Transfer Market Update: Clubs Scramble Before Deadline
The window is open, the clock is ticking, and the money is moving. With the market live until September 1, clubs across Europe are scrambling to fix squads, cash in, or gamble big before the shutters come down.
Here’s where the day’s business stands.
Villa brace for £50m Watkins bid as Saudis circle
Aston Villa are standing firm on Ollie Watkins – and they now believe Al Hilal will blink first.
The Saudi Pro League side have already seen four bids rejected, but there is growing confidence at Villa Park that the fifth will finally hit their £50million valuation for the England striker.
Watkins is keen on the move. Al Hilal are offering a salary far beyond his current deal at Villa, and the lure of Saudi money is real. Villa, though, have refused to soften their stance on the fee, knowing they already have a replacement lined up.
They are pushing ahead with a £65m move for Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson, a deal that would effectively pave the way for Watkins’ exit. If Al Hilal meet the price, Villa are ready.
Monaco eye Sarr as midfield dominoes line up
In France, Monaco are positioning themselves for a midfield shake-up.
They have joined the list of clubs tracking Tottenham’s Pape Matar Sarr, with the Ligue 1 side preparing for the possibility of losing Lamine Camara. Camara has drawn concrete offers from Crystal Palace and interest from Chelsea, and Monaco do not intend to be caught short.
If Camara goes, Sarr is high on their list. Spurs, once again, find one of their young midfielders at the centre of a late-window tug of war.
Grealish left in limbo as City keep every door open
Jack Grealish’s future remains one of the most intriguing subplots of the final week.
Manchester City have refused to commit to any single path for the 30-year-old. A permanent sale is on the table. Another loan is on the table. Staying put – albeit with potentially limited minutes – is also still an option.
Grealish has been back involved, coming off the bench in City’s first two league games under Enzo Maresca. He spent last season on loan at Everton, and their chief executive Angus Kinnear has admitted they have kept lines of communication open.
Maresca, speaking after Sunday’s win over Bournemouth, made it clear he will coach Grealish as long as he is in the building, but he stopped short of any guarantees with a week of trading left.
Around him, City’s own business is accelerating. Omar Marmoush is due for his medical at Tottenham today, while Nico Gonzalez is close to finalising a move to Newcastle. City are also signing Palmeiras winger Allan Elias, and a formal bid is expected to go in for Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez.
The squad is shifting. Grealish still does not know exactly where he fits.
Liverpool cool on Minteh as price soars
Liverpool have pulled back from Yankuba Minteh and are now weighing up other wide options.
Brighton’s valuation of the 22-year-old Gambian winger has been deemed too steep at Anfield. Liverpool had hoped to strike a deal around £50m, but Brighton are looking for a figure closer to £80m – despite Minteh being sidelined with injury until October.
That gap has forced Liverpool to look elsewhere.
Celta Vigo, meanwhile, are understood to be interested in Liverpool midfielder Stefan Bajcetic. The 21-year-old began his career at Vigo, but Liverpool have not yet received a formal approach.
Forest push on multiple fronts
Nottingham Forest are busy and spread across several deals.
Talks have opened with Celta Vigo over right-back Javi Rueda, with Forest discussing an £8m move for the 25-year-old, who joined Celta from Real Madrid in 2024.
Tottenham have asked about Forest full-back Neco Williams, but he is expected to remain at the City Ground for now.
Forest are also in negotiations with Corinthians over midfielder Andre. The proposed package stands at around £13.6m including add-ons, yet Corinthians are holding out for more. The 20-year-old only made his league debut a year ago, but his stock has risen quickly.
This all comes as Forest close in on a £45m move for Liam Delap, underlining the scale of their late-window push.
Ipswich land Palacios in statement £23.5m move
Ipswich Town are about to pull off one of the more eye-catching deals of the window.
They are finalising a £23.5m agreement for Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Exequiel Palacios. The 27-year-old has accepted a four-year contract, a major coup for Ipswich as they look to lock in top-level quality in the middle of the pitch.
At the same time, Ipswich are ready to cash in elsewhere. They want £9m for midfielder Anis Mehmeti, who has offers on the table from Wrexham, Birmingham and Derby. One big name in, one potentially out – a clear reshaping of their midfield.
Osmajic exits as Preston face rebuild
At Preston, the expected has now become official.
Striker Milutin Osmajic has completed his move to Genoa, a departure manager Paul Heckingbottom had already flagged at the weekend. Speaking to BBC Radio Lancashire, he admitted the club still have major work to do after a summer of churn.
Preston have brought players in, but they have lost plenty as well. Osmajic is now another hole to fill, and the search for his replacement adds to an already long to-do list.
The market is open for just a few more days. Big names are waiting on phone calls, clubs are juggling bids and budgets, and one decisive offer can still flip a season on its head. Who blinks first?
