Transfer discussions continue full throttle in Premier League

The World Cup is over and another summer of rampant transfer rumor-mongering is underway in the Premier League. The few clubs with cash are being linked with anybody and everybody -- but what positions should clubs be prioritizing as they hit the shops? Today, clubs M-W; the top half of the table was covered yesterday.

Manchester City

Roberto Mancini has already persuaded David Silva, Yaya Toure, Jerome Boateng and, this week, Lazio left-back Aleksandar Kolorov to sign on the dotted line. He now has a wealth of midfielders at his disposal, though the creative sparks of Robinho and Stephen Ireland appear to have puttered out -- which makes the continued pursuit of James Milner, for sums above those paid to Valencia for Silva, mystifying. City has been linked with Mesut Özil since long before his impressive World Cup appearances, and his creativity would make the bigger difference for the club, particularly if the likes of Ireland and Robinho are sold.

Manchester United

Sir Alex Ferguson has decided Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs all have another season in the tank, but it looks like the 'empty' light is flashing for Michael Carrick. The midfield puppeteer has looked a spent force in 2010, and relying on Scholes for United's creativity is a risky business. Özil is the flavor of the month, but the likes of Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Wesley Sneijder would be deemed a good fit at Old Trafford. In the realms of the feasible (transfers above $23-30M seem unlikely), Fergie could do worse than hijacking Stephen Ireland's move away from Manchester.

Newcastle United

A couple of months ago, a club statement said Chris Hughton wouldn't have a cent to spend on his newly promoted side over the summer, and though he's since forked out a reported $2.3M for Nottingham Forest midfielder James Perch, loan deals are likely to be his best bet. An additional striker of Robbie Keane's ilk would be ideal, but Spurs are unlikely to loan him out again, so reported interest in Hamburg's Marcus Berg makes sense. United would also benefit from a man to link midfield and attack; loan deals for Manchester City's Vladimir Weiss or Arsenal's Jack Wilshere might not be impossible.

Stoke City

Potters fans dream of players like Weiss, but might have to make do with Tottenham's Jermaine Jenas -- and, in fairness, Jenas had a couple of very good seasons for Spurs before being displaced through injury. Stoke has been mentioned in conversations about Bristol City's Nicky Maynard (21 goals last season, £6M), and Tony Pulis doesn't have the best range of strikers to choose from. But it might be wise to concentrate on supply first -- swapping Liam Lawrence for Middlesbrough's Gary O'Neil wouldn't be a bad move, but persuading someone like Tottenham's David Bentley that he'll get 90 minutes every week is worth a try.

Sunderland

No team was hit harder by conceding late goals last season than Sunderland, so it's no surprise that shoring up the defense is Steve Bruce's priority. If Kieran Richardson's new deal -- which depends on him agreeing to continue at left-back -- goes through, it'll save the club the hefty fee Wigan wants for Maynor Figeuroa, and put a reliable partner for Michael Turner top of the shopping list. Moves for AZ Alkmaar's Hector Moreno and Schalke's Heiko Westermann faltered on both players' disinterest, while Sol Campbell is stringing things out while he's on honeymoon. Long-term target Habib Beye might be easier to secure now that Aston Villa is desperate to raise cash.

Tottenham Hotspur

The threat of Champions League football shines a harsh light on squads breaking into the top four, but Spurs look reasonably strong apart from two positions: central defense, and up front. The major money will be spent on a striker with big tournament experience, especially if Robbie Keane is sold. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar's name has come up repeatedly, as has Diego Forlan's, but Harry Redknapp would be best concentrating his efforts on an effective lone striker -- Luis Fabiano is making the right noises but Porto's Radamel Falcao ($20M) is five years younger and has already impressed in his Champions League campaign debut.

West Bromwich Albion

Roberto di Matteo is happy with the young core of his freshly promoted side, but would like to add a couple of seasoned campaigners if possible. Free agent Lee Carsley would bring bags of experience -- and a rasping bark -- to the Hawthorns, but Aston Villa is reportedly looking for a buyer for midfield enforcer Steve Sidwell, who could be coaxed back to his best at a club that'll give him minutes on the pitch. Former Birmingham defender Franck Queudrue is on trial at League One side Peterborough United, but could still do a job at least as a squad player at this level.

West Ham United

New owners David Gold and David Sullivan put everyone except Scott Parker on the transfer list at the end of last season, but shifting some of their lesser lights may not be easy, which might impact on the funds available for new players. Having signed Pablo Barrera (right wing) and Frederic Piquionne (forward), the Hammers' attacking options could be improved down the left. Portsmouth needs to sell players like Kevin Prince Boateng, who is effective down that side, but is holding out for a $9M fee. He may not have quite the same glamour, but Tuncay Sanli is agitating for a move away from Stoke City.

Wigan Athletic

Having signed Bolton stopper Ali Al Habsi on a season-long loan, Roberto Martinez has introduced competition for the inconsistent Chris Kirkland. Now his backline would benefit from some attention: departed captain Mario Melchiot needs replacing at rightback and, if Maynor Figueroa heads to Liverpool, a leftback will also be on the list. Martinez's budget is uncertain -- he claims to have been put out of the running for three targets by World Cup-induced inflation; a free agent (Steve Finnan probably has another season in him) might do the trick. With a bit of cash to spend, the manager could stick to his Americas purchasing habit and go for Mexican Carlos Salcido.

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Mick McCarthy has already been busy in the transfer market, strengthening Wolves' defense and out wide by bringing in Stephen Hunt from Hull and Burnley forward Steven Fletcher. A lot of the transfer gossip points to another striker coming in, but since Wolves will probably rely on 4-2-3-1 in a number of matches, a defensive central midfielder would be a useful addition to the squad. Long-term loanee Michael Mancienne is linked with a permanent move (plus he isn't listed as a first-teamer on Chelsea's Web site) and has grown into a DM role at Wolves. Suggestions are that McCarthy has around $7-8M left to spend, which probably wouldn't be enough to secure central all-rounder Jamie O'Hara.