The clock is ticking as the Premier League’s 20 clubs ready themselves for the new season. We can certainly expect some last-minute business to be done, as is usually the case, but most sides should be hoping to complete their deals before next week to give themselves enough time to gel. Here, we take a look at nine transfers that could go through before Sunday…
Surely Harry Maguire will be a Manchester United player come the Red Devils’ first match of the season against Chelsea on August 11th? The Leicester City defender has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford this summer and has even told his teammates and manager Brendan Rogers that he wants to make the switch. He missed the Foxes’ training session on Monday (Sky Sports’ Transfer Blog, 29/07/2019 at 13.25) which, whilst it was confirmed that the England international called in sick, is not good news for the 2016 Premier League champions’ hopes of keeping him.
Given Arsenal’s slender transfer budget, it seemed unlikely that they would be able to sign Lille’s Nicolas Pepe this summer considering he was always going to command a high transfer fee. However, football, just like life, is full of surprises, and it now appears to be only a matter of time before the Ivory Coast international is holding up a Gunners shirt. The Emirates outfit have agreed a fee of £72m for the 24-year-old, with a deal expected to be completed by Wednesday.
The best bit of recent business for Tottenham Hotspur did not actually include them at all. Nabil Fekir recently completed a move to Real Betis from Lyon, which now leaves the path clear for Giovani Lo Celso to make his anticipated switch to London. The Argentina international has already been left out of the Spanish side’s pre-season tour squad, and they have reportedly even reduced their transfer fee demands to get a deal done.
Newcastle have already made one big money signing this summer, having brought in Joelinton from Hoffenheim for £40m, and they are progressing in deals for two more new faces. Firstly, it is being reported by The Daily Star that they are close to completing a deal for Nice’s Allan Saint-Maximin. The winger has already told his teammates that he wants to make the switch to the North-East side this summer.
The second player who is close to a move to St. James’ Park is PSG’s Stanley N’Soki. According to French outlet RMC Sport, Newcastle and the Ligue 1 champions have agreed a fee of €11m (£10m) for the left-back. It is being reported that the deal also includes a 20% sell-on percentage fee clause. Whilst the fee may be set, the 20-year-old and the Premier League side are yet to agree terms, but talks are to continue in an attempt to come to an accord.
What a transfer window it has been for Aston Villa. The newly-promoted club have already brought in 10 players this summer for a combined fee of £115.11m, and they are on the verge of adding an 11th. Dean Smith and co have agreed a fee of £11m with Club Brugge for Zimbabwe international Marvelous Nakamba.
It would be a huge coup for Everton to sign Moise Kean this summer, but it appears to be on the cards. According to Sky Sports, Everton and Juventus are in talks in regards to the Italy international. Maurizio Sarri and co are looking for a fee of £36m for the 19-year-old and want any deal to include a buy-back clause. The striker has reportedly agreed to make the switch, which is a boost for the Toffees.
Watford have a decent track record when it comes to transfers in recent years, with the purchase and sale of Richarlison in particular standing out. They will be hoping that Ismaila Sarr can have a similar impact if he completes his switch to Vicarage Road. The Hornets are in talks with Rennes about the Senegal international, and they are hopeful that an agreement can be reached.
The Bruno Fernandes saga has been one of the most captivating stories of the summer. The Portugal international has been linked to Tottenham, Liverpool (Journal de Noticias via The Daily Express) and Manchester United at various stages of the transfer window and, whilst it is not yet clear exactly where his next destination will be, it is almost certain that he will leave Sporting Lisbon this summer. This comes after the 24-year-old was reduced to tears as he was subbed off during his team’s pre-season friendly with Valencia.