Transfer Market Update: Key Deals and Rumors Ahead of Deadline

The window is open, the clock is ticking, and the money is already moving. With the market running until September 1, clubs are scrambling to reshape squads before the new season hardens into reality.

Here’s where the deals stand as of today.

Villa brace for £50m Watkins bid as Al Hilal keep coming

Aston Villa are standing firm. Al Hilal have already seen four bids rejected for Ollie Watkins, but the Saudi Pro League club are expected to finally hit Villa’s £50million valuation for the England striker.

Watkins wants the move. The salary on offer in Saudi Arabia far outstrips his current terms at Villa Park, and that has tilted his mind towards the Gulf.

Villa, though, have played this with a hard edge. They have refused to budge on the fee and believe Al Hilal will eventually pay what they are asking.

They are already lining up the next piece of the puzzle. Villa are pushing ahead with a £65m move for Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson, who would effectively step into Watkins’ role if the deal with Al Hilal goes through.

Monaco circle Pape Matar Sarr as Spurs wait

Over in north London, Tottenham midfielder Pape Matar Sarr is drawing a growing crowd. Monaco are the latest club to join the chase for the 21-year-old.

The Ligue 1 side are scouring the market for midfielders as they brace for possible movement on Lamine Camara. The young Senegal international has offers from Crystal Palace and interest from Chelsea, and Monaco are preparing for the possibility they may have to cash in.

If Camara goes, Sarr is high on their list.

Grealish in limbo as City keep every door open

Jack Grealish’s future is back on the table, and Manchester City are refusing to commit to any one path.

The 30-year-old has returned to the first-team picture, coming off the bench in City’s first two games of the season. But that hasn’t settled anything.

He spent last season on loan at Everton and, according to their chief executive Angus Kinnear, the lines of communication have stayed open. A permanent sale is not off the table. Another loan isn’t either. Staying at City is also possible – but with the caveat of potentially limited game time.

Enzo Maresca made it clear after Sunday’s win over Bournemouth that, for now, Grealish is his to coach, not his to sell. ‘He is here and it is my duty to coach Jack and to try to get the best,’ said the City head coach. ‘Then it is one more week to go and we will see what happens. Not only with Jack but also other players.’

And those “other players” are already on the move. City’s Omar Marmoush is due to undergo a medical at Tottenham today, while Nico Gonzalez is putting the final touches on his switch to Newcastle.

City are also active on the incoming front. Palmeiras winger Allan Elias is joining, and a formal bid is expected to go in for Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez as they continue to refresh a squad that has already dominated English football.

Liverpool cool on Minteh as £80m price bites

Liverpool have hit a wall in their pursuit of Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh.

Brighton want a fee closer to £80m for the 22-year-old Gambian, who is currently sidelined with injury until October. Liverpool had been hoping to strike a deal at around £50m. That gap has forced them to look elsewhere for wide options.

The numbers simply don’t stack up for the Anfield hierarchy at this stage.

There could still be movement in the other direction. Celta Vigo are understood to be interested in Liverpool midfielder Stefan Bajcetic, who began his career at the Spanish club. For now, though, Liverpool have not received a formal approach.

Forest push for Javi Rueda as squad reshuffle continues

Nottingham Forest are deep in talks with Celta Vigo over right-back Javi Rueda.

Forest are discussing an £8m deal for the 25-year-old, who only joined Celta from Real Madrid in 2024. The move would add energy and depth to the right side of Nuno Espírito Santo’s defence.

Tottenham have asked about Forest full-back Neco Williams, but he is expected to stay at the City Ground.

Forest’s midfield rebuild is also gathering pace. As previously reported, they are in negotiations over a £13.6m move, including add-ons, for Corinthians midfielder Andre. The 20-year-old only made his league debut a year ago, and Corinthians are holding out for more, sensing the scale of Premier League money in play.

Ipswich land Palacios in £23.5m statement deal

Ipswich Town are about to make one of the standout signings of their recent history.

The club are finalising a £23.5m deal for Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Exequiel Palacios. The 27-year-old has agreed a four-year contract, a major coup for a side intent on proving they belong at the top table.

It doesn’t stop there. Ipswich are also ready to cash in on Anis Mehmeti, valuing the midfielder at £9m. He has offers on the table from Wrexham, Birmingham and Derby, and his sale would help fund the club’s aggressive push in the market.

Osmajic exits Preston as replacements still to come

At Preston, the churn continues. Striker Milutin Osmajic has completed his move to Genoa.

Deepdale manager Paul Heckingbottom admitted over the weekend that the transfer was on its way and laid bare the scale of the rebuild still required.

‘The business we've done so far has been really good in terms of players we've brought in to replace, players who have gone out, but we've lost a lot of players,’ he told BBC Radio Lancashire. ‘We've still got a lot to replace and now Milly is another one we've got to replace.’

Preston must now find goals from elsewhere. And fast.

The dominoes are already falling: Nottingham Forest are closing in on a £45m deal for Liam Delap, Aston Villa have spoken to AC Milan about Rafael Leao, and the market is only just warming up. With a week to go, who blinks first?