The transfer window is fast approaching and this summer promises to be another fascinating period in which top stars are on the move.
In the Premier League alone, a host of big names are expected to change clubs and we’ve looked at eight high-profile players who are likely to switch sides before the start of next season.
Here are eight big-name Premier League players who look set to be on the move this summer
Harry Maguire
Harry Maguire’s career is at a crossroads and the best option for all involved is for the defender to take the route out of Manchester United.
Maguire has struggled under a weight of expectation and criticism since his world-record £80m move to Old Trafford, with new manager Erik ten Hag having been unafraid to demote the defender despite his status as club captain.
The 30-year-old has made just seven Premier League starts this season and has effectively become fifth-choice centre-back at club level. Luke Shaw’s use in an unfamiliar central role ahead of Maguire this season is the clearest evidence needed that the England international does not feature in Ten Hag’s plans.
🏴🗣 Gareth Southgate reflects on the lack of playing time for Harry Maguire as he’s named in another England squad…#ThreeLions | #MUFC pic.twitter.com/H0dLAhVrEv
— The Sportsman (@TheSportsman) May 25, 2023
Gareth Southgate has continued to select Maguire for England despite his lack of minutes, but admitted when naming the defender in his squad for June’s internationals that his situation could not continue.
“Inevitably it’s not a situation that can continue for ever,” Southgate said at his press conference to name the squad.
“Of course the longer that situation goes on the more concerning it is and we’ve got, in Marc Guéhi, Lewis Dunk, Tyrone Mings, players who are playing well without the same experiences of club European football or international football. But we’ve got to keep searching for competition in that area of the pitch.”
With Euro 2024 on the horizon next summer, a transfer suits all parties. Maguire must find status, form and confidence next season if he is to retain a prominent role with the national side.
James Maddison
Leicester are on the brink of relegation to the Championship with the Foxes’ fate out of their own hands heading into the Premier League’s final day.
Dean Smith’s side could be one of the most talented teams ever to be relegated from the top tier, with Leicester having finished inside the Premier League’s top half in five consecutive campaigns before this season.
The kiss off the post, @Madders10 ⚽ pic.twitter.com/TarYzLhBls
— Leicester City (@LCFC) October 4, 2022
James Maddison is expected to headline an exodus at Leicester this summer, regardless of whether the club retain their Premier League status. The midfielder has been the club’s shining light across the past two seasons, in which he has scored 22 goals and provided 17 assists.
Maddison’s performances have earned him a place in the England squad and the 26-year-old will be keen to test himself at a higher level as he looks to earn a regular role in the side.
Each of the Premier League’s ‘Big Six’ have been linked, while Newcastle saw an approach turned down last summer. The Magpies are expected to return with renewed interest after securing Champions League qualification.
Declan Rice
Declan Rice looks set to depart West Ham this summer with David Moyes having conceded there is a ‘good chance’ the midfielder will leave the London Stadium.
Rice has turned down a contract extension amid a desire to play Champions League football and his exit is expected to be on good terms. The 24-year-old has emerged as one of the Premier League’s most influential midfielders at West Ham and is a hugely popular figure due to his general conduct and respect for the club.
Moyes: “We’re fully aware there’s a good chance we don’t have Declan Rice here next season”. 🚨⚒️
“Our plans are to have Dec — we hope he stays, that’s biggest thing. We’d love him to be a West Ham player but we are aware that might not be the case. That is one scenario”. pic.twitter.com/ji4nwUAAAv
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 12, 2023
Arsenal have made Rice their leading transfer target for the summer window, while Manchester United have been linked of late for a talent valued at around £100m. The final figure might be less, but West Ham will want a bidding war for the services of their club captain.
Rice leads the Premier League for interceptions this season and will offer elite ball-winning and dynamism to whichever club can agree to a deal. His focus for now, however, will be on captaining West Ham to Europa Conference League success and a first major trophy since 1980. The Hammers face Fiorentina in the final on June 7.
Mason Mount
Mason Mount’s future appears to be away from Chelsea with Frank Lampard having admitted the break down in contract talks mean Mount looks likely to leave Stamford Bridge.
It is a baffling situation from an outside perspective, with Chelsea set to lose the influential star for a reduced fee after allowing the midfielder to reach the final 12 months of his deal. Mount had been keen on an extension, but after being undervalued during negotiations looks set to depart west London at the end of the season.
