Alex Keble looks at what Arsenal, Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Brentford and Brighton need to do in the remaining days.
Arsenal
Major deals so far
Ins: Kai Havertz (Chelsea), David Raya (loan from Brentford), Declan Rice (West Ham), Jurrien Timber (Ajax).
Outs: Ainsley Maitland-Niles (released), Pablo Mari (Monza), Marquinhos (loan to Nantes), Alex Runarsson (loan to Cardiff), Kieran Tierney (loan to Real Sociedad), Matt Turner (Nott'm Forest), Granit Xhaka (Bayer Leverkusen).
Arsenal’s stuttering start to the 2023/24 campaign reflects Mikel Arteta’s attempts to integrate new signings and reshuffle the pack, suggesting more additions may further complicate things.
They possess the depth required to sustain a title challenge in most positions, but from Thomas Partey at right-back to Kai Havertz learning a new midfield role, it might take time for those variations to feel natural.
However, injuries have left Arsenal a little light at the back. They could do with a new full-back to replace Jurrien Timber, who is out for most of the season with an ACL injury, although most of their remaining business is finding buyers for players including Folarin Balogun, Nicolas Pepe and Nuno Tavares.
See: Transfer Deadline Day: Follow our live blog
Aston Villa
Major deals so far
Ins: Moussa Diaby (Bayer Leverkusen), Youri Tielemans (Leicester City), Pau Torres (Villarreal), Nicolo Zaniolo (Galatasaray).
Outs: Cameron Archer (Sheff Utd), Marvelous Nakamba (Luton), Aaron Ramsey (Burnley), Morgan Sanson (loan to Nice), Wesley (Stoke), Ashley Young (released).
Unai Emery’s main concern is replacing Tyrone Mings, who is out for the season, and after fielding three centre-backs against Burnley, Villa could certainly do with another player here – and preferably one with pace.
Villa’s extremely aggressive high line can see them caught out, hence why they topped the charts last season for opposition through-balls played (95). A defender with good recovery speed could fix the team’s one major flaw.
See: Villa hero Cash hails Emery's tactical masterclass
They also need a back-up striker to Ollie Watkins; nobody else in the Villa team scored more than six league goals in 2022/23.
Cameron Archer has left for Sheffield United, leaving Jhon Duran as Villa’s only other option. Duran scored his first Premier League goal in the 4-0 defeat of Everton but he has been given few chances by Emery, suggesting the Villa head coach would prefer to upgrade.
AFC Bournemouth
Major deals so far
Ins: Max Aarons (Norwich), Tyler Adams (Leeds), Romain Faivre (Lyon), Milos Kerkez (AZ), Justin Kluivert (Roma), Andrei Radu (loan from Inter), Alex Scott (Bristol City), Hamed Traore (Sassuolo).
Outs: Siriki Dembele (Birmingham City), Romain Faivre (loan to Lorient), Jefferson Lerma (released), Ben Pearson (Stoke), Jack Stacey (released), Junior Stanislas (released), Mark Travers (loan to Stoke).
Andoni Iraola has been unlucky with injuries. His two new central midfielders, Alex Scott and Tyler Adams, are both out, leaving Bournemouth short in an area Iraola needs a controlling, commanding presence.
See: Transfer Deadline Day: All you need to know
Iraola’s hard-pressing football can be a little chaotic, hence why this season Bournemouth have already recorded the second-most recoveries (181) and the sixth-most recoveries against (163). Possession is turned over a lot, and Bournemouth need a calm head in the middle to keep hold of the ball.
The Cherries also need to help Dominic Solanke creatively. He contributed 13 goals or assists last season and already has two in the first three matches, taking on the role of creator and finisher. Solanke carries too much responsibility on his shoulders, contributing six key passes so far this season, more than anyone else.
Brentford
Major deals so far
Ins: Nathan Collins (Wolves), Mark Flekken (Freiburg), Saman Ghoddos (free agent), Kevin Schade (Freiburg).
Outs: Mads Bidstrup (Salzburg), Sergi Canos (Valencia), Pontus Jansson (Malmo), David Raya (loan to Arsenal).
Brentford’s reported interest in Nottingham Forest forward Brennan Johnson suggests that manager Thomas Frank knows his team lack speed in the final third. Adding pace and trickery out wide would bring a new dimension to their long-ball attacking play, especially as Frank often plays a front three in Ivan Toney's continued absence.
Last season Brentford were bottom of the league for progressive carries (392) and 18th for attempted take-ons (597). That partly reflects a stylistic choice, but if Frank can bring in a direct dribbler then Brentford’s counter-attacks would go up a notch.
Replacing Toney is probably unrealistic within Brentford’s budget – and perhaps unnecessary. Since his suspension in early May, Brentford have won 14 points from six matches. They can wait it out until January.
Brighton & Hove Albion
Major deals so far
Ins: Mahmoud Dahoud (Dortmund), Igor Julio (Fiorentina), James Milner (Liverpool), Joao Pedro (Watford), Bart Verbruggen (Anderlecht), Carlos Baleba (Lille).
Outs: Moises Caicedo (Chelsea), Aaron Connolly (Hull City), Michal Karbownik (loan to Hertha Berlin), Kacper Kozlowski (loan to Vitesse Arnhem), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Robert Sanchez (Chelsea), Jeremy Sarmiento (loan to West Brom), Kjell Scherpen (loan to Strum Gratz), Abdallah Sima (loan to Rangers), Deniz Undav (loan to Stuttgart).
Roberto De Zerbi’s priority is replacing Moises Caicedo, who led the Brighton charts last season for tackles won (50), interceptions (56), and passes blocked (36).
Mahmoud Dahoud cannot get close to those numbers and his game time has been restricted over the last couple of years, which is why Brighton have brought in Carlos Baleba to plug the gap.
See: Brighton sign midfielder Baleba from Lille
Baleba is very inexperienced at senior level, starting just five times last season for Lille, but his profile on and off the ball matches Caicedo (and Brighton’s scouting network has earned our trust).
Th Seagulls could also do with a more energetic right-back following West Ham United’s repeated counter-attacks down that side through Michail Antonio last weekend.
James Milner, moving into central midfield, struggled to recover his right-back position when the ball was turned over. It’s an issue that will only get worse as more teams copy David Moyes' approach of luring Brighton forward before breaking in behind.
Also in this series
Part 2: Burnley to Fulham
Part 3: Liverpool to Newcastle
Part 4: Forest to Wolves
