Transfer Centre

Six Premier League players outside the so-called top six who could move this summer

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 05 July 2022

Sports Mole takes a look at six Premier League players from outside the so-called top six who could be on the move in this summer's transfer window.

For a number of years, Premier League clubs have dominated the transfer market, boasting the biggest budgets compared to other teams across Europe.

Over £600m has already been spent by clubs in the English top flight, with the vast majority of deals confirmed before the month of July, and more transfer activity is set to take place before the September 1 deadline.

Some of the Premier League's so-called top six clubs have bolstered their squads ahead of the new campaign by delving further down the division to recruit top talent, with champions Manchester City having added Leeds United's Kalvin Phillips to their ranks, while Yves Bissouma has swapped Brighton & Hove Albion for Tottenham Hotspur.

With the futures of a number of other stars from clubs outside the big six believed to be uncertain, Sports Mole takes a look at six players – who do not play for either Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Spurs, Arsenal or Manchester United – that could be on the move this summer.

Christian Eriksen (Free Agent)

Brentford's Christian Eriksen reacts on March 12, 2022 © Reuters

Manchester United have only made one new signing so far this summer – Tyrell Malacia joining from Feyenoord on a four-year deal – but Christian Eriksen could be the next addition made by head coach Erik ten Hag.

The 30-year-old playmaker, whose contract at Brentford expired on June 30, is understood to have verbally agreed a three-year deal to move to Old Trafford.

After suffering a cardiac arrest while playing for Denmark at Euro 2020, Eriksen made a miraculous recovery and returned to football in January when he penned a short-term deal with Brentford following his departure from Inter Milan.

The former Spurs man made 11 Premier League appearances for the Bees, scoring once and registering four assists, and was an influential figure during the second half of last season in helping the club secure their top-flight status.

Raphinha (Leeds United)

Leeds United's Raphinha pictured on November 30, 2021 © Reuters

With Phillips having already left Leeds to join Man City, Jesse Marsch and co are bracing themselves for another standout departure from Elland Road, as attacker Raphinha is seemingly set to make a big-money move ahead of the new campaign.

While both Arsenal and Spurs have previously been linked with the 25-year-old, it seems that Chelsea and Barcelona are the two clubs battling for the Brazilian's signature, with Leeds holding out for a fee of around £60m.

Chelsea are understood to have had an offer accepted by the West Yorkshire outfit, but Raphinha would allegedly prefer to join Barca, although their financial concerns may prevent them from completing a deal.

Raphinha has excelled for Leeds since joining the club from Rennes in the summer of 2020, scoring 17 goals and providing 12 assists in 67 appearances across all competitions.

Marc Cucurella (Brighton & Hove Albion)

Brighton & Hove Albion's Marc Cucurella claps the fans in April 2022 © Reuters

Following the arrivals of Phillips and Erling Braut Haaland, a new left-back is believed to be Pep Guardiola's next priority this summer, and fellow Catalan Marc Cucurella seems to be his top target.

The 23-year-old only joined Brighton last summer for around £15.4m, but an impressive 2021-22 campaign for the Seagulls – in which he was named the club's Player of the Year – has caught the eye of the Premier League champions, who are keen to pursue a deal for the £45m-rated Spaniard.

Cucurella has already teased City supporters after liking an Instagram post on Phillips completing his switch to the Etihad Stadium, and has previously admitted that a move to the Citizens would be difficult to turn down if the opportunity arose.

The former Getafe man would compete with Joao Cancelo for a place at left-back if he were to join City, with Oleksandr Zinchenko potentially heading for the exit door.

Youri Tielemans (Leicester City)

Leicester City's Youri Tielemans on March 1, 2022 © Reuters

The future of Leicester midfielder Youri Tielemans is believed to be uncertain as he is currently unwilling to extend his contract which expires in June 2023.

The 25-year-old is keen to play European football, which the Foxes are unable to provide this term following their eighth-placed finish in the Premier League last season.

Tielemans has attracted interest from a number of clubs including Arsenal and Man United, with one report claiming that the Belgium international has already agreed personal terms with the Gunners.

Real Madrid, Tottenham and Newcastle United are also believed to be keeping tabs on Tielemans, who has recorded 35 goals and 31 assists in 185 appearances for Leicester across all tournaments since joining the club from Monaco in 2019.

Ruben Neves (Wolverhampton Wanderers)

Ruben Neves warms up for Wolverhampton Wanderers in March 2022 © Reuters

Despite one report claiming that Wolves expect Ruben Neves to stay at Molineux this summer, a big-money offer worth in the region of £70m could tempt the West Midlands outfit to cash in on the midfielder.

The 25-year-old has been a standout performer for Wolves since joining the club from Porto in 2017, and after a memorable first year in the Championship, he has since performed at a high level on a consistent basis in the Premier League over the last four years.

Neves, who has two years remaining on his contract, is seemingly content to remain at Wolves for now, but with the likes of Man United, Arsenal and Barcelona all circling around him, a switch to a club competing in Europe may be too good to turn down.

James Ward-Prowse (Southampton)

Southampton's James Ward-Prowse celebrates scoring their second goal on March 2, 2022 © Reuters

One-club man James Ward-Prowse has been with Southampton since the age of eight, but now at the age of 27, the midfielder could potentially seek pastures new as he approaches the prime years of his career.

West Ham United are believed to be the current frontrunners for his signature, with David Moyes identifying the set-piece specialist as one of his primary midfield targets.

Man United have also been credited with an interest in Ward-Prowse, with one report claiming that Ten Hag is determined to bring the England international to Old Trafford, while Mikel Arteta has been urged by former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson to recruit the Saints captain this summer.

Despite speculation surrounding Ward-Prowse's future, Southampton will be confident of keeping hold of their star man, who still has four years remaining on his contract at St Mary's.