The transfer window enters its last 11 days – as the powers that be have handily extended it to 1 September, a Friday night. What better way to start your weekend than the ghosts of Jim White, Peter Odemwingie and Harry Redknapp’s car window?
Still, the climax is in sight of what has been a crazy summer. Let’s start with crisis club Manchester United, who played like a drain at Tottenham on Saturday, their midfield a wobbling mess. The solution is the transfer market and another canny campaigner to partner Casemiro in Marco Verratti, the Paris Saint-Germain player linked with the Premier League for what feels like decades when he is only 30. Bayern Munich, one of the summer’s prime market movers also want him, though also want to ship out Leroy Sané and Ryan Gravenberch as Thomas Tuchel overhauls FC Hollywood.
And also on Manchester United, Benfica’s goalkeeper Greek Odysseas Vlachodimos is eyed as the backup to André Onana with Dean Henderson allowed to be shipped out.
Talking of midfielders who might grace the Premier League, Dani Olmo of RB Leipzig is a tremendous player whom Manchester City fancy as a Kevin De Bruyne replacement, though for now the door is closed on any move. Watch this space. To nobody’s surprise, João Cancelo is for the off, and he’s headed to Brighton.
City are a name mentioned in a transfer tussle, with Jérémy Doku of Rennes wanted by them, and West Ham. The Hammers are struggling to agree a fee with Ajax for Mohammed Kudus but fancy a player City want to replace Riyad Mahrez. The Hammers are meanwhile looking to cash out Pablo Fornals. Lucas Paquetá’s departure was supposed to pay for all this but he has had some, er, disciplinary issues.
A World Cup star could be headed to the City Ground. Gonzalo Montiel is the Sevilla full-back who slotted Argentina’s winning spot-kick in the Qatar showpiece, and also did the same for the Spanish club in the Europa League final last season. Jesús Navas is keeping him on the bench and Nottingham Forest fancy the 26-year-old.
Everton to sign striker shocker? Che Adams continues to be on their list, and a £15m fee should get it done. How will that be financed? The usual fashion these days; Saudi Arabian side wants to sign Demarai Gray.
Divock Origi, abiding hero of the Anfield Kop, may be making an unlikely return to the Premier League, with Sheffield United wanting the former “super sub”. He’s still just 28. The Blades meanwhile would like to re-engage the services of Manchester City’s Tommy Doyle and his teammate James McAtee. All that may rely on the incomings and goings from Pep Guardiola’s squad.
