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The transfer deadline is fast approaching – clubs have to wrap up all their deals by 11pm BST on Friday 1 September, meaning today and tomorrow will be chaotic and potentially exciting with a host of switches still pending.
Among the biggest clubs, Man City could be set to sell Cole Palmer to Chelsea, while the latter could offload Callum Hudson-Odoi after his return from loan. Manchester United, meanwhile, are still looking for at least two more additions, with rivals Liverpool hoping to land another midfielder in Ryan Gravenberch, currently at Bayern Munich.
Brighton look set to sign Ansu Fati on loan from Barcelona, while several other Premier League teams could also conclude deals late on before the window shuts. Follow all the latest news and transfer rumour updates below; get all the latest football betting sites offers here.
Transfer news LIVE – Latest ahead of deadline day
Man United seeking to conclude deal for left-back with Marc Cucurella the top target
Erik ten Hag also wants a midfielder with Sofyan Amrabat the first choice
Liverpool are in talks with Bayern Munich over Ryan Gravenberch
Ansu Fati set for Premier League loan switch
Man City closing in on £47m Matheus Nunes from Wolves
Lukaku signs for AS Roma on loan
Transfer news LIVE
12:21 , Karl Matchett
Ibrahima Konate is another target for the Saudi Pro League sides intent on landing several big names out of Europe.
RMC Sport say the centre-back is content at Liverpool and has no wish to depart, but he’s on Al-Ittihad’s wish list along with Jean-Clair Todibo, who is at Nice.
Transfer news LIVE
12:15 , Ben Fleming
Trevor Chalobah still faces possible Chelsea exit with Bayern Munich interested in the centre-back.
With the signing and Axel Disasi and the impressive early-season form of Levi Colwill, a departure for the 24-year-old may be sanctioned with Bayern Munich interested in the player as a replacement for Benjamin Pavard, according to The Evening Standard.
A fee of around £50m may prove a sticking point in a deal being completed before the deadline, but negotiations remain ongoing.
When is the Champions League group stage draw?
12:07 , Karl Matchett
The Champions League is nearly upon us for the new 2023/24 season, as treble-winners Manchester City try to retain their crown as the kings of Europe following their 1-0 win over Inter Milan in Istanbul in June.
For the final time before the competition takes on a new format next season, 32 teams will be split into eight groups of four. Each group will contain one team from each of the four seeded pots, and clubs from the same national league will not be drawn together in the same group.
Pot 1 will consist of the Champions League winners, the Europa League winners and six domestic champions of the highest ranked leagues. The remaining pots will be decided by Uefa’s club coefficient rankings.
The final will take place at London’s Wembley Stadium on 1 June 2024.
When is the Champions League group stage draw?
Transfers news LIVE
12:00 , Karl Matchett
With the transfer window close to closing, Manchester United go in search of a final few signings having already made a number of high-profile signings earlier in the window.
The latest deal saw Atalanta’s Rasmus Hojlund sign for an initial £64 million to add to Erik ten Hag’s options up front. Mason Mount has also arrived from Chelsea, while Andre Onana from Inter has taken over from David de Gea in goal.
With a takeover at Old Trafford still yet to be completed, there is still a degree of uncertainty over how much money Ten Hag has at his disposal, with the Glazer family still in control of the club. Manchester United finished in the top four and reached two cup finals last season, a big improvement on their competitiveness in previous campaigns – but more may still be required to challenge at the very top.
Here’s the latest news and updates concerning any transfers to and from Old Trafford:
Manchester United transfer news: Amrabat, Henderson, Cucurella and more
Transfers news LIVE
11:54 , Karl Matchett
Nottingham Forest were in talks last night, reportedly, over a deal for Fenerbahce striker Michy Batshuayi.
The 29-year-old was close to agreeing a deal with the Midlands club a year ago before the complicated free transfer fell through late on deadline day.
He subsequently moved to Turkey for £3m but Forest have maintained their interest and hope to bring the former Chelsea man back to the Premier League.
Transfers news LIVE
11:48 , Ben Fleming
There may still be late action in the window for West Ham, with the club eyeing up a move for Juventus winger Filip Kostic.
The Serbian joined Juventus last summer from Eintracht Frankfurt but has not played for the Turin club this season.
According to The Evening Standard, David Moyes’s side are considering a loan or permanent deal for the 30-year-old. They are also said to be in the market for a striker, with PSG’s Hugo Ekitike a name under consideration.
Transfers news LIVE
11:40 , Karl Matchett
Brighton have swooped in ahead of Spurs and have a full agreement with Barcelona for the loan signing of Ansu Fati from Barcelona.
