Premier League clubs are getting ready for their earliest deadline day yet – with all English signings having to be done by Thursday at 1900hrs East African time.
The Premier League and Football League voted to shut the window before the start of the top-flight season, which kicks off on Friday.
Premier League spending during this window has already hit £1bn but is unlikely to match last year’s £1.4bn.
Football League clubs can sign loanees and free agents until 31 August.
The change does not affect European clubs, who can still sign players – including Premier League ones – until their respective deadlines later in the month.
Chelsea
Chelsea are set to confirm the loan signing of Croatia midfielder Mateo Kovacic from Real Madrid, with goalkeeper Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois set to join the Spanish club.
On Wednesday, the Blues signed Courtois’ replacement by paying £71m deal – a record for a goalkeeper – to sign 23-year-old Spaniard Kepa Arrizabalaga from Athletic Bilbao.
There are no other transfers that seem inevitable on deadline day – but plenty of top clubs are still looking to sign players.
Tottenham are the only Premier League club not to sign a single player this summer despite manager Mauricio Pochettino saying at the end of last season they would need to “take risks” to improve.
The Argentine wants to add to his squad but will he be able to get any deal done in time? He wanted Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish, who is understood to be furious at being priced out of a move to White Hart Lane.
Real Madrid also reportedly want Chelsea winger Eden Hazard – while Willian says he wants to stay at the club after being linked with a move away. The Blues are unlikely to let any of them go unless they sign a replacement on Thursday. They have only signed one first-team player since Maurizio Sarri’s appointment as manager.
Arsenal and Liverpool
Arsenal and Liverpool did their business early and are not expected to make any more big signings – but both sides’ managers say players could yet leave to trim their squads.
Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez has had another frustrating transfer window, while Burnley’s three signings have all come in the final few days.
The early deadline means any signings will be able to feature in the opening games of the Premier League season – which begins with Manchester United v Leicester on Friday.
In Italy, Inter Milan are being strongly linked to Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric – but no Premier League clubs would be likely to let the European champions sign a midfielder to replace the Croat if that move happened after the English deadline.
Manchester United
Jose Mourinho has made it clear on more than one occasion he expects at least one addition to his Manchester United squad before the deadline shuts.
Yet there is the very real possibility he may end up with no-one.
Given a choice, England’s Harry Maguire is the player United would really like.
For that deal to go through, Leicester would have to lower their asking price and there was no sign of that happening as the transfer window entered the final 24 hours.
United have been heavily linked with Tottenham’s Toby Alderweireld but as of Wednesday evening, my understanding was there had still been no bid.
Barcelona’s Yerry Mina looks set for Everton, which leaves Jerome Boateng.
It is understood Boateng is willing to move to Old Trafford, that Mourinho would like him, and that Bayern would be willing to sell.
However, the negotiations that have taken place centred around a loan, something neither Bayern or Boateng were keen on.