With the Premier League season about to begin, clubs across the division are racing to complete a flurry of late transfer business, with tens of millions of pounds changing hands in a frantic final stretch of the window.
Arsenal have moved to strengthen their defensive options by agreeing a deal worth around £51m to sign Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa. The 28-year-old centre-back arrives as cover following William Saliba's serious injury and is expected to compete with Cristhian Mosquera for a starting role alongside Gabriel Magalhaes. Konsa could potentially make his debut against his old club Villa in the coming week as Mikel Arteta looks to defend the club's Premier League crown.
Arsenal are also reportedly turning their attention to Manchester United's academy, with 19-year-old winger James Scanlon a serious target. The Leicester-born player, who has represented Gibraltar 24 times at senior international level through his mother's heritage, spent last season on loan at League Two Swindon. Personal terms are not expected to be a stumbling block, with talks over a fee ongoing and Arsenal hopeful of progress within 72 hours. Two Arsenal recruitment figures with prior connections to Scanlon, including a former United employee, are said to be driving the deal. The Gunners are also eyeing a second United youngster, 20-year-old right-back Habeeb Ogunneye, who spent time on loan at Newport last season after previously featuring in United first-team squads under Erik ten Hag.
Manchester United, meanwhile, are close to finalising a major midfield addition, with a move for Brighton's Carlos Baleba worth more than £60m nearing completion after a pursuit stretching back over a year. Should the deal go through, it could prompt an exit elsewhere, with Joshua Zirkzee's future at Old Trafford under scrutiny. Juventus and Napoli have both been credited with interest in the Dutch striker, and United would be looking to recover the £36.5m they paid Bologna for him in 2024.
Elsewhere in the league, Liverpool are negotiating with Inter Milan over a potential exit for Curtis Jones, with the Serie A champions renewing their interest in the midfielder. A fee in the region of €35m (£30m) has been mooted, though no agreement has yet been reached. The Reds remain interested in Bradley Barcola as an attacking option after stepping back from a move for his PSG teammate Ibrahim Mbaye.
Tottenham are reportedly considering a double raid on Manchester City, with both winger Savinho and forward Omar Marmoush on their radar as Roberto De Zerbi continues to reshape his squad following last season's narrow escape from relegation. Savinho has long been of interest to Spurs, who previously considered a £50m bid for the Brazilian.
At Chelsea, Axel Disasi is set to join Crystal Palace on a paid loan after impressing during a temporary stint at West Ham last season. He will fill the void left by Maxence Lacroix, who moved to Chelsea for £52m. Also at Stamford Bridge, striker Liam Delap has been training away from the first-team group and has lost the club's number nine shirt, fuelling speculation over his long-term future.
Further down the table, Sunderland are considering triggering the €60m (£51m) release clause of Sporting Lisbon's Geny Catamo, while Everton have been linked with a move for Como winger Assane Diao, and Hull City are progressing in talks for Real Betis winger Pablo Garcia as they look to bolster survival chances.
Based on reporting from The Independent and Standard Football.