Football transfer deadline rumours: Al-Ahli ruining Chelsea’s striker plans? | Transfer Window

Sturn all the clocks up, turn off the phones… stop the hackers from barking their transmission drone. Depending on how much you like this sort of thing: either it’s here, it’s here! … or it’s almost over, it’s almost over! The big SLAM of the window in Europe is coming tonight at 11pm BST, sports fans.

Chelsea’s quiet transfer window looked set to end with the blockbuster win over Napoli. Victor Osimhen …but Al-Ahli appear to have swooped in with their pesky Saudi wealth, splashing out up to £135million on the Nigerian striker on a four-year deal. So all eyes are on Brentford’s Ivan Toney the eight-mile move to Stamford Bridge then? Thomas Frank said this week: “I can say Ivan won’t be playing (Southampton) on Saturday… Ivan is training well and is in a good mood.” Yes, that should be it. Chelsea fans will be happy.

Oh, what’s that? “Ah-Ahli agree deal to sign Ivan Toney for £40m.” Pffffff.

Former Blues midfielder Billy Gilmour will certainly disrupt fans’ online searches for news of the Osimhen transfer, as the Naples club appear to be looking to revive a loan move that seemed to be on the rocks. His current club, Brighton, are facing a headache in the central areas following news that Matt O’Riley will require ankle surgery.

Of the remaining ongoing sagas, Jadon SanchoHis fate remains uncertain, with noise linking him to Chelsea and Juventus becoming noticeably quieter. A swap deal with Raheem Sterling seems less likely now, but is a direct deal between Manchester United and Chelsea still possible? It’s fair to say that Sancho’s agent, Emeka Obasi, may need to keep a backup power bank handy for his mobile phone today. What’s that, rumour mill? Mikel Arteta interested in late moves for either or both? Certainly not…

While Arne Slot’s new team at Liverpool only got the fax machine working two days before the big SLAM and deals for Giorgi Mamardashvili and Federico Chiesa were quickly completed, their Deadline Day Eve suddenly became a whirlwind of supposed approaches, agreements, withdrawals and rejections.

The defensive midfield position remains a glaring hole in Slot’s squad, and a whirlwind near-£50m romance with Porto’s Alan Varela – who is knocking on the door to join Alexis MacAllister as a full Argentina international – barely lasted an hour on Thursday night before saying “no, that’s not a thing”. Reports in Mexico at the time suggested another winger – Unam’s Cesar “Chino” Huerta – was all but done, with an immediate loan move to Sunderland in prospect. The Black Cats merely blinked, confused.

“I don’t expect anything,” said Arne Slot at the press conference on Friday morning. “But it’s no different than the days before. If we see an opportunity, we can take action…” After the arrival of Chiesa, the Scottish winger Ben Doak looks set to join the list of Anfield players who are set to leave, with Hull among several clubs interested in a season-long loan for the troublesome 18-year-old.

Joe Gomez feels too important and versatile for Liverpool’s squad to leave so late in the transfer window, but there are questions about Marc Guéhi‘s remain unresolved, what could be a hellish night. The England centre-back has been linked with a move to Merseyside this summer, Newcastle’s interest remains undiminished and Crystal Palace certainly like having money to play with. “Where there’s time, there’s hope,” shrugged Eddie Howe in his press conference. Attaboy.

James Ward-Prowse started West Ham’s Carabao Cup victory over Bournemouth on Wednesday but has been a notable bench presence in the competition so far this season. Nottingham Forest’s Nuno Espírito Santo has sagely suggested he could be the key to unlocking the significant aerial threats of Chris Wood and Taiwo Awoniyi.

With Aaron Ramsdale’s departure to Southampton all but completed, Arsenal have moved quickly to strengthen the reserve goalkeeper position – which looks incredibly secure going forward. Net‘s hands, with the Bournemouth stopper looking more content to support David Raya in north London and the Champions League than new Cherries signing Kepa Arrizabalaga in a potential relegation battle on the south coast. Agreements have been reached, so that’s two moves all done, bar the inky bit on both counts.

It’s a fast growing business. Keep up to date with all the latest news with our deadline day blog here. And we’ll be back in January!