BBC Sport say the deal includes no obligation to buy the young winger, who made a stunning start to his career at the Camp Nou but has endured a tough couple of seasons after injuries.
Brighton are set for European action this term in the Europa League, but lost Julio Encisio to a long-term knee injury last week.
Barcelona will in turn use the space in their squad to land full-back Joao Cancelo from Man City.
Transfers news LIVE
11:33 , Ben Fleming
Tottenham plot last-minute bid for Connor Gallagher with Blues set to bring in Cole Palmer
Although it appears as if Chelsea’s transfer incomings may end with the imminent signing of Manchester City’s Cole Palmer, it looks like there is still the possibility of some outgoings.
The Englishman has started all four of Chelsea’s fixtures this year but The Telegraph are now suggesting that Spurs are considering a move for the midfielder who may now see his minutes affected by Palmer’s arrival.
Chelsea rejected a big of around £40m from West Ham for the 23-year-old earlier in the window and are expected to demand a fee of around £50m.
Transfers news LIVE
11:25 , Karl Matchett
Marc Cucurella “should” complete a loan move from Chelsea to Manchester United, according to the Evening Standard.
There remains a “small” gap in the agreement over the fee to be paid, reports Nizaar Kinsella, but the Spaniard is United’s first-choice target to provide cover for the injured Luke Shaw.
Sergio Reguilon and Nicolas Tagliafico had also been considered.
11:25 , Karl Matchett
DONE DEAL
Romelu Lukaku has headed back to Serie A again, on loan…again…under Jose Mourinho….again.
The Chelsea striker departs Stamford Bridge for the year to play under Mourinho at AS Roma, but the Blues offered no confirmation on whether the deal includes an option to buy next summer. He’ll wear squad No.90.
“The welcome I’ve received from this club and its fans has excited me and given me even more motivation to give my all for my new team. As an opponent, I felt the atmosphere of the Stadio Olimpico, and felt the warmth of the Romanisti,” said Lukaku after signing.
“It’s nice to know I’m a part of it today. I recently got the opportunity to speak with the owners, and I was impressed by their ambition. Now we must work, be humble, and grow game by game. For my part, I can’t wait to be available to my teammates both on and off the pitch.”
Transfers news LIVE
11:17 , Karl Matchett
Portugal midfielder Matheus Nunes has been given permission to travel to Manchester City for a medical after Wolves agreed a club-record £53million deal.
After overcoming some minor sticking points in final negotiations over an initial £47.3m deal late on Wednesday night, both clubs were able to come to an agreement which involved a bigger fee.
It is understood there are no add-ons included but there is a 10 per cent sell on fee on any profit City make on the 25-year-old.
Nunes became Wolves’ record signing when he joined from Sporting CP for an initial £38m last summer on a five-year contract with the option of a further 12 months.
Wolves midfielder Matheus Nunes moves closer to Man City move in £53million deal
Transfers news LIVE
11:11 , Karl Matchett
Callum Hudson-Odoi looks set to depart Chelsea for good this time, having had a loan at Bayer Leverkusen last term.
Nottingham Forest are close to a permanent deal for him, report the Guardian, though there’s no mention of the fee.
Hudson-Odoi only has a year left on his contract and the winger has struggled for game time since his Achilles injury over three years ago.
Transfers news LIVE
11:05 , Karl Matchett
News from France suggests Wolves are making plans for the money they’ll make of Matheus Nunes’ sale. L’Equipe say they have bid €25m for Habib Diarra, currently with Strasbourg, but they have received no answer from the Ligue 1 side.
The teenager could be available for a late switch but Wolves are running short on time to conclude the deal.
Transfers news LIVE
10:58 , Karl Matchett
Bayern Munich are set to offer £50m to Fulham for combative central midfielder Joao Palhinha, reports the Telegraph.
The Bavarian giants had been in talks with Chelsea over a deal for Trevoh Chalobah, but there are “doubts” over that move getting done so their attention has moved to Portuguese star Palhinha.
While Chalobah plays mostly at centre-back for Chelsea, he can also feature in midfield and right-back.
However, Palhinha is rated at more than £60m by Fulham, who turned down an approach by West Ham for him earlier this summer.
Transfers news LIVE
10:52 , Karl Matchett
Wales boss Rob Page has backed Brennan Johnson to fill the striker void at Tottenham left by Harry Kane’s departure.
Record Spurs goal-scorer Kane moved to Bayern Munich in a £100million deal earlier this month and Tottenham have yet to replace him ahead of Friday’s transfer deadline.
But Tottenham are leading the chase for Wales forward Johnson with Nottingham Forest ready to listen to offers around the £50m mark.
