Although the major European transfer windows have shut for the summer, football's business never truly pauses, with clubs already plotting for January and beyond while tidying up loose ends from the recent market.
Arsenal, who endured a difficult summer after failing to land several primary targets, are reportedly working on securing manager Mikel Arteta's long-term future. According to TEAMtalk, the Gunners are making strong progress on a new contract for their head coach, who is expected to commit to the club in the coming weeks. Alongside that, Arsenal are said to be advancing renewal talks with three key first-team players: captain Martin Odegaard, midfielder Declan Rice and defender Jurrien Timber. All three are viewed as central to Arteta's project as the club looks to build on last season's Premier League title triumph. Arsenal are reportedly increasingly confident that fresh terms can be agreed with both their manager and the trio of players.
On the incoming front, Arsenal are expected to renew their pursuit of Julian Alvarez and Eli Junior Kroupi when the window reopens in January, having missed out on their principal summer targets from a lengthy 25-man shortlist that also included the likes of Bruno Guimaraes, Joao Pedro and Vinicius Jr.
Chelsea, meanwhile, are determined to press ahead with their long-standing interest in Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott. Sources indicate the west London club are exploring the possibility of agreeing a deal now for a move next summer, even after Bournemouth rejected an offer in excess of £60million and maintained the 22-year-old is not for sale. Chelsea reportedly see Scott, whose contract runs until 2028, as an ideal fit for head coach Xabi Alonso's system, and could look to negotiate a deal that would allow Bournemouth to retain him for the remainder of this season before a switch is finalised later.
Manchester United, who alongside Chelsea were among the Premier League clubs to complete no deals on deadline day itself, have continued their transfer activity in the days since. The club confirmed young right-back James Overy has departed on a permanent transfer to Sydney FC, penning a three-year deal. The 18-year-old, who progressed through United's academy and has represented Australia at youth level including the Under-20 World Cup, returns to the country of his birth as he seeks a first senior international cap. Overy said his time at United had been valuable but that he felt returning to Australia was the right step for his development. The exit follows earlier loan departures for Chido Obi, who joined Willem II, and Jack Moorhouse, who moved to Dundee.
Elsewhere, Tottenham have set an asking price of at least £25million for the sale of Richarlison, having already seen a proposed £25m-plus-£10m-add-ons move to Everton break down over personal terms, and having rejected two bids from Trabzonspor. Spurs had also been linked with a renewed interest in Kroupi.
In other news involving deadline-day business, Iliman Ndiaye explained his decision to join Manchester City in a £65m deal rather than Tottenham, who had already agreed terms with Everton before City hijacked the move. Speaking after his City debut in a win over Coventry, Ndiaye said, "I was just being patient and when City came through I was buzzing," adding that manager Enzo Maresca's admiration for him made the choice straightforward.
Outside the men's game, the Women's Super League has opened an investigation into Crystal Palace after their opening-day win over Everton, with the club accused of breaching substitution rules by using a fourth substitution window during the match, exceeding the permitted three.
Based on reporting from London Standard (standard-football), TEAMtalk, BBC Sport, and PA.