Every Premier League Team's Top Transfer Target for Summer 2024

Oh look - the summer transfer window is here!

With Euro 2024 and Copa America done, it's time to focus on the business we all love; wild rumours, huge fees and the constant reminder that Peter Odemwingie's deadline day moment is still one of the funniest things in football.

Premier League teams will have been working away while all that football was on television, looking for deals and ways to improve their squads.

Plenty of transfers have happened already, including Joshua Zirkzee to Manchester United and Chelsea signing anyone with a vowel in their name.

Although it'll change by the minute - it even changed during the writing of this article - let's take a plunge through each Prem side's top target as it stands.

Everton

Top Transfer Target: Wilfried Gnonto, Leeds United

It still feels odd to note Premier League OGs Everton as relegation candidates. The notion of Sean Dyche's team being slapped down to the Championship in their final season at Goodison Park is actually quite terrifying and sad.

But there's no time to waste; especially with key midfielder Amadou Onana on the verge of leaving for Aston Villa. Solid defensively and passable in midfield, Dyche needs attacking spark.

A renewed interest in Wilfried Gnonto makes perfect sense as the tricky Italian forward is more than capable of regularly impacting games at this level. His pace and directness could finally unlock the potential of lumbering forwards Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Beto.

Ipswich Town

Top Transfer Target: A winger of Jaden Philogene's level

Ipswich are working quickly to try and bolster their ranks in what is likely to be a difficult first season back in the Premier League.

Omari Hutchinson's return is big, but adding Manchester City striker Liam Delap might be even bigger. Ben Johnson is also a smart capture as he looks to push on, while Arijanet Muric brings Premier League knowhow between the sticks.

The Tractor Boys have only really missed out on Jaden Philogene so far - ensuring the battle to secure a tricky winger remains top of Kieran McKenna's list.

Leicester City

Top Transfer Target: Mat O'Riley

Losing Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is a nightmare for Leicester. The hard-working central midfielder is proven Premier League quality and has only improved since he last stepped out in the elite division. Replacing him is vital to Leicester's longevity.

Celtic's impressive Mat O'Riley could be the one - and for good reason. The box-to-box Danish international accumulated an eye-opening 18 goals and 13 assists in the Scottish top flight last season. He may well be flying under the radar for many clubs.

Nottingham Forest

Top Transfer Target: Nikola Milenkovic

Nottingham Forest conceded 67 goals while barely avoiding relegation last season. An experienced leader is needed at the back.

Fans will rejoice at the sound of Nikola Milenkovic's name, then. The 26-year-old is a bullish winner who will quickly whip defensive frailties into better shape. The Fiorentina centre-back could quietly be one of the signings of the summer if it goes through.

Southampton

Top Transfer Target: Armando Broja

Another side already moving well, Saints have snapped up midfielder Flynn Downes, plus full-backs Charlie Taylor and Yukinara Sugawara. More is needed though - particularly in front of goal.

You just wonder if the return of an old loanee, a certain Armando Broja, would provide the lethality needed to win tight games. He's a proven goalscorer at St. Mary's, needs to get out of Chelsea and has a point to prove after wasting away a little. That hunger could be huge for the Saints' scrap ahead.

Bournemouth

Top Transfer Target: Depends on Dominic Solanke

We have a simmering situation here, likely defined by whether or not anyone comes in for star striker Dominic Solanke.

Bournemouth finished a respectable 12th last season and cannot afford to get complacent. Goalkeeper Alex Paulsen has already been added to the squad that may stay largely the same after significant investment last year. A top striker will be needed if Solanke says goodbye, but fans won't be thinking about that just yet.

Brentford

Top Transfer Target: Johan Bakayoko

Similar to the above, it's Brentford's ability to keep their most decisive player that will define how their transfer window goes.

Ivan Toney is not the enticing prospect he was before his ban; his form was stunted upon return and his flirting with other clubs isn't a great look. Aside from the Englishman's cool penalty at Euro 2024, there's potential his stock is starting to drop at 28 years old.

