Key events
Thanks Xaymaca. Let’s start with some news from north of the border.
(From PA Media)
Scott Wright’s exit from Rangers was the first confirmed move of transfer deadline day in the William Hill Premiership. The former Aberdeen winger has joined Birmingham after 120 appearances and 12 goals for Rangers, including one in the 2022 Scottish Cup final. Wright has moved for an undisclosed fee reported to be around £300,000 and is reunited with Ben Davies, who moved to St Andrew’s on loan earlier in August.
They could be joined by Celtic midfielder Tomoki Iwata amid claims that Blues boss Chris Davies is going back to his former club for another signing from Scotland’s top flight. Celtic are expected to wrap up deals for Augsburg midfielder Arne Engels and Sheffield United defender Auston Trusty ahead of the 11pm deadline.
They have been linked with other midfield targets including Los Angeles FC’s Mateusz Bogusz, Dundee captain Luke McCowan, Switzerland Under-21 international Alvyn Sanches of Lausanne and Lyon’s Mahamadou Diawara. Celtic winger Mikey Johnston is set to finalise a permanent move to West Brom following a successful loan spell in the second half of last season.
Rangers have been linked with loan moves for Albania midfielder Nedim Bajrami, who plays for Italian side Sassuolo, and versatile Feyenoord defender Neraysho Kasanwirjo. The Ibrox club are still looking to offload players, with Todd Cantwell potentially moving to Blackburn.
Motherwell secured the Premiership’s first signing of the day by bringing Jack Vale back from Blackburn in a season-long loan.
That’s all from me for now. I’ll leave you in the very capable hands of David Tindall.
Away from transfer deadline day, a Women’s Super League fantasy football league is growing. Read more about it below.
A more general transfer window take from Simon Webb:
“One thing that always puzzles me is why more players don’t run their contracts down and leave on frees. If your services are worth £x million to a new club, do you want a big chunk of that to go as a transfer fee to your current club? Or do you want to take it all yourself? Seems an obvious inefficiency in the market.”
In the case of Raheem Sterling, running down his contract is an option, but at 29, not playing would be a waste.
More Chelsea related thoughts, this time from John Culley:
“As an Arsenal fan, Sterling is intriguing. Arteta has taken one underperformer for Chelsea, Havertz, and brought out the performances we all thought were there. He could do the same with Sterling, who could do a really useful job, given his pace and the finishing ability he showed when at Man City and for England. We need a bit of variety and depth across the front line. But he is nearly 30 and with whacking wage expectations, so we shouldn’t pay much money for him, if anything at all.”
Here’s a message from Jonathan Phillips:
“I agree with Charlie Robinson’s assessment that Chelsea’s treatment of certain players appears mean spirited. It’s surprising that the so-called “bomb squad” members haven’t been more active in seeking transfers. However, I wonder if some of these players, particularly those who thrived under Pochettino, might be adopting a wait-and-see approach. Could they be thinking, “Maresca might not last the season, so if we hang on for a few months, we could get a fresh start under a new manager?” This strategy could explain their apparent lack of urgency in finding new clubs.
Forest agree loan deal to sign Ward-Prowse
Jacob Steinberg
Nottingham Forest have agreed a deal to sign West Ham midfielder James Ward-Prowse on loan for the rest of the season. There is no option to buy or obligation included in a deal that will boost West Ham’s chances of signing PSG mdifielder Carlos Soler.
Fran Collins has an update from the Championship:
“Probably not a big issue when compared to Toney et al, but in the lower leagues my team, Birmingham City are going wild, apparently having offered £9m or £10m for Fulham’s Jay Stansfield. I can only hope they get promoted, because, if not, they could be screwed.”
Wolves sign Johnstone from Crystal Palace
The 31-year-old goalkeeper Sam Johnstone has signed a four-year contract at Wolves after starting this season on Crystal Palace’s bench.
Maupay leaves Everton for Marseille on loan
Neal Maupay is going on loan again after last season’s loan spell at Brentford. The striker, who has scored one goal in 32 appearances will not be a part of Sean Dyche’s plans this season.
