Several Premier League clubs have demonstrated long-term planning ahead of the summer transfer window. Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester United are among those who have already agreed deals for new signings before the official opening of the transfer window.
Arsenal
The Gunners are recruiting from a position of strength as Premier League champions and could still lift the Champions League trophy for the first time in their history. Manager Mikel Arteta has relied on squad depth to end Arsenal’s 22-year wait for the league title but will be keen to add to his team to prevent their rivals from closing the gap.
Arsenal announced the signing of teenage prospect Daniel McCarron in February. The 16-year-old is set to link up with the club’s academy this summer upon joining from Northern Irish club Dungannon Swifts. He is a promising centre-back who impressed the Gunners during a trial period. McCarron is a Northern Ireland U17 international and made his senior debut for Dungannon Swifts in April.
An Arsenal club statement said: “We have reached an agreement for young defender Daniel McCarron to join us from Northern Irish side Dungannon Swifts, as part of our 2026/27 scholar intake. The player has also signed a pre-contract agreement that will lead to him signing professional terms with us.”
The Gunners are also expected to make Piero Hincapie's loan from Bayer Leverkusen permanent, although that has not been finalised yet.
Liverpool
The former Premier League champions are set to welcome a major new signing in the summer. Jeremy Jacquet agreed a £60m move to Anfield in February, with the defender spending the remainder of the season with French club Rennes. The 20-year-old centre-back subsequently suffered an unfortunate shoulder injury, which sidelined him for the rest of the campaign, but he will back himself to become first-choice at Liverpool next term.
However, he is not the only defensive addition the club has made. Austria Wien starlet Ifeanyi Ndukwe, who turned 18 in March, will also join the Reds this summer. The Austria U19 international has been a regular for Austria Wien’s reserve side and made his first team debut in a cameo appearance earlier this month.
Manchester United
Manchester United sealed an initial agreement to sign Fortaleza CEIF star Cristian Orozco earlier in the season. The Colombian prospect is a highly-rated defensive midfielder who will join United’s academy ranks this summer. Orozco will not be able to finalise his move to Old Trafford until after his 18th birthday in July. United have agreed a fee of around £750,000 for the youngster, seeing value in the Colombia U17 international as a long-term prospect.