Adding a top-quality winger might just bring Toney back to life. The Bees have again been linked with PSV Eindhoven's Johan Bakayoko, a name that will grab huge attention. He'd fit perfectly into the gut-busting forward runs of Thomas Frank's side and would be a welcome addition to the Premier League.

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Top Transfer Target: Anel Ahmedhodžić

Wolves will spend the summer batting away bids for Pedro Neto, Rayan Ait Nouri and Hwang Hee-Chan, so may well hold most of the £40 million accumulated from Max Kilman's sale to West Ham in the 'For Emergencies' jar.

Right now, it looks as if a replacement for Kilman is top of the agenda, with Sheffield United's Anel Ahmedhodžić strongly linked to the club. We can expect Wolves' dealings to get decidedly more interesting very soon.

Crystal Palace

Top Transfer Target: Marcus Edwards

Oliver Glasner's arrival at Selhurst Park completely changed the club's season. His intense three-at-the-back thrives with pacey forwards who can dribble, one of whom has left the club for Bayern Munich.

Michael Olise is a huge loss, but at least Palace didn't surrender him to an English rival. Glasner must keep Jean-Philippe Mateta scoring, and if reports are to be believed, is lining up Sporting's Marcus Edwards to keep the fire burning.

Fulham

Top Transfer Target: Emile Smith-Rowe

You never quite know what you are getting with Marco Silva's Fulham. Last season they managed to beat Arsenal, take down Manchester United, whoop Tottenham and draw with Liverpool, while failing to beat the relegated teams and those near.

Tosin and Joao Palhinha are big losses that will need to be addressed - but Silva's team needs a spark.

Gunners midfielder Emile Smith-Rowe would be a statement signing and a perfect platform for the highly coveted playmaker to get his career back on track after injury. We've seen what Silva did with Andreas Pereira. He can do the same for ESR.

West Ham United

Top Transfer Target: Alexander Sorloth

A new era is hotting up for West Ham. Julen Lopetegui has big shoes to fill after David Moyes' departure and will want to quickly stamp his mark on a squad that is ripe for moulding.

Former Crystal Palace striker Alexander Sorloth appears to be top of the manager's list to sit ahead of Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus. He struggled with Palace but has since become one of Europe's most prolific finishers, scoring 26 goals in 41 games last campaign.

There's also the lingering issue of Lucas Paqueta, who is potentially facing a lifetime ban from football if he is deemed guilty in the ongoing betting scandal that shocked the sport at the end of last season.

Paqueta is a world-class footballer who isn't easily replaced, his combo of skill, grit and passing often holding Moyes' team together in tough moments.

Aston Villa

Top Transfer Target: Amadou Onana

Douglas Luiz's exit means Aston Villa's main need is very clear: a midfielder who can do it all. While Amadou Onana hasn't quite shown the level of consistent quality befitting the hype, Unai Emery is the perfect manager to unlock the Belgian's full game in a deal that seems imminent.

The Champions League schedule is going to test Villa to the limit, so fans will be heartened by the already confirmed arrivals of Samuel Iling-Junior, Enzo Barrenechea and Ian Maatsen, with Lewis Dobbin and Ross Barkley adding further squad depth.

Brighton & Hove Albion

Top Transfer Target: Diego Gomez

You have to admire Brighton. New manager Fabian Hürzeler is quietly going about his business after Roberto De Zerbi's difficult departure, with the capture of Yankuba Minteh the headline alongside Mats Wieffer from Newcastle and Feyenoord respectively.

Their failure to get Dewsbury-Hall over the line leaves room for a midfield signing.

Right now, Inter Miami talent Diego Gomez looks to be the most solid link. He is certainly set for a big move away from Inter Miami and he's exactly the type of player that thrives at the Amex Stadium. Already quality with room to grow in a free-flowing, attack-minded structure? Sounds like a Brighton deal.

Chelsea

Top Transfer Target: Jhon Duran

Ollie Watkins' incredible season kept Jhon Duran more of a secret than he should be. The Colombia striker is excellent, as proven by his goal against Manchester City last season. At 20 years old he's powerful, makes great runs and is lethal when playing to his instincts, whipping off a shot whenever he can. It's no surprise he's linked with big clubs.

