Naagyei 90.3 Fm Agyapa
After 10 weeks of rumours, speculation and eye-catching deals, there remains plenty to be cleared up on the summer transfer window’s deadline day.
The effects of the coronavirus pandemic have limited the spending powers of many, while others have still been able to splash out on big-money signings.
But what else could still be in store?
The window officially closes at 23:00 BST on Monday, 5 October – though a domestic-only window will continue to run until 17:00 BST on 16 October.
That will allow Premier League clubs to trade with their English Football League counterparts only, with transfers between top-flight clubs not permitted in that extended window.
According to Carteret Analytics, Premier League clubs have spent £1.12bn so far this transfer window – down 13% on the five-year average. Last summer’s total transfer spend was £1.41bn, according to Deloitte, with £170m spent on deadline day itself.
Here are some of the names in the frame for a move on deadline day.
Jadon Sancho (20, Borussia Dortmund)
Linked with: Manchester United
Perhaps the biggest question on deadline day is whether Manchester United are prepared to improve on their reportedly rejected £91.3m bid for number one transfer target Jadon Sancho.
United have been heavily linked with Borussia Dortmund’s England forward throughout the summer window, despite the Bundesliga side setting their own deadline of 10 August for a deal to be agreed.
Dortmund are believed to want more than £100m for Sancho – but even if United meet their demands at this late stage, will Dortmund be willing to sell with limited time to find a replacement?https://www.riddle.com/a/272360?wide=1
Dele Alli (24, Tottenham Hotspur)
Linked with: Paris St-Germain
French champions Paris St-Germain are interested in Dele Alli but Tottenham sources insist they expect the England forward to stay and fight for his place.
Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale returned to Spurs on a season-long loan, increasing competition in Jose Mourinho’s squad.
When asked about Alli’s future, Mourinho simply responded that he wanted “a balanced squad” and more recently added that he has a “squad with numbers that are very difficult to manage”. With PSG hovering, could Alli be the one to make way?
Edinson Cavani (33, free agent)
Linked with: Manchester United
Former Paris St-Germain striker Edinson Cavani is expected to join Manchester United on Monday.
The Uruguay international has been in talks with the club and it is growing increasingly likely the 33-year-old will join on what could be a two-year contract.
Cavani is out of contract having left Paris St-Germain at the end of June and left under a cloud following a disagreement with Neymar.
Wilfried Zaha (27, Crystal Palace)
Linked with: Arsenal, Everton
Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson admitted earlier in September that forward Wilfried Zaha “hopes a big club comes in and takes him from us” but is adamant the club will not accept a late bid for their star player.
The Ivory Coast international was linked with moves to Arsenal and Everton in 2019, but there have been no official attempts to lure him away from Selhurst Park this time around.
Zaha has scored three goals in a promising start to the season, so will anyone be tempted to move for the 27-year-old’s services?https://www.riddle.com/a/272363?wide=1
Harry Wilson (23, Liverpool)
Linked with: Burnley
With several senior players absent through injury, Burnley and Sean Dyche are desperate for reinforcements.
The Clarets made contact with Liverpool over a potential move for Wales international Harry Wilson in September, with the Reds not open to a loan deal after the young winger spent last season at Bournemouth.
Wilson has been linked with several clubs since his spell at Bournemouth ended, including promoted side Leeds United.
Houssem Aouar (22, Lyon)
Linked with: Arsenal, Paris St-Germain, Juventus
Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas tweeted in September to confirm Arsenal had fallen short of his valuation with a bid for 22-year-old France midfielder Houssem Aouar.
In response, the Gunners are reportedly prepared to increase their offer to Lyon, with Juventus and PSG also thought to be keen on Aouar.
Aulas confirmed to L’Equipe that three clubs with Champions League pedigree are keen on the France Under-21 international, who is under contract until 2023.
Mesut Ozil (31, Arsenal)
Linked with: Fenerbahce, Istanbul Basaksehir
Any potential deal for Aouar would almost certainly confirm Mesut Ozil’s time at Emirates Stadium had reached its end.
The Germany midfielder, 31, moved from Real Madrid for £42.4m in September 2013 and has fallen out of favour under current manager Mikel Arteta.
Ozil insisted in August he will remain at the club “through to the last day” of his contract which expires in June 2021, adding: “I’ll decide when I go.”https://www.riddle.com/a/272365?wide=1
Daniel James (22, Manchester United)
Linked with: Leeds United
Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani has confirmed Manchester United’s Wales winger Daniel James heads the promoted side’s transfer wishlist.
The Italian ruled out a late move for the 22-year-old – who moved to Old Trafford from Swansea for £15m last summer – but manager Marcelo Bielsa still wants to add a winger this window.
Movement here could depend on Manchester United’s ability to sign a new forward.
