cherries, taking over while at the foot of the fourth tier in 2009 before getting them to the Premier League for the first time in 2014/15. Now into their fourth consecutive season in the top flight, they seem determined to stay after breaking the club transfer record on midfielder Jefferson Lerma (Levante — £25 million). Defender Diego Rico (Leganes — £10.7 million) also joins with David Brooks (Sheffield United — £10.1 million), while strikers Benik Afobe (Wolverhampton Wanderers — £10 million), Max Gradel (Toulouse — £1.7 million) and Lewis Grabban (Nottingham Forest — £6 million) have left.
Brighton & Hove Albion — The Seagulls ended a 34-year absence from the top-flight in 2016/17 and survived their first season back. Now Chris Hughton looks to consolidate with midfield club record transfer Alirezah Jahanbakhsh (AZ Alkmaar — £16.9 million), strikers Florin Andone (Deportivo La Coruna — £5.3 million), Percy Tau (Mamelodi Sundowns — £2.8 million), midfielder Yves Bissouma (Lille — £15 million) and defenders Bernardo (Leipzig — £8.8 million) and Leon Balogan (Mainz – Free). Out go midfielders Jamie Murphy (Rangers — £1 million), Jiri Skalak (Millwall — £900k) and Steve Sidwell (released), defender Connor Goldson (Rangers — £3 million), striker Sam Baldock (Reading — £3.4 million) and keeper Tim Krul (released).
Burnley — Sean Dyche’s Clarets qualified for Europe after only their second season back in the top flight last term. Two previous Premier League stays in 2009/10 and 2014/15 (their first 33 years since plummeting from regular top flights status in 1976) ended in single seasons, but now they look set to stay. Keeper Joe Hart (Manchester City — £3.5 million), club record transfer defender Scott Gibson (Middlesbrough — £15 million) and striker Matej Vydra (Derby County — £11 million) have all joined, while midfielders Scott Arfield (Rangers — Free) and Dean Marney (Fleetwood Town — Free) have left.
Cardiff City — The Bluebirds, back after their first Premier League stay lasted just a season in 2013/14, will be hoping to stay up for good this time. However, their failure to land Marko Grujic, after the Liverpool midfielder refused to rejoin on loan has left Neil Warnock worrying that his additions might not be enough. So far only midfielders Josh Murphy (Norwich City — £10.1 million), Bobby Reid (Bristol City — £10 million), defender Greg Cunningham (Preston North End — £3.5 million) and keeper Alex Smithies (Queens Park Rangers — £3.5 million) have come in, while the only notable departure has been Greg Halford (released).
Chelsea — Since replacing Antonio Conte over the summer, former Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri has brought in midfielders Jorginho (Napoli — £50.7 million), Mateo Kovacic (Real Madrid — Loan) and smashed the world record for a keeper — just set by Alisson to Liverpool at 55.7 million — with Kepa Arrizabalaga (Athletic Bilbao — £71 million). Fellow keeper Rob Green (Huddersfield — Free) has also joined but it’s Kepa who is the main man replacing outgoing Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid — £31 million) between the sticks. If Courtois is the only loss before the transfer window shuts — with rivals also sniffing around Eden Hazard, N’Golo Kante and Willian — then Chelsea will have done well.
Crystal Palace — Roy Hodgson transformed the Eagles from a relegation worry to a comfortable mid-table team last season after taking over from Frank de Boer in September. Now the former England manager will be looking to push on further, but much depends on whether they can keep Wilfried Zaha. Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Timothy Fosu-Mensah’s loans from Chelsea and Manchester United have both ended but Palace have at least brought in midfielders Max Meyer (Schalke — Free), Cheikhou Kouyate (West Ham — £9.5 million) and keeper Vicente Guaita (Getafe — Free), offloading midfielders Yohan Cabaye (Al Nasr — Free), Lee Chung-yong (released) and Bakary Sako (released).
Everton — Having ditched Sam Allardyce and replaced him with former Hull and Watford boss Marco Silva — despite finishing an admirable eighth last season — the Toffees will now look to get back into the European qualifying slots. Striker Wayne Rooney (DC United — Free), midfielders Kevin Mirallas (Fiorentina — Loan) and Davy Klassen (Werder Bremen — £12 million) have left, along with defenders Ashley Williams (Stoke City — Loan) and Ramiro Mori (Villarreal — £8 million). Midfielder Richarlison (Watford — £35 million), and defender Lucas Digne (Barcelona — £18 million) have signed, and could soon be joined by midfielder Bernard (Shakhtar Donetsk — Free).