Chelsea has proven to be a graveyard for strikers in recent years and Duran may well be wary of the flack received by Nicolas Jackson during his debut season at Stamford Bridge. How he'd fit in with Jackson and Christoper Nkunku, plus the Blues' stack of wide-forwards, would also remain a point of contention.

Manchester United

Top Transfer Target: Leny Yoro

United's summer has started most unlike United. Joshua Zirkzee is already secured and Matthijs de Ligt is growing closer. It also seems a move for highly sought-after defender Leny Yoro could actually happen - despite the player's initial desire to move to Real Madrid.

This is exactly the type of signing INEOS needs to go for, someone who is quality, young and profitable in a few years. Could this be the first summer in 14,000 years that Nico Gaitan and Wesley Sneijder aren't linked to the Old Trafford club?

Newcastle United

Top Transfer Target: Anthony Elanga

A big season awaits for Newcastle. The Saudi ownership is now firmly settled - but that doesn't mean the club have unlimited funds. Minteh and Elliot Anderson leaving is a reminder there are rules to be adhered to, so the Magpies need to be frugal.

That said, a quality winger looks top of Eddie Howe's agenda. Interest in Olise has been and gone, but Forest star Anthony Elanga continues to be touted. He was excellent in a poor side last season and is certainly ready to step up. He isn't quite the star name supporters will want, so we can expect weeks of links to world-class stars while the club sorts its business out.

Tottenham Hotspur

Top Transfer Target: Federico Chiesa

An entertaining first season probably didn't end how Ange Postecoglu wanted. Spurs were early title contenders and eventually dropped to fifth, but the Australian manager asserted his style of football in a way that makes the North London club a very attractive prospect for potential new players.

It's no surprise Italy superstar Federico Chiesa's name keeps popping up, he's exactly Ange's style. Hard-working, a daring forward runner with the ball and clutch in big moments. Only Chiesa's injury record has stopped him from truly becoming top tier. He's a risk worth taking and would slot nicely into Ange's setup.

Arsenal

Top Transfer Target: Riccardo Calafiori

So close, yet so far. Mikel Arteta has driven Arsenal to two second-place finishes in an era where one loss can be fatal against the Man City machine. The Gunners' success was built on an unbelievable defence last season, consisting of Gabriel, William Saliba and Ben White, plus one of Oleksandr Zinchenko or Jakub Kiwior in for the injured Jurrien Timber.

It's initially surprising that Riccardo Calafiori is the name most linked with the Emirates Stadium considering the lack of a natural striker. Dig a little deeper and the Italian's arrival makes sense; he can play left-back, he's excellent on the ball, and is smart at reading difficult situations.

Defence might be the best form of attack, especially when Kai Havertz seems to have settled into his always-under-the-spotlight role of leading the front line.

Liverpool

Top Transfer Target: A midfielder…

Arne Slot will want to address some midfield issues that are starting to open up at Liverpool. Thiago Alcantara's retirement is disappointing, even if his best days were behind him.

Wataru Endō played an effective role last season but was over-reliant on, so finding an alternative midfielder who is ready to compete should be among Slot's priorities. Doing so could help Dominik Szoboszlai play the attacking role he's used to for Hungary, which might be needed after his energy slowed down in central midfield last year.

Atalanta midfielder Teun Koopmeiners is currently linked with an Anfield move, although a slow start to transfer proceedings means plenty more will soon be thrust into the mix.

Manchester City

Top Transfer Target: Depends on sales

The papers are linking Euro 2024 hero Dani Olmo with a move to Man City. As exciting as that is, in reality, the current champs are only likely to go big if they need to replace someone.

Kalvin Phillips should leave after a catastrophic few years of not playing - and then stinking up something rotten on loan at West Ham - so a midfielder will be on Pep Guardiola's radar.

Joao Neves is one to watch, especially as City's long-standing interest in Paqueta is no more.