The final day of the Premier League transfer window is upon us, and the usual mix of anticipation, frustration and late-night negotiations is dominating the football agenda. Clubs across England’s top flight have just hours remaining to secure reinforcements, offload surplus players or, in some cases, desperately cling to star names. With the window closing at 7pm BST, there is no shortage of drama.
This summer has been particularly frantic, with financial pressures, squad rebuilds and ambitions for European football all shaping the moves in and out of clubs. Liverpool’s pursuit of Newcastle United forward Alexander Isak is the headline story, but it is far from the only major transfer in play.
Isak edges towards Liverpool move
Few sagas have dominated the Premier League transfer market this summer quite like Alexander Isak’s future. After weeks of speculation, Liverpool appear close to securing the Sweden striker in a deal that could reshape their attack under Arne Slot.
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Late on Sunday, it was reported that “a deal had been agreed which is worth £130million ($176m) to Newcastle due to solidarity payments and will cost Liverpool £125m.” Isak has not featured for Newcastle this season, while Liverpool saw an earlier bid rejected in August. Now, with negotiations advancing, he finally looks set for Anfield.
For Newcastle, the loss of Isak leaves Eddie Howe’s side in a precarious position. Even with the recent signing of Nick Woltemade from Stuttgart, the squad will be short of firepower. Their pursuit of Brentford’s Yoane Wissa underlines the urgency. Newcastle have had two bids turned down, including one worth £35million plus £5m, and Wissa himself voiced frustration, saying Brentford are “unduly standing in (his) way” as he pushes for an exit.
Elsewhere, Jorgen Strand Larsen has informed Wolverhampton Wanderers of his desire to leave, though Wolves remain adamant that he will not be sold. The closing hours could yet force a rethink.
Defensive reinforcements and Crystal Palace resistance
