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With less than 48 hours to go of the transfer window, millions remain to be splashed by the big-spenders from the Premier League and abroad to seal the talent they need for this season.
Alexis Sanchez, Virgil van Dijk, Philippe Coutinho and many more are still very much sought-after and keen on moves — but can the buying clubs get the deals over the line?
Here, Sportsmail looks at the biggest transfers still to come this window and how likely they are to go through.
It’s been an ongoing saga since before the window opened, but Chelsea and Atletico Madrid are finally getting close to agreeing a deal for Costa. A fee of £40million and £10m in add-ons should do it. The Spain striker has made it clear his former club is the only destination he will accept.
How likely is it to happen? 7.5/10
Liverpool will resume their pursuit of Van Dijk before the deadline, having had their fingers burnt earlier this summer. Chelsea and Manchester City have also shown interest but despite the centre back being frozen out at Southampton two big obstacles still stand - a huge price tag and more importantly, the Saints have been adamant up to this point they will not sell. It remains to be seen if that changes.
How likely is it to happen? 4/10
Another frozen-out player with his club resolute in their refusal to sell up. Liverpool have rejected three bids, reaching up to £114m, but the ambition of both Coutinho and Barcelona to secure a switch to the Nou Camp has not diminished. Negotiations will continue but it would take a serious Liverpool U-turn for this deal to go through.
How likely is it to happen? 4.5/10
Chelsea and Tottenham have been the principle suitors for Barkley, with the former seeing a £25m bid rejected this week. A torn hamstring put Spurs off and now Ronald Koeman has opened the door for the Englishman to stick around for the last year of his contract. But Everton would have no problem with accepting an improved offer from any buyers.
How likely is it to happen? 6/10
Oxlade-Chamberlain has rejected a move to Chelsea after Sportsmail revealed the versatile midfielder was stalling on the champions’ £35m deal earlier this week. Liverpool’s interest is real, though, and Oxlade-Chamberlain would consider an approach from Anfield — whether Arsenal would be so welcoming is another question. He could still stay in north London.
How likely is it to happen? 7/10
After interest from Arsenal and Tottenham earlier in the window, Liverpool are now the frontrunners for Lemar with a £74m deal mapped out. This chances of pulling off a deal are not helped by Didier Deschamps’ refusal to allow players to leave his France squad to complete transfers and Liverpool face a race against time to get this one over the line. Divock Origi could move in the opposite direction.
How likely is it to happen? 4/10
Paris Saint-Germain might have to take Mbappe on loan initially to do so, but they have no intention of stopping their mind-blowing summer spending. The eventual cost of this deal will be £166m and the French forward’s international team-mates are all under the impression his move is as good as done. Only a late hiccup will stop Mbappe linking up with Neymar in Paris.
How likely is it to happen? 9/10
Manchester City have left it late, but they are now making the most serious advances of the window to get Sanchez out of Arsenal. The Gunners are ready to cash in but would want more than £70m or a structured deal with a player in exchange. Otherwise, their preference is to keep the Chilean despite dressing-room fears that his wantaway status is destabilising. Expect this one to drag on right to the deadline.
How likely is it to happen? 6.5/10
Buyers Tottenham want it to happen, sellers PSG want it to happen, Aurier wants it to happen: £23m, five-year contract. Now it just comes down to the Home Office and whether his visa application is accepted. The full back’s conviction for assaulting a police officer in May 2016 is again causing issues. Sources in France expect a decision on Wednesday.
How likely is it to happen? 5/10
Jose Mourinho has been pursuing Perisic all summer but Manchester United appear to be admitting defeat in their chase of the Inter Milan star. He now appears set to sign a new contract at the San Siro and although United want another wide forward their options are narrowing. Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s return has given them additional numbers in the squad, too.
How likely is it to happen? 2/10
A potential makeweight in Sanchez’s situation, Sterling is open to a move to Arsenal. The Pep Guardiola is not so open to losing a player who has already rescued three late points for him this season, though. Unless other options emerge, Sterling’s future depends on how desperate Manchester City are for Sanchez.
How likely is it to happen? 4.5/10
Chelsea have held talks over the Swansea City striker and while Paul Clement has made it clear he does not want to lose Llorente, a £15m offer and Wilfried Bony coming in as a replacement could facilitate a move. Everton also showed interest but a switch to Stamford Bridge looks to be on before the window shuts.
How likely is it to happen? 8/10
Arsenal are willing to sell Mustafi just 12 months after splashing £35m on him, but want to recoup a significant chunk of that fee. So, Inter Milan’s initial offering of £4.6m for a season-long loan isn’t likely to appeal. Juventus are also keen which could drive a price rise but the Gunners would also need a replacement, too. A long way still to go on this one.
How likely is it to happen? 6/10
Chelsea want to pay a maximum of around £35m, Leicester City want closer to £40m. A deal for Drinkwater now comes down to compromise. The midfielder is interested in linking up with Antonio Conte and a return to the Champions League but Chelsea have some work to do to agree a fee.
How likely is it to happen? 7/10
Liverpool have little need for Sakho’s talents but value the French centre back at around £30m. Crystal Palace, who had him on loan for the second half of last season, are nearing that valuation but face competition from Leicester and West Bromwich Albion. Liverpool’s search for other stars looks like a sale for Sakho will ultimately come about, with Selhurst Park his most likely destination.
How likely is it to happen? 8/10
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