An old adage of the transfer window dictates that only desperate clubs do business in the final days before the deadline, so it’s a surprise to absolutely no one that Manchester United, West Ham and the Old Firm clubs are involved in today’s tittle-tattle.
United, who have rejected Kobbie Mainoo’s request to leave on loan before Monday’s 7pm deadline, are fumbling around trying to get their midfield ducks in a row, having seen the current, er, ducks dominated by Grimsby. Carlos Baleba looks like a no-go this window but Adam Wharton is a midfielder admired by United – though that’s also viewed as a tricky deal to do. Crystal Palace will surely not be parting with the 21-year-old having already lost Eberechi Eze and possibly Marc Guéhi too. Liverpool, Manchester City and Real Madrid also like Wharton.
Palace have been credited with an interest in their former loanee Conor Gallagher this window, but West Ham have since emerged as a possible destination for the Chelsea-reared midfield chaser. Why Gallagher would want to swap Atlético Madrid for a relegation battle in east London at this stage is unclear. Dimitri Colau, a 19-year-old centre-back from Paris FC, clearly fancies himself some Stratford East frostbite this winter as a West Ham switch is close.
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Manchester City’s Manuel Akanji looks as if he will be following Christopher Nkunku from the Premier League to AC Milan, Nathan Ake could also be leaving the Eithad, with Tottenham circling, while Manchester United are going to ship unwanted left-back Tyrell Malacia (remember him?) to Elche on loan.
Marco Asensio to Aston Villa – this time it’s permanent! Or at least it could be if Villa meet Paris Saint-Germain’s asking price for the former Real Madrid man. The French giants aren’t interested in loaning Asensio out again. Lucas Paquetá and Borussia Dortmund’s Max Beier are also on Villa’s last-ditch shopping list.
North of the border, with both Glasgow behemoths licking their wounds after failing to qualify for the Champions League, new recruits are most certainly required. Celtic are about to send striker Adam Idah to Swansea for £7m with Kasper Dolberg, somehow now 27 and holed up at Anderlecht, viewed as the ideal replacement. Russell Martin’s Rangers revolution has started in stuttering fashion but a loan deal for Everton’s Youssef Chermiti could change all that. Or not.
There are a host of high-calibre forwards who have been perma-linked with transfers this window yet could be left in limbo as that pesky deadline looms nearer. Ademola Lookman and Rodrygo are premium wing talents but will anyone stump up the cash and sign them? Tottenham are unlikely to, despite speculation. Then there’s £150m pair Jadon Sancho and Antony at United; will either get a move? Maybe the latter. And what about Raheem Sterling? So many unanswered questions, so little time. There’s always the Saudi Pro League or the Turkish league, whose windows remain open until 10 and 11 September respectively.
