Only a few days remain of the summer transfer window which means clubs across Europe are scrambling to get deals done before Friday’s deadline.
It’s been a busy summer window, but a number of transfers are still up in the air. Here are five big deals that could still be struck.
Federico Chiesa – Juventus
By signing Nico Gonzalez from Fiorentina, Juventus have already replaced Federico Chiesa who is widely expected to leave the Turin club before Friday’s deadline. The Italian international has just one year left on his current contract and could be available for a fee of €15m as Juve look to cash in on the injury prone winger.
Barcelona and Roma have been mentioned as suitors, although the latter’s interest isn’t as strong as it once was now that Paulo Dybala has decided to stay at the Stadio Olimpico. Barca need attacking reinforcements and Chiesa’s knock-down price could be attractive to the cash-strapped La Liga club.
Perhaps most interesting, though, is Liverpool’s late interest in Chiesa. The Reds haven’t made a single signing so far this summer, but could move for the Italian winger to bulk out their attacking options. At 26, this might be the perfect time for Chiesa to test himself in the Premier League.
Marc Guehi – Crystal Palace
Newcastle United’s interest in Marc Guehi is well-established at this point. The Magpies have chased the Crystal Palace centre back for a number of weeks and have had a number of offers rejected for their top target. Nonetheless, there is a sense this deal could still be completed before the deadline.
Guehi was a standout performer for England at Euro 2024 and appears ready to take the next step in his career. Newcastle won’t be in the Champions League this season, but this is the level they aspire to having participated in the competition last season and the signing of Guehi could help them climb the Premier League table.
Talks have reportedly taken place between Newcastle and Bayer Leverkusen about Edmond Tapsoba with Chelsea’s Axel Disasi also on the Magpies’ radar, but this might have been a ploy to bring Palace back to the table. A transfer worth roughly £60m will likely see Guehi head to the North East.
Victor Osimhen – Napoli
Elite level centre forwards are hard to find and that’s why Victor Osimhen’s future has been the subject of such intense speculation this summer. Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain have been linked with the Nigerian, although the latter now appear to have dropped out of the race to sign the Napoli striker.
Arsenal are believed to be admirers of Osimhen, but Chelsea looks to be the likeliest destination for the 25-year-old who would elevate the level of Enzo Maresca’s forward line. Napoli also want Romelu Lukaku which could help facilitate a transfer for Osimhen with the two strikers heading in opposition directions.
Reports this week claim Chelsea could move for Brentford’s Ivan Toney before Friday’s deadline, but Osimhen is the centre forward they really want. Having been left out of Napoli’s squad for their first two league fixtures of the season, Osimhen has never been closer to leaving the Serie A club.
Jadon Sancho – Manchester United
Earlier this summer, it appeared Jadon Sancho would be given another opportunity at Manchester United after making up with Erik ten Hag following last season’s public fallout. However, the Old Trafford club is now open to offers for the winger with Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain both believed to be interested.
Juventus are reportedly still pressing to get a deal done for the United attacker before the deadline, but are reluctant to sign Sancho on a permanent transfer. Instead, the Old Lady would favour a loan agreement with an option to buy. As things stand, Manchester United are reportedly holding firm.
Chelsea have emerged as a suitor for Sancho in recent days, although it’s not clear how the Stamford Bridge club would be able to find space for the winger in their squad when they already need to offload players before the end of the transfer window.
Raheem Sterling – Chelsea
Chelsea want rid of Raheem Sterling and the winger reportedly wants to leave Stamford Bridge too. The problem is that he is on a contract worth a reported £300,000-a-week and has three years left to run on that deal. If Sterling is to leave Chelsea before Friday’s deadline, he will likely need to accept a big pay cut.
Aston Villa were linked, but were reportedly unable to find the money to make Sterling an attractive offer. Crystal Palace and West Ham are also believed to be admirers of the winger, but would face the same issue as Aston Villa, making a move for the 29-year-old unlikely unless a loan move can be agreed.
More recently, Manchester United has been mentioned as a possible destination for Sterling, but would supporters accept the signing of the former Liverpool and Manchester City player? Regardless, it’s possible a swap deal involving Sancho and Sterling could be agreed.
