The transfer deadline for Premier League clubs is fast approaching and there is expected to be plenty of market movement before the window slams shut on September 1.
There is arguably no Premier League club completely done with their summer business, raising the prospect of big-money moves in the coming days. Several high-profile players still have uncertain futures and we’ve looked at five Premier League stars who could still move this summer.
Five big name Premier League players who could still move before the deadline:
Harry Maguire
Harry Maguire’s future appears no closer to being resolved, despite Erik ten Hag having made clear his place in his plans at Manchester United.
Maguire made just eight starts in the Premier League last season and has since been removed as club captain, with Bruno Fernandes named as the Red Devils’ new skipper for the 2023/24 campaign.
Maguire had looked set to leave after a £30m deal was agreed with West Ham, but the transfer collapsed with the Hammers instead turning to Stuttgart centre-back Konstantinos Mavropanos. It leaves Maguire out of favour and rapidly running out of options, with the deadline just over a week away.
Gareth Southgate has warned the 30-year-old that he needs regular football to remain an England regular and with next summer’s European Championship approaching, Maguire faces a huge decision. Given the emerging Levi Colwill and Marc Guehi are pushing for a place with the Three Lions, the former club captain can ill-afford another season on the sidelines for his club side.
Romelu Lukaku
Romelu Lukaku is in limbo after a transfer window that has proven to be a monumental mess.
The Belgium international scuppered hopes of a permanent move to Inter Milan after not-so-secretly negotiating with arch-rivals Juventus at the same time, whose fans made clear their stance against the signing the ex-Inter favourite by protesting the club’s move for the forward.
Having flirted with both sides the 30-year-old appears to have now burned bridges with Inter, arguably the one club where has been truly appreciated in his career, while he remains unwanted at current club Chelsea and training with the u-21 side.
Told Pochettino’s position on Romelu Lukaku remains clear: he always said in public and private discussions that he doesn’t want players in the squad who don’t want to be at Chelsea. ????????????
They didn’t receive different message as of now, as they feel Lukaku only wants to leave. pic.twitter.com/qkZp6N2mdK
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 23, 2023
Chelsea had hoped to offload the former record signing amid interest from Saudi Pro League riches, but Lukaku’s reluctance to head to the Middle East leaves him stranded with little options elsewhere.
Juventus remain keen on a deal despite their fans’ fury, but can not afford the £35m asking price without offloading Dusan Vlahovic, who Chelsea turned down as part of an exchange deal. It’s all been very complicated and appears little closer to a resolution. Lukaku will be one of the big names to watch as the window reaches its conclusion.
Joao Cancelo
Joao Cancelo is free to leave Manchester City after falling out of favour at the Etihad, with Pep Guardiola’s occasional abandonment of traditional full-backs and a reported clash of personalities having seen the defender shipped on loan to Bayern Munich last season.
Bayern refused to take up the option of signing Cancelo permanently and instead opted for the more cost-efficient addition of free agent Raphaël Guerreiro from Borussia Dortmund.
That decision leaves Cancelo in search of a new challenge and despite reported interest from Arsenal, a move to Spain appears the likeliest outcome. Barcelona have made the signing of the Portugal international a priority before the deadline, but as ever with the modern Barca, the cash-strapped Catalans must ensure their ‘economic levers’ are activated before finalising a move.
João Cancelo hasn’t received the approval to travel to Barcelona today. No green light as Financial Fair Play checks are not allowing to proceed yet ????????????????
Patience on all sides but feeling still the same: Cancelo will join Barça. pic.twitter.com/CpOR30iHXE
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 24, 2023
Cancelo’s stock has fallen from one of the Premier League’s most influential defenders to unwanted asset in less than 12 months. He will hope a move to Spain can reignite his fortunes,
Eberechi Eze
Eberechi Eze is understood to be on the radar of Manchester City, as the Premier League champions look to plug a Kevin De Bruyne-shaped hole in their midfield.
De Bruyne will miss around four months of action after undergoing hamstring surgery and City are keen to add creativity to their options, with the street footballer style of Palace’s Eze having piqued Pep Guardiola’s interest.
Eberechi Eze ???? pic.twitter.com/nqZ1r2dx4E
— Premier League (@premierleague) August 24, 2023
Matheus Nunes of Wolves is said to be City’s leading target at present, but Eze – who made his debut for England in March – is an alternative option should a deal not be agreed.
Palace will be reluctant to lose Eze given Wilfried Zaha’s exit and Michael Olise’s injury, but watching one of the Premier League’s funnest footballers in the division’s best side would be, well, fun.
Kalvin Phillips
Kalvin Phillips’ hopes of breaking into the Manchester City side appear bleak, with the midfielder set for increased competition for a place following the summer signing of Mateo Kovacic and expected arrival of another midfielder before the deadline.
Phillips featured for just 291 minutes in the Premier League last season and there has been little sign of a more regular role this time around, with the 27-year-old another who will consider an exit to keep alive his England ambitions.
Liverpool have been linked with a surprise move for the defensive midfielder, though City might be reluctant to allow Phillips to leave for a direct rival.
There will be no shortage of interested clubs should City make the midfielder available however, with Newcastle, Aston Villa and West Ham all long-term admirers.
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