Welcome to the 13th summer 2026 window edition of The Transfer DealSheet.

Our team of dedicated writers will take you inside the market to explain the deals being worked on in what promises to be an extremely busy few months. This includes the players who could arrive and the ones on their way out across the Premier League.

The information in this article has been gathered in line with The Athletic’s sourcing guidelines. This means that, unless stated, our reporters have spoken to more than one person briefed on each mooted deal before offering the clubs involved the opportunity to comment. Those responses, when they were given, have been included. Sources were granted anonymity to protect the positions of these individuals.

In this edition, we have updates on Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, Barcelona and Real Madrid.

We aim to bring you analysis you can trust on what is happening at Europe’s leading clubs and the latest information we’re hearing from across the market.

This article is long but detailed, so enjoy it all — or search for the team or player you want to read about.

The Athletic’s Ones To Watch

The transfer window closes next Tuesday at 11pm BST (6pm ET), and with just over a week to go, there are significant deals still in the offing across the Premier League and beyond.

Chelsea’s self-imposed deadline on a £120million ($163.5m) deal for Enzo Fernandez came and went without an offer from Manchester City. However, Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso refused to rule out a possible exit last week, and City are still interested in the Argentina midfielder. City need additions in that position, and while they have agreed a deal with Lille for Ayyoub Bouaddi, Fernandez is still on their radar. It would require a fee that Chelsea deem acceptable for them to sanction a move to City. They would also need to reinforce their squad, even if it’s not a like-for-like replacement. Another player who could yet leave Chelsea this summer is Pedro Neto, with the west London club asking for around €100m to sell him. Chelsea are also open to selling strikers Nicolas Jackson, Liam Delap, who Nottingham Forest are in advanced talks over the signing of, and Marc Guiu.

Arsenal could sell Gabriel Martinelli before the window shuts next Tuesday, with Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal talking to their Premier League counterparts and the Brazil international. The English champions want around £60million for Martinelli and he is open to the possibility of the mooted transfer. While Arsenal might not directly replace the 25-year-old, they have long coveted Argentina forward Julian Alvarez — who was whistled by his own team’s fans on Sunday during his first match back in Atletico Madrid colours since the World Cup. Alvarez has made clear he wants to move, but his preference is to stay in Spain with Barcelona, and Arsenal are aware of that. The problem is Atletico are refusing to do business with domestic rivals Barca, whereas they would consider selling to the north London side at €150m (£128.3m; $174.8m). It remains to be seen if former Manchester City man Alvarez opens the doors to a return to England ahead of next week’s deadline.

Arsenal have long coveted Julian Alvarez (Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Liverpool’s desire to strengthen in the wide attacking positions this summer has led them to prioritise Bradley Barcola. A difference between what they want to pay and Paris Saint-Germain’s valuation of their France winger means an agreement has yet to be reached; however, the pursuit continues in a situation that could go down to the wire. Barcola’s potential arrival at Anfield may be linked to a possible departure for Cody Gakpo. Although the Netherlands international scored in Liverpool’s season-opener against Newcastle United on Sunday and they are not actively seeking a sale, he is of interest to Tottenham Hotspur and City. On the right wing, Liverpool are targeting Yankuba Minteh — bids of £50million and £60m have been turned down by Brighton & Hove Albion — but have other options if a deal cannot be done.

Al Hilal also want to sign Ollie Watkins, with Aston Villa rejecting a fourth offer for their England striker on Friday. Watkins was absent from Villa’s loss to Brighton on Sunday — and manager Unai Emery told reporters with any questions regarding his absence: “I think you call his agent and he can respond. He can only explain his answer, I can’t.” Watkins is keen on the move, but it will require a suitable offer and a replacement if Villa are to let him leave. Watkins returned to training and apologised to his team-mates on Monday, but his future remains uncertain. Emery likes Jackson of Chelsea, who are open to parting with the Senegal international. Villa also want a centre-back to fill the gap left by Enzri Konsa’s switch to Arsenal; Southampton have so far rejected their advances for Taylor Harwood-Bellis but the interest remains, while Joel Ordonez of Club Brugge is another option being pursued. The arrival of goalkeeper Zion Suzuki means Emiliano Martinez might leave before the window closes.

Newcastle are advancing in talks to recruit Nico Gonzalez from City, which was first revealed by The Athletic last week. Elsewhere, Crystal Palace’s signing of Anan Khailili has opened the door to Colombia full-back Daniel Munoz possibly leaving.

What else we’re hearing
Nottingham Forest are in advanced talks with Chelsea over a deal to sign striker Delap. As previously reported in The Athletic, the former Ipswich Town player has been high on Forest’s list of forward targets for several weeks. Negotiations over the move are progressing, and Forest are in pole position to sign the 23-year-old, who has been training away from the rest of the Chelsea first-team squad. The London club favour a permanent exit for Delap, who was not involved in their Premier League season-opening victory over Fulham on Monday. Chelsea value the striker at around £50million. Simon Johnson and Paul Taylor
Former Arsenal winger Amario Cozier-Duberry is set to either stay at Brighton or make a permanent move before the window shuts. Brighton have turned down a bid of £5million from Anderlecht plus offers of £6m and £7.5m from Rangers for the 21-year-old, who did not feature in the squad for Sunday’s 4-0 home win against Villa in the clubs’ opening Premier League game of the season. Cozier-Duberry is under contract until June 2028 and is yet to agree an offer of new terms. Brighton have rebuffed widespread loan interest from Championship clubs after Cozier-Duberry helped Bolton Wanderers to promotion via the League One play-offs last season with nine goals and 13 assists in 37 games. Andy Naylor
The Premier League’s three- and five-year net spend situation

Getting a handle on a club’s transfer spending is part science, part art. For most clubs, squad-building works in cycles; depending on where an analyst draws the line, you might be presented with a peak or a trough.

