Decision Time For Fringe Players As Transfer Deadline Approaches

30 August 2016 01:34

England pair Joe Hart and Jack Wilshere look set to leave their clubs on loan in search of regular first-team football, but who else should be agitating for a move before the transfer window closes?

We've identified some other Premier League players whose lack of playing time so far this season could motivate them to look elsewhere.

ARSENAL

Like Wilshere, Kieran Gibbs has struggled for first-team action with Nacho Monreal preferred at left-back. With only one 22-minute substitute appearance so far this season and 15 league outings last term, could Gibbs follow Wilshere out of the Emirates Stadium?

CHELSEA

Midfielder Cesc Fabregas is one of the biggest Premier League names to find himself out of favour, having made just an 18-minute cameo in the league and an EFL Cup appearance against Bristol Rovers under new coach Antonio Conte and been forced to deny reports of a rift between the pair.

Reports have linked Fabregas with teams including Inter Milan, Juventus and Real Madrid and there seems a real chance of the Spaniard moving on before the window closes.

EVERTON

Aaron Lennon has made only one 17-minute substitute appearance in the league - he scored the opener in the 4-0 EFL Cup win over Yeovil and may have a future at Goodison Park, though the resurgence of Kevin Mirallas and the signing of Yannick Bolasie count against him.

Midfielder Tom Cleverley has also made just one league cameo from the bench while Bryan Oviedo, who has made only 44 Premier League appearances in four previous seasons at the club due to injuries, has yet to feature in the league this term - maybe now is the time to escape Leighton Baines' shadow.

MANCHESTER CITY

Pep Guardiola's midfield appears to have no room for Fernando - the Brazilian's only action so far has been in the Champions League tie against Steaua Bucharest and, with summer signing Ilkay Gundogan providing a further obstacle once fit, a move appears in the interests of all parties.

MANCHESTER UNITED

Bastian Schweinsteiger has been frozen out but looks unlikely to leave, having ruled out playing for another European club - but Ashley Young, an unused substitute so far, has been linked with Crystal Palace.

Morgan Schneiderlin has played less than 10 minutes, though Marcus Rashford will surely stay put in an impact substitute role after his game-turning contribution against Hull. Marcos Rojo could be a defensive casualty but Chris Smalling is going nowhere.

STOKE

Charlie Adam and Marc Muniesa have sat together on the sideline for the entirety of the Potters' first three Premier League matches and could be surplus to Mark Hughes' requirements.

TOTTENHAM

Ben Davies was integral to Wales' historic Euro 2016 campaign, but as the left of three centre-backs - his role at Spurs would be as left-back in a back four, where Danny Rose is entrenched. Ryan Mason has also yet to feature this season and is being linked with Hull and Sunderland.

WATFORD

Allan Nyom and Ikechi Anya have had little or no first-team action and could be attractive to other clubs, with Anya linked with Newcastle and Nyom, who signed a long-term contract this summer, with a loan to a team in LaLiga.

Source: PA-WIRE