Why central midfielders are this summer's biggest transfer trend - ESPN

Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton, Sandro Tonali and Carlos Baleba — potentially even Bruno Guimarães, Alex Scott, Tyler Adams and Aurélien Tchouaméni — all have one thing in common: They are the must-have targets virtually every leading team wants to sign this summer.

If you are looking to identify the big transfer trend, it is all about midfielders.

Only Arsenal, who added Martín Zubimendi last summer to an impressive midfield group that already contained Declan Rice, Martin Ødegaard and Mikel Merino, are strong enough in the center of the pitch to leave their rivals to battle it out for a small pool of top midfield talent this time around.

Casemiro's imminent departure from Manchester United as a free agent and uncertainty over Rodri's future at Manchester City ensure that the two Manchester clubs will be at the forefront of the race to sign the best deep-lying No. 6s and box-to-box No. 8s before the start of next season.

Liverpool also want to add youthful energy and proven ability to their midfield this summer, but if the top clubs secure their leading targets, it will lead to a domino effect further down the Premier League table, with clubs having to replace the midfielders they lose to more powerful rivals.

A year ago, the summer transfer window was all about finding a world-class center forward to score the goals that would take a team to the next level.

Liverpool sealed a British-record £125 million deal for Newcastle's Alexander Isak, Arsenal ended their lengthy search for a center forward by signing Viktor Gyökeres in a £64 million transfer from Sporting CP and Manchester United beat off Newcastle to sign Benjamin Sesko in a £74 million move from RB Leipzig.

Chelsea also bolstered their forward line with moves for