That’s certainly the case if we choose to look at transfer spending on a single-window basis, as The Athletic has done regularly this summer.

Doing so is helpful for current affairs but does little to identify long-term trends; see the positioning of promoted sides Ipswich and Coventry City high up the net spend table in last week’s Transfer DealSheet as pertinent examples.

As of Tuesday morning, those two clubs remained in the top four English spenders on a net basis this summer, but the reasons are plain. Both need to invest heavily to avoid relegation back to the Championship. Coventry’s net spend over the previous four seasons was just £30million.

Looking further backwards at spending patterns paints a clearer image of where spending power lies in the Premier League. Sure enough, assessing over both a three- (starting at the beginning of the 2024-25 season) and a five-year (beginning of 2022-23) period throws up the same result: in both assessments, the six largest net spenders are the Premier League’s six richest clubs.

Their order does at least change across those two periods. Looked at over five years, the net-spend champions by some distance are Chelsea. That assessment period spans the beginning of the BlueCo ownership era at Stamford Bridge to the current day and, by our estimate, which incorporates both audited financial statements and figures from Transfermarkt, with purchase prices adjusted upwards to account for estimated agent fees and transfer levies, Chelsea’s net spend since that May 2022 takeover tops £1.2billion.

 

Nobody else comes particularly close to that, though assessing net spend over a shorter term does change things.

When taken over the past three seasons, the biggest spenders in the league are Arsenal, who we estimate have paid a net £471million on transfers since mid-2024. After them come Manchester United, whose quietish summer this year — the imminent signing of Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba notwithstanding — looks more understandable when we remember they spent £273m in 2024-25.

Net spend assessments hardly tell us everything.

Wages remain the most accurate indicator of on-field success, and City, routinely England’s highest wage-payers, rank only sixth on net spend. That is down to their outstanding selling record. This window’s sizeable fees for Tijjani Reijnders, Rodri and James Trafford have pushed their receipts from transfers to somewhere in the region of £660million in the past five seasons. Such sales have allowed them to retain likely the second-most expensive squad in world football despite a relatively low net spend.

More eye-opening still is the other end of our list.

Villa have carried their own high wage bill in recent seasons, dislodging Tottenham from the top six, but that has required them to sell to balance the books and remain compliant with financial rules.

This summer’s significant departures of Morgan Rogers and Ezri Konsa, alongside others, have pushed Villa’s three-year net spend into the red, the only Premier League club to have taken in more than they’ve spent on transfers since the summer of 2024.

Elsewhere, Newcastle and Bournemouth rank in the top 10 highest spenders over five years but among the bottom five over the past three, reflecting sizeable recent sales by each club.

Chris Weatherspoon

Arsenal

What has happened this week?

Arsenal completed the signing of Ezri Konsa in a deal worth £51million plus £4m in potential add-ons. The 28-year-old centre-half was paraded on the pitch before the 3-0 home win against Coventry on Friday in the opening game of the new Premier League season.

The champions have also moved to bring some new talent into their academy. Habeeb Ogunneye, a 20-year-old right-back, has undergone a medical ahead of a proposed move from Manchester United. Arsenal are close to finalising a move for 19-year-old United winger James Scanlon. The expectation is that both deals will be free transfers, with the Old Trafford club receiving significant sell-on clauses.

Ogunneye and Scanlon are known to Arsenal’s new under-21s head coach David Horseman. He previously spent four months at United as an academy coach. Arsenal are keen to strengthen that group to make the team more competitive.

They are also close to successfully concluding their protracted pursuit of Blackburn Rovers’ 18-year-old Igor Tyjon. The striker had been in dispute with the Championship club after they resisted multiple approaches from Arsenal, but a breakthrough was found last week, and Tyjon had a medical on Friday. Arsenal have agreed to pay an initial £1 million, plus bonuses and a sell-on, for the England Under-18 international.

Arsenal have signed Konsa (Julian Finney/Getty Images)

How would the Martinelli sale affect Alvarez interest or other attacking signings?

The Athletic has reported that Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal are pursuing a deal to sign Gabriel Martinelli. The Brazil international has been omitted from the squads for the Community Shield and the Coventry game on successive weekends, and looks likely to depart before next Tuesday’s deadline.

Arsenal entered the window keen to drive significant revenue through player trading. The sale of Martinelli would generate a substantial profit — should the deal go through, it is expected to become the club’s record sale, topping Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s £35million move to Liverpool in 2017.

