THIS TIME NEXT week, the Sky Sports transfer countdown clock will inform us that there is a little over 4 hours to the end of another window.
As is always the case, some clubs have got their business out of the way early in the summer while others will be working frantically during the remaining days and hours in the hope of strengthening their squads.
With that in mind, here are some of the moves we want to see before 2 September:
1. A top-class striker to Arsenal
After all their talk at the start of the window, the Gunners go into the final week with unproven French youngster Yaya Sanogo as the only arrival so far.
Gonzalo Higuain, Luis Suarez and Luis Gustavo are three high profile names who were targeted unsuccessfully and while Yohan Cabaye could join in the coming days after going on strike at Newcastle, the midfielder is not the type of player they need most.
Olivier Giroud struggled in his debut season but already looks much-improved and has three goals from the opening three games. Lukas Podolski, often deployed out wide in the past, started up front with Giroud against Fulham and bagged a brace but, even at that, Arsenal could do with a quality finisher like Suarez or Karim Benzema.
On top of that, a physical presence in midfield to complement their array of talent and another reliable centre-half should be top priority.
2. Victor Moses to Liverpool
All the talk on Merseyside recently centred around Luis Suarez’s future but low and behold, he is still a Liverpool player.
Reports suggest Real Madrid could yet make one final push but the club’s hard-line stance seems to have worked and if they can keep hold of the Uruguayan and persuade him to knuckle down, it will have been a super piece of management.
Daniel Sturridge scored the winner against Aston Villa and is expected to have a big season, as is Philippe Coutinho, but another attacking player is needed and Victor Moses could fit the bill.
Still just 22-year-old, the winger managed 10 goals in all competitions despite being limited to a bit-part role for Chelsea last season but finds himself on the fringes under Jose Mourinho.
Reports suggest he could be allowed leave on loan and would certainly add another dimension to Liverpool’s team with his explosive pace and ability to play in a number of positions.
3. Marouane Fellaini to Manchester United
Under the guidance of new manager David Moyes, Manchester United got their bid to retain the Premier League trophy off to a winning start against Swansea but face a much sterner test against Chelsea tonight.
The pursuit of Cesc Fabregas seems a distant memory now even though it ended a matter of weeks ago and while Moyes says there may not be any new arrivals to add to Guillermo Varela, they are undoubtedly working hard on a couple of targets.
Everton turned down last week’s £28m bid for Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines, calling is “derisory and insulting”, but would be willing to do business if United upped their offer.
Some believe Fellaini’s physical nature and aerial threat aren’t necessarily attributes which would improve the team but the Belgian possesses far more in his locker than heading and good control with his chest and would add some steel to their midfield.
4. Erik Lamela to Tottenham
Gareth Bale’s drawn-out world record move to Real Madrid is finally expected to take place tomorrow. Without their departing talismanic Welshman, Spurs have added excellent additions to their squad in Paulinho, Roberto Soldado and Nacer Cadhli and have won their opening two games.
That said, they have missed out on what would have been a great signing in Willian and are new focusing their attentions on tying up a deal for Argentine winger Erik Lamela.
The 21-year-old didn’t feature for Roma against Livorno yesterday and his representatives are thought to have flown into London today for discussions. Capped at international level and blessed with an abundance of skill and an eye for goal (he scored 15 for the Giallorossi last season), Lamela won’t replace Bale but would go some way to filling the massive void.
5. James McCarthy to Everton
When Roberto Martinez took over as Everton manager, many expected one of his first pieces of business to involve returning to his old club with a fistful of cash to buy James McCarthy.
Although the Spaniard has been reunited with Antolin Alcaraz, Arouna Kone and Joel Robles, McCarthy has begun the campaign in the Championship. If the Ireland midfielder is to return to the top flight this month, it will probably depend on whether or not Marouane Fellaini gets his wish and becomes a Manchester United player.
From an Irish perspective, having McCarthy playing at the top level is vital so let’s hope he does change clubs this week.
