The transfer window in Europe’s major leagues closes on Thursday and many big teams have already done a lot of business this summer. However, as the deadline looms, there are still a few things that need to be worked out.
Will Chelsea and Arsenal join their squad? Do Barcelona still need to move before trying to bring in other players? Will Cristiano Ronaldo still be a Manchester United player next week?
ESPN writers put together some of the major storylines to watch before Thursday’s deadline.
All fees for completed transactions as reported by Transfermarkt.
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Manchester United exit and Cristiano Ronaldo’s future
In recent days after the end of Anthony (95 million euros) and Martin Dub With Lavka (on loan) deal, United’s focus will be on deadline spending. Defenders Phil Jones, Axel Tuanzebe and Brandon Williams are all available for transfers, but all three are injured and their exits are likely to wait until January.
Crystal Palace and West Ham are also interested in right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and while he is not in Erik 10 Hag’s first-team plans, the Dutch want to sign a replacement before letting him go. Manchester United have monitored Inter Milan’s Denzel Dumfries, Barcelona’s Sergino Dest (now on loan at AC Milan), Dortmund’s Thomas Meunier and Norwich’s Max Aaron. Lens, but time is running out – especially with so few remaining in Tyrell Malacia (€15m), Christian Eriksen (free), Lisandro Martinez (€57m) and Casemiro (€70m) ), a total of 240 million euros were spent.
Another question is Ronaldo’s future. Watching Liverpool and Southampton victories from the bench will only strengthen his desire to leave Old Trafford, but the question is: where will he go? Napoli have shown interest and can offer Champions League football, but they will rely on United to compromise on the 37-year-old’s wages, which they have so far been reluctant to do. — Robert Dawson
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Gab Marcotti and Julien Laurens discuss Wesley Fofana’s potential impact on Chelsea’s backline.
Chelsea eyeing Aubameyang, Gordon trade
Chelsea announced the signing of Rice on Wednesday Special City defender Wesley Fofana, ESPN reported a transfer fee of 85 million euros. They are still hoping to complete a deal for Barcelona striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, with talks contingent on a fee payment structure of more than 25 million euros and the 33-year-old’s desire to secure a contract of at least two years.
Everton have stood firm on Anthony Gordon so far, but a new Chelsea bid could force a reconsideration. However, the Blues are considering adding Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha to their shortlist. Callum Hudson-Odoi has joined Bayer Leverkusen on loan while Ajax continue to seek a deal with Hakim Ziyech to replace Manchester United’s Anthony.
Christian Pulisic open to late move but Chelsea unlikely to allow Hudson-Odoi, Ziyech and USMNT international to leave without multiple new players All members leave. Elsewhere, Spezia is keen on defender Ethan Ampadu, midfielder Billy Gilmour could be allowed to leave on loan – Brighton are currently leading the way to sign him – and Conor Galla Goer is attracting a window from Crystal Palace, the 22-year-old who found success on loan last season.
Chelsea have made a €50 million bid to sign Ajax and Mexico midfielder Edson Alvarez, sources told ESPN late on Wednesday. — James Olley
Barcelona is not over
Barcelona already have quite a few windows but are still looking to get busy before the deadline. After signing Robert Lewandowski (45 million euros), Rafinha (60 million euros), Frank Casey (freedom), Andreas Christensen (freedom) and Confucius After Le Kunde (€55m), they turned their attention to strengthening the full-back position.
Barca have agreed personal terms with Chelsea left-back Marcos Alonso, but must now decide whether to become Joel under 18-year-old Alejandro Balde Jordi Alba’s rival went ahead with the deal. They are also looking for a right-back, as the aforementioned star Dest will be loaned to AC Milan. Villarreal’s Juan Foyt is their first-choice target, but the Argentine is now poised for a long-term injury on the sidelines and has a €42m release clause anyway.
Any further revenue is largely dependent on spending. Having raised over €700 million through the sale of club assets, Barca are now operating within La Liga’s spending caps, although they only Can spend what they earn on expenses or save on wages. Aubameyang is expected to move to Chelsea for around 20 million euros, while Memphis Depay will also be allowed to leave with a suitable offer. Martin Braithwaite, Miralem Pjanic and Ez Abde could also leave permanently or on loan. However, midfielder Frenkie de Jong remains intent on remaining in Manchester United and Chelsea’s interest after a summer of rumours about his future. A €80m-plus move for Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva — “It would be the cherry on the cake,” a source told ESPN — but City are likely to ignore any late in the window. progress. — Sam Marsden.
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Hercules Gomez says switch to Manchester United is better for Sergino Dest It was even worse to stay on the bench at Barcelona.
Will Arsenal sign Tielemans, Neto?
Arsenal are keen to sign Wolves winger Pedro Neto – after letting Nicolas Pepe on loan at Nice – but the two clubs have far-flung valuations. Wolves are thought to be asking for around 60 million euros, and as things stand, a deal in this window is unlikely. Crystal Palace winger Zaha has been seen as a possible replacement, but as of Tuesday morning no offers had been made.
Arsenal will be under increasing pressure to select a midfielder after Mohamed Elneny’s hamstring injury. The length of Elneny’s absence is unclear , but it can be said that the quality of the midfield of this team is already very poor. The club have long been interested in Leicester City’s Yuri Tielemans, but a deal has not progressed as the Gunners are unwilling to pay around €50m for a player with just one year left on his contract. Once again, the end of the window could force both sides to reconsider.
The Gunners are still in talks with right-back Hector Bellerin over a possible contract termination as both Barcelona and Real Betis are interested, while Ainsley Maitland-Niles has also raised concerns interest from Southampton and Bournemouth. — James Olley
Is there anything else in the Premier League to watch?
Liverpool’s injury crisis puts more focus on Jurgen Klopp’s midfield options – Harvey Elliott, Curtis Jones , Thiago Alcantara, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are all struggling – but Anfield’s view is waiting to make Jude Bellingham for Dortmund next summer A possible €120m move is still the best course of action than rushing into the squad now to solve short-term problems. The club have recently been linked with Brighton’s Moises Caicedo and Wolves’ Ruben Neves.
Across the city of Everton, manager Frank Lampard is struggling to retain homegrown striker Gordon and repel Chelsea’s attempts to sign 20-around 70 million euros while trying to seal a new A move for the striker, Southampton’s Che Adams is the most likely target. Blackburn striker Ben Breton Diaz is another option, but Everton face competition from Celta Vigo for the Chile international. — Mark Ogden
