The summer transfer window closes this week with clubs across England and Europe expected to be busy concluding a number of last-gasp deals.
Well-run clubs tend to avoid doing business in the final few days of the transfer window, but several clubs have seemingly left it late to get the signings they need. Here are five potential deals to keep an eye on before Friday’s deadline.
Mohamed Salah
Al-Ittihad are reportedly willing to spend up to €150m to sign Mohamed Salah with the Saudi Pro League club also prepared to make the Egyptian the highest-paid player in the division. Liverpool are desperate to hang on to their most reliable goal-scorer, but the money on the table could ultimately force their hand.
Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante have already joined Al-Ittihad this summer, but Salah would be the biggest superstar to make the move to the club. At 31, Salah is entering the twilight of his career. Nonetheless, he is one of the best attackers in the Premier League. Is he ready to lave Anfield and the English top flight?
Sofyan Amrabat
Manchester United’s need for a new central midfielder has been laid bare by their performances over the first few games of the season. The Old Trafford club has been consistently linked with Sofyan Amrabat over the summer and it’s likely they will make another attempt to sign the Moroccan before Friday’s deadline.
According to reports, United have to sell players before they can sign new ones and so the likes of Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay might have to exit first to fund a late move for Amrabat. His energy and drive in the centre of the pitch would give Erik Ten Hag more presence in the midfield area.
Marc Cucurella
Luke Shaw’s injury could push Manchester United into the transfer market to find a new left back before Friday’s deadline. Marc Cucurella has been mentioned as a potential short-term solution with Chelsea reportedly open to letting the Spaniard leave on loan until the end of the season. That could suit United.
Marcos Alonso has also been linked with a switch to Old Trafford. Sergio Reguilon could be another option with Tottenham Hotspur keen to offload the left back. All of these targets are more comfortable playing as wing backs in a back five – a system Ten Hag doesn’t play – but this is the pool United are choosing from at this late stage of the window.
Matheus Nunes
Manchester City completed the signing of Jeremy Doku from Rennes last week and it appears Pep Guardiola wants to add another midfielder to his squad before the transfer window closes. Matheus Nunes has emerged as a target for last season’s Treble winners, although Wolves are holding form in their valuation of the player.
Nunes has stopped training in an effort to force through a move to the Etihad Stadium. Wolves have reportedly rejected an offer of €55m from City, but there’s a growing sense a deal will be reached in the coming days. Where Nunes will fit into Manchester City’s midfield depth chart is another matter.
Randal Kolo Muani
Randal Kolo Muani’s name has been a staple of the transfer gossip column all summer long, but the French international is still an Eintracht Frankfurt player at the time of writing. Paris Saint-Germain, however, are doing their best to change this with the Ligue 1 champions keen to add another attacker to their squad.
PSG have reportedly made an offer of €80m to sign Kolo Muani with Hugo Ekitike being used as a makeweight in the deal. Luis Enrique might already be planning for a future without Kylian Mbappe and Kolo Muani is a player who could develop further. Whether or not this deal happens before Friday’s deadline, the 24-year-old seems destined to join PSG at some point.
