Premier League clubs will be circling the newly-relegated clubs as they search for bargains in the summer transfer window. West Ham United failed to beat the drop on the final day and will be heading to the Championship next season, alongside Burnley and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The trio of clubs will likely trim costs as they face the reality of life outside the top flight. Cashing in on star players could help boost their finances as the relegated sides seek to regroup for their promotion bids.
At the other end of the scale, the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool could see the relegated teams’ demise as an opportunity. As the Champions League sides prepare for another busy summer, there may be chances to snap up several talented players for cut-price fees after falling into the Championship.
Despite their teams failing to survive, seven potential targets, worth a combined £238m, have demonstrated their quality in the Premier League and would strengthen a squad at the top end of the table. Here, Mirror Football looks at which relegated stars the likes of Arsenal, United and Liverpool could target this summer.
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! Latest news, analysis and much more on Mirror Football’s Facebook page
The West Ham United captain is the most obvious name on this list. Jarrod Bowen has already been linked with United and Liverpool as he weighs up his next steps. The 29-year-old scored nine and assisted 11 goals in the Premier League but was unable to lift the Hammers out of the relegation zone.
His contract runs until 2030, meaning it would likely take a sizeable fee to prise him away. However, the Guardian has reported that the Hammers will need to raise more than £100million this summer, with Bowen among those attracting interest.
Following West Ham’s relegation, Bowen issued a defiant message when speaking to Sky Sports: “There’s going to be rumours, there’s going to be talk. Ultimately, what I see is getting this club back in the Premier League because that is where it deserves to be.”
Mateus Fernandes is another West Ham player to have been linked with a high-profile transfer. Arsenal and United are claimed to be interested in the 21-year-old midfielder, who joined the Hammers for £38m from Southampton last summer.
View 3 ImagesMateus Fernandes has been linked with Manchester United(Image: Kevin Hodgson/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The Dutch winger completes the West Ham trio who could help the club raise more than £100m in player sales. Crysencio Summerville scored a flurry of goals at the start of the year and ended the season with nine goal involvements. The 24-year-old could become a backup option for Liverpool or United if they target left wingers this summer.
Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes is one of many Premier League stars on Manchester United’s radar. Michael Carrick’s side are searching for Casemiro’s replacement and want to sign at least two midfielders in the upcoming window. It was previously reported that Wolves valued the 25-year-old Brazil international at £43m but relegation could alter that asking price. However, any clubs wanting to sign Gomes may need to move quickly following reports he is closing in on a move to Atletico Madrid.
Andre was previously a target for Liverpool and has since been touted as Casemiro’s potential successor at United. The 24-year-old was valued at £35m but has essentially quashed transfer speculation by recently signing a new four-year deal with Wolves.
View 3 ImagesMateus Mane was a breakout star for Wolves(Image: Andrew Kearns – CameraSport via Getty Images)
Mateus Mane was a breakout star in a largely miserable campaign for Wolves. The 18-year-old midfielder impressed across his 27 league appearances, scoring three and providing two assists. A tentative £50m price tag has previously been suggested as he continues to be linked with a move away from Molineux.
Article continues below
A bit more of an outlandish option. The 27-year-old Dutch striker, who is currently valued at around £10m by Transfermarkt, scored 11 goals for Burnley in his first Premier League campaign and could have value as a backup number nine.
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV packageThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
£44SkyGet the deal here
Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.
Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.