There are just three days left of the transfer window and it’s sure to be busy as several clubs look to make big signings before 11pm on Tuesday.
Here are today’s latest developments from Simon Jones and the Daily Mail Sport team…
Watkins departs Villa with ‘a heavy heart’
Ollie Watkins has completed a move to Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal.
Watkins posted a farewell message to Aston Villa on Instagram, where he said: ‘Firstly, I’d like to say never did I intend, nor did I imagine my time at Aston Villa would end this way.
‘With that being said I’m eternally grateful for the last six years. Not only has it shaped me as a player, but as a person. We’ve been through so many ups and downs during my six seasons here.
‘But one thing that has never changed is that I’ve given everything for this club. From my first goals in the 7-2 win against Liverpool, getting the club back into Europe, the Champions League nights at Villa Park to that unforgettable night in Istanbul.’
After thanking his three managers at Villa Park – Dean Smith, Steven Gerrard and Unai Emery – Watkins added: ‘It’s time for a new chapter that I’m excited about. However, I close this chapter with a heavy heart. Villa will always mean so much to me. Thank you guys, from the bottom of my heart.’
Liverpool kid Bajcetic close to Celta move
Liverpool and Celta Vigo are close to agreement on a deal for midfielder Stefan Bajcetic.
Talks are centring around a nominal fee with a substantial sell on clause for the 21-year-old.
Stefan Bajcetic has made 12 league appearances for Liverpool
… as Reds eye Genk stopper
Liverpool are among clubs monitoring highly rated Genk goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans.
The 18-year-old is a player Liverpool are interested in but so are Real Madrid.
The teenager is a Belgium U19 international and at 6ft 7ins tall he has drawn comparisons already with Madrid’s number one Thibaut Courtois and it is anticipated he will follow suit by moving to the Bernabeu.
Liverpool are aware of his situation but there are no guarantees he will be moving to Anfield this window.
Juve make Sarr offer
Juventus have offered a £1.7m loan fee for Tottenham midfielder Pape Matar Sarr. The deal would become permanent for £23million if Juventus qualify for the Champions League.
Villa to wrap up Harwood-Bellis deal
Aston Villa are finalising a £30m package with Southampton to sign centre back Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
Talks are ongoing but the fee is £25m plus £5m in add-ons.
Villa are set to bring in English centre back Taylor Harwood-Bellis from Southampton
Jesus heads to Barca
Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus is set for a late move to Barcelona, who are closing in on a cut-price deal worth around £8.6m.
Jesus was left out of the Arsenal squad for their first two games this season and has been training away from the first team.
Arsenal midfielder Fabio Vieira is set to move to Hamburg on a permanent deal. The 26-year-old spent last season on loan at the German club and the clubs have agreed a £7.4m deal.
For more on this story click HERE
Tete’s set to be a Toffee
Everton have agreed a £9.4m deal with Fulham to sign Kenny Tete.
David Moyes wanted to sign him when his contract was expiring at Fulham last summer and came close, but Tete got an improved deal and stayed.
Moyes has been wanting to sign a right-back as a matter of priority before the window ends on Tuesday and had narrowed a list down to two with Nottingham Forest’s Ola Aina.
Fulham are in talks to sign Rayo Vallacano’s Andrei Ratiu as a new right-back.
Kenny Tete is heading to Hill Dickinson Stadium
Foxes’ Hamza on verge of Blades move
Leicester City midfielder Hamza Choudhury is having a medical at Sheffield United.
The Blades stepped in for the 28-year-old Bangladesh international as he was on his way to Derby County after the clubs agreed a deal.
However, a late bid from Sheffield United has resulted in Choudhury choosing to return to the Blades.
Coventry land City’s Mfuni
Coventry City have signed Stephen Mfuni on a season-long loan from Manchester City.
The 18-year-old, who can play at left-back and centre-back, made his senior Man City debut last season in the 10-1 victory over Exeter City in the Emirates FA Cup.
Mfuni said: “I feel blessed to be here, it’s exciting. These are moments you dream of and to do it with such a good team and a good squad, I’m looking forward to it.
‘I spoke to the gaffer, he wants me to show what I normally do on the pitch, whether I’m at left-back or centre-back, and for me to keep being me and do what I do.’
Stephen Mfuni has joined promoted Coventry on a season’s loan
Brentford in for Larsson
Brentford are talking over a deal for Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Hugo Larsson, who has also been targeted by other Premier League clubs.
Collyer heads to West Brom
Manchester United midfielder Toby Collyer has joined West Bromwich Albion for £3m, potentially rising to £7.6m. United also inserted a 40 percent sell-on clause.