It remains to be seen whether Arsenal would divert that money straight into signing a replacement attacker. The club have pursued the likes of Morgan Rogers and Vinicius Junior in this window without landing the new forward they hoped for. Enquiries around Kenan Yildiz have been met by Juventus with a firm refusal.

Arsenal retain an interest in Julian Alvarez of Atletico Madrid, but accept that a deal would only be possible if he were to soften his insistence on joining Barcelona.

Should Alvarez remain resolute about Barca, Arsenal must determine whether to persist with their current attacking group or pivot to alternative targets. There are other forwards they admire, such as Bradley Barcola of Paris Saint-Germain, who has been on their list throughout the summer. In the case of Barcola, however, Arsenal consider PSG’s asking price — in the region of £145million — too high for a player who has not always been a regular starter.

What positions/players are they looking at?

Away from the first team, Arsenal’s drive to recruit emerging talent continues.

The club have made a contract offer for 17-year-old Georgian Andria Bartishvili. The attacking midfielder, who plays for second-division Kolkheti Poti in his homeland, is currently on loan with top-flight Georgian side Iberia and has already represented his country at under-21 level. His deal expires later this year, and Arsenal are hoping to secure him on a pre-contract agreement.

Ethan Nwaneri could depart before the deadline (Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Which players could be leaving?

Ethan Nwaneri could leave before the window shuts next Tuesday night, with Arsenal considering loan offers. There is interest in the 19-year-old from the Premier League and abroad. If it is to be another loan, the club will deliberate carefully over his destination, especially given the difficulties Nwaneri experienced during last season’s spell with Marseille.

Fellow academy graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly is set to remain with Arsenal. Manager Mikel Arteta confirmed he expects the 19-year-old to “100 per cent” stay beyond the deadline, and Manchester United’s move for Carlos Baleba of Brighton effectively ended their pursuit of Lewis-Skelly.

Another player who looks unlikely to move is Kepa Arrizabalaga. David Raya’s deputy had a release clause in his contract earlier this summer allowing him to depart for a set fee — but that expired without being activated. While things can change quickly in the market, with eight days to go in the window, the expectation is that the 31-year-old will remain in north London. Fellow backup goalkeeper Tommy Setford, 20, is set to leave on loan, however.

James McNicholas

Chelsea

What has happened this week?

Defender Benoit Badiashile completed his season-long loan move to Napoli. The deal is worth up to €4million for the loan fee with an option to make it permanent costing €27m.

Fellow centre-back Axel Disasi has agreed to join Crystal Palace for the 2026-27 campaign, too. The UEFA Conference League champions will cover the 28-year-old’s salary but there is no option or obligation to buy included.

Talented academy graduate Reggie Walsh has gone to League One side Wigan Athletic on loan for the remainder of the season. The 17-year-old midfielder impressed on debut in a 2-0 defeat against Leyton Orient on Saturday.

Meanwhile, as first revealed by The Athletic last month, Joao Pedro has been given a new contract. The Brazil international forward, 24, has signed a six-year deal with the option for another two after that.

Badiashile has joined Napoli on loan for the season (Oli Scarff/AFP via Getty Images)

What will Chelsea do if they can’t move on their outcast players?

First and foremost, Chelsea will be trying their utmost in the final week to ensure that this does not happen.

You only have to look at previous campaigns to see what might occur for some individuals if it does not.

For example, Disasi and winger Raheem Sterling were left out of the senior squad for the first half of last season and were made to train away from them separately. Their situations were resolved in January when Disasi, who made three appearances for the under-21s in the interim, was loaned to West Ham United. Sterling came to a mutual agreement for his contract to be terminated and then joined Feyenoord.

New manager Xabi Alonso could yet include these players in his plans, of course, but with the club not involved in European competition this season, game time will be hard to come by.

What positions/players are they looking at?

It still depends on exits. Right now, the squad is largely set, with a priority being placed on getting several players out, either sold or on loan.

However, if Enzo Fernandez goes, for example, Chelsea will look to improve the squad. This does not necessarily mean a like-for-like replacement for the Argentina international. It could be a midfielder with a different profile, or a new attacker. Naturally though, there is a concern over who is going to sell a prize asset to them at this late stage of the window.

Chelsea would look to improve the squad if a player such as Fernandez left (Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Which players could be leaving?

As explained in The Transfer DealSheet last week, the asking price for Fernandez is now higher than the £120million verbal agreement that was in place until the deadline ran out on August 14. Chelsea will also want to make sure they can sign somebody else before agreeing to any sale, as they do not want to weaken the squad. So the situation has to be right for Chelsea on two fronts, not just a financial one.

They are expecting an offer from Manchester City, who they remain on good terms with despite the nature of Enzo Maresca’s departure last season and subsequent appointment as successor to Pep Guardiola. Alonso did not confirm that Fernandez will still be a Chelsea player at the end of the window when he spoke to reporters on Friday but has reflected the club’s stance that he is a highly valued player.

Nicolas Jackson is expected to be sold, and Aston Villa manager Unai Emery likes the striker. Chelsea’s asking price is £65million for Premier League sides and €75m for anyone from abroad.

Another centre-forward, Liam Delap, is also in line to depart. The Athletic reported on Monday that Nottingham Forest are in advanced talks for him. Continuing at that position, Marc Guiu is the subject of enquiries from Napoli, plus several teams in Spain, Germany and England. Chelsea are looking to sell, and want £25m for the 20-year-old.

