The transfer deadline is fast approaching and the clock is ticking for a few unwanted players hoping for a move this summer, Reelradio.com.ng reports.
Arsenal
It might surprise you to learn that Nicolas Pépé is still an Arsenal player. The 28-year-old winger spent last season on loan at Nice but is now back at his parent club with one year left on his contract. His last Gunners appearance came in May 2022, and a permanent move would surely suit both parties at this point.
Aston Villa
Philippe Coutinho looked so exciting when he joined Villa on loan in January 2022 following a disappointing spell at Barcelona. But since making the move permanent last summer, the Brazilian has struggled to make an impact, and last season he contributed just one goal and zero assists in 22 appearances. Could a move to Qatar materialise before the window shuts?
Bournemouth
He scored the goal which returned the Cherries to the Premier League back in May 2022, but Kieffer Moore hasn’t had quite the same impact in the top flight and is yet to start a game under Andoni Iraola this term. A return to his former club Cardiff City has been mooted for the Welsh international striker.
Brentford
The Bees’ capture of Mikkel Damsgaard from Sampdoria looked like a real coup last summer, but the young Dane has struggled to nail down a starting berth under his compatriot Thomas Frank. A move away – possibly on loan – could bring the regular playing time he reportedly craves.
Brighton
Brighton’s remarkable scouting and recruitment is the envy of most of Europe, but they do occasionally get it wrong. Andi Zeqiri perhaps falls into that category, with the 24-year-old Swiss international forward managing just a handful of appearances – mostly from the bench – since joining the club in 2020. A few Championship clubs are said to be looking at him, and a permanent move away from the Seagulls would make sense at this point in his career.
Burnley
Charlie Taylor has been a decent servant for Burnley since his move from Leeds in 2017. But after making 41 appearances last season, he is yet to feature for the Clarets this term and at 29-years-old, he’ll surely want to go hunting for first-team football elsewhere.
Chelsea
The Blues shelled out over £60m when they signed Marc Cucurella from Brighton last summer, but the Spaniard is yet to play a minute of football this term and doesn’t appear to be in Mauricio Pochettino’s plans. With Manchester United’s desperation to sign a left-back before the deadline, this could be Chelsea’s best chance of recouping some of that investment.
Crystal Palace
He scored the club’s first hat-trick in eight years in Tuesday’s EFL Cup victory over Plymouth but Jean-Philippe Mateta still appears to be surplus to requirements at Selhurst Park. The Frenchman is reportedly wanted by RB Leipzig, and the Eagles have reportedly already begun exploring alternative striking options.
Everton
A Goodison Park exit appears to have been on the cards for Demarai Gray all summer, yet it has so far not materialised, despite reported interest from Saudi Arabia. The Toffees will perhaps be hoping they can move the winger on before the European transfer deadline day in order to generate some extra spending money. But with the Saudi Arabian transfer window not set to close for a few more weeks, clubs in that part of the world might not be in such a hurry.
Fulham
Having already lost Aleksandar Mitrović and with clubs reportedly sniffing around João Palhinha, the Cottagers will mostly be focusing on who they can bring in and keep rather than who they can sell. But one player they can definitely do without is full-back Kevin Mbabu, who spent last season on loan at Swiss side Servette and is yet to feature this season.
Liverpool
Nat Phillips was a valuable cog for Liverpool amid a defensive injury crisis during the 2020/21 season, but his first-team appearances have been sporadic since, and after returning from a loan spell at Bournemouth it feels like the time is right for a permanent move. He’s still only 26.
Luton Town
It’s going to be all hands on deck for the Hatters in their quest to stave off relegation, but one player they can surely live without is Matt Macey. He spent the second half of last season on loan at Portsmouth and currently appears to be the fourth choice goalkeeper at Kenilworth Road.
Manchester City
Their futures may depend on whether the champions can bring someone in before the deadline, but both Cole Palmer and James McAtee are too good to be warming the Etihad Stadium bench. At least one of them should leave before the deadline, if not permanently then on loan.
Manchester United
It was hoped that the arrival of Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford last year would finally kickstart Donny van de Beek’s United career, but 10 appearances last season amounting to just 294 minutes suggests the Dutch midfielder’s United career is all over bar the shouting. A loan move to French club Lorient might be just the ticket to get him back on the pitch.
Newcastle
He has been at the club for six years now but after making just six appearances last season, it’s hard see a future at St James’ Park for Javier Manquillo. A return to his native Spain was mooted earlier in the summer but the full-back remains on Tyneside and it will be interesting to see if anyone picks him up before the window shuts.
Nottingham Forest
Amid the whirlwind that was Forest’s player recruitment last season, it’s almost difficult to remember that they signed Jonjo Shelvey from Newcastle in January. Eight appearances, no goals and no assists later, it would appear to be a transfer that hasn’t worked out.
Sheffield United
The Blades have made eight signings so far this summer and will need all the help they can get in their battle against relegation. There are unlikely to be any high-profile departures from Bramall Lane before the window shuts, but worth remembering that Rhian Brewster – whom they signed for £23.5m from Liverpool in 2020 – is still at the club but hasn’t played for almost a year due to injury.
Tottenham
The summer of 2021 was an exciting one for Spurs, with one of the more eye-catching signings being Spanish winger Bryan Gil from Sevilla. However, two loans back to his homeland and just 13 Premier League appearances for his parent club in the two years since suggest it’s a move that unfortunately hasn’t worked out.
West Ham
The signing of Danny Ings from Aston Villa in January appeared to be a guarantee of goals for the Hammers, but his return of just three strikes in 24 appearances has been disappointing. He could surely still do a job for someone though. Everton, the ball is in your court.
Wolves
It’s an easy answer, but one Wolves fans won’t like. Money is needed at Molineux and Manchester City are willing to spend a substantial amount on Matheus Nunes. The Portuguese hasn’t exactly set the world alight since his move from Sporting, and cashing in, even reluctantly, feels like the smart thing to do.