Fulham — Back in the Premier League after four seasons in the Championship, the Cottagers will be hoping to reassert themselves as the top-flight regulars they once were. Slavisa Jokanovic has done well to bring in striker Aleksander Mitrovic (Newcastle — £22 million), midfielders Jean Michael Seri (Nice — £26.7 million), Andre Schurrle (Borussia Dortmund — Loan), defenders Alfie Mawson (Swansea — £14.9), Maxime Le Marchand (Nice — £3.5 million), Calum Chambers (Arsenal — Loan) and keeper Fabri (Besiktas — £5.3 million). The only departures have been defender Ryan Fredericks (West Ham — Free) and keeper David Button (£4 million).
Huddersfield Town — Having survived their first season back in the top flight since 1972 last season, the Terriers will now look to avoid the typical second season slump. David Wagner has made loans permanent for defenders Terrence Kongolo (Monaco — £17.8 million), Florent Hadergjonaj (FC Ingolstadt — £4.4 million) and keeper Jonas Lossl (Mainz — £2.2 million). Defender Erik Durm (Borussia Dortmund — Free), midfielders Ramadan Sobhi (Stoke City — £5.8 million), Juninho Bacuna (FC Groningen — £2.2 million), keeper Ben Hamer (Leicester City — Free) and striker Adama Diakhaby (Monaco — £8.9 million) are also in. Midfielders Tom Ince (Stoke City — £8.9 million), Scott Malone (Derby — £3.5 million) and keeper Rob Green (Chelsea — Free) have left.
Leicester City — The Foxes freak 2015/16 Premier League winning season looks like ancient history after the departure of midfielder Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City — £60 million). Striker Ahmad Mousa (Al Nassr — £14.7 million) and defender Robert Huth (released) have also gone and if defender Harry Maguire goes too it could be disastrous. That said, Claude Puel has made efforts to attempt more than just mid-table this season, bringing in midfielders James Maddison (Norwich — £22.3 million), Rachid Ghezzal (Monaco — 12.4 million), defenders Jonny Evans (West Bromwich Albion — £3.5 million), Ricardo Pereira (Porto — £19.6 million) and keeper Danny Ward (Liverpool — £12.4 million).
Liverpool — Last season’s Champions League losing finalists look poised to do something special after holding onto talismanic attacking trio Mohammad Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane. Keeper Loris Karius’ calamitous display against Real Madrid has made Alisson’s (Roma — £55.7 million) arrival all the more welcome. Meanwhile, Jurgen Klopp has packed the midfield with Naby Keita (Liepzig — £53.5), Fabinho (Monaco — £40.1 million) and Xherdan Shaqiri (Stoke City — £13.1 million). So far, only Emre Can (Juventus — Free) and keeper Danny Ward (Leicester — £12.4 million) have left, and reports suggest the Reds could still land midfielders Nabil Fekir (Lyon), Leon Bailey (Bayern Leverkusen) or defender Domagoj Vida (Besiktas).
Manchester City — After missing out on the signing of Napoli’s Jorginho, who went to Chelsea instead, City will have to content themselves with a club record move for midfielder Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City — £60 million), and defender Philippe Sandler (PEC Zwolle — £2.2 million). It’s not as though Pep Guardiola’s record breaking defending league champions needed to make too many changes. The manner of their 2-0 Charity Shield win over Chelsea last weekend suggests they will easily continue last season’s dominance. Keepers Joe Hart (Burnley — £3.5 million), Angus Gunn (Southampton — £13.5 million), defenders Angelino (PSV Eindhoven — £5 million), Pablo Maffeo (VFB Stuttgart — £9 million) and midfielder Yahya Toure (released) have left.
Manchester United — Jose Mourinho has been untenably vocal about the lack of transfer activity from last season’s runners-up, and it appears to have created a giant rift between him and his Red Devils boss Ed Woodward. Only midfielder Fred (Shakhtar Donetsk — £52.6 million), defender Diogo Dalot (Porto — £19.6 million) and keeper Lee Grant (Stoke City — £1.5 million) have joined so far, while leavers include Daley Blind (Ajax — £14.2 million), and Michael Carrick (retired), who joins the coaching staff. Defenders Harry Maguire (Leicester City), Yerry Mina (Barcelona), Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham Hotspur) and midfielder Willian (Chelsea) have been linked, but United should first worry about losing Paul Pogba.
