Welcome to a special summer edition of Onside/Offside! The Premier League transfer window officially reopened June 16 (and will stay open until Sept. 1), so it’s time for Luis Miguel Echegaray to share his thoughts on the current state of certain clubs and what they might need in the window in order to succeed next season. Which teams are in good shape — we’ll say they are “onside” — and which are “offside” and have major issues that need to be addressed?
Having shown restraint with transfers last season, thus staying in compliance with profit and sustainability rules (PSR), Arne Slot’s Premier League champions are taking full advantage this summer. Most notably, they’re doing it early.
After Trent Alexander-Arnold‘s departure to Real Madrid, Liverpool welcomed Dutch star Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen, who can play anywhere across the right side of the pitch. They signed Ármin Pécsi, a talented 20-year-old goalkeeper from Hungary, while left back Milos Kerkez, who was very impressive with Bournemouth last campaign, is also coming to the squad. (Whether he’ll start immediately, with rumors of veteran defender Andy Robertson being linked with Atletico Madrid, or form a formidable rotation is still to be determined.)
They’re not done, either, returning to the negotiating table with Leverkusen for German star Florian Wirtz. Now, I know the attacking midfielder’s arrival is not cheap as the reported transfer fee rises up to $157 million including add-ons, but it represents a major coup for the Reds when it comes to one of the sport’s most coveted younger stars and the 22-year-old is almost certainly the summer’s biggest signing anywhere in the world.
So at this point, two things need to happen in order for me to give Liverpool an “A” grade for the summer: (1) the club needs to recuperate some of the expenditure by moving out some players, and (2) one of these departures should be Darwin Núñez (eight league starts and only five goals last season) so Slot can find a striker who suits his system.
Reports state that there is Saudi Pro League interest in the Uruguayan, though Napoli and manager Antonio Conte reportedly lead the race as they have been in direct contact with the player. In terms of replacements, the wonderful Hugo Ekitike seems to be the popular kid in high school right now. The 22-year-old French striker had a wonderful campaign with Eintracht Frankfurt (22 goals and 11 assists in all competitions) and has a long list of admirers. Goals will be important for Liverpool next season, especially in a campaign where they won’t have the services of Mohamed Salah from the end of December until at least the beginning of January due to the Africa Cup of Nations.
One exit that does help with their finances is defender Jarell Quansah, who followed another impressive season with a move to Bayer Leverkusen for a reported $40 million, with the Reds negotiating a buyback clause should the 22-year-old continue to develop.
All in all, Liverpool’s summer looks promising, and most importantly, it has an air of maturity and focus as the business is being done quickly, without fuss. Transfers are only positive when they represent quality, not quantity, and Liverpool seem to be echoing this sentiment. They just need an upgrade at center forward.
That brings me to Benjamin Sesko (21 goals and six assists in all competitions for RB Leipzig last season). The Slovenian is a great talent, and the Gunners sealing the deal would be proof that the North Londoners mean business for the next campaign. Then we have Viktor Gyökeres, the lethal Sporting striker who reportedly wants a move to the Emirates ahead of Manchester United. It would be up to Arteta if the Swedish striker is worth the style and the transfer fee of $92 million. Aston Villa‘s Ollie Watkins could be another target.
So far, so good for Arsenal, who at least know what they want and are willing to go for it. But the ultimate grade to their summer will be defined by their ability to sign a star striker.
Now that Chelsea have Champions League football thanks to a great managerial job by Enzo Maresca and his young squad (the youngest in the Premier League), the Blues — who are also in the Club World Cup — have a busy summer.
For them, it’s about being smart with their money. That’s where my biggest questions will come from, because previous history has shown me that they’re not financially moderate. The other problem is how they are somewhat hit-and-miss when it comes to player personnel (João Félix being a good example) and since next season will be a demanding one, Chelsea have to be smart about their new signings.
