Fulham lost 2-0 to Burnley on Monday, confirming their relegation from the Premier League for the second time in the space of three seasons.
In doing so, they joined West Bromwich Albion and Sheffield United in going down to the Championship for the coming season.
However, the three relegated clubs do have certain players that could attract the interest of other Premier League clubs, and could be set to move in the summer transfer window.
As a result, I have listed the five players that Premier League clubs should definitely target in the summer. This is not taking into account players that have spent the season on loan at the relegated clubs, like Alphonse Areola, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Ethan Ampadu and Ademola Lookman.
5. Tosin Adarabioyo - Fulham - €10 million market value
Adarabioyo arrived from Manchester City in the summer for €1.65 million, and still being relatively young at 23, he has proven to be very mature for his age in the Fulham defence.
The defender is ranked the highest out of the whole Fulham squad in terms of clearances made at 5.8 per game, while also making the most blocks at 0.6 per game.
Remarkably, Fulham have conceded just 47 goals this season, which is only higher than Aston Villa and Brighton (both at 41 goals conceded) in the lower half of the table, in what has been a very resolute Fulham defence.
The defender has been very impressive this season, and he could be one of the key players to leave the club at the end of the season.
4. Sam Johnstone - West Bromwich Albion - €6 million market value
The 28-year-old goalkeeper has impressed throughout the whole season, being one of the standout performers in what has been a disappointing season for West Brom.
Johnstone has produced a number of magnificent performances, particularly against his former club, Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Even though he has conceded the most goals in the league (68), he has still had a very good season, making plenty of saves and being very commanding in the box.
His performances have attracted the interest of numerous clubs, including Manchester United, who are seeing him as a potential backup option for either Dean Henderson or David de Gea, and Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United and Leeds United are also interested in him.
3. Andre-Zambo Anguissa - Fulham - €25 million market value
The Cameroonian midfielder has been one of Fulham's brightest sparks this season, leading the engine room in midfield, playing in all but two Premier League games this season.
Anguissa rejoined Fulham at the start of the season after having a great loan spell with Villarreal last season, being one of the Spanish side's key players.
The 25-year-old is leading the club's rankings in terms of dribbles completed, with 2.7 per game and also having the most tackles completed at 2.3 per game out of the players that have played more than one game.
The midfielder has been linked with a move to Everton over recent weeks, and with Fulham's relegation being confirmed, it is highly unlikely that Anguissa will be content with playing in the Championship next season.
2. Sander Berge - Sheffield United - €18 million market value
It comes as no surprise that Sheffield United's main asset it Sander Berge.
The 23-year-old Norwegian midfielder was signed from KRC Genk in January 2020 for a whopping €23 million, and he has impressed immensely, particularly last season when he was part of a Chris Wilder side that finished ninth in the league.
However, the Blades have struggled this season, only getting their first league win in December in their 18th game of the season, and they are set to finish rock bottom of the Premier League.
Berge has barely played this season, requiring surgery for an injury, keeping him out of action for around four months, only making his return to the side this month.
Despite his injury troubles, Berge has still impressed in the 15 league games that he has played in, having a wonderful average pass accuracy of 85.6%, the Blades' highest this season.
Given his age, it comes as no surprise that numerous clubs are interested in him, with the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool. Everton and Aston Villa all wanting to sign him, but he will cost a relatively high amount, as Sheffield United want to stick to his €40 million release clause this summer.
1. Matheus Pereira - West Bromwich Albion - €13 million market value
The final player on my list is Matheus Pereira, a creative midfielder that has proven to be West Brom's star throughout the whole season.
The Baggies made Pereira's move to the club permanent in the summer for €8.25 million after a terrific season in the Championship last season, where he scored eight goals and provided an outstanding 20 assists.
This season, he has continued his impressive run of form, despite West Brom's lacklustre performance over the course of the season, with him having ten goals and five assists, being involved in 46% of West Brom's league goals.
Pereira has been West Brom's focal point in the attack, having the most shots per game (1.8) and key passes per game (1.8) out of the whole squad.
His biggest performance of the season came in that sensation 5-2 win against Chelsea in April, where he was involved in four of West Brom's five goals, scoring twice and assisting another two.
As a result, his performances have caught the eyes of many potential suitors, but Aston Villa have emerged as the favourites to land his signature, with Villa wanting a player that can replace the on-loan Ross Barkley next season.
So what do you make of the list? Have I missed out on any player in particular? Be sure to let us now who you would have chosen as well!
All of the statistics and market values used were according to whoscored.com and transfermarkt.com
Comments