Pedro Neto (£100million) and Malo Gusto (£75m) were left off the ‘not for sale’ list this window, but nothing is imminent in either case.

Winger Mykhailo Mudryk is liked by clubs in England and in continental Europe, Leeds United and Strasbourg are among them. As The Athletic reported on Monday, Leeds’s confidence is beginning to wane, with Chelsea sources insisting they have ruled them out as an option although Mudryk’s camp regard the Elland Road side as a good fit. Should the Ukrainian leave on loan, the priority is choosing a club that will provide game time and system fit.

Midfielder Dario Essugo is likely to leave on loan. He has interest from Hull City and Strasbourg among many clubs. Defender Mamadou Sarr is on the cusp of joining Real Sociedad on loan.

Tosin Adarabioyo is lined up to be sold to a club in England or abroad. Josh Acheampong is highly rated at Chelsea and the club have consistently stated he is going nowhere but a very high offer or loan bid could give them a decision to make. Despite speculation about the future of Jamie Gittens, who was of interest to Roma, he is going to be part of Alonso’s squad.

Omari Kellyman will join Strasbourg for an undisclosed fee. It will include a buy-back clause. Deivid Washington could also join him at the Ligue 1 side, although clubs in France, Brazil and Spain also like him.

Academy graduate Landon Emenalo is the subject of loan interest from Celtic, although a development on that will have to wait until after the second leg of the Scottish side’s Champions League qualification play-off against LASK in Austria tonight (Tuesday).

Striker David Datro Fofana will be sold. He is liked by Championship clubs and teams abroad. Caleb Wiley (a loan in England), Kendry Paez (loan in England or Europe) and Shumaira Mheuka (loan) are also set to leave.

Simon Johnson

Liverpool

What has happened this week?

Liverpool had two bids rejected for Brighton & Hove Albion winger Yankuba Minteh. Having initially offered £50million, sporting director Richard Hughes returned with a £60m proposal, but sources with knowledge of Brighton’s position have indicated they are looking for closer to £70m.

Midfielder Curtis Jones completed his move to Serie A champions Inter in a £30million deal. There is also a 10 per cent sell-on clause. Young defender Ifeanyi Ndukwe joined La Liga outfit Levante on loan. The situation will be reassessed in the winter window, when the Austrian teenager should be eligible to secure a work permit to play in England.

Liverpool have had two bids rejected for Minteh (Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

Does the Minteh interest mean they have a wide approach for possible targets?

Ideally, Liverpool want to sign two wide attackers before next Tuesday’s deadline. Their pursuit of Minteh, who operates off the right, changes nothing regarding their interest in top target Bradley Barcola. Agreeing a fee with Paris Saint-Germain for the France international has so far proved problematic.

Minteh is viewed as a suitable alternative to Barcola’s PSG colleague Ibrahim Mbaye, an 18-year-old Liverpool had also heavily scouted.

What positions/players are they looking at?

Despite the clamour for midfield reinforcements, which intensified after Sunday’s dramatic 2-2 draw with Newcastle, senior club sources say Liverpool’s focus remains on bolstering their attacking options out wide.

They don’t intend to replace Jones, as they see teenager Trey Nyoni as ready to step up and play a bigger part this season. Unless there’s a change of stance, it’s only the forward line which will be strengthened.

Which players could be leaving?

The future is uncertain for Federico Chiesa and Harvey Elliott, who both failed to make new head coach Andoni Iraola’s 20-man squad for that season opener at St James’ Park.

The Athletic reported on Monday that Manchester City are interested in signing Cody Gakpo, who has also been strongly linked with Tottenham Hotspur this summer. There have been no club-to-club discussions over a possible deal for the Dutchman so far.

Liverpool are likely to sanction a number of loan moves in the coming week as they consider options for Kaide Gordon, Wellity Lucky, Jayden Danns and Keyrol Figueroa. Luke Chambers and James McConnell both have strong interest from the Championship, but there’s been no final decision yet on whether to loan them out or keep them around the senior setup until January.

Lewis Koumas was rewarded for his impact in pre-season when he was handed his Premier League debut from the bench against Newcastle. His situation will be influenced by incomings, but as things stand, he looks set to stay.

James Pearce

Manchester City

What has happened this week?

After weeks of expectation, City’s window did burst into life, although there is still more to come.

Rodri joined Barcelona and Tijjani Reijnders went to Al Qadsiah, while The Athletic reported Newcastle United’s interest in Nico Gonzalez and Tottenham Hotspur’s push for Savinho and Omar Marmoush.

That suggested a renewed push for incomings, and on Sunday, City agreed a fee of £86million for Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi, a target they have been chasing all summer. Next day, they nailed down a deal for Palmeiras winger Allan Elias, and it emerged that they are also interested in Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo, who has been of interest to Tottenham.

It was also reported by The Athletic that City had enquired about Adam Wharton, but were told by Crystal Palace that the England midfielder is not for sale.

City have enquired about Palace’s Wharton but been rebuffed (Glyn Kirk/AFP via Getty Images)

Does the Wharton interest suggest City have moved on to fresh midfield targets?

