Eight Premier League Loanees Worthy of a Fresh Start This Summer

While Premier League sides scour the transfer market for fresh faces, the answer to several squads' problems may already be on their books. Come the summer window, a clutch of players returning from loan spells deserve serious consideration for a second crack at their parent clubs.

Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)

The whole Rashford saga defies logic. Why Barcelona stumped up three times the fee for Anthony Gordon when they could have landed Rashford for £26m remains baffling—especially after he delivered 14 goals and 14 assists for them. More mystifying still: why they won't cough up that sum post-Gordon, why Rashford point-blank refuses Arsenal or Bayern Munich, and why United are so resistant to giving their academy product another opportunity when they're crying out for a left winger.

His loan spells at Aston Villa and Barcelona were the right medicine after tensions with Ruben Amorim. He's rediscovered form, and United are moving forward under fresh management. Michael Carrick should at least sit down with him—finding an alternative of comparable calibre would cost £50m minimum, considerably more for anyone younger.

Luka Vuskovic (Tottenham)

Spurs have already recruited Marcos Senesi on a free and are chasing Brighton's Jan Paul van Hecke as Roberto De Zerbi takes over. With Micky van de Ven attracting Liverpool interest and Cristian Romero seemingly destined for the exit, centre-back reinforcements make sense. Yet adding a batch of continental defenders unfamiliar with the Premier League's rhythms seems unwise during De Zerbi's tactical bedding-in period.

Here's the thing: Tottenham already own a €60m (£52m) asset in the shape of a 19-year-old centre-back. Allowing him to slip through their fingers—only for him to end up at Liverpool or Chelsea—would be poor business. Toby Alderweireld, no less, has endorsed Vuskovic as a "very good defender" after facing him for Belgium. Why not find out?

Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea)

Enzo Maresca's waning faith in Jackson prompted his Bayern Munich loan last summer. With Maresca departed and Xabi Alonso now in the Chelsea hotseat, reports suggest the Senegal striker is due a reconsideration. The new boss will evaluate Jackson upon his return post-World Cup before deciding his fate, though the Blues are eyeing €70m (£60m) for any permanent exit.

Yes, his finishing has been inconsistent, but 30 goals and 12 assists across 81 appearances is respectable—and he's a genuine handful for defenders. Cole Palmer's dip this season owes partly to Jackson's absence; the striker's runs create space for Palmer to exploit. Alonso could also deploy Jackson on the left wing, a position where Chelsea lack genuine competition. Consistency of minutes matters, but so does tactical flexibility.

Arnaud Kalimuendo (Nottingham Forest)

Forest paid £25m for Kalimuendo last summer after he plundered 17 Ligue 1 goals for Rennes. Then they gave him 88 Premier League minutes across three managerial reigns before shipping him to Frankfurt in January. With Igor Jesus and Chris Wood hardly prolific, Kalimuendo's exclusion—despite scoring in consecutive Europa League matches—remains puzzling.

The 24-year-old has understandably expressed a desire to stay at Frankfurt, where he's been a near-permanent fixture and bagged six goals in the second half. Yet Forest's £20m asking price is proving a sticking point. The club faces a choice: accept a reduced fee or finally grant Kalimuendo the opportunity he's never truly received. He may not solve their striker crisis long-term, but as a capable second option under Vítor Pereira, he deserves that chance.

Tyrique George (Chelsea)

George's half-season at Everton barely registered—a single start, 210 minutes total. During his absence, Chelsea supporters polled on left-wing preferences likely favoured him over Alejandro Garnacho. He might not be the answer, but given Chelsea's track record of releasing academy prospects before establishing their ceiling, George warrants examination under Alonso's watch.

Diego Coppola (Brighton)

Brighton invested roughly £10m in Coppola from Hellas Verona, then loaned him to Paris FC in January after five Premier League appearances and two starts. Fabian Hurzeler claims the Seagulls extracted "exactly what we wanted" from the arrangement—Coppola featured in all 13 Ligue 1 matches. Yet he's supposedly available for transfer this summer, with Lazio and other Serie A clubs circling.

An old-school, physical centre-back, Coppola won't directly replace Jan Paul van Hecke, but he offers a promising alternative to Lewis Dunk as Brighton's captain approaches his mid-30s.

Carl Rushworth (Brighton)

Coventry will need to smash their transfer record—currently £7.7m for Haji Wright—to prise Rushworth away following an outstanding loan spell. Brighton are demanding around £20m; the Sky Blues have reportedly submitted a formal bid and now await a response.

Rushworth's future may depend on Bart Verbruggen's situation, with Tottenham among his admirers. Even if the Dutchman remains, Brighton could manage goalkeeping duties between both as they prepare for European football.

Vitor Reis (Manchester City)

"From my info in Girona, he was unbelievable," Pep Guardiola declared in April regarding Reis's prospects. That decision now falls to Enzo Maresca, naturally.

Reis posted a 91% pass success rate and ranked in the 93rd percentile for touches, marking him out as a technically assured centre-back comfortable in possession. His composure operating in a high line and game-reading prowess are standout traits—qualities eerily reminiscent of the departed John Stones.