Big Six Casualties: Six Premier League Stars Facing the Exit Door in Summer 2026

The transfer rumour mill has been working overtime regarding a handful of Big Six underperformers, and little has changed to suggest their situations will improve. If anything, the problems have deepened for several of these high-profile names heading into the summer window.

We've already highlighted a sextet of top-flight casualties earlier in the campaign, but fresh struggles have emerged—notably Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho, whose move to Stamford Bridge has failed to spark the revival he needed.

Here's the latest batch of misfiring talents set for the chop or the bench come next season.

Alejandro Garnacho

The 21-year-old Argentine winger arrived at Chelsea seeking redemption following his acrimonious departure from Manchester United, but Liam Rosenior's side has proven no sanctuary. Statistically among Chelsea's worst performers this term, Garnacho has found himself increasingly marginalised, unable to capitalise when opportunities arise and outperformed by his teammates in attacking areas.

At £40m, he represented potential value, yet persistent whispers about attitude concerns suggest character may ultimately prove his undoing. While Atletico Madrid links lack substance, his Chelsea trajectory appears destined to be brief. Estevao and Pedro Neto have delivered considerably more this season and should command starting roles once Rosenior has full squad fitness at his disposal.

Alexis Mac Allister

Liverpool's midfield woes have dominated headlines, with Mohamed Salah's decline stealing most of the spotlight. Yet Mac Allister's deterioration has been equally troubling. The Argentine arrived as a Premier League-standard operator following two seasons of genuine class, only to look thoroughly leggy and repeatedly outfought in individual contests this campaign.

Arne Slot's recent platitudes about Mac Allister's "consistency" ring hollow to most observers. The midfielder bears little resemblance to his earlier self, prompting speculation that Adam Wharton could arrive as an upgrade. Whispers of a Real Madrid reunion under Jurgen Klopp—once dismissed as fanciful—no longer sound entirely implausible.

Omar Marmoush

Manchester City's versatile forward showed promise during his initial months at the Etihad but has since disappeared into the woodwork. The 27-year-old has managed just 445 Premier League minutes and remains ineffective, doing little to ease City's Erling Haaland dependency.

Guardiola's two-striker experiment pairing Haaland and Marmoush yielded nothing, leaving the Egyptian facing a familiar fate: another Julian Alvarez-style struggle against an elite striker. With Doku and Semenyo commanding the flanks, Marmoush could become City's next polished sale, with Tottenham and Aston Villa having circled him during January's window.

Harry Maguire

The England defender has been among the chief beneficiaries of Michael Carrick's interim stewardship, with his recent resurgence likely to earn him a fresh contract extension at Old Trafford—particularly if he accepts reduced wages.

INEOS would be wise to retain him as a dependable squad option, though his role will shrink considerably once Matthijs de Ligt regains full fitness. Maguire should remain a capable deputy for Carrick or his successor, but expect him to operate largely from the bench, waiting patiently for his moments.

Martin Odegaard

Arsenal's captain finds himself under increasing pressure, with injuries hampering his season and his form failing to convince even when available. Mikel Arteta's squad depth has intensified competition for his berth, with summer signing Eberechi Eze seemingly primed for an extended run in the starting XI.

Speculation of a Manchester United move has done the rounds, though Barcelona or Bayern Munich represent far more credible destinations for the 27-year-old Norwegian. His phasing-out appears underway, driven by performance rather than circumstance.

Xavi Simons

Tottenham pulled off what looked like a masterstroke by capitalising on Chelsea's hesitation to land Simons from RB Leipzig last summer. Instead, he's become a significant disappointment. The Dutchman has rarely resembled the player who impressed in Germany, too often drifting through matches without consequence.

The Premier League's physical demands have exposed his limitations, and he appears among several Spurs players seemingly unwilling to wage battle during their relegation scrap. Whether Spurs survive the drop or not, Simons will likely be back plying his trade in European football soon enough.