City were still trying to put a deal in place for Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez last week, but the Wharton interest does suggest they have been keeping their options open.

That said, the way that Enzo Maresca talked about Marc Guehi after using the central defender in midfield against Bournemouth in Sunday’s Premier League season opener suggests that option will be used more often this season, which would mean that Bouaddi will be their final midfield recruit of the summer.

City are still in the market for a midfielder, but Guehi appears to be the backup plan there if one cannot be found, as Maresca first imagined playing him in midfield when trying to sign him from Palace for previous employers Chelsea.

What positions/players are they looking at?

Central midfield and forwards are the final areas that City will try to strengthen. There is a need for a right-back but, as reported already in this window, that search did not bear any fruit.

Which players could be leaving?

Savinho’s move to Spurs is awaiting completion, while Marmoush is expected to follow him to the north Londoners. Nico is also nearing a move to Newcastle, and Jack Grealish is available for sale.

Sam Lee

Manchester United

What has happened this week?

They finally moved for Carlos Baleba, a year on from first exploring the terms of a transfer. Talks were held on Tuesday, with United open to the terms Brighton & Hove Albion wanted; the deal was agreed on Friday, worth a guaranteed £65million, with £5m more in potential add-ons and a sell-on clause.

Baleba had his medical in Manchester over the weekend, agreed personal terms, and signed paperwork. An official announcement is expected today (Tuesday).

On Thursday, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said Myles Lewis-Skelly, another player United looked into signing, would stay with the Londoners “100 per cent”.

Going the other way, though, are two United academy players. Full-back Habeeb Ogunneye, 20, and winger James Scanlon, 19, agreed to move to Arsenal, where they will join the under-21 setup. There is no cost to the transfers, but United have significant sell-on clauses included in the two deals.

Ethan Wheatley agreed a season-long loan to Lincoln City in the Championship. Everton had been interested in the 20-year-old striker.

United lost their opening game of the Premier League campaign, 2-0 at promoted Hull City, in a very disappointing display.

Brighton midfielder Baleba has had his United medical (Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)

Will Baleba give United what they need?

He certainly offers a different profile to the midfielders currently at Old Trafford. His explosive ball-carrying, ground coverage and tackling should supplement what Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Kobbie Mainoo provide.

Baleba had a disappointing 2025-26, however, so there may be a period of acclimatisation in Manchester. He is also working his way back to fitness following an ankle ligament injury a fortnight ago.

Once fully match-sharp, he looks a good fit to any of coach Michael Carrick’s three deeper midfield options, with Mason Mount another potential partner, although fellow newcomer Santos would possibly be the less frequent selection alongside him. Baleba’s left-footedness means he should be able to cover areas on that side of the pitch when Luke Shaw pushes on.

What positions/players are they looking at?

United are still surveying left-back options, with Jorge Salinas a candidate under discussion. The Racing Santander player has a €16million release clause in his contract. Atletico Madrid are in talks for the 19-year-old, however.

Alejandro Balde is also being considered, with his future at Barcelona uncertain. Hansi Flick left the 22-year-old out of Barca’s squad for their season-opener against Elche on Sunday and said: “I spoke with Balde and told him that, in my opinion, he is not 100 per cent ready. That he should sort out his thoughts, and then we will discuss it.”

Barcelona are open to a sale, which the Frenchman’s agent Jorge Mendes, who also looks after Salinas, is exploring. But the Catalans would not let Balde go on the cheap. A prospective price of around €45million has been mooted, although Barca have not set a number.

United are, though, said to be cautious over any further spending, and would look to strike a loan deal.

They are at present ruling out the financial commitment required to persuade Newcastle United to part with primary left-back target, Lewis Hall, so bringing in a player now on a temporary basis would keep the now 21-year-old in play as an option for next summer.

Hall was excellent for Newcastle against Liverpool in the clubs’ season opener on Sunday, and unfortunate to concede a stoppage-time penalty for the equaliser. Afterwards, head coach Matthias Jaissle said there is “no chance” Hall leaves before the window closes next Tuesday.

United might also sign a striker if Joshua Zirkzee goes.

Salinas (right) is a candidate under discussion (Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Which players could be leaving?

Zirkzee did not make it off the bench at Hull; teenager Shea Lacey being preferred as a second-half substitute with United needing a goal to get back into the game. The Dutchman has interest from Juventus and Como in Italy and three clubs in the Premier League.

Harry Amass and Toby Collyer are two academy players whose futures should be decided in the coming week. Several Championship clubs have enquired about both.

Laurie Whitwell and Pol Ballus

Newcastle United

What has happened this week?

Newcastle edged closer to making their seventh signing of the summer and the second of the Matthias Jaissle era as they advanced in talks with Manchester City for Nico Gonzalez.

The 24-year-old midfielder has been identified as the ideal, Premier League-experienced No 6 to slot into one of the two double-pivot positions in Jaissle’s 4-2-3-1. There is increasing optimism on Tyneside that the former Spain Under-21 international will move to Tyneside.

