The deadline for the summer transfer window is looming large for clubs who are determined to get a final deal or two over the line before 11pm on Friday night. Chief among which are Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham, with Arsenal also keeping a keen eye on any late developments.
Barcelona starlet Ansu Fati has been one such player, linked with the Gunners lately and then offered to Chelsea and Spurs on loan. Fati decided he wants a move, but it is Brighton who have swooped in to seal the deal after Spurs appeared to have a switch agreed. Arsenal have fended off interest from the Blues in Emile Smith Rowe, prompting Mauricio Pochettino to turn attentions to Cole Palmer and a £45million deal was quickly agreed with Manchester City. He is expected to undergo a medical today.
Arsenal are said to have their eye on Benfica full-back Alexander Bah, while Manchester United have seen an offer for Sofyan Amrabat rejected and Liverpool continue talks over Ryan Gravenberch as City prepare to welcome Matheus Nunes. The biggest remaining deal however could come in Tottenham’s £50m move for Brennan Johnson, with Eberechi Eze mentioned as an alternative target. Follow all the latest transfer news, gossip and rumours live below!
Live updates
Man United set to clinch Cucurella deal with Chelsea
Manchester United could complete the signing of Marc Cucurella today.
The Chelsea defender has emerged as Erik ten Hag’s preferred option as he seeks an emergency late solution to his left-back crisis following injuries to Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia.
Spanish outlet Marca report that negotiations between United and Chelsea have now accelerated, with an agreement said to be imminent.
It is expected that the Red Devils will pay around £3m to take Cucurella - who started and played 90 minutes against AFC Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup last night in his first competitive appearance under Mauricio Pochettino - on loan for the remainder of the 2023/24 season.
Liverpool braced for £118m Mo Salah bid
The Mo Salah to Saudi Arabia rumours are just not subsiding. Quite the opposite, in fact.
Al-Ittihad seemingly remain determined to make yet another major transfer splash to follow the signings of the likes of Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, Fabinho and Jota already this summer.
The Daily Mail report that they are now ready to launch a huge £118m bid for Salah, hoping to convince Liverpool to change their resolute stance that their Egyptian superstar is simply not for sale at any price.
However, they also claim that Jurgen Klopp would be understandably furious if the Reds did now suddenly decide to cash in on their top talent at such a late, late stage of the window.
Tottenham consider Eze as Johnson alternative
Tottenham could be eyeing Eberechi Eze as a potential alternative to Brennan Johnson.
Spurs have made Johnson their top priority before tomorrow night’s transfer deadline, but reports suggest they are struggling to agree a fee with Nottingham Forest for the Welsh international.
The Independent claim that Tottenham are considering Eze as a possible alternative, having seemingly missed out to Brighton on a loan deal for Barcelona’s Ansu Fati.
However, it is said that the England winger is likely to be too expensive an option at this stage of the window, with Crystal Palace likely to demand well in excess of £60m having already lost Wilfried Zaha this summer and also seen off Chelsea’s pursuit of Michael Olise.
Man United fail with Sofyan Amrabat bid
Manchester United are reportedly working on a late deal for Sofyan Amrabat.
The Morocco international has been of interest to Erik ten Hag throughout the summer window as he strengthens his squad at Old Trafford.
However, deals for the likes of Mason Mount, Andre Onana and Rasmus Hojlund have clearly taken priority, leaving injury-hit United striving to get the late signing of Amrabat over the line.
The 27-year-old will not play for Fiorentina in their Europa Conference League play-off tie against Rapid Vienna tonight as he looks to seal a long-awaited move to Manchester.
Talks are said to be continuing between the two clubs, though The Athletic reported last night that United - wary of Financial Fair Play limitations - had seen a loan offer featuring two €1m instalments and a January break clause rejected.
Fiorentina are said to want a permanent sale worth around €35m, although could be open to a loan deal that includes an obligation to buy.
Liverpool locked in talks over Ryan Gravenberch deal
Liverpool are locked in talks with Bayern Munich over a move for Ryan Gravenberch, reports suggest.
The Dutch international has been on Jurgen Klopp’s transfer radar all summer as part of a planned midfield overhaul at Anfield that hasn’t quite gone to plan after missing out on the likes of Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia to Chelsea, despite signing Wataru Endo, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.
Gravenberch appears to have become Liverpool’s main focus before tomorrow night’s deadline, with The Athletic reporting that they are in discussions over a permanent deal.
It is thought the Reds could submit an official offer soon for a player also linked with Manchester United, with Bayern apparently needing to seek a replacement before allowing the 21-year-old - who only joined from Ajax last summer - to leave.
Others say that Bayern will use the money received from the sale of Gravenberch to sign Fulham star Joao Palhinha.
Arsenal eye late move for Alexander Bah
A new Arsenal target is emerging with just two days remaining in the transfer window.
The Gunners were expected to be quiet in terms of potential incomings before the deadline, with the main focus on trimming Mikel Arteta’s large squad after getting the bulk of their business done early in the summer.
But links to former Manchester City defender Eric Garcia, now at Barcelona, continue, while they are also now being linked with Alexander Bah.
Danish publication Tipsbladet claims that Arsenal are in the race for the Benfica defender, who could be available for between £26m-£30m as the Gunners apparently seek additional full-back cover following the serious knee injury sustained by new signing Jurrien Timber on his Premier League debut that could see him miss the entire season.
Brighton beat Tottenham to Ansu Fati deal
In case you missed it late last night, Ansu Fati is indeed coming to the Premier League - but not to one of the clubs you might expect.
Tottenham had apparently been in talks with Barcelona over a possible loan deal for the Spain starlet as they struggle to agree terms with Nottingham Forest over a blockbuster late switch for Wales forward Brennan Johnson.
However, it is Brighton who have swooped in to seal a deal for Fati according to widespread reports.
The 20-year-old will head to the Amex Stadium on a loan move until June 2024, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that there is no option to buy included in the deal and that Brighton will cover a large portion of the player’s salary.
Fati will arrive in England for a medical on Thursday, with Seagulls boss Roberto De Zerbi said to have been crucial in negotiations.
What a coup for Brighton.
Cole Palmer set for Chelsea medical today
Cole Palmer will complete a medical at Chelsea today ahead of wrapping up his high-profile transfer from Manchester City.
Mauricio Pochettino has signed off on a shock late move for the England Under-21 international, with the big-spending Blues keen on more attacking reinforcements before tomorrow night’s 11pm BST summer transfer deadline.
Chelsea agreed a deal with City for their popular academy graduate yesterday worth an initial £40m plus a further £5m in add-ons.
Fabrizio Romano reports that Palmer will undergo a medical in London today and sign a long-term contract at Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea eager to get everything sorted and over the line before the madness of deadline day.
Brighton hijack Spurs’ Fati move
Brighton have made a late bid to take Ansu Fati on loan after Tottenham appeared to have the deal wrapped up.
According to Spanish journalist Helena Condis, Spurs had almost wrapped up a season-long loan deal but now Brighton have wrapped up the deal!
Fabrizio Romano has confirmed the Barcelona youngster joins on loan for the season with no buy option. He could be confirmed tomorrow.
Done deal! Fulham sign Benda
Fulham have announced the signing of Steven Benda from Swansea for an undisclosed fee on a three-year deal, with an option for further year.
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