With Friday’s 11pm transfer deadline approaching, plenty of Premier League clubs are still looking to do business.
Here the PA news agency looks at who still needs what and which deals are on the horizon.
Chelsea to splash the cash again?
Despite yet another whirlwind transfer window Mauricio Pochettino is still making noises about one last name through the door in attack, with Cole Palmer of Manchester City reportedly on the brink of joining in a £40million deal. That would tip Todd Boehly’s spending over the £1billion mark since buying the club last May, but with the manager having repeatedly stated in recent weeks that no player will not be pursued unless they fit a profile, it is likely that Palmer’s capture would mean the squad is finally to the owners’ satisfaction – for now.
United look for reinforcements
It looks increasingly likely that Marc Cucurella will bring to an end his relatively brief Stamford Bridge stay with United in negotiations to make him the left-back to solve Erik ten Hag’s problems in that position. Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat, a star of Morocco’s run to the World Cup semi-finals, could also be a late arrival with reports that he is set to undergo a medical at Old Trafford. Ryan Gravenberch of Bayern Munich is an alternative if a deal fails to materialise, but Amrabat is reportedly the club’s favoured option with negotiations at an advanced stage.
Spurs aim to replace Harry Kane
Conor Gallagher is reportedly Spurs’ main target in the final days of the window, despite the Chelsea midfielder having started every game for Pochettino so far and captaining the team on Tuesday night against AFC Wimbledon. With Kane having departed for Germany, Spurs need a forward and Nottingham Forest’s Brennan Johnson is also reported to be the target of a fresh bid after an offer of £43m was rejected earlier this week. Incoming deals could yet hinge around the departure of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg with a loan move to Atletico Madrid reportedly on the verge of being done.
Will Salah stay at Liverpool?
Liverpool will hope to keep Mohamed Salah despite the forward’s future at the club hitting the headlines over the last week. Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad have been heavily linked with the Egyptian, but Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has already dismissed any potential idea of him leaving, with the Saudi transfer window shutting on September 20. Klopp’s much advertised rebuild of his team’s midfield might still be in need of a final puzzle piece and Bayern’s Gravenberch could slot in, with a bid reportedly having been lodged with the Bundesliga champions.
City to tie up Nunes deal?
With a £53m deal understood to have been reached with Wolves for Matheus Nunes, the champions’ incoming business looks like being done, though it also understood that 21-year-old midfielder Tommy Doyle is set to undergo a medical at Molineux to move in the opposite direction for £4.3m. It has also been reported that former West Ham defender Jamal Baptiste, who left the London Stadium when his contract expired earlier in the summer, could join. The 19-year-old could come in to fill a hole in the squad left by the departed Aymeric Laporte.
Any other business?
Brighton are reportedly in the final stages of agreeing a loan deal for Barcelona forward Ansu Fati with the 20-year-old due to travel on Thursday to complete a season-long move. Joao Palhinha could leave Fulham with the player having been subject of a reported £50m bid from Bayern Munich, though it would be leaving it late in the window for Marco Silva’s side to source a replacement for a player who was key to last season’s success. West Ham have been linked with Juventus midfielder Filip Kostic, the 30-year-old Serbia international reportedly valued at £25m by the Serie A side. Striker Hugo Ekitike of Paris St Germain is also reported to be in talks over a move. Arsenal could still move for a full-back following the injury to summer signing Jurrien Timber and the loan departure of Kieran Tierney, with Benfica’s Alexander Bah and Barcelona’s Eric Garcia both touted.
Guardiola suggests Man City's recent form played part in signing new contract
Pep Guardiola suggested Manchester City's run of four successive defeats was part of the reason for his contract extension.
The 53-year-old recently signed a two-year deal, which will run out in 2027, ending months of speculation about his future after his contract had been due to run out at the end of the campaign.
Following a 2-1 defeat to Brighton before the international break, Guardiola's side have lost each of their last four matches in all competitions for the first time in his managerial career.
"I felt I could not leave now. Maybe the four defeats was why," he told the club's website.
"I think we deserve, after four defeats in a row, to bounce back and try to turn the situation. I think we deserve to be here. I am not arrogant to say, but it's the truth."
Guardiola has led Manchester City to 18 major trophies during his nine-year stint at the club and posted a 72% win ratio.
He added that he was determined to help the club get back to a state where they are "more stable and more consistent".
"We have to recover that because right now we don't have it and that's the target we have to do," he said.
City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak added: "Like every City fan, I am delighted that Pep's journey with Manchester City will continue, allowing his dedication, passion and innovative thinking to continue to shape the landscape of the game.
"His hunger for improvement and success remains insatiable and the direct beneficiaries of that will continue to be our players and coaching staff, the culture of our club, and the English game at large."
Leicester's Fatawu ruled out for rest of season with ACL injury
Leicester City manager Steve Cooper confirmed Abdul Fatawu will miss the rest of the season.
The 20-year-old sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury (ACL) while playing for Ghana against Angola during the international break.
Fatawu has featured in all 11 of Leicester's Premier League matches so far this season and has registered two assists.
No Leicester player has attempted (61) or completed (29) more dribbles than him, while his 30 crosses is also a team-high in the top-flight this season.
"It's not good, it's a serious injury," said Cooper ahead of their match against Chelsea on Saturday.
"It's a real blow, first and foremost for him, being a young player and having an injury as serious as what an ACL is.
"Albeit, it can be quite common in sport, and in particular football, but it's still a serious injury.
"For it to happen at a young age is a blow for him and a blow for us as well.
"He's obviously a big talent and a young player, as exciting as he can be at his age, with lots to learn.
"It's only a pause, and we will make sure, as difficult as it is at the moment for him, that he comes back being a stronger player and person, which, with the mentality and character that he has, I think will be the case."
Arsenal qualifying for Champions League quarter-finals feels 'surreal', says Slegers
Renee Slegers says it feels "surreal" that Arsenal have secured their place in the Champions League quarter-finals with two games to spare.
The Gunners will finish at least second in Group C after Lina Hurtig's late strike secured a 1-0 win over Juventus on Thursday.
What looked to be a frustrating encounter was turned around by Slegers' substitutions, and after missing a glorious chance, Hurtig was eventually the difference at the Emirates.
Arsenal created 3.69 expected goals (xG) from their nine shots, getting three on target, compared to just 0.5 for Juventus, who tested Daphne van Domselaar the same amount of times.
Slegers was impressed by her side's resilience as they pushed to come away with all three points.
"It's surreal to be honest," Slegers said post-match. "I never felt we would get into this situation. We have done really well.
"I was part of Jonas [Eidevall's] staff and there was so much that was built during his time. I don't want to separate that. There is so much we are still building on. It's surreal in so many ways but we are very happy.
"I'm just happy for the team to win. Obviously, we have amazing depth in the squad, and we know anyone can do it for us - whether it's starting players or finishing players.
"It's the visualisation of how much everyone contributes in the team. I think that's what it means for us."
Slegers took over as interim manager following Jonas Eidevall's departure last month and has gone unbeaten in her first seven games, winning six and drawing one.
They have won each of their last five in all competitions, and have not conceded a goal in their previous four matches.
"It was just a very impressive block of the team," Slegers said. "We conceded only one goal during this whole block, so defensively very solid.
"The players have been stepping up big time, they've been owning this; we tried to relay it back to them all the time, so giving them the ownership.
"I'm just very happy with how the block has been, different challenges along the way, so all games have asked something different from us. We've responded to that really well, sticking to our identity but also playing the game that's ahead of us."
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