Amar Dedic, meanwhile, reunited with his old FC Liefering and Red Bull Salzburg boss Jaissle at St James’ Park, with the full-back arriving from Benfica last week for a fee of around £30million. The Bosnia and Herzegovina international joined on his 24th birthday, before making his Premier League debut just five days later, impressing at right-back during Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Liverpool on Tyneside.

Jaissle spoke after the match, which was his first competitive game as Newcastle head coach, to Viaplay Sports and predicted a hectic close to the window. “I think it will be a stressful period for the sporting director,” Jaissle said with a smile. “We have some needs, definitely.”

Elsewhere, Newcastle confirmed that they have agreed to purchase a 260-acre site at Woolsington Hall, near Newcastle International Airport, and intend to apply for planning permission to build a £190million training facility, which they insist will be “world class”.

Newcastle are pushing for Gonzalez (Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)

Will Newcastle be busy during the final week?

That is certainly their intention.

Multiple senior figures at the club are making it clear that Nico would not be the end of their summer business incoming-wise, while exits are also still required. Attacking reinforcements appear to be the priority now, although the exact identity or specific positions those recruits play in remains unclear.

Jaissle would ideally like a No 10, or a player who can play across the attacking positions behind the striker in his 4-2-3-1 formation.

Interestingly, the head coach also suggested after the Liverpool draw that he had “thought about” adding greater depth to his strikeforce, given how Will Osula’s ability to run in behind cannot be mirrored by others currently in the squad. Osula suffered a knock in that match, which Jaissle hopes is not serious, but the prospect of a striker, or a versatile forward, arriving now seems possible at least, whereas previously another central offensive player was not being seriously considered.

Yoane Wissa’s encouraging display against Liverpool suggested the DR Congo international is capable of playing as either a No 10 or as a striker, though Nick Woltemade was an unused substitute, raising fresh questions over his future. Should another forward arrive, then it is difficult to see the German getting significant game time.

When incomings and outgoings are combined, and not including loans for younger players, Newcastle could be involved in between four and six deals over the next eight days.

What positions/players are they looking at?

Beyond a holding midfielder, Newcastle are looking for at least one and potentially two further additions.

In the No 10 position, they held discussions about taking former Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku on loan from Milan. The Frenchman preferred to return to former club RB Leipzig and the Bundesliga, however, rather than having another whack at the Premier League, given his previous success in Germany. Newcastle are now considering alternatives.

They do like Lille’s Matias Fernandez-Pardo, but sources say they do not expect a deal for him to happen.

Although Jaissle believes additional pace at centre-half would be preferable, unless Dan Burn’s ankle injury turns out to be more serious than first feared — the initial prognosis is that he should be available again within a fortnight or so, though he did arrive at St James’ Park with that foot in a protective boot on Sunday — another defensive signing appears unlikely.

Newcastle held discussions over Nkunku (Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Which players could be leaving?

The prospects of Woltemade departing appear to have increased after he watched the season opener against Liverpool from the bench.

Jaissle’s suggestion that he wants to add another forward increases the doubt surrounding his compatriot’s suitability for this head coach’s approach to the game. Whether Newcastle can afford to take a financial hit on their £64million club-record signing just a year ago remains to be seen and, although a loan exit has previously been played down, it cannot be dismissed entirely should an attacker be acquired.

Joe Willock remains a potential exit, given he is into the final 11 months of his deal, though Jaissle suggested over the weekend he would be keen to keep hold of the 27-year-old. Willock may only be allowed to leave if suitable reinforcements arrive, with Besiktas among the clubs interested.

Despite Manchester United being among Lewis Hall’s admirers, Jaissle responded to a quip from Peter Schmeichel, the former Old Trafford goalkeeper, during a Viaplay Sports interview on Sunday that the left-back could be moving there by simply replying, “No chance.”

Speaking of goalkeepers, Nick Pope has been omitted from every matchday squad under Jaissle and the 34-year-old can leave, given new arrivals Lukas Hornicek and Ewen Jaouen are set to be the first- and second-choice at the position.

Newcastle may listen to offers for Jacob Murphy, the 31-year-old winger whose deal also expires at the end of this season, though that may also depend upon incomings.

Leo Shahar, the right-back, and Sean Neave, the forward, who are both 19, are among up to half-a-dozen youth players who may leave on loan during the final week of the window. Park Seung-soo, the 19-year-old winger, and Miodrag Pivas, the 21-year-old defender, are among others who may move out. Trevan Sanusi, another 19-year-old winger, could also go, perhaps permanently.

Chris Waugh

Tottenham Hotspur

What has happened this week?

Tottenham started their Premier League campaign on Saturday with a dispiriting 3-0 defeat at Brentford, a game that underlined why they still need further reinforcements in the final days of the transfer window.

It was otherwise a quiet week in the marketplace.

The one completed transfer this week was the departure of former number one goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario on loan to Juventus, which was confirmed on Tuesday afternoon. Work has continued behind the scenes to bolster a front line that is still clearly in need of improvement.

Vicario has moved to Juventus on loan (Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images)

Is a rejigged front three crucial for Spurs?

Yes. Saturday’s defeat at Brentford showed the limitations of the front three that Spurs put out. With Mathys Tel on the left, Richarlison through the middle and Mikey Moore on the right, Tottenham struggled to get a foothold in the game.

