Transfer Window Update: Key Deals and Rumors
The window is open, the clock is ticking and the money is moving. With the market running until September 1, clubs are scrambling to fix squads, shift big earners and land the one signing that might change their season.
Here’s where the deals stand.
Villa brace for £50m Watkins bid as Saudis circle
Aston Villa are standing firm. £50million for Ollie Watkins – and not a penny less.
They now expect Al Hilal to get there.
The Saudi Pro League side have already seen four bids rejected but remain locked on the England striker, who is keen on the move and the huge salary on offer. Villa have refused to blink so far, yet there is growing belief inside the club that Al Hilal will eventually meet the full asking price.
Villa are not waiting around. They are pursuing a £65m move for Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson, a deal that would effectively plug the gap if Watkins goes. One elite No 9 out, another lined up. The planning is clear.
Monaco eye Spurs’ Pape Matar Sarr
In France, Monaco are edging into Tottenham’s midfield picture.
They have joined the list of clubs interested in Pape Matar Sarr, with their recruitment team scanning options in case they lose Lamine Camara. Camara has drawn concrete offers from Crystal Palace and interest from Chelsea, so Monaco are preparing for life without him.
If Camara goes, Sarr is one of the names they want ready.
Grealish future wide open as City keep door ajar
Jack Grealish is back in Manchester City colours, but his future is anything but settled.
The 30-year-old has returned to the first-team squad and come off the bench in each of City’s first two games. On paper, he is part of Enzo Maresca’s plans. In reality, every avenue remains on the table.
City have not ruled out a permanent sale. They have not ruled out another loan. They have not even ruled out him staying, though that would likely mean limited minutes.
Grealish spent last season on loan at Everton and their chief executive Angus Kinnear has admitted the Merseyside club have stayed in touch over a possible return.
Maresca, speaking after Sunday’s win over Bournemouth, kept his stance simple: “He is here and it is my duty to coach Jack and to try to get the best. Then it is one more week to go and we will see what happens. Not only with Jack but also other players.”
Around him, City’s squad is shifting. Omar Marmoush is due for a medical at Tottenham today. Nico Gonzalez is putting the final touches on his move to Newcastle. City are signing Palmeiras winger Allan Elias, and a formal bid is expected to go in for Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez.
One week left. A lot of moving parts.
Liverpool cool on £80m Minteh price and look elsewhere
Liverpool have stepped back from Brighton’s valuation of Yankuba Minteh and are now exploring other wide options.
Brighton want close to £80m for the 22-year-old Gambian winger, who is currently sidelined with injury until October. Liverpool had hoped to strike a deal in the region of £50m, but that gap has proved too wide.
So the search continues.
Celta Vigo, meanwhile, are understood to be interested in Liverpool midfielder Stefan Bajcetic, who began his career at the Spanish club. At this stage, Liverpool have yet to receive a formal approach.
Forest move on multiple fronts with Celta talks for Rueda
Nottingham Forest are busy.
Talks have opened with Celta Vigo over right-back Javi Rueda, with Forest discussing an £8m offer 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.
Forest’s midfield rebuild is also in motion. As previously reported, they are in negotiations over a £13.6m deal, including add-ons, for Corinthians midfielder Andre. The 20-year-old only made his league debut a year ago, and Corinthians are holding out for more, sensing his value is rising fast.
The Premier League side must now decide how far they are willing to push.
Ipswich close in on £23.5m Palacios coup
Ipswich Town are on the verge of one of the most eye-catching deals of the window.
They are finalising a £23.5m move for Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Exequiel Palacios, with the 27-year-old having agreed a four-year contract. It is the sort of signing that signals intent, not survival.
Ipswich also value midfielder Anis Mehmeti at £9m. He has offers on the table from Wrexham, Birmingham and Derby, and his departure could help balance the books after the Palacios outlay.
Osmajic exits Preston for Genoa
At Preston, there is another hole to fill.
Striker Milutin Osmajic has completed his move to Genoa. Deepdale boss Paul Heckingbottom had already flagged the deal as likely at the weekend and did not hide the scale of the rebuild facing him.
“The business we’ve done so far has been really good in terms of players we’ve brought in to replace, players who have gone out, but we’ve lost a lot of players,” he told BBC Radio Lancashire. “We’ve still got a lot to replace and now Milly is another one we’ve got to replace.”
Another striker gone. Another search begins.
Elsewhere in the market, Nottingham Forest are closing in on a £45m deal for Liam Delap, while Aston Villa have been in touch with AC Milan over Rafael Leao.
The window is open, the phones are ringing, and the next week will decide who has gambled wisely – and who is left scrambling when the shutters finally come down.
