With two months remaining in the 2024/25 season, Premier League clubs are already laying the groundwork for a pivotal summer transfer window. Squads will be reshaped, weaknesses addressed, and ambitions set for the next campaign.
Here is an early look at how sources are starting to see the top flight's biggest clubs approaching the market…
Manchester United
This is the first summer window where the new INEOS ownership can put careful planning and preparation into their transfers at Manchester United, after last year’s efforts were done on a tight timeline.
The first priority will be to offload players they no longer want. There are plenty of them. They hope for Sancho, Antony, and Tyrell Malacia to complete permanent moves away, while Rashford’s form at Aston Villa may prompt them to raise his asking price as well.
Manchester United are seeking a buyer for Casemiro, while Christian Eriksen, Victor Lindelof, Jonny Evans, and Tom Heaton are set to leave as free agents. End-of-season decisions will be made on Rasmus Hojlund and Andre Onana to determine whether they stay, as the Red Devils are seriously considering signing a new striker and goalkeeper.
A centre-back is still a priority, as they are one body short of options, while they also need a wing-back to compete with Diogo Dalot following their Quenda disaster. Roger Fernandes - of Braga - has been suggested as an alternative, but they continue to search for players and believe they will bounce back from Chelsea’s hijack of the Quenda deal.
Sources say relations remain workable with Sporting despite that secret Quenda deal, which could open the door to players like Trincao, Morten Hjulmand, or Gyokeres.
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim wants to sign at least one midfielder, but a goalscorer is seen as the priority. Osimhen, Delap, Aghehowa, and the £315,000-a-week Vlahovic - who has been described as "world-class" - are among the early options.
Arsenal
Figures around Arsenal remain convinced they are on the right track for major silverware and that they have a team being built to remain competitive for years to come under boss Mikel Arteta. Missing out on the Premier League title is only a slight setback in terms of how they approach the summer, as they have had time to come to terms with the situation.
The Gunners have new sporting director Andrea Berta overseeing the incomings, and early indications show that he is intent on signing Matheus Cunha and Zubimendi - from Wolverhampton Wanderers and Real Sociedad respectively - in particular. The creativity and goal threat of Cunha is needed, and the north Londoners will assess offers for Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard in the summer as part of their considerations regarding wide attacking options.
Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams and Rafael Leao, of AC Milan, have been mooted as possible additions but seem unlikely. It is the goalscoring threat that Arsenal fans really want to see fixed and, by the end of the season, they will have a clearer view on whether there is any chance of landing their top target, Isak, from Newcastle. If that is not possible, Sesko and Sporting frontman Viktor Gyokeres will be considered.
Overall, sources indicate that a goalkeeper, left-back, central midfielder, wide attacker, and striker are the primary positions Arsenal will target in the summer window. It has been suggested that seven deals could even be plausible if they go on a significant spending spree.
An ambitious target could be Isak's Newcastle teammate Bruno Guimaraes, while Juventus marksman Dusan Vlahovic is an outside option as a forward, and there is a proposal to sign midfielder Sverre Halseth Nypan from Rosenborg. A likely signing is goalkeeper Joan Garcia from Espanyol, while Hato continues to be tracked.
Chelsea
No-one loves a transfer window quite like Chelsea, and it will be another window of tapping into the world’s best teenage talent while balancing that with some top-tier box-ready stars.
Their early move for Sporting's Geovany Quenda underlines their aggressive strategy to sign players they see as era-defining.
However, we are also likely to see a handful of outfield first-team signings. The two priority areas are expected to be centre-back and striker, as the club seeks a consistent, reliable goalscorer.
At the back, it is anticipated that Chelsea will head the queue to secure Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace, though other names are still being explored by head coach Enzo Maresca and recruitment chiefs.
The striker signing should be the highlight of the summer, but the level of the addition will depend on whether they secure Champions League football. At the top end, the likes of Galatasaray loanee Victor Osimhen and Gyokeres are under consideration, but the Blues are also interested in Ipswich Town goal-getter Liam Delap and Porto's Samu Aghehowa.
Chelsea will have to make a decision on completing their deal for Jadon Sancho and are likely to go through with it rather than send him back to Manchester United and pay a penalty.
There is potential for both a left-back and central midfielder, with player exits likely to lead to the significance of such additions.
A big decision rests on whether to sign another goalkeeper, as they still do not have a trusted No.1 despite having 10 shot-stoppers on their books.
Manchester City
Manchester City’s next transfer window is about reclaiming their edge. Money is not going to be a problem - the Sky Blues have a substantial budget to work with.
Our early understanding of their planning suggests that they will be targeting full-backs, a central midfielder, and another wide attacking option.
The level of these signings could depend on departures, with key decisions having to be made on Jack Grealish, John Stones, and Bernardo Silva. Kyle Walker is set to leave permanently, and it is increasingly likely that Kevin De Bruyne will too. A new goalkeeper might also be on the cards, as it is possible Ederson could leave.
An ideal transfer window could see two full-backs arrive, with Jeremie Frimpong, Ola Aina, and Andrea Cambiaso - of Bayer Leverkusen, Nottingham Forest and Juventus respectively - all under consideration. Newcastle's Guimaraes, Atalanta's Ederson, and Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton are midfield options, and an exciting prospect like Sporting's Francisco Trincao could be added to the attack.
Manchester City have also been linked with Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz but, at present, it seems unlikely as they expect him to either remain in Germany or move to Real Madrid instead.
