Liverpool's Winger Search Intensifies as Transfer Window Closes
The Premier League is back, but the transfer window refuses to slip into the background. With just over a week left, some of England’s biggest clubs are still swinging hard.
Liverpool’s winger hunt hits resistance
Andoni Iraola has been blunt: Liverpool need wingers. Badly.
Two bids for Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh have already been knocked back, the latest a £60m offer after an initial £50m attempt. Brighton are standing firm, and Liverpool’s search for a long-term successor to Mohamed Salah is getting tense.
Curtis Jones has gone, a €30m move to Inter Milan confirmed, with a further €5m in achievable add-ons and a 10 per cent sell-on clause. He was in the final year of his contract, Liverpool had already turned down €25m in June, and while Iraola wanted to keep him, Jones made it clear he wanted out. Liverpool cashed in. Now they need to reinvest.
The wish list is ambitious. Minteh remains the primary target, but Liverpool would like two wide players. Bradley Barcola is another name high up the board, yet Paris Saint-Germain’s £145m valuation has left a huge gap between the clubs. So Liverpool have looked elsewhere.
The Times report that the club have made an enquiry to Real Madrid over Brazil forward Endrick. The 20-year-old spent last season at Lyon and was part of Brazil’s World Cup squad, though only as a squad player. With Jose Mourinho now in charge at the Bernabeu, Endrick’s future is uncertain, and Liverpool are ready to see if there is any room to manoeuvre.
Arsenal reshape attack after Konsa deal
At Arsenal, the rebuild has taken a more methodical turn.
The club have announced the £51m signing of Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa, their fifth arrival of the summer. The defender spoke of his excitement at working under Mikel Arteta, highlighting the manager’s demands on defenders who can “really defend” and stay calm on the ball. He called it a proud moment for him and his family and made no secret of his intentions: he is at Arsenal “to win”. He could debut against his former club as early as next week.
With Konsa through the door, attention swings back to the left side of the attack. Arteta has long earmarked that flank as an area to upgrade. The dream signing was Vinicius Jr, but the Brazilian’s decision to remain at Real Madrid forced Arsenal to rethink.
Now Juventus forward Kenan Yildiz has emerged as a leading option. The 21-year-old Turkey international is high on their list as they prepare for another tilt at both the Premier League and Champions League. Arsenal have also considered waiting until January or next summer, when other possibilities might open up.
Bournemouth’s Junior Kroupi would likely have been a serious target this summer had it not been for injury, and he remains a live option for the winter window.
There is also a more speculative line: Victor Osimhen. Reports in France suggest Arsenal could move for the Galatasaray striker if he lowers his wage demands. It feels unlikely given Kai Havertz, Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Jesus are already on the books, but the former Napoli forward has been linked with a Premier League move for years, and his all-action style would fit the league perfectly.
United land their midfield man
Manchester United have chosen a different route: decisive, expensive, and long planned.
A deal is in place to sign Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba for £70m, ending a pursuit that began last summer. The 20-year-old is set to undergo a medical this weekend, with Sky Sports reporting a five-year contract and a sell-on clause included for Brighton.
The timing is no accident. United open their Premier League campaign against Hull at lunchtime, and the confirmation of such a major signing offers Michael Carrick a significant boost as he tries to launch the season with momentum.
Spurs move for Savinho as City eye Allan
Tottenham are not sitting quietly either. They have agreed a deal with Manchester City to sign winger Savinho for an initial £75m. The Brazilian is expected to be followed by Omar Marmoush, who has been heavily tipped to join, as Spurs look to load up on attacking options.
City, in turn, have identified Brazilian winger Allan as a possible replacement for Savinho as they recalibrate their own squad after a summer that has already seen major movement across Europe.
Villa circle Jackson as Chelsea ponder midfield future
Aston Villa are preparing a move for Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson. The Senegal forward, 25, endured a disappointing loan spell at Bayern Munich but impressed at the World Cup. Unai Emery is reportedly ready to test Chelsea’s resolve with an offer close to the £65m valuation.
Atletico Madrid, previously interested, look to be out at that price, even as they hold a lofty £150m valuation of Julian Alvarez. Barcelona and Arsenal are among those watching the Argentine forward’s situation.
One more Chelsea subplot refuses to die down. Enzo Fernandez, booed on his return to Stamford Bridge after a turbulent summer that ended in a World Cup final red card and defeat, remains on Manchester City’s radar. New City manager Enzo Maresca is a long-time admirer of the midfielder from their previous spell together.
Chelsea had set a deadline of 5pm on Friday 14 August for any bids, and with that date gone, they expect Fernandez to stay. Xabi Alonso has spoken positively about his training levels ahead of the new season. Even so, City could yet test Chelsea’s resolve before the window closes, especially if they move close to the £120m asking price.
The clock is ticking. Big names are restless. The money is still on the table. Who blinks first before 1 September?