Xherdan Shaqiri (28, Liverpool)
Linked with: Lazio, Sevilla
Having been left out of the side for Liverpool’s Carabao Cup tie against Arsenal, Swiss midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri looks destined to leave Anfield sooner or later in search of regular minutes.
Manager Jurgen Klopp confirmed Shaqiri was not absent because of injury or disciplinary reasons as he appears to work on securing a move away.
Serie A side Lazio and Europa League champions Sevilla were thought to be keen on the 28-year-old in January and could yet return with late bids on Monday.
James Tarkowski (27, Burnley)
Linked with: Leicester City, West Ham
Burnley rejected a £30m offer from Premier League rivals Leicester City in September, having already turned down three bids from West Ham, with the last also thought to be around £30m.
The England centre-back made his first appearance of the season in Wednesday’s EFL Cup defeat by Manchester City following a toe injury – and, before Saturday’s game against Newcastle, manager Dyche appeared confident of keeping hold of one of his key players.https://www.riddle.com/a/272366?wide=1
Ruben Loftus-Cheek (24, Chelsea)
Linked with: West Ham, Southampton, Aston Villa
After team-mate Ross Barkley was allowed to leave for Aston Villa on loan, Ruben Loftus-Cheek could be another Chelsea player to seek at least a temporary move following the Blues’ influx of new names.
The England international midfielder is in need of minutes following his return from an Achilles injury and a loan move this season may suit both club and player – and potentially West Ham, should Rice agitate for a transfer.
Callum Hudson-Odoi (19, Chelsea)
Linked with:Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich’s interest in Callum Hudson-Odoi, 19, has sparked a sense of deja-vu.
The German giants had a £35m bid rejected in January 2019. Now Bayern are looking to sign the England forward on loan, with an option to buy.
Hudson-Odoi has started Chelsea’s past two games but will face increased competition this season after Timo Werner, Kai Havertz and Hakim Ziyech signed in the summer.
Boss Frank Lampard has said he is open to a loan move, but on Saturday said Hudson-Odoi was part of his plans. The decision could rest in the player’s hands.
Marcos Alonso (29, Chelsea)
Linked with: Inter Milan
Another player who could depart Stamford Bridge is Marcos Alonso after Chelsea brought in left-back Ben Chilwell from Leicester for £45m.
Former Chelsea manager and current Inter Milan boss Antonio Conte is said to be interested in taking the Spain international to Serie A and may well get his wish with the Blues seeking to offload players.
Antonio Rudiger (27, Chelsea)
Linked with: Tottenham
You can add Antonio Rudiger to that list, too. The Germany centre-back has been snubbed by Lampard since the start of the new season but remains highly regarded in Germany and around Europe.
However, Rudiger may not need to travel far for his solution, with London rivals Tottenham leading the way to land his services before the window shuts.
Ousmane Dembele (23, Barcelona)
Linked with: Manchester United
Should Manchester United fail to make progress with number one target Sancho as the deadline day clock ticks down, they may seek an alternative in Barcelona’s Dembele.
The France forward has featured just once for Barcelona under new manager Ronald Koeman this season – and Koeman said “it is up to what he thinks” when recently questioned on Dembele’s future.
Kalidou Koulibaly (29, Napoli)
Linked with: Manchester City, Manchester United, Paris St-Germain
Napoli manager Gennaro Gattuso admitted he will be nervous about a late bid for his Senegal centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly right up until the transfer window’s conclusion.
Though Manchester City appear to have found the answer to their defensive concerns in new signing Ruben Dias, Manchester United’s defensive woes continue and Paris St-Germain are also rumoured to be interested in the 29-year-old.
Chris Smalling (30, Manchester United)
Linked with: Roma
Manchester United’s England international centre-back Chris Smalling has been training on his own since returning from his loan move from Roma – and that is where he would like to return.
But United are yet to find any agreement with the Serie A side and if a resolution is not reached it could effectively turn Smalling into an outcast at Old Trafford. Will he get his transfer wish?
Eric Garcia (19, Manchester City)
Linked with: Barcelona
Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman has made no secret of the fact he would like to sign Manchester City teenage Spanish defender Eric Garcia before the deadline.
However, City want £30m for Garcia and that price tag is proving a sticking point. The Premier League side could lower that to receive some money for a player currently set to leave for free next summer when his current deal expires.
Alex Telles (27, Porto)
Linked with: Manchester United
Manchester United are set to sign Brazilian full-back Alex Telles after agreeing a deal with Porto.
United had been struggling to finalise terms with the Portuguese club but have now agreed a fee of 15m euros (£13.6m), plus 2m euros (£1.8m) in add-ons.
Telles, 27, will have his medical on Monday before signing a four-year contract with option of a further year.
Telles, who has one cap for Brazil, has scored 21 goals in 127 games for Porto.