Newcastle United — Rafael Benitez’ Magpies finished comfortably mid-table in their first season back in the Premier League last term. Now they will push for Europe. Midfielder Kenedy (Chelsea — Loan) extends, keeper Martin Dubravka (Sparta Prague — £3.5 million) has made his loan permanent. Strikers Saloman Rondon (West Brom — Loan) and Yoshinori Muto (Mainz — £9.5 million) join midfielder Ki Sung-yueng (Swansea City — Free) and defender Fabian Schar (Deportivo La Coruna — £3.5 million). Strikers Aleksandar Mitrovic (Fulham — £22 million) and Dwight Gayle (West Brom — Loan) leave with midfielders Mikel Merino (Real Sociedad — £10 million), Jack Colbeck (Nottingham Forest – Loan) and defender Chancel Mbemba (Porto — £7.1 million).
Southampton — After narrowly avoiding relegation last season, Mark Hughes has got his work cut out. Defender Jannik Vestergaard (Borussia Moenchengladbach — £22.4 million) joins with midfielders Mohammad Al Younoussi (Basel — £16.1 million), Stuart Armstrong (Celtic — £7.1 million) and keeper Angus Gunn (Manchester City — £13.5 million). Leavers so far include; midfielders Dusan Tadic (Ajax — £10.2 million), Jordy Clasie (Feyenoord — Loan), Sofiane Boufal (Celta Vigo — Loan), defender Florin Gardos (CSU Craiova — Free) and striker Guido Carillo (Leganes — Loan). Defender Jeremy Pied (released) and Stuart Taylor (released) have also been made free agents.
Tottenham Hotspur — Unless an all summer long pursuit of Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish finally comes to fruition, Spurs will be the only Premier League club not to have bought or sold anyone over the summer. This is leaving some to question whether their top four status is at stake. Eight of their first team reached the World Cup’s last four (split between England, France and Belgium), so it’s clear there’s no dearth of quality, but they need to keep it all together. Coach Mauricio Pochettino and World Cup top scorer Harry Kane have both signed new contracts, but Danny Rose could be shipped out on loan to Schalke.
Watford — Now into their fourth season back in the top flight, the Hornets, who have gone through four managers in that time, must look for mid-table stability under their latest boss Javi Garcia. Midfielder Gerard Deulofeu (Barcelona — £11.5) has made his loan permanent, joining defenders Adam Masina (Bologna — £4.5 million), Marc Navarro (Espanyol — £1.7 million), Ben Wilmot (Stevenage — £1.5 million), midfielder Ken Sema (Ostersund — £2 million) and keeper Ben Foster (West Brom — £2.5 million). Out goes midfielders Richarlison (Everton — £35 million), Nordin Amrabat (Al Nassr — £4 million), striker Mauro Zarate (Boca Juniors — £1.7 million) and keeper Costel Pantilimon (Nottingham Forest — £2 million).
West Ham United — Ex Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini brings fresh hope to mid-table loitering Hammers having twice broken the club transfer record this summer, first on defender Issa Diop (Toulouse — £22.4 million) and then midfielder Felipe Anderson (Lazio — £33.5 million). Midfielders Andriy Yarmolenko (Borussia Dortmund — £17.9 million) and Jack Wilshere (Arsenal — Free), also join with defenders Fabian Balbuena (Corinthians — £3.5 million), Ryan Fredericks (Fulham — Free), keeper Lukasz Fabianski (Swansea City — £7.1 million) and striker Xande Silva (Vitoria Guimaraes — £2 million). Out goes midfielder Cheikhou Kouyoute (Crystal Palace — £9.5 million), defenders Patrice Evra (released) and James Collins (released), while midfielder Joao Mario (Inter Milan — Loan) returns.
Wolverhampton Wanderers — Nuno Santo looks to keep Wolves up after winning promotion back for the first time since 2012 last season. A club record transfer for midfielder Adama Traore (Middlesbrough — £18 million) shows intent. Loans were made permanent for strikers Benik Afobe (Bournemouth — £10 million), Leo Bonatini (Al Hilal — £3.5 million), midfielders Diogo Jota (Atletico Madrid — £12.5 million), defenders Willy Boly (Porto — £10.7 million) and Ruben Vinagre (Monaco — £2 million). Midfielder Joao Moutinho (Monaco — £5 million) also joins with defender Jonny Castro (Atletico Madrid — Loan), striker Raul Jimenez (Benfica — Loan) and keeper Rui Patricio (Sporting — Free). Defender Barry Douglas (Leeds — £3 million) is the biggest leaver.
