They may have struggled this season, but the likes of Southampton, Leicester and Leeds have plenty of talented players to sell this summer
The Premier League relegation battle looks as if it’s going to the wire. Southampton are done, their demotion confirmed after defeat to Fulham on Saturday, but beyond that it’s a case of any two from four, as Everton, Leicester City, Leeds United and Nottingham Forest all battle to avoid the drop.
For all of those clubs, the consequences of falling into the Championship are huge. Managers will lose their jobs, fan will ask questions, there will be staff cuts and, in the case of Everton in particular, serious financial issues will loom large.
Players, too, face uncertain futures. Relegation may be an occupational hazard for professionals, but it is still a stain on the CV, one which can and will impact their career thereafter.
There are, though, some extremely talented footballers who could find themselves available this summer. And if any of these players are on the market, expect there to be plenty of clubs queuing to sign them…
1. James Maddison
There is a case to say that if Leicester were to go down, they would be the best collection of players ever relegated from the Premier League.
Maddison, undoubtedly, is the jewel in their crown, and it is inconceivable that the England midfielder could be playing in the Championship next season. With 10 goals and nine assists this season, the 26-year-old will surely have his eye on a summer move, even if the Foxes beat the drop.
Would suit: Anyone looking for more attacking output from midfield/the No.10 position. Tottenham could do a lot worse, and Newcastle are long-time admirers. Arsenal have been in the past, but do they really need him?
2. James Ward-Prowse
Another England international who has carried the creative and goalscoring burden for his side, Ward-Prowse probably should have moved on a couple of years back, but at 28 the time has surely come for a change of scenery.
His set-piece prowess alone would garner interest, but he is also a solid all-round performer, a consistent presence, a good passer and a terrific professional. After over 400 games, he will leave St Mary’s a hero, despite relegation.
Would suit: A team in need of consistent performers and solid characters. Tottenham perhaps, or West Ham when Declan Rice leaves?
3. Brennan Johnson
There hasn’t been too much consistency at Nottingham Forest over the last 12 months, but one player they have been able to count on is Johnson, their homegrown attacking star.
With 10 goals in all competitions, the Wales international has been one of the stars of Steve Cooper’s side, and his performances have not gone unnoticed by Premier League clubs. He turns 22 later this month, and he’ll surely have a few options in the summer.
Would suit: A side in need of added goal threat, and with a coach ready to work with young players. Fulham, Brighton and even Newcastle could appeal.
4. Amadou Onana
There hasn’t been much to shout about at Everton this season, but the Toffees look to have found a player in Onana.
Signed from Lille last summer, the 21-year-old has shown, albeit in flashes, serious signs of promise, his ability to cover ground and win tackles impressive, even in a struggling side. Additionally, the Belgium international seems to have a solid personality, and with it the potential to play at a higher level.
Would suit: A team needing to energise its midfield. Liverpool are off the agenda, but Chelsea fancied Onana in January, and Arsenal are looking at younger options this summer. Is he good enough for either club yet, though?
5. Willy Gnonto
Quite how the Italy international has found himself in and out of a Leeds side that has spent most of the season in the mire is anyone’s guess, but one thing’s for sure; Gnonto won’t be at Elland Road next season.
At 19, this is a seriously-gifted young wide player, one capable of playing at the very highest level. He might not have consistency in his game yet, but it only needs a bit of careful coaching to bring that out, surely? Gnonto would improve just about every squad in the Premier League, and plenty of starting XIs.
Would suit: Assuming he were to stay in England, then Newcastle, Brighton and Aston Villa would be strong options. Plenty of Serie A clubs would love him, too.
6. Morgan Gibbs-White
This has been a coming-of-age season for the England Under-21 international, who has emerged as both a leader and a creative fulcrum for struggling Forest.
Gibbs-White cost a lot of money when joining from Wolves last summer, but he has grown in stature as the campaign has gone on, and he will have no intention of returning to the Championship, where he starred at Sheffield United last term, any time soon.
Would suit: A team who plays with a specialist No.10. West Ham or Fulham, or Leicester if they were to stay up and Maddison were to leave.
7. Jordan Pickford
England’s No.1 may divide opinion, but there’s no way he’ll be playing Championship football next season, even after signing a new long-term deal at Goodison Park recently.
At 29, Pickford is one of Everton’s few real assets, and with several Premier League clubs potentially looking for a goalkeeper in the summer, his phone is likely to be red hot even if the Blues beat the drop.
Would suit: Manchester United and Tottenham are the obvious candidates, with David de Gea and Hugo Lloris having reached the end of their shelf life.
8. Romeo Lavia
Lavia’s first full season in professional football may have ended in disappointment, but there is no doubt that the 19-year-old has furthered his reputation in a big way since his move to Southampton from Manchester City last summer.
Sharp, technically excellent and smart tactically, the Belgian teenager is destined for bigger and better things, with a host of clubs already very enamoured.
Would suit: Just about any top club looking to add quality. Liverpool and Chelsea could do far worse, and City have a buy-back clause which comes into operation next year.
9. Harvey Barnes
If you’re the agent of a Leicester player at the moment, you can expect a busy summer. The likes of Maddison, Youri Tielemans, Patson Daka, Timothy Castagne, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Kelechi Iheanacho can all expect offers.
So too can Barnes, who despite an up and down season has reached double figures in terms of Premier League goals, and who at 25 has the potential to add to his solitary England cap in the future.
Would suit: A team looking for more squad depth and goals from its wide attackers. Manchester United might be a step too far, but he’d improve Newcastle, and clubs like Aston Villa and Brighton could do a lot worse.
10. Tyler Adams
Would Leeds already be safe had the United States midfielder remained fit this season? We’ll never know for sure, but there’s a fair chance.
Adams had been in impressive form during the first half of the campaign, starred for his country as captain at the World Cup in Qatar, and his ability to break up play in the middle of the park has been sorely missed at Elland Road. It would also make him an appealing prospect for clubs, if Leeds go down.
Would suit: A team in need of more bite. Tottenham could certainly use him, and he’d be a fine Rice replacement at West Ham
