Manchester United have held early talks with Ivan Toney over a contract extension but the player’s top priority remains securing a move to Chelsea ahead of Friday’s transfer deadline.
Toney has made it clear he wants to leave Brentford before the transfer window closes, forcing the Bees to settle for a deal significantly below their original asking price of £50 million or risk losing the England international for free next summer.
Chelsea are considering offers as manager Enzo Maresca looks to add a new striker to his summer recruitment list, but Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahly had their initial bid rejected.
However, preliminary talks have also taken place between Manchester United and Brentford about a potential deal.
Negotiations have yet to reach a serious stage and the Old Trafford club have yet to make a formal offer, but Brentford hope any interest would spark a bidding war with Chelsea and secure around £40million for Toney.
The 28-year-old has been left out of Thomas Frank’s squad for the first two Premier League games this season and the club are concerned about the impact of reinstating him in the squad.
Meanwhile, talks are underway between United and Chelsea over a potential swap deal involving Raheem Sterling and Jason Sancho.
Apart from the talks over Sancho and Sterling, United and Chelsea have also intensified talks over a potential move for Ben Chilwell to Old Trafford.
The two clubs have been in constant negotiations over the past two days as they attempt to resolve a number of remaining squad issues in the final 72 hours of the transfer window.
United’s need for another left-back given Luke Shaw’s ongoing injury problems has forced manager Erik ten Hag to make a number of compromises and experiment in the position, which has left Old Trafford chiefs at least considering their options regarding the possibility of signing Chilwell.
The numbers are still somewhat off due to the 27-year-old’s high salary.
Liverpool targeting Federico Chiesa after deal for Giorgi Mamadashvili
Liverpool have signed Giorgi Mamadashvili from Valencia and are reportedly in advanced talks with Italy and Juventus winger Federico Chiesa and are close to a £10.9million deal.
Negotiations between Liverpool and Juventus have progressed in the past 24 hours, with Chiesa currently preparing to fly to Merseyside for a medical and a transfer fee believed to be close to being agreed.
The right winger has long been highly rated by Liverpool’s scouting department, who believe they can acquire the player on the cheap as he recovers from a serious knee injury and is determined to get back to his best.
Chiesa was linked with a move to Chelsea or Barcelona earlier in the transfer window, but a move to Liverpool comes as something of a shock given their deep resources in attack.
With Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota all starting the season in good form, and Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo starting the season as experienced reserves, the Merseyside club were not thought to be looking for reinforcements in that area.
The club’s priority so far has been strengthening their midfield depth and it is well known they are in the market for a number six.
But the club needs six attacking players and the signing of Chiesa would give manager Arne Slott a strong attacking midfield to choose from, with the right-winger also needing a player of similar calibre. Salah’s current backup is Harvey Elliott, an entirely different type of attacking player, while youngster Ben Doak is available on loan.
Chiesa was valued at around £100 million for his transfer fee three years ago but has been plagued by injuries since then and has struggled to return to full fitness.
He becomes Slott’s second big signing this week. Liverpool agreed a £30 million deal with Georgian goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili on Monday. Valencia’s No. 1 will join his current La Liga club on loan for the remainder of the season.
Arsenal still need a striker
Despite Arsenal’s impressive start to the Premier League season, the feeling that they need to sign a striker this summer remains. With just over two days left in the summer transfer window, changes are still likely to be made to Mikel Arteta’s squad as Arsenal attempt to wrest the Premier League title from Manchester City.
According to BBC Sport, Eddie Nketiah is close to completing a deal to join Crystal Palace for £30 million. His departure has been expected all summer, with Marseille and Nottingham Forest both showing interest but falling short of Arsenal’s valuation and Palace taking him. Nketiah’s departure has increased the pressure on the Emirates Stadium to find a replacement, but time is running out.
Arsenal have been continuously linked with a move for Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, but although Osimhen has been in talks with multiple clubs, a move away from the Serie A side is yet to materialise.
But there remains a feeling that Arsenal need another crucial option, with Nico Williams’ name still being mentioned after his impressive performances in Spain’s victory at Euro 2024. But transfer expert Fabrizio Romano does not expect the Athletic Club star or any other big attacking player to arrive in north London in this window.
“I don’t think it will be a super big name like Nico Williams,” Romano said. “I don’t think Nico will move. I’ve seen a lot of reports this week about Arsenal and Nico Williams but from what I’ve heard it’s just not real.”
With Mikel Merino confirmed to strengthen Arsenal’s midfield, their brightest missing piece – a game-changing striker – is more visible than ever.
Arteta and the club will need to work hard to find replacements for Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus due to their ongoing injury problems, and finding the right man in this transfer window could have a major impact on the team’s title hopes.
Ogbene returns to Premier League with Ipswich
Luton winger Chiedozie Ogbene has completed a move to Premier League newcomers Ipswich for an undisclosed fee.
The 27-year-old Ireland international, who scored four goals in 30 appearances for the Hatters in the top flight last season, has signed a four-year contract.
Ogbene told Town TV: “I’m very excited and feel fortunate to have the opportunity to play in the Premier League again.”
“This is an opportunity that must be grabbed with both hands and I can’t wait to get involved as soon as possible.”
Ogbene began his career in Ireland with Cork City and Limerick before spending time at Brentford, Rotherham and Luton.
Palace are looking to Trevoh Chalobah to plug gaps in defence
Crystal Palace are set to make a belated attempt to land Trevoh Chalobah and rescue him from exile to Chelsea.
Palace will need to reshuffle their backline with Joachim Andersen returning to Fulham and further talks expected over Marc Guehi’s move to Newcastle.
Palace are targeting Wolfsburg’s Maxence Lacroix, who would fill one of the vacancies, but Chalobah is also among their targets on transfer deadline day, with the 25-year-old training at Stamford Bridge away from the first-team squad.
Palace signed Guehi from Chelsea and have previously loaned Conor Gallagher and Ruben Loftus-Cheek from the club.
Burnley sign Hannibal Mejbri from Manchester United
Burnley continue to overhaul their squad with the signing of Hannibal Mejbri from Manchester United on a four-year contract. The 21-year-old Tunisian attacking midfielder joins from Turf Moor for an undisclosed fee, becoming the eighth new signing this summer.
Mejbri joined United in 2021, making his Tunisia debut the same year he also spent on loan at Birmingham and Sevilla.