The transfer market is a funny old game really; players coming and going, and the money involved is, well, absurd to say the least.

Every club in the top flight knows all too well that in order to stay competitive, money might well have to be spent.

Certain clubs, perhaps who have just recently been promoted might have a more difficult task on their hands, whether it be finding the suitable additions required to survive a relegation battle or to offload deadwood, who simply may not be able to cut it in the top-tier of English football.

Take West Brom and Fulham for example, they've had tricky starts to life in the Premier League, and surely they will already be thinking about who to sign to help them.

But they aren't alone in needing to make moves in the window.

Let’s take a look at what every Premier League team needs to do before the transfer market shuts in under three weeks on Monday, October 5.

Arsenal

Arsenal have enjoyed a somewhat progressive start to Mikel Arteta’s reign in charge of the ‘Gunners’, having won the FA Cup in the 2019-20 season followed by the FA Community Shield.

Arsenal have made some notable movements this summer in a window that has seen players going in either direction, however, they are always on the lookout for improvements.

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Signings most notably coming in such as Willian (Chelsea, free), Gabriel (Lille) and Dani Ceballos (Real Madrid, loan) amongst others, Arteta may feel that signings coming in from now on are only to be essential.

That midfield area is certainly where they need looking at, with Thomas Partey and Houssem Aouar both strongly linked.

Many fans seem to be in unison with letting certain players go, most notably big money earners such as Mesut Ozil; a player who has really not contributed in at least the last two seasons to say the least.

Aston Villa

Villa struggled last season and had it not been for a fault in goal-line technology during the game against Sheffield United, they most certainly would have been relegated.

Villa’s resurgence came post-lockdown with dogged performances getting them safe on the final day of the season.

Dean Smith’s Villa spent big last season with the acquisition of England centre-back Tyrone Mings, Tom Heaton, Marvelous Nakamba, Matt Targett among others in a summer which saw them see in an influx of new blood to the club.

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This summer, Smith will need to address his squad’s shortcomings from last season. He has taken the pressure off somewhat by securing club captain Jack Grealish’s future, who was rewarded for his efforts with a debut England call-up two weeks ago.

Villa will certainly need to address positions in the final third as well as at the back, partnering someone who can ease the burden on Mings; they seem to lack a magician who is able to make things happen and complement Grealish in the middle of the park.

It may end up being another expensive summer for the ‘Villans’.

Brighton & Hove Albion

Brighton did tremendously well to stave off relegation last season and will consider themselves thankful for securing another season in the top-flight.

Manager Graham Potter will want to add some real quality to his squad this window, with the departure of seasoned veteran Glenn Murray to Watford on loan amongst predator clubs sniffing around some of their star talent, Potter will have his work cut out to keep the nucleus of his squad together.

Brighton made a bright start to the window with the big-name acquisition of Premier League winner Adam Lallana on a three-year contract. However, many fans will understand the need for real pace and power going forward in order to stay competitive, perhaps looking to the Championship for Premier League proven goal scorers such as Troy Deeney, a player who got relegated with Watford on the last day of the season might be an option.

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Burnley

Burnley have been a mainstay in the Premier League in recent years and know how to survive and always seem to be a dark horse towards the tail-end of the season under Sean Dyche’s leadership.

Rumour has it that they are in for 31-year-old Brighton midfielder Dale Stephens, a player Dyche rates highly, having several past offers turned down previously. Burnley look to be closer than ever to landing his services.

Chelsea

With Chelsea coming off the back of a transfer ban, Frank Lampard’s Chelsea are making up for lost time with a summer of huge spending, adding to his youthful side.

With acquisitions such as Thiago Silva (PSG, free), Timo Werner (RB Leipzig), Ben Chilwell (Leicester) to name a few, it is clear Lampard means business.

A potential weak link some might argue is first choice ‘keeper Kepa, having looked rash against Liverpool and not at all confident, Lampard may look to bring in some competition for the no. 1 jersey.

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Crystal Palace

Palace have made a comfortable start to their campaign, most recently with a three point result from Manchester United. Wilfried Zaha is still their star-man, however, if they can keep him remains to be seen.

Roy Hodgson has made several additions to his squad this summer such as Eberechi Eze (QPR), a 21-year-old with pace and power in abundance. Hodgson may look to teams like recently relegated Bournemouth, Watford or Norwich for further additions, with real quality still hiding in the Championship.

Everton

Everton have added a marque signing under Carlo Ancelotti this summer with the arrival of James Rodriguez from Real Madrid, a show of serious intent by the Merseyside club, offering experience and technical ability for days in the middle of the park.

Everton look like a team to beat this season, perhaps the boss will want options in certain areas such as a back-up in the right-back area and maybe some more gritty-ness at the back.

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All in all, a good summer for Ancelotti so far.

