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Padraig Whelan·30 August 2024
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Padraig Whelan·30 August 2024
Welcome to transfer deadline day.
Ahead of the closure of the window for the majority of major leagues in Europe, we look at 10 deals that could go through before the clock ticks down to zero.
The biggest money deal that seems set to go through on deadline day concerns Napoli striker Victor Osimhen who has been linked with a move away all summer and is yet to feature under new coach Antonio Conte.
Chelsea are interested (and seemed to have made progress on a loan with an obligation proposal) as they aim to add a striker to complete their business, while PSG have also been monitoring his situation closely but they are yet to make any kind of advance.
But they both seem set to be beaten to the punch by Al-Ahli, who have reportedly agreed a €80m package with Napoli and a €30m per season contract for the player.
With the Saudi Pro League window open until October, there isn’t necessarily urgency to get this deal done today but it is advancing fast and that is also why there’s no great rush for Kingsley Coman’s mooted move to Al-Hilal to be finalised on Friday.
We know this one is happening it is just a matter of when the deal to bring the midfielder to Manchester United from PSG is announced.
An agreement is in place for the combative Uruguayan midfielder to arrive for an initial €50m fee, with the French champions set to make another €10m in bonuses.
As a result of this deal, Scott McTominay will also leave United after 22 years on the club’s books, joining Napoli.
Frozen out of their first three fixtures this season, there appears to be no way back at Brentford for star man Ivan Toney.
It looks to be in the best interests of all parties that the England striker moves on this summer and the Bees have reportedly lowered their initial asking price from £50m to closer to £40m.
But where could he go? Chelsea, of course, are favourites for his signature but Manchester United are also lurking in the background and, like Osimhen, an eye-watering offer from Al-Ahli has also been put to the player.
“I’ve been honest with Raheem,” Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca said in blunt fashion this week about the exiled winger’s future. “The ones who aren’t involved are not going to be involved and they won’t get any minutes if they stay so it would be best if they’re going to go.”
The biggest name who has been deemed unwanted at Stamford Bridge is Raheem Sterling.
As things stand, the only clear avenue out of Chelsea appears to be to Manchester United if he wants to avoid spending the next six months training alone and playing no football.
Sterling isn’t the only out-of-favour England international winger who is desperate to secure a deadline day move.
In fact, his future could be directly linked to that of Manchester United’s Jadon Sancho, who has been linked with Chelsea as part of a potential swap deal.
His stock is high again though after helping Borussia Dortmund in their run to the Champions League football but Juventus have seemingly ended their interest in him to replace Federico Chiesa so will any last gasp suitors come to the fore?
Given the difficulties Barcelona had in registering Dani Olmo, it is hard to believe they may be back in the market for some late activity.
But after a Hansi Flick request, sporting director Deco is making late enquiries about a deal for Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Jonathan Tah, who they are willing to pay €20m for.
There have also been suggestions that a winger or right-back could be brought in but only if the right deal comes up and sales may need to be made to facilitate an arrival so perhaps don’t get too excited about much Blaugrana business.
It has all gone a little quiet lately on the Manchester City striker pursuit.
Last week they were linked with Celtic star Kyogo Furuhashi to provide back-up to Erling Haaland following Julián Álvarez’s move to Atlético de Madrid but nothing seems to have came of that.
But could they do some last minute shopping to provide cover for their star man? It seems unlikely, with suggestions that Pep Guardiola will use a false nine to fill the gap, but you never know on deadline day.
It has been a frustrating transfer window at Anfield, with a deal for Giorgi Mamardashvili in place but he won’t arrive until next summer and Federico Chiesa their only actual new face.
So will there be any late arrivals? A move for Alan Varela of Porto has been ruled out and it has all gone disappointingly quiet.
In fact, it may only be exits worth watching out for from the Reds with Stefan Bajčetić and Ben Doak in line to leave, while a Nottingham Forest offer for Caoimhín Kelleher was rejected.
Would it really be transfer deadline day without a good old fashioned swap deal between two Italian giants?
Thanks to Milan and Roma, we look set to get just that, with the Giallorossi bouncing back quickly from Kevin Danso’s failed medical due to an irregular heartbeat.
Agreements are in place for Alexis Saelemaekers to move to the capital, with Tammy Abraham going in the other direction and increase the Rossoneri’s English contingent.
They have already signed 10 players this summer but this is Chelsea under big-spending Todd Boehly.
A lot of work needs to be done to offload unwanted outcasts before the deadline but nothing can be ruled out with them when it comes to signings. Incredible as it may seem.
They have made it clear they would like to add a number nine so watch this space with interest…