Liam Delap is one I like — the 22-year-old is aggressive, he’s conniving in play, he has quick instincts and he is a headache for opposing defenders, especially on the counter, which is what Maresca’s tactics thrive on. But I don’t think the club is done with the center forward role, and Delap and Nicolas Jackson might compete with one more signing. The cost to bring in Etikike seems too high, so other targets might come into frame. There are also reports that Brighton’s João Pedro is another target, though they’d face competition from Newcastle United, who are advancing in negotiations.
Dan Thomas is joined by Craig Burley, Shaka Hislop and others to bring you the latest highlights and debate the biggest storylines. Stream on ESPN+ (U.S. only).
Now, context is needed here. For the third consecutive season, Unai Emery guided the team to European soccer. It’s a remarkable achievement. But then comes the other headache, and that’s the financial one. Villa have a lot to do in order to meet the criteria of PSR as they reportedly have post-tax losses of $254 million from the last two seasons. Despite having one of the wealthiest owners in English football and a competitive, strong sporting project, they don’t have the marketing reach of the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea or Manchester United, so there will be a presumed requirement to sell players by June 30, which is the end of the financial year in the Premier League and the deadline to comply with PSR. Nine players have already been released from the books, including backup goalkeeper Robin Olsen. Speaking of goalkeepers, Emiliano Martínez remains the biggest talking point, and his future remains a major talking point. At 32 years old and a World Cup to consider, the Argentinian might leave the club as he could attract a high fee as well as alleviate some of the wage demands. But I don’t say this lightly; Dibu Martínez is one of the most loved players at the club, and the feeling is mutual.
In fact, much speculation occurred when was seen in tears in the final home game of the season against Spurs. Many — including me — believed that maybe he knew something we didn’t. But his wife, Mandinha, dismissed the speculation that it was him saying goodbye to the fans. “No. Anybody who knows Emi knows he is an emotional character and that’s who he is,” she said. “It just shows you how much he loves the Villa fans. I love the Villa fans. We love Villa.”
Morgan Rogers remains highly admired by many clubs across the league, but he is a fundamental part of Emery’s strategy, so I don’t really see him going anywhere. Boubacar Kamara, who has become one of Villa’s most important players, has not yet agreed to a new deal with the club so I worry slightly about his situation. Let’s see how this one plays out, but whatever the case, director of football operations Damia Vidagany and president of football operations Monchi have a lot to do before the end of the month.
The comfort is knowing that they — and Villa fans — have been here before. As long as Emery is at the wheel, things will be fine.
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Will Amorim survive Man United’s tough Premier League start?
Beth Tucker from “The United Stand” assesses Man United’s start to the Premier League season.
OFFSIDE: Manchester United
It was a dreadful season for Manchester United and Ruben Amorim. There’s no denying this point. The Red Devils finished 15th with just 42 points, which is their worst record in the Premier League. In addition, after losing 1-0 to Spurs in the Europa League final, they once again failed to win a trophy. But despite all of this, they reportedly have the highest EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization) profit of anyone in the league and had the second-highest revenue in 2023-24. This is the marketing power of Manchester United, whose history and brand continue to help them regardless of what happens on the pitch. The trip to Asia last month, which is part of their continental tour, was a major economical boost as the club earned approximately $15 million despite the fact that it’s an exhausting endeavor — physically and mentally — for players and coaches right after a grueling domestic season. But United have to make money, especially at a time of sporting disappointment.
United head to the U.S. once again this summer, but this time as part of the Premier League’s Summer Series. The powers that be are not taking it lightly in the transfer window and are being very aggressive. United have already welcomed Matheus Cunha from Wolves and have reported interest in Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo (though Spurs might have a say in that) and the aforementioned Viktor Gyökeres, a man Amorim knows too well but might not acquire since they won’t be playing in European competition next year. Just like their local rivals on the east side of Manchester, United are revamping their squad this summer. But unlike with City, this is a situation that has to work for Amorim, because the idea of failure next season and perhaps needing to once again return to the drawing board seems incredibly daunting for the future of the club.