“I wouldn’t even talk about the Harry Kane situation and going in to fill that,” Page said after naming a 25-man squad for the September 7 friendly with South Korea and the crunch Euro 2024 qualifier in Latvia four days later.
“He’s his own person and player, a different type of player. I think he’s just got to go.”
Rob Page backs Brennan Johnson to fill void left by Harry Kane at Tottenham
Transfers news LIVE
10:45 , Karl Matchett
Mauricio Pochettino praised the performances of the players given their full Chelsea debuts in the narrow Carabao Cup win over AFC Wimbledon, but would not be drawn on reports that the club are on the brink of signing Manchester City’s Cole Palmer.
It took a first Chelsea goal from Enzo Fernandez in the second half to finally see off the challenge of the League Two side and seal a 2-1 victory, after Noni Madueke had equalised from the penalty spot on the stroke of half-time.
Pochettino was asked afterwards about the impending arrival of Palmer, with Chelsea and City reportedly having agreed a £40million fee for the forward, but he refused to comment, preferring instead to praise his team’s progression to the third round.
Mauricio Pochettino refuses to be drawn on Chelsea’s interest in Cole Palmer
Transfers news LIVE
10:40 , Karl Matchett
Fulham are in talks with Monaco over the sale of Tosin Adarabioyo, after reluctantly accepting the defender will not sign a new contract.
The Ligue 1 club will put a new bid in once a price is agreed, which is expected to be in the next 48 hours. Tosin and his representatives had been telling Fulham over the past few weeks that he would not sign a new contract, and this was reiterated in stronger terms since the 2-2 draw away at Arsenal at the weekend. With Fulham now risking losing the player on a free at the end of the season, they have entered more productive talks with Monaco.
Fulham in talks with Monaco to sell defender Tosin Adarabioyo
Transfers news LIVE
10:34 , Karl Matchett
Liverpool are in talks with Bayern Munich about Ryan Gravenberch as they try to sign a fourth midfielder this summer.
No deal has been agreed between the clubs yet but the Netherlands international is thought to be willing to move to Anfield as he looks for first-team football.
Gravenberch joined Bayern from Ajax last summer but the 21-year-old has only started three matches in the Bundesliga since then.
Jurgen Klopp has already bought three midfielders, in Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Wataru Endo, in this transfer window.
However, Liverpool have lost six other midfielders since the end of last season.
Liverpool hold talks with Bayern Munich over deal for Ryan Gravenberch
Transfers news LIVE
10:28 , Karl Matchett
Manchester United are in talks with Fiorentina about taking the Morocco midfielder Sofyan Amrabat on loan for the season.
Amrabat, who has not appeared for Fiorentina this season amid uncertainty about his future, played for United manager Erik ten Hag at Utrecht.
United have been interested in the 27-year-old for weeks but have been struggling to raise the funds to buy him because of Financial Fair Play considerations and are looking at a loan instead.
Amrabat, one of the outstanding players in last year’s World Cup, would give United a defensive midfield option to play alongside Casemiro.
They are without two injured midfielders in Mason Mount and youngster Kobbie Mainoo, while they have sold Fred to Fenerbahce.
Manchester United in race to agree Sofyan Amrabat move before transfer deadline
Transfers news LIVE
10:21 , Karl Matchett
Manchester City have reached a verbal agreement with Wolves to buy midfielder Matheus Nunes for £47m.
The two clubs have settled on the fee – which is yet to be formally ratified – after City’s first offer for the Portugal international was rejected last week.
Nunes has refused to train with Wolves this week as he tried to force a move from Molineux and seems set to become City’s fourth summer signing before the transfer window closes on Friday.
Personal terms are not expected to be an issue for the 25-year-old, who was sent off in what is set to prove his final game as a Wolves player, the 4-1 defeat by Brighton.
Manchester City make breakthrough in pursuit of Wolves’ Matheus Nunes
Transfers news LIVE
10:15 , Karl Matchett
First up we’ll go with a rumours wrap from the overnight publications:
A massive bid of in excess of £110m for Mohamed Salah is reported to be incoming, though Liverpool have habitually stated the forward is absolutely not for sale. Saudi Arabia’s finest are yet to be fully dissuaded, it seems.
Rumours: Salah bid well over £100m; Chelsea winger set for exit
Transfers news LIVE
10:08 , Karl Matchett
Good morning and welcome to our coverage on the Independent of the latest transfer news and rumours; we’ll be following all the developments around the Premier League ahead of the window shutting tomorrow.
Across the course of Thursday we expect movement at Anfield, Old Trafford, Stamford Bridge and plenty more besides – incoming and outgoing deals at all three of those clubs could be concluded soon as managers shape their squads for the 2023/24 season ahead.
Stay tuned – it could be a bumpy 37 hours or so.
