The new Premier League season is less than a week away, but several of the biggest clubs in England are still working on potential additions before competitive action begins.
Liverpool could be particularly busy before travelling to Newcastle for their opening fixture on Sunday. The club remain interested in attacking reinforcements as they search for a winger capable of taking on some of the responsibility previously carried by Mohamed Salah.
Arsenal and Manchester United are also being linked with expensive additions, with defensive and attacking options still under consideration as the final preparations for the campaign continue.
Liverpool consider Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye
PSG winger Bradley Barcola has emerged as one of Liverpool’s most ambitious possible targets. The 23 year old has reportedly been valued at around £145m, making any agreement a major financial commitment.
Speculation surrounding Barcola increased after he was absent when PSG suffered defeat against Lens in the Trophee des Champions on Sunday. His omission has contributed to suggestions that a departure from Paris could still be possible.
Another PSG player attracting Liverpool’s attention is Ibrahim Mbaye. The 18 year old was also missing from the Lens fixture and has been linked with a move after falling further down the hierarchy at the French club.
Mbaye would represent a considerably cheaper option than Barcola. Reports have suggested that PSG could consider allowing the teenager to leave for a fee in the region of £40m.
Manchester United could strengthen their defence
Manchester United continue to be linked with Newcastle defender Lewis Hall. The 21 year old has been monitored during the summer, and discussions could become more serious following some defensive concerns in United’s recent performances.
Newcastle previously rejected an approach and are reluctant to lose another important player after already seeing Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes depart this summer.
Recent reports have placed Hall’s potential value at approximately £60m, meaning United would need to make a substantial offer to change Newcastle’s position.
Bayern Munich centre back Kim Min jae is another name associated with Old Trafford. United are understood to be keeping track of the South Korean international’s situation in Germany.
However, convincing Kim to move appears difficult. The defender currently intends to remain with Bayern despite not being guaranteed a regular position in the starting XI. He believes strong performances and possible injuries elsewhere in the squad could provide opportunities to regain his place.
Arsenal linked with Quansah and Osimhen
Arsenal are also assessing possible late additions, with Jarell Quansah reportedly among their defensive targets.
The Gunners have been linked with talks involving Bayer Leverkusen over the 23 year old defender. The Bundesliga club are not thought to be eager to sell after paying Liverpool around £30m for him last summer.
Any agreement would therefore require Arsenal to offer considerably more than Leverkusen’s original investment. Some reports have suggested a valuation close to £62m.
Victor Osimhen is another high profile player being connected with Arsenal. The Nigerian striker remains at Galatasaray, whose president Dursun Ozbek has made it clear that the club will not approve a deal that does not serve its interests.
Despite that position, reports in Turkey claim Arsenal have not abandoned their interest in the 27 year old forward and remain determined to investigate whether a transfer can be completed.
With the Premier League campaign approaching, Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal still have several potential deals to consider. Barcola, Mbaye, Hall, Kim, Quansah and Osimhen represent six very different options, but each could significantly alter the squad of a title contender before the season gets underway.
