Transfer News: Clubs Scramble as Deadline Approaches

The window is open, the clock is ticking, and the money is moving. With the market running until September 1, clubs are scrambling to reshape their squads before the real football starts to bite.

Here’s where the deals stand.

Villa brace for £50m Watkins bid as Saudis circle

Aston Villa are standing firm. Al Hilal have already seen four offers rejected for Ollie Watkins, but the Saudi club are expected to finally reach Villa’s £50million valuation for the England forward.

Watkins wants the move. The Saudi Pro League side are offering a salary far beyond his current terms at Villa Park, and the player is keen to cash in on what could be the defining contract of his career.

Villa, for their part, have been unmoved in negotiations and believe the pressure of the deadline will push Al Hilal to pay up. Behind the scenes, they are already working on a replacement: a £65m move for Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson is being pursued, a deal that would effectively see him step straight into Watkins’ role.

If Al Hilal hit the number, Villa are ready.

Monaco eye Spurs’ Pape Matar Sarr

Over in north London, another midfielder is attracting glances from the continent.

Monaco have joined the queue for Tottenham’s Pape Matar Sarr as they scan the market for midfield reinforcements. Their interest comes with uncertainty around Lamine Camara, who has offers from Crystal Palace and is also on Chelsea’s radar.

If Camara goes, Sarr is firmly on Monaco’s list. For now, it’s interest rather than a full-blown tug of war, but the French side are positioning themselves in case their own domino falls.

Grealish left in limbo as City keep every door open

Jack Grealish’s future at Manchester City is drifting into that awkward late-window territory where anything can still happen.

The 30-year-old has returned to the first-team picture, coming off the bench in City’s first two games of the season. Yet his status remains uncertain. The club have not ruled out a permanent sale. They have not ruled out another loan. They have not even ruled out him staying put, albeit with the warning of potentially limited game time.

Everton, where he spent last season on loan, remain in the conversation. Chief executive Angus Kinnear has confirmed they have stayed in contact, keeping the door ajar for another move.

Enzo Maresca is coaching him as if he will be part of the squad, but even he acknowledged the fluid situation after Sunday’s win over Bournemouth: he will work with Grealish, try to get the best out of him, and then see what the final week brings — for Grealish and others.

While that plays out, City’s wider transfer machine keeps spinning. Omar Marmoush is due for his medical at Tottenham today, Nico Gonzalez is putting the finishing touches on a move to Newcastle, Palmeiras winger Allan Elias is coming in, and a bid is expected to go in for Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez.

Grealish is not the only piece in motion at the Etihad. He is just the biggest name.

Liverpool baulk at £80m Minteh price and look elsewhere

Liverpool have stepped back from Brighton’s asking price for Yankuba Minteh and are now exploring other wing targets.

Brighton want close to £80m for the 22-year-old Gambian, a figure Liverpool consider too steep, especially with the winger sidelined until October through injury. Liverpool had hoped to strike a deal at around £50m, but the gap between the clubs is wide.

With that valuation holding firm, Liverpool are turning their attention to alternatives on the flank.

Celta Vigo, meanwhile, are understood to be interested in Liverpool midfielder Stefan Bajcetic, who began his career at the Spanish club. So far, though, Liverpool have not received a formal approach. For now, it’s admiration from afar.

Forest work on double raid: Rueda and Andre

Nottingham Forest are busy on multiple fronts.

Talks have opened with Celta Vigo for right-back Javi Rueda, with Forest discussing an £8m deal for the 25-year-old, who only joined Celta from Real Madrid in 2024.

Tottenham have asked about Forest full-back Neco Williams, but he is expected to stay at the City Ground, where he has become a key figure.

Forest are also in negotiations over Corinthians midfielder Andre. The proposed fee stands at around £13.6m including add-ons, but Corinthians are holding out for more. The 20-year-old only made his league debut a year ago, yet his rise has been sharp enough to draw Premier League money to his door.

Forest’s recruitment drive will not stop there. As reported earlier in the week, they are closing in on a £45m deal for Liam Delap. The squad is being rebuilt at pace.

Ipswich land Palacios in £23.5m coup

Ipswich Town continue to punch hard in the market.

They are finalising a £23.5m deal for Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Exequiel Palacios, with the 27-year-old agreeing a four-year contract. For a club of Ipswich’s size, it is a statement signing: a proven midfielder from one of Europe’s sharpest operations.

Attention now turns to outgoings. Ipswich want £9m for Anis Mehmeti, who has offers on the table from Wrexham, Birmingham and Derby. That fee, if met, would help balance the books after the Palacios investment and give Ipswich more room to manoeuvre before the deadline.

Osmajic exits Preston for Genoa

At Preston, there is a fresh hole to fill up front.

Striker Milutin Osmajic has completed his move to Genoa, a transfer Deepdale boss Paul Heckingbottom had already flagged as likely over the weekend. Speaking to BBC Radio Lancashire, he admitted the churn has been heavy: players out, players in, but still gaps to plug.

“We've lost a lot of players. We've still got a lot to replace and now Milly is another one we've got to replace,” he said.

The market rarely waits. With days slipping away and squads still incomplete, the next phone call could reshape a season.