Toon close on Pardo
Newcastle United are close to sealing a deal to buy Matias Fernandez-Pardo from Lille. The 21-year-old Belgium international, is seen as a versatile forward who can play in any of the four attacking positions used by new boss Matthias Jaissle.
Daily Mail Sport reported earlier this week that the deal was not dead, despite reports in France
Matias Fernandez-Pardo is closing in on a move to Newcastle
Leeds miss out as Strasbourg land Harder
Leeds target Conrad Harder is set to move to Strasbourg. Daily Mail Sport reported yesterday that the club were keeping an interest in the 21-year-old Leipzig forward but they have lost out as he is heading to France.
Liverpool push on with Minteh and Sarr deals
Liverpool are still working on potential moves for Yankuba Minteh and Ismaila Sarr.
The Reds have had bids for Brighton’s Minteh turned down with the Seagulls holding out for around £80m, as reported by Daily Mail Sport, while they have made enquiries for Crystal Palace forward Sarr as they look to strengthen before Tuesday’s 11pm deadline.
Cody Gakpo is subject of a move from Manchester City and Bradley Barcola is set to join from PSG in a £123m deal.
Liverpool have asked Crystal Palace about Ismaila Sarr
Spurs set for £60m Ndiaye deal as £35m Richarlison goes the other way in Everton return
Tottenham have a £60m deal in place for Everton forward Iliman Ndiaye and have proposed Richarlison to go the other way for £35m.
Everton, meanwhile, are looking into a deal for Manchester City winger Jack Grealish to return to the club after last season’s loan.
They have also offered £9million to Fulkham for right back Kenny Tete.
For more on this story click HERE
Gunners seal deal for history boy Axel
Arsenal have announced the signing of 16-year-old midfielder Axel Donczew from Cardiff City on an initial scholarship deal with a pre-contract agreement to sign a professional contract.
Donczew made history last season when he made his professional debut for Cardiff aged just 15 years and 234 days, making him the youngest player in their history as he appeared in a Welsh derby against Newport in the EFL Trophy.
Alex Donczew has swapped Cardiff for Arsenal on a scholarship
Palace in talks over Timber
Crystal Palace have revived talks with Marseille for Netherlands midfielder Quinten Timber.
The 25-year-old brother of Arsenal defender Jurrien is keen on the move if they can agree a fee.
Marseille have been looking to sell for financial reasons. Timber joined from Feyenoord a year ago but made just 16 appearances.
Quinten Timber with then Feyenoord boss Robin van Persie
Everton fans win battle over Armstrong
Everton’s owners have scrapped Harrison Armstrong’s proposed move to Nottingham Forest following a backlash from supporters.
The Toffees had accepted an offer of £35m plus £5m in add-ons from Forest, with the deal also including a sell on clause.
Armstrong, 19, had also been given permission to travel to Nottingham to complete the move.
For more on this story click HERE
Harrison Armstrong played in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Bournemouth
Todibo ready to go
West Ham defender Jean-Clair Todibo is in talks to join Lens on loan. Todibo was on Aston Villa’s list of options but they are looking at other targets
Todibo is already in Lens and is due to undergo his medical this morning. The deal is a straight loan without a purchase option.
Jean-Clair Todibo is heading to Lens on loan
Palace dig in heels over Henderson
Crystal Palace are determined to keep goalkeeper Dean Henderson despite a bid from Nottingham Forest.
The clubs have agreed a £22m fee for his team-mate, defender Daniel Munoz, to move to the City Ground and rejoin ex-Palace boss Oliver Glasner but Palace do not want to sell Henderson as well.
AC Milan, meanwhile, are closing on an agreement for Nottingham Forest winger Omari Hutchinson. The 22-year-old is ready to join on loan with the deal becoming an obligation based on certain conditions.
Dean Henderson is wanted by his former Palace boss Oliver Glasner, now at Forest
Martinez seals Chelsea move before visit of Brighton
Emiliano Martinez has vowed to help Chelsea win titles after completing a £7.5m move from Aston Villa – and could be thrown straight into the starting line-up.
The Blues confirmed the arrival of the 33-year-old on Sunday morning, with Martinez signing a three-year deal.
Martinez is understood to be eligible to immediately represent Chelsea against Brighton today, with sources telling Daily Mail Sport that the goalkeeper was registered before the deadline.
For more on this story click HERE
Emiliano Martinez has completed a £7.5m move to Chelsea and is expected to replace Robert Sanchez as their No1
Barcola has Liverpool medical
Bradley Barcola is having his medical at Liverpool today ahead of his £123m move from Paris Saint-Germain.
The deal for the winger is made up of a fee of £106m plus £17m in add-ons.
Manchester City have opened talks with Liverpool over a deal worth around £85m for Cody Gakpo.
