- Chelsea, Al-Ahli, Brentford’s Toney in transfer race
- Liverpool’s last-minute moves, squad gaps remain
- Arsenal secures Ramsdale replacement; final deals ongoing
Turn off all clocks and telephones. Stop the hacks from barking with their transfer drone. Depending on your level of interest, it’s either here or nearly over. The big SLAM of the European window takes place tonight at 11 p.m. BST, sports fans.
Chelsea’s calm period was expected to end with the signing of Napoli’s Victor Osimhen. However, Al-Ahli appears to have swooped in with their pesky Saudi riches, offering up to £135 million for the Nigeria striker throughout a four-year contract. So, all eyes are on Brentford’s Ivan Toney as he makes the eight-mile journey to Stamford Bridge. Thomas Frank confirmed this week that Ivan will not play against Southampton on Saturday. Ivan is training well and has an excellent attitude.” Yes, it must be done. Chelsea fans will be made up.
Oh, what is that? “Ah-Ahli agrees deal to sign Ivan Toney for £40m.” Pffffft.
Former Blues midfielder Billy Gilmour will, at the very least, muck up fans’ online searches for news of the Osimhen transfer as the Naples club appears to try to rekindle a loan deal that seemed to be on the rocks. Brighton, his current team, is experiencing headaches in central areas following the announcement that Matt O’Riley would require ankle surgery.
Of the remaining lingering sagas, Jadon Sancho’s future remains uncertain, with speculation linking him to Chelsea and Juventus becoming increasingly quiet. A swap deal with Raheem Sterling appears less likely, but is a direct transfer between Manchester United and Chelsea still possible? It’s fair to assume that Sancho’s agent, Emeka Obasi, would need to keep a backup battery bank on hand for his phone today. What is it, a rumor vortex? Mikel Arteta would like to make late moves for either or both. Certainly not.
With Arne Slot’s new Liverpool backroom team seemingly only getting the fax machine up and running two days before the big SLAM, and deals for Giorgi Mamardashvili and Federico Chiesa completed quickly, Deadline Day Eve turned into a whirlwind of alleged approaches, agreements, withdrawals, and rebuffs.
The defensive midfielder position remains a visible gap in Slot’s squad, and a whirlwind, near-£50 million romance with Porto’s Alan Varela – who is on the verge of joining Alexis MacAllister as a full Argentina international – lasted only an hour on Thursday night until “no that’s not a thing.” According to reports in Mexico, another winger, Unam’s César “Chino” Huerta, was almost sure to join Sunderland on loan. The Black Cats blinked, bewildered.
“I’m not expecting anything,” Arne Slot remarked at Friday morning’s press briefing. “But it’s no different than the days before if we recognize an opportunity. “We could act…” Following Chiesa’s arrival, Scotland winger Ben Doak is among the players who will leave Anfield today. Hull is among several clubs interested in a season-long loan for the difficult 18-year-old.
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Joe Gomez appears too necessary and versatile to Liverpool’s squad to leave so late in the season. Still, worries surrounding Marc Guéhi’s situation remain unanswered, which may make for an eventful evening. The England center-back has been linked with a move to Merseyside this summer, Newcastle’s interest remains strong, and Crystal Palace likes money to play with. “Where there’s time, there’s hope,” Eddie Howe said during his press conference. Attaboy.
James Ward-Prowse began West Ham’s Carabao Cup triumph over Bournemouth on Wednesday, but he has mostly played on the bench this season. Nuno Espírito Santo of Nottingham Forest believes he can unlock the aerial danger of Chris Wood and Taiwo Awoniyi.
With Aaron Ramsdale’s move to Southampton almost complete, Arsenal has moved quickly to shore up the backup custodian position, which appears to be in Neto’s hands, with the Bournemouth stopper looking more content to back up David Raya in north London and the Champions League than new Cherries signing Kepa Arrizabalaga in a potential relegation battle on the south coast. Agreements have been made; the two motions have been completed, save for the inky bit on both counts.
It’s a fast-paced business. Keep up to date with our deadline-day blog here. And we will be returning in January!