Fulham

Scott Parker’s men are in serious danger of a short-lived spell in the Premier League unless they are able to sort out their short-comings and fast.

With just six major additions, Parker will need to seriously consider adding some depth and quality to their defence and on the flanks, having offloaded a lot of deadwood players to pastures new.

Again, this might be an opportunity to raid the lower leagues for diamonds in the rough.

Leeds United

If it’s one thing Leeds aren’t shy of, it’s scoring goals; keeping them out, however, is proving to be a real issue.

They will certainly need to keep their eyes peeled for some leadership at the back, something of a ‘Tyrone Mings’ signing wouldn’t hurt their chances. A positive start to Premier League life non-the-less.

Leicester

Leicester have been fortunate in recent years to have always had options throughout their squad, with players moving for big money after their unprecedented title triumph such as N'Golo Kante, Riyad Mahrez and Danny Drinkwater, to name a few. They have always managed to replace and strengthen accordingly.

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This summer, with only two real additions to the squad in Timothy Castagne (Atalanta) and Cengiz Under (Roma, loan), they run the risk of falling behind the curve in terms of strengthening and adding any real quality.

With the departure of senior player Ben Chilwell (Chelsea) and other players being released, they might be accused of not reinvesting, however, there is still a couple of weeks before the market shuts and boss Brendan Rodgers will no doubt be considering all options on the table.

Liverpool

Liverpool, like always, are playing it cool; with just three arrivals this summer they are keeping their cards close to their chest. Very good three, though, it must be said.

With the incomings of Konstantinous Tsimikas (Olympiacos), Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich) and Diogo Jota (Wolves), it is certainly a show of intent, seniority in the squad and a strong representation of good business.

Manchester City

Money has been spent this summer, but with such a dent being left by the departure of David Silva, it is going to prove big boots to fill. Guardiola has signed Nathan Ake from Bournemouth in a big money move to help fill voids left at the back by former club captain Vincent Kompany and the inconsistency of John Stones.

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City have certainly got depth, but might want to look to bring in some fresh impetus to an ageing side. They were linked with Lionel Messi before he decided to stay put, but they seem to be in the market for a marquee signing for sure. Watch this space…

Manchester United

Donny van de Beek (Ajax) is certainly a step in the right direction for United, however, with the ongoing Jadon Sancho saga and the missing out on Jude Bellingham to Borussia Dortmund, things aren’t exactly going swimmingly for those at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’ at the moment.

A name that United have been heavily linked with until recently has been Villa captain Jack Grealish, they are certainly looking for that magician in midfield, but are not getting any luck thus far.

Can’t rule out United, though, not at any stage, their pulling power is unparalleled, but they really need to look at strengthening that defence of theirs.

Newcastle United

Steve Bruce has bolstered his squad well so far with bringing in players like Ryan Fraser (Bournemouth) and Callum Wilson (Bournemouth) among others.

Whether they remain busy in the window is yet to be seen, but it wouldn't be a surprise if they remain quiet from here on out.

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Sheffield United

United had an unprecedented campaign last season with their highest ever finish.

Chris Wilder has been keeping a steady ship in terms of incomings and outgoings; he will surely look to keep the core of his squad from last season.

Southampton

With only two major signings in Kyle Walker-Peters (Spurs) and Mohammed Sailsu (Real Valladolid) and shipment of players departing, they will perhaps want to keep a sharp eye out up until the very last minute of the window for any bargains potentially available.

With players like Che Adams in their ranks, who scored 23 goals for Birmingham two seasons ago, Southampton might be looking to get the best out of what they already have.

Tottenham Hotspur

Jose Mourinho will be smiling from ear to ear with the addition of Gareth Bale (Real Madrid, loan), Matt Doherty (Wolves) and Joe Hart (Burnley) to name just three.

The ‘Special One’ might feel he has completed his summer dealings already due to the quality of signing brought in, and to be honest, you can hardly disagree, let’s see how the rest of the window pans out for Spurs.

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West Bromwich Albion

‘The Baggies’ will be disappointed thus far with their return to Premier League life, the simple fact is, they need players with grit and steel within their ranks, much like a ‘Robbie Savage’ type player in the middle of the park and a ‘Troy Deeney’ up top. You feel that just three or four really well-thought-out signings would stand them in good stead for the rest of the season, but a battle against relegation faces them.

West Ham United

David Moyes will certainly be on at the board for some funds to acquire some quality and depth to a squad that narrowly avoided the drop late last season.

A marquee signing might just be what the ‘Hammers’ need to hit the ground running, but with what's going on at the club right now, don't expect much.

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Wolves seem to be growing year-on-year and with perhaps a good 90% of their squad harvested from Portugal, it might be safe to say we might see some more on the way before the window is shut. A very well-run club to say the least.