Tel and Moore are both young players with great futures, but neither is quite the finished product yet. Richarlison works hard, but he looked rusty on Saturday, unable to hold the ball up under pressure from Brentford’s centre-backs, contributing to Brentford’s second goal.

Tottenham barely had an outlet at times, allowing Brentford to swarm all over them in the first half. Ideally, Spurs’ front line this season will look very different, whether made up of new signings or players who are on their way back from injuries.

What positions/players are they looking at?

As it stands, Tottenham are still working hard to complete the deals that would elevate the front line to the level required.

The Athletic reported on Friday that Tottenham had reached an agreement with Manchester City to sign Brazilian winger Savinho in a deal that would be worth £75million up front, plus £10m in potential add-ons, £5m of which are highly achievable. But there has been no confirmation yet of Savinho’s arrival.

Alongside that, talks have continued for a separate deal to sign Egyptian striker Omar Marmoush from City, who would bring mobility and an eye for goal to Spurs’ front line.

Spurs have reached an agreement for Savinho (Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)

Which players could be leaving?

Tottenham have done most of their business already, generating fees for Djed Spence and Cristian Romero recently, as well as selling Luka Vuskovic, Ashley Phillips, Manor Solomon, Will Lankshear and Alfie Devine earlier in the window.

Loan moves were found for Vicario, Radu Dragusin and others. So most of the planned departures have already happened.

There are perhaps a few players left with slight question marks over their futures. Pape Matar Sarr has been linked with a move away this summer, but he missed Saturday’s game with a minor injury. Young defenders Kota Takai and Souza are still at the club.

Jack Pitt-Brooke

Barcelona

What has happened this week?

It’s been a very positive week for Barcelona, topped off by a 5-0 win in their first game of the La Liga season against Elche. But even before that, they had plenty of news to celebrate.

Barca secured the signing of Rodri from Manchester City, for a fee that could rise up to €76,5m. Rodri was presented at the Camp Nou in front of the fans ahead of the last pre-season friendly Hansi Flick’s team played last Wednesday, against Egyptian side Al Ahly.

The day after that, the club announced another arrival. Joao Cancelo signed a three-year deal at Barcelona after, according to the club, having agreed a contract termination with Al-Hilal. The 32-year-old was always expected to join the club this summer after an excellent contribution on loan in the second half of last term.

Most recently, there were further developments in the club related to transfers. Left-back Alejandro Balde was left out of the matchday squad of Barca’s trip to Elche to the surprise of many. Flick said that he spoke with Balde on Sunday morning and told him he believed the full-back “was not 100 per cent focused here” and that “it would be better for him to stay home and clear his mind”. The manager’s decision follows a desire from the club to offload Balde.

Rodri and Joao Cancelo have joined Barcelona (Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

If Alvarez is unavailable, will Barcelona pivot?

Listening to Deco, Barcelona could be expected to sign a new striker before the window closes.

“We have solutions in the team (for the central striker role), but we will probably make a move before the end of the transfer window,” he told Catalan television TV3 last week before the friendly game against Al Ahly.

When Deco said that, the club were already pessimistic about their chances of signing their top target for the position, Julian Alvarez. Barca has not received any signals from Atletico Madrid that they are willing to soften their stance and negotiate with them, which has diminished the hopes they have about his arrival.

It does not mean Barca will forget about him, though. Even less so after what happened on Sunday, when Alvarez was heavily whistled and booed by his own fans during Atletico’s match against Villarreal at the Metropolitano stadium.

Barcelona, and Flick especially, are willing to wait until the end of the transfer window for Alvarez, and if they got any indication of a chance to negotiate a deal, they would jump on it.

Sources at the club believe there is a strong chance Barca signs no new striker if they can’t get Alvarez, as there are hardly any available options that convince all the decision-makers and improve the current squad.

Beyond Alvarez, it is unclear who is the Catalans’ preferred candidate for the role. Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez was mentioned by club sources as a candidate they monitored and appreciated, but he looks to be certainly off-limits.

“First and foremost, Lautaro Martinez is our captain and embodies the current history of our club,” said Inter’s CEO Giuseppe Marotta this weekend to DAZN Italia. “I can state quite clearly that there is absolutely no chance of him leaving Inter.”

Deco had previously monitored names such as Victor Osimhen and Omar Marmoush, but none of them fully convinced all of the club’s decision-makers.

Club Brugge’s Nicolo Tresoldi has been suggested as an option in Barcelona media, but there is no indication that any move has been made on that front. Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres is another name that has been linked to Barca in reports, but he is not the most admired name within the club’s hierarchy.

Flick and Deco are keeping their cards close to their chests. The Alvarez dream is not fully over within the club, but they will need to make a decision soon because time is running out.

What positions/players are they looking at?

As mentioned above, and explored deeper in this piece, a number nine is the top priority at Barcelona before the end of the window. But there could be room for more.

We briefly mentioned the situation around Balde earlier. If it develops and ends up with the 22-year-old leaving the club, Barca could be in the market for another defender. Most likely, as surprising as it might sound, for a left-footed centre-back rather than a full-back.