🗣️ “Mason Mount is a coaches player. They probably get more respect from the coaching staff for what they do than they do by the fans.”@GNev2 on what Mason Mount brings to a team. 💪 pic.twitter.com/du6Z3ikA1c
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) May 25, 2023
Manchester United have emerged as frontrunners to sign the England midfielder, who was named as Chelsea’s Player of the Season in 2020/21 and 2021/22. The 24-year-old has had a more challenging campaign this time around, but is a player whose relentless work-ethic and technical qualities have been appreciated by several top managers.
Liverpool, Arsenal and Newcastle are also said to be keen on Mount, who is valued at around £55m.
Alexis Mac Allister
Alexis Mac Allister is understood to be close to leaving Brighton with Liverpool said to be nearing an agreement to sign the midfielder.
Mac Allister has seen his profile rise after an excellent season for club and country, one which has seen the 24-year-old impress as Brighton have secured Europa League qualification and star during Argentina’s World Cup success in Qatar.
Mac Allister has scored 10 goals in the Premier League this season and Roberto De Zerbi admitted last week that the midfielder and team-mate Moises Caicedo ‘deserve to play in another level’.
Manchester City are not in the race for Alexis Mac Allister at this stage. No talks or concrete contacts. 🇦🇷 #MCFC
Liverpool are close to full agreement on personal terms with the player, waiting on final details. 🔴 #LFC
ℹ️ There’s fixed amount/clause into his #BHAFC contract. pic.twitter.com/r8Ry98mUrU
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 22, 2023
“It can be the last game but I don’t know,” De Zerbi said on whether the club’s draw with Manchester City would be the final home fixture for the pair.
“They can have the possibility to change [clubs] because they deserve to play in another level.
“I don’t know what Tony [Bloom, Brighton owner] can decide. But now we can offer them the possibility to play in Europe because our level is bigger now. We can offer them one possibility more.”
Mac Allister’s energy and invention would add a different dynamic to the Liverpool midfield, with a fixed exit fee understood to have been agreed between Brighton and the player when he signed a new deal earlier this season.
Roberto Firmino
Roberto Firmino will bring the curtain down on his Liverpool career this weekend, as one of the club’s modern greats bids farewell.
The Brazilian has been a key figure in Liverpool’s success under Jurgen Klopp, but will depart in search of a new challenge when his contract expires this summer. Firmino’s next club is unclear, but he will no doubt receive several attractive offers from top clubs across Europe.
The 31-year-old has seen his role reduced at Liverpool this season, but has scored 12 goals in 34 appearances in all competitions.
Firmino has averaged a Premier League goal or assist every 97 minutes during the current campaign, with only Mohamed Salah (93) and Erling Haaland (65) registering a goal involvement more frequently.
Firmino’s farewell 🫶 pic.twitter.com/KQpE9vbF7W
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 21, 2023
On a free transfer, he could prove quite the coup.
Ruben Neves
Ruben Neves recently admitted that he faces a hard decision on his future at Wolves, with the midfielder hinting he might have to leave to fulfil his Champions League ambitions.
“I want to be here but I never hide that I want to play Champions League football,” he said.
“It’s a hard decision. Me and my family love it here, but in football you have to go for your main goals. Nothing’s happened yet. If it was my last game here I really enjoyed it and I’m very thankful for the last six seasons.”
“I never hide that I want to play Champions League football”
Ruben Neves on his Wolves future 💭 pic.twitter.com/SnZ8xrpSx7
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 20, 2023
Barcelona have been linked with the midfielder, who will enter the final 12 months of his contract this summer, while several of the Premier League’s elite have a long-term admiration for Neves.
Wolves must make profit this summer in order to meet Financial Fair Play regulations and require sales before strengthening their squad. Now appears an obvious time for Neves to move on, as the Portugal international chases personal ambitions and Wolves bring in much-needed transfer funds.
James Ward-Prowse
Southampton’s relegation from the Premier League looks set to end James Ward-Prowse’s time with the club, with the Saints’ captain expected to move on to keep alive his England ambitions.
Ward-Prowse was critical of the club’s slip in standards after relegation was confirmed and the Saints’ 11-year stay in the Premier League is over after a challenging campaign.
James Ward-Prowse will be coveted by multiple Premier League teams this summer 🤯 pic.twitter.com/ISpsGkSlji
— PFF FC (@PFF_FC) May 25, 2023
Ward-Prowse will receive several proposals to remain in the top division, with West Ham reportedly the latest to have joined a list of suitors that could include Tottenham, Aston Villa and Newcastle.
The 28-year-old’s tireless engine and delivery from dead-balls would make him an asset to any of those named above, while Ward-Prowse might feel now is the time to test himself outside his comfort zone after more than a decade and 408 appearances at St Mary’s.
