Nobody wants to see one of their best players leave, but sometimes for financial reasons or just genuinely wanting to get out and try something new, top players ask for transfers out. Here is one star player at each Premier League Big Six club who could ask for a change of scenery in the summer 2026 transfer window.
Arsenal: Gabriel Martinelli
Although Gabriel Martinelli is a talented left winger who has his moments of true superstardom, the Brazilian forward has yet to actually develop into a consistent top player for Arsenal. He would be useful to have around, but Arsenal want to replace him with a new starter like Anthony Gordon.
Martinelli may decide that he does not want to play second fiddle and feel that in a more attacking side with counterattacking opportunities, he would do better. He could choose to bet on himself and simply ask for a new destination.
Chelsea: Pedro Neto
Chelsea fans are growing increasingly frustrated with Pedro Neto thinking he is the main character, and although the left footer is better on the right side than any other attacking position, Estevao Willian and Cole Palmer are far superior options to him.
Neto may want to go back down to a smaller club than Chelsea. He enjoyed being the engine and the important one at Wolves, always on the ball and making things happen. Perhaps he will ask for that type of a situation again and leave the Blues behind.
Liverpool: Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah has so much love for Liverpool, but after the animosity with Arne Slot at the beginning of the season and with him not being able to handle the speed of the Premier LEague anymore, he may feel it is better to add to his legacy in another league.
The Saudi Pro League makes a ton of sense for the Egyptian international, and they are always looking for new superstars. Salah could make more money there and also be more loved and feel more important. Liverpool fans will always love Salah, of course, but it is hard to love a player the same when they are honestly not getting the job done.
Manchester City: Omar Marmoush
Salah’s countryman Omar Marmoush actually declined to leave Manchester City this winter despite dwindling playing time and interest elsewhere. Man City are playing Marmoush more again, but they also signed Antoine Semenyo in the winter transfer window.
Watching Marmoush shine without Erling Haaland alongside him against Newcastle in the FA Cup is a reminder of both the Egyptian international’s quality and also Julian Alvarez’s old situation in Man City. Marmoush is too good to be playing second fiddle, and he may see that this summer.
Manchester United: Casemiro
Casemiro remains one of the best central midfielders in the Premier League, and Manchester United should do whatever is reasonable to keep him for at least one more season as the leader of a rather poor midfield.
The problem is that they may not meet Casemiro’s wage demands. If the Saudi Pro League or some other rich league abroad offers the Brazilian veteran money he cannot refuse, he may leave Man United a year early for one last massive payday.
Tottenham Hotspur: Micky van de Ven
There are at least five notable players who will want to get out of dodge as quickly as possible, especially if Tottenham are relegated, and many of these players are to blame for inflated egos and underperformance; they are responsible for Spurs plight right now.
Micky van de Ven is one of them. He cost Spurs again with a red card against Crystal Palace after they were actually playing well. From screaming at supporters to showing no progress mentally in defense, Van de Ven has his head in the clouds and is already dreaming of a move to Real Madrid or Barcelona that probably won’t happen if these clubs are paying attention to how he is hurting Spurs.
Joe Soriano is the editor of The Trivela Effect and a FanSided Hall of Famer who has covered world football since 2010. He’s led top digital communities like The Real Champs (Real Madrid) and has run sites covering Tottenham, Liverpool, Juventus, and Schalke. He also helped manage NFL Spin Zone and Daily DDT, covering the NFL and pro wrestling.