Club sources believe this is a position where they lack specialists — there is only Gerard Martin, who is also a left-back — and Ronald Araujo has already left the club. Bringing in a new centre-back would mean Cancelo and Martin could be the first-team left-backs, supported by La Masia prospects Xavi Espart and Jordi Pesquer. Espart played the full 90 minutes in the first game of the season as a left-back, putting in an excellent performance.

A player that has been monitored by the club as a potential signing is Castello Lukeba, from RB Leipzig. Flick is understood to be a big admirer of the 23-year-old, who can play in central defence and at left-back, although there is still a lot to happen. Balde’s departure would be required before seeing real progress in this move, but it is one to keep an eye on.

Balde could leave Barcelona (Daniela Porcelli/Getty Images)

Which players could be leaving?

Balde is now the biggest name in the mix. It certainly has been a surprising turn of events to see the full-back pushed to the departures list this late in the transfer window, but a move seems pretty much needed now.

Club sources told The Athletic that Balde was notified at the very start of the transfer window that he would start the season as Joao Cancelo’s back-up and he’d need to fight for the spot. The warning did not take Balde down, and the player remained convinced he should stay. But it all changed last week when Flick had a very direct message towards him at Friday’s press conference.

“Balde’s future? It is a difficult question,” Flick replied. “He has huge qualities, but do you have the conviction to compete for your position? I see what the players do every day, if they show they have what it takes to be at the top level. That’s the most important thing. I need everyone to be 100 per cent committed.”

“I think I have been clear with the player and now we have to wait,” Flick added.

Sources from Balde’s camp acknowledged the possibility of a move away from the club, but believe this situation could have been dealt with earlier in the summer and that now they are working against the clock to find the best option.

Besides Balde, Barcelona also expect to cash in on La Masia graduates Marc Casado and Hector Fort. Both players have been given no first-team squad number as they have been told to find a new destination. In Fort’s case, Borussia Dortmund are very interested in the 19-year-old and considered one of the strongest candidates to sign him.

Pol Ballus

Real MadridWhat has happened this week?

Real Madrid opened their competitive season with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Espanyol in Jose Mourinho’s first game in charge on Sunday.

Carlos Espi scored the decisive goal in the 90th minute and was officially presented the following day in a private ceremony at Valdebebas alongside Florentino Perez and his family. Although none of them has been presented with the traditional public press conference, Jose Mourinho, Ibrahima Konate, Bernardo Silva, Denzel Dumfries and Marc Cucurella have also now been officially unveiled. That leaves only Yan Diomande to be presented.

Mourinho spoke publicly for the first time in two press conferences, before and after the Espanyol game, although it was in an earlier interview with El Chiringuito that he addressed the state of the transfer window: “I’m not saying there won’t be any more signings because the window is open, but for me, it’s closed. I like it a lot. I don’t miss Rodri [who has joined Barcelona]. We have players you can assess based on what they have done, but I like to think I have the ability to improve players.”

Mourinho took charge of Madrid against Espanyol (David Ramos/Getty Images)

Should we expect a quiet end to the window?

Difficult to predict. Sources at the club say no players want to leave while other voices at Valdebebas say Madrid remain alert to opportunities in the market.

What positions/players are they looking at?

Racing Santander midfielder Sergio Martinez remains a player to watch. Sources at Valdebebas acknowledge that Madrid have been following the 19-year-old closely for well before this transfer window and had already considered signing him in January.

In internal meetings, Madrid executives have remained optimistic about their chances of convincing the player, but sources close to Martinez say he has not yet made a decision. They acknowledge, however, that Madrid are pushing hard for his signature amid interest from several clubs.

Should Martinez join, his release clause would be €3million and he would initially play for Castilla, while being involved with the first-team squad.

Madrid felt the absence of a different type of midfielder against Espanyol, and Mourinho would like another option in that position, as well as another centre-back. There have not yet been any concrete moves in either direction.

Madrid have been following Sergio Martinez (Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Which players could be leaving?

Centre-back Raul Asencio has been one of the most talked-about players in the market because of his availability, despite his desire to stay at the club.

The Athletic reported on June 24 that his agent, Manuel Diaz, has a close relationship with Mourinho’s agent, Jorge Mendes, who is expected to assist with a transfer.

But Asencio suffered a right thigh injury at the end of July. The initial expectation was that he would be sidelined for a maximum of eight weeks. However, sources within Madrid’s staff say that if problems with the injury persist, he could require surgery.

Another player to watch is academy graduate Jorge Cestero, who has impressed Mourinho during pre-season and has been a regular with the first team.

Madrid have been looking for a move for the 20-year-old defensive midfielder for some time.

Several options have emerged, including Fulham, where former Madrid assistant manager Alvaro Arbeloa is now in charge, but Cestero is considering moving to Italy to continue his development. Nothing has been finalised yet.

The same applies to Manuel Angel, who also made his first-team debut last season and had been close to joining Almeria.

A player who is not leaving, for now, is Thiago Pitarch. As my colleague Mario Cortegana reported, Madrid rejected an offer from Lille, managed by Davide Ancelotti — Madrid’s former assistant manager from 2021 to 2025 — who wanted Pitarch to replace Bouaddi. In addition, Pitarch has been handed an improved contract and is now considered a first-team player, despite retaining a Castilla squad number.

Guillermo Rai