With less than a week until the Premier League transfer window closes, clubs are monitoring their financial resources and several deals are stalling. Selling key players could provide the funds needed to complete late blockbuster signings.
Liverpool: Gakpo exit to fund Barcola bid
Liverpool are among the top teams still looking to do business, and the first step could be in outgoings. Cody Gakpo, 27, is linked with a £70m move to Manchester City and Tottenham. Should Liverpool sell the Dutchman to a Premier League rival, it would allow Andoni Iraola’s side to splash another record bid to land PSG winger Bradley Barcola.
The Frenchman, 23, is Liverpool’s top target before the window closes, but there remains a £45m difference in valuation. Selling Gakpo would easily bridge the difference to PSG’s £145m asking price.
Manchester United: Rashford out, Hall in
Manchester United’s defensive vulnerability saw them fall 2-0 down at half-time against Hull in a humiliating start to the season. Michael Carrick needs more signings, one of those certainly being a left-back. Marcus Rashford, 28, could make way in a £40m exit to Chelsea as speculation emerges in a shock swoop.
Those funds could help finance a move for Lewis Hall. Newcastle are reluctant to sell the 21-year-old this summer after seeing an exodus of stars and manager Eddie Howe. But if United can test the Magpies’ resolve with a bid of £70m or more, Hall is the perfect addition to add tenacity at the back and threat going forward.
Arsenal: Martinelli out to land Alvarez
The champions also have business to conclude. It looks as though fans will soon have to stop defending Gabriel Martinelli’s performances as the Brazilian closes in on a £50m move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal. Martinelli’s exit can give Arsenal the extra funds to pull off the biggest signing of the summer and land Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid.
The former Manchester City striker, 26, wants to leave and Atleti fans have turned on him. An exit before the deadline is what all parties would benefit from in a potential £128m deal.
Manchester City: Gonzalez out, Fernandez in
Enzo Maresca is just beginning his City project, and plenty of fringe stars have been cashed in on for high fees. City look set to recoup the £50m they paid for Nico Gonzalez, 24, after just 39 starts in 18 months, as the central midfielder closes in on a move to Newcastle.
With that added cash, City can break the bank, and potentially the British transfer record, to sign Enzo Fernandez, 25, from Chelsea. Talks are still rumbling on despite Chelsea’s deadline passing, and the mixed reception the Argentine has received could convince the Blues to take the money.
Chelsea: Jackson out, Rashford in
Chelsea could land a huge payday with Nicolas Jackson, 25, still on the books. The Blues would accept £65m this summer, and Aston Villa could be the club to pay it to replace Saudi-bound Ollie Watkins, 30. The Blues could invest it by completing the deal to sign Rashford.
Links have emerged between Chelsea and United, and a £40m move for Rashford could well be good value.
Tottenham: Richarlison out for Marmoush
Tottenham’s rebuild saw the light of day for the first time against Brentford, and it was obvious the owners need to throw even more money at finishing away from the drop following the 3-0 loss. Cashing in on Richarlison, 29, late on in the window, likely having to accept a chunk of that £60m they spent on him, can help land a major upgrade.
That star could come in the shape of Omar Marmoush. The City forward, 27, is expected to follow his former team-mate Savio to north London, but the deal is yet to be completed. The extra fee from cashing in on Richarlison to finance his upgraded replacement could be the best move Tottenham can make before the deadline next week.