Pep Guardiola and the club’s hierarchy remain resolute that their project is far from derailed, but there is an acknowledgment that this season - marred by injuries, inconsistent form, and a lack of depth in key areas - requires a decisive response.
Newcastle United
Victory in the Carabao Cup final opens up new opportunities for Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe, but there are still challenges to overcome.
The main priorities will be to sign the right-sided attacker they have been seeking, along with a new centre forward to replace Callum Wilson.
Attacking names in the frame for the flank include PSV Eindhoven's Johan Bakayoko and Chelsea's Noni Madueke, while Strasbourg frontman Emanuel Emegha and FC Nordsjaelland striker Sindre Walle Egeli are forwards that could fit the bill. Links to Hugo Ekitike, at Eintracht Frankfurt, have never completely disappeared either.
If Newcastle look to become more adventurous, they would also seek a more creative midfielder in the mould of Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White, although they would face challenges in signing him.
GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Morgan Gibbs-White has been averaging 1.7 shots and as many key passes per Premier League outing this season
For now, we expect them to hold onto Isak, but there are no guarantees. Liverpool are interested, and Barcelona are now being linked, following his impressive season. One situation Newcastle need to address is that his current wages are relatively low for one of the top-performing forwards in the Premier League, and given his lofty ambitions, they will need to offer him a more lucrative deal.
In defence, they have missed Sven Botman for many games, and they may consider adding to their backline in case there are further issues with his knee injury. Depth is becoming a concern, as their first-choice line-up is among the strongest in the division. There is also the potential for them to look at goalkeepers.
Aston Villa
The January transfer window showed how Aston Villa are adept at rehabilitating underperforming players, and they could look to repeat that strategy this summer.
Loan deals for Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford could be turned into permanent moves, with boss Unai Emery believed to have already instructed club bosses to push ahead with securing the former from Paris Saint-Germain.
Aston Villa are eyeing other players who could hit higher levels if given a significant opportunity, with Atalanta's Ademola Lookman and AC Milan loanee Tammy Abraham among the names being considered.
There is also a chance they could move for Yves Bissouma, although the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder has offers to return to France.
Exciting young talent is always of interest, and the Villans may land a player like Jamie Gittens, Tyler Dibling or Nypan from Borussia Dortmund, Southampton or Rosenborg respectively.
One of the more unlikely rumours of late involves Real Betis attacking midfielder Isco. He is a top name, but the likelihood of this move is in some doubt.
Aston Villa have really missed the goal contributions of Jhon Duran since his move to Saudi Arabia, and they are expected to look for a new striker this summer. Two early links are contrasting in age and experience - 20-year-old Aghehowa of Porto and 27-year-old Abraham. Vlahovic could also become a tempting option at a bargain price.
Tottenham Hotspur
The summer transfer market seems a long way off for Tottenham fans, who are currently embroiled in discussions over whether Ange Postecoglou will remain as the man in charge of any new signings.
Spurs are looking to make a splash in the summer and already have deals earmarked for both Mathys Tel and Kevin Danso, following the conclusion of their loans from Bayern Munich and Lens respectively.
However, Postecoglou’s job is not guaranteed - he needs to secure Europa League or Champions League football to meet the requirements set for him.
In recent months, the club has been doing groundwork on deals for a host of players, including a free deal for Lille midfielder Angel Gomes, a bargain deal for Real Betis' Johnny Cardoso, and potential moves for Gittens and Dibling.
The sales of Bissouma, Richarlison, Manor Solomon, Bryan Gil, and Alejo Veliz could open up funds, while there are big decisions ahead on whether to cash in on stars like Heung-min Son or Cristian Romero.
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has faced criticism in the past for not spending enough to get the club to the level they aspire to, but there are encouraging whispers within the game that this summer’s spend will be significant.
One of the most interesting situations will revolve around whether they decide to sign another top centre forward. There is serious thought being given to whether they need better back-up and competition for Dominic Solanke.
Liverpool
Arne Slot's Liverpool may be closing in on the Premier League title, but significant changes are on the horizon, regardless of whether key figures like Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold stay or go. This will be a summer of reconstruction.
In the goalkeeping department, the departure of Caoimhin Kelleher seems increasingly likely as he seeks regular minutes elsewhere. While Alisson Becker’s name has been mentioned in some speculative discussions, it remains difficult to imagine the Reds sanctioning his exit. However, a new back-up shot-stopper will likely be needed.
The defensive unit is set for reinforcements. A new centre-back is a priority, but the full-back positions are another major area of focus, with Liverpool actively scouting options. Milos Kerkez looks increasingly likely to join from Bournemouth, but versatile defenders like Jorrel Hato and David Hancko - of Ajax and Feyenoord respectively - have also been under consideration, as well as Fulham's Antonee Robinson.
Midfield saw a major overhaul last summer, but the one missing piece - a true defensive midfielder - was never properly addressed. That will almost certainly change this time. Stuttgart's Angelo Stiller and Brighton & Hove Albion’s Carlos Baleba are both emerging as potential solutions, while Martin Zubimendi’s name continues to crop up despite his pending move to Arsenal from Real Sociedad.
The biggest shake-up could come in attack. Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota both face uncertain futures, while Darwin Nunez is likely to move on and Federico Chiesa may seal a quickfire exit.
Newcastle United marksman Alexander Isak and RB Leipzig frontman Benjamin Sesko are among the exciting names being monitored for the striker role, while Lyon talisman Rayan Cherki and Real Madrid's Rodrygo could emerge as creative additions.
All statistics courtesy of Sofascore - correct as of 19/03/2025.