We’re into the final week of the summer transfer window and time is running out for clubs to do business – but there are big moves set to be made…
Here, we pick out the high-profile players whose summer of uncertainty could conclude in a major transfer in the final days of the window…
Ivan Toney
Brentford striker Toney was given a standing ovation on his return to the club from the Euros with England – but their main man up front has been left out of their opening two Premier League fixtures amid interest from Saudi Arabian club Al Ahli.
Toney – who hit 20 Premier League goals in the 2022/23 season – has long been linked with a move to a Premier League heavyweight such as Chelsea or Arsenal, but will a club from these shores step up that interest before the window shuts?
Will Toney head to Saudi or stick with the Bees? Al Ahli remain in talks for the striker but the Saudi Pro League window closes on September 2. It’s going to be a major talking point in the days to come…
Raheem Sterling
Sterling’s future hit the headlines ahead of Chelsea’s opening game of the season against Manchester City, when the winger was left out of the team and then stripped of his squad number.
Sterling’s representatives called for “clarity” over his future and it is now clear Chelsea are willing to listen to offers for the 29-year-old, with Crystal Palace and Juventus among the clubs to have explored a deal after Enzo Maresca admitted the winger is not in his plans.
Sterling’s wages of more than £300,000 per week could be a problem for a buying club. But with the Blues possessing an abundance of options in the wide areas – not least since the signing of Wolves’ Pedro Neto – Sterling is now surplus to requirements.
Ben Chilwell
New Chelsea boss Maresca has been pretty blunt in what he’s had to say about Chilwell’s future under his management. “It is better to leave and go and get minutes,” he suggested.
Chilwell – absent from the Blues’ squad in every match so far this season and not even training with the first team – could be heading to new pastures.
Romelu Lukaku
Lukaku looks set to finally leave Chelsea once and for all, with Napoli – now managed by Antonio Conte, the striker’s boss at Inter Milan – agreeing a €30m (£25.4m) deal.
However, Lukaku is yet to undergo a medical as discussions over image rights continue. And that may not be the only business Chelsea and Napoli conduct together…
Victor Osimhen
…because Chelsea are interested in Osimhen. The Nigeria ace has long been linked with a move to the Premier League, and while his value may not be at the absolute heights it was when he fired 26 Serie A goals to deliver the title to Napoli in 2022/23, the 25-year-old remains a highly-rated hitman, with 15 league goals in just 25 outings last term.
Al Ahli have made a €70m (£59.3m) offer for Osimhen but the striker is waiting on proposals from Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain as he prefers to remain within Europe.
Trevoh Chalobah
Another in a long list of potential outgoings is Chalobah. Another product of the Chelsea youth system, another player popular with the Chelsea fans but another who doesn’t look to have a future under Maresca.
Aston Villa are among the clubs monitoring the defender but any move is likely dependent on Diego Carlos leaving Villa Park.
Crystal Palace could also move for Chalobah after losing Joachim Andersen to Fulham, while Newcastle may consider the 25-year-old if they are unable to sign Palace captain Marc Guehi.
Marc Guehi
Away from Chelsea (but only just given Guehi was a youth player there), Newcastle could be set to splash big money on Crystal Palace’s star centre-back.
After impressing for England at the Euros, Guehi’s value has soared and the Magpies have already seen THREE bids rejected for the 24-year-old.
Newcastle’s fourth offer – worth £65m – is understood to be £5m short of Palace’s asking price, with talks continuing over a compromise.
Joe Gomez
Another England defender potentially on the move is Liverpool’s Gomez. The 27-year-old was appreciated for his versatility by Jurgen Klopp but is seemingly not in new boss Arne Slot’s plans, with Liverpool open to offers.
Gomez has not played a minute for Liverpool under Slot and was offered to Newcastle as part of a failed proposal for Anthony Gordon earlier in the window.
Jadon Sancho
Sancho missed Manchester United’s win over Fulham on the Premier League’s opening night due to an ear infection, according to boss Erik ten Hag, and was also not involved in the defeat to Brighton last Saturday.
Whether the winger ever plays for United again remains to be seen. Juventus want to sign Sancho on loan and Chelsea are also interested.
United’s preference is to sell Sancho but another loan move cannot be ruled out.
Scott McTominay
After Fulham had two bids for Man Utd’s McTominay rejected earlier this summer, the midfielder now looks set to move to Napoli for €30m (£25.4m).
McTominay has made more than 250 appearances for United since graduating from their academy but now looks set for a new adventure in Italy under Conte.
Mikel Merino
A player who is set to arrive at Arsenal is Merino, with the Spain international having already undergone a medical.
Imanol Aguacil, the Real Sociedad manager, has already publicly said goodbye to Merino, who will cost the Gunners £32.5m including add-ons.
Eddie Nketiah
Meanwhile, Gunners forward Nketiah could be heading for the exit, with Crystal Palace discussing a deal worth £30m.
Personal terms are not expected to be a problem between Palace and Nketiah, who turned down a move to Nottingham Forest earlier this month.
Aaron Ramsdale
Could Ramsdale join Nketiah on the way out of Arsenal? The goalkeeper was firmly relegated to back-up last season and remains second choice behind David Raya
Ajax explored a loan move earlier in the window, although it is believed Arsenal would prefer a permanent deal.
Southampton have also held talks over Ramsdale but Arsenal’s fee regarding the obligatory purchase of the goalkeeper is too high for Saints.