Charlie Robinson isn’t impressed with Chelsea’s treatment of Raheem Sterling, Ben Chilwell and Trevor Chalobah:
“I can’t help feeling uncomfortable with how they’re treating contracted employees, and how Chelsea seem determined to cut off their own nose to spite their face. Wanting these players out of the club is a perfectly fine and legitimate thing, but telling them they won’t get a single second of game time if they stay seems unnecessarily cruel, not to mention foolish. Say what you like about Raheem Sterling, but he can still do a fantastic job when needed for a top-half Premier League team which, let’s face it, is all Chelsea were last season anyway.”
Eddie Howe recently spoke to the press about Newcastle United’s activity this transfer window:
“With such a short time left, it is looking difficult. This window continues to be difficult for us. It’s a difficult situation with PSR & attracting the right players we think can make a difference. If we can’t do that, then doing nothing is perhaps the best option, as frustrating as that is.”
Ben Fisher
It is expected to be a quiet day at Aston Villa, fresh from learning their Champions League opponents. Leander Dendoncker could leave on loan, to Anderlecht, and other fringe players could depart but no incomings are anticipated. Villa like the Feyenoord full-back Lutsharel Geertruida but, mindful of PSR parameters, a deal has been tricky to get over the line.
Ben isn’t a fan of either striker going to the Al-Ahli:
“So where do we reckon Toney, Osimhen and co end up at when they inevitably tire of the Saudi league in … let’s be generous and suggest 12 months? Inevitably their star will have faded, I reckon Osimhen does end up at Chelsea eventually but by that point they have bought two strikers who will need to be pushed aside to make room for the one they really want. Toney feels like he will end up with either a sideways move or a downwards one, so a Fulham or Everton (no offence to those fans!).”
Al-Alhi don’t have space for Victor Osimhen and Ivan Toney according to Sky Sports. Securing deals for both strikers would see them exceed their transfer budget and violate their foreign player limit.
It’s been a frantic start to transfer deadline day. Read all about it here.
Read more about the Raheem Sterling conundrum below.
Here’s what Graeme thinks of the Toney deal:
“Given his age, ability and the fact he was being linked with some decent clubs (and Chelsea), there’s something quite depressing about Toney moving to Saudi Arabia at this stage of his career. I can just about understand the last big payday move but this is definitely not that.”
It’s hard to see Toney making his way back into the England squad if he plays in the Saudi Pro League.
Jacob Steinberg
Al-Ahli have agreed a £40m deal to sign Ivan Toney from Brentford. The Saudi Pro League side will be paying the England striker a huge salary – and they are not giving up their pursuit of Napoli’s Victor Osimhen. A wild day of spending in the Middle East. Toney, who has a year left on his deal, has been linked with Chelsea and Manchester United. It remains to be seen if a Premier League side comes in for him after seeing the price.
Arsenal consider Sterling move after being offered outcast
Jacob Steinberg
Arsenal are considering a move for Raheem Sterling after being offered the Chelsea winger. Mikel Arteta wants to add more depth in attack and there is a chance that Sterling, who has been told that he has no future at Stamford Bridge, joins one of Chelsea’s closest rivals.
The deal would not be easy to pull off given that the 29-year-old winger has three years left on a deal worth £325,000 a week. There is as strong a chance that Sterling will stay at Chelsea given his contractual situation, although Enzo Maresca has warned him that he will not play a minute if he does not move.
Manchester United are also one to watch given that they have held talks with Chelsea over a swap deal involving Jadon Sancho and Sterling. Sancho could still join Chelsea without a player heading in the opposite direction. Aston Villa, Juventus and Crystal Palace have been linked with Sterling.
Jacob Steinberg has an update on the Raheem Sterling situation.
Darrien has a sense of humour:
“I might be late to the party on this one but I’ve just spotted Sean Dyche and the tough tackling Vinny Samways breakfasting together in a trendy Liverpool cafe. Rumours of a cool £2 million swoop doing the rounds in these parts…”
Al-Ahli agree deal to sign Ivan Toney for £40m
Sky Sports are reporting that Al-Ahli have also agreed a deal to sign Ivan Toney. It’s not looking good for Chelsea.
Arne Slot remained calm in today’s press conference. When asked about any last minute transfers he said: “Not expecting anything but if we see an opportunity, we could act.”
Jacob Steinberg
West Ham’s focus is on outgoings, although they could still move for PSG midfielder Carlos Soler and have one more deal rumbling away in the background.
Much depends on whether they can raise funds. Kurt Zouma is set to head to Saudi Arabia on loan, assuming he passes a medical.
Nottingham Forest are interested in James Ward-Prowse and Southampton could sign Maxwel Cornet on loan, unless there’s a hijack from Palace. Nayef Aguerd has interest from multiple clubs but Danny Ings has no plans to leave West Ham.
Understand that Ernest Nuamah could still leave Lyon before the end of the transfer window. The Ghana midfielder has interest from Everton and Nottingham Forest
— Ed Aarons (@ed_aarons) August 30, 2024
Jacob Steinberg
Enzo Maresca has made it clear to Chelsea’s outcasts that they won’t play for him even if they do not leave today.
That gives someone like Trevoh Chalobah a decision to make. The defender has interest from several clubs. It’s not a given that he leaves his boyhood club.
Somebody has sent a solution to Chelsea’s problem into my inbox:
“If Sky Italy are correct then Toney won’t be going further east than Fulham Broadway – but the Bees should swap him for Raheem and Chilwell ( with a small cash difference?), thereby gaining a fine striker and cover for injury prone (but wonderful) Rico Henry on the left? This agenting thing ain’t so hard…”
Read more about Neto’s move to Arsenal below:
Ed Aarons
Arsenal are set to sign Neto on a season-long loan from Bournemouth after failing with two bids for Espanyol’s Joan Garcia. The Brazilian goalkeeper is due to have a medical on Friday after an agreement was struck with Bournemouth for a straight loan with no option or obligation to buy, with Neto set to provide cover for David Raya following the expected departure of Aaron Ramsdale to Southampton.
Jacob Steinberg
Chelsea representatives flew out to Italy last night in an attempt to convince Victor Osimhen to join them from Napoli. They are willing to break their wage structure to land the Nigerian but they are going to have to work extremely hard to stop him taking a huge offer from Al Ahli.
It’s never quiet at Stamford Bridge. Enzo Maresca wants a new forward and there is a chance of Chelsea moving for Ivan Toney. They are also in talks with Manchester United over a deal for Jadon Sancho. Another winger? It seems unnecessary. Raheem Sterling could easily end up staying at Chelsea today. We are also waiting to see if there are moves for Ben Chilwell, Carney Chukwuemeka and Trevoh Chalobah. I’m told it’s 50-50 for Chalobah.
Nicky Bandini
Chiesa’s first season at Juventus was his best, with 14 goals and 10 assists in all competitions (he notched a further one of each for Fiorentina before the transfer). Then came Euro 2020, where he began as a reserve but took Domenico Berardi’s place on the right of Italy’s attack after coming off the bench to score an extra-time goal against Austria. His goal against Spain in the semi-final cemented his reputation as one of Europe’s brightest emerging talents.
Elsewhere in Liverpool, the Reds completed their first signing of the window. Read all about the Federico Chiesa deal below:
Here’s a prediction from Mark:
“I foresee a positive ending to the window for Everton, wiping away some of the current gloom around the club. It would be inexcusable not to use the remaining domestic loan so expect a London based player to travel to Liverpool for a late, late move. Have a great day and drink lots of Diet Coke!”
I think I’ll start with a coffee before opting for something stronger this evening.
Here’s a prediction from Andrew Coxon:
“Chelsea miss out on Osimhen, bid for Toney but can’t get the deal over the line and end up keeping Sterling, Chilwell and Chalobah due to a lack of takers at the prices they’re asking. Circus continues…”
I wouldn’t be surprised Andrew. I wouldn’t be surprised.
Sky Italy are reporting that Victor Osimhen is heading to Al-Alhi . It’s bad news for Chelsea who will have to look elsewhere for a striker. Ivan Toney?
Preamble
Hello and welcome to this transfer deadline day live blog.
Today is the day. Buckle up for twists, turns and late drama.
A great deal of attention has been placed on Chelsea this window. They have signed a shedload of players and will be keen to shed the dead wood today i.e. Raheem Sterling and co. Expect more chaos today.
Outside of Chelsea there will be plenty of drama around the grounds as clubs try to secure last minute deals. Keep refreshing this page for updates and email me your thoughts.