Ahead of the end of the summer transfer window, which shuts at midnight on Monday in Europe and at 9pm UAE time on Tuesday for the Premier League, correspondent Greg Lea looks at players who might move on the final day.
Paul Pogba
Manchester City and Barcelona were both heavily linked with France international Pogba earlier in the summer, but Chelsea are the club pursuing him as the end of the window approaches.
Having already parted with Andrea Pirlo, Carlos Tevez and Arturo Vidal – and having lost their first two league games – Italian champions Juventus would be loath to sell Pogba when there is little chance of bringing in a replacement.
But, as the likes of Wolfsburg have found in selling Kevin de Bruyne to Manchester City, Premier League cash is hard to turn down, and a large offer from Chelsea on the final day could be enough to land Europe’s most coveted young player.
John Stones
Stones will almost certainly still be an Everton player beyond the deadline after the club rejected his transfer request last week. Having bid for him three times already this summer, however, Chelsea may be prepared to tempt Everton with one final offer on deadline day, particularly given their surprising lack of defensive solidity so far this term.
It could be argued that Roberto Martinez’s side would have been better served by accepting £40 million (Dh226.2m) for the youngster and refreshing their squad with the proceeds but, at this stage, it would be a major shock were Stones to turn up at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.
Charlie Austin
His 18 goals in the Premier League for a relegated side was a fantastic return last season, but that alone has not been enough to secure Austin a transfer back to the top flight.
Queens Park Rangers have been adamant throughout that their star man will not be sold for anything less than £15m, with Newcastle United, West Ham United, West Bromwich Albion, Everton, Leicester City and Crystal Palace all yet to make a concrete offer despite reportedly being interested in the former Burnley man.
After disappointing starts to the season, teams such as Stoke City and Sunderland may be tempted to join the race, especially if QPR lower their asking price at the last minute.
Saido Berahino
Similar to Everton’s firm stance on Stones, West Brom have continually said that striker Berahino is not for sale. The England Under 21 international was again left out of Tony Pulis’s matchday squad at the weekend, though, and could still complete a move to long-term admirers Tottenham Hotspur, who are in desperate need of a new forward after drawing another blank against Everton on Saturday.
West Brom have rejected two offers from Mauricio Pochettino’s outfit, with Berahino’s transfer request also dismissed by the club. Tottenham may have to offer in excess of £25m to get the deal done, but Pulis’ decision to drop the 22-year-old forward from the team suggests he may be happy enough to let him go.
Other business?
Tottenham’s capture of Bayer Leverkusen’s Son Heung-min came somewhat out of the blue last week, and there could be more surprise signings in store on deadline day.
Chelsea’s probable failure to land Stones could see Jose Mourinho turn his attentions elsewhere, with Zenit St Petersburg’s Ezequiel Garay and Paris Saint-Germain’s Marquinhos possible targets as the Premier League champions look to bolster their back line.
Another centre-back may also be needed at Manchester United, particularly after Jonny Evans completed a £6m switch to West Brom on Saturday.
Their most pressing need, however, is at the top of the pitch, with Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez – who himself looks set to depart – the only senior strikers at the club. Monaco’s Anthony Martial has been linked in recent days, but time is running out to get that deal done.
Arsenal are also in the hunt for a new centre-forward, while Liverpool arguably remain short of a defender or two.
Though there will be no balls kicked in anger on Tuesday, it is nevertheless shaping up to be an intriguing day in the Premier League.
Follow us on Twitter at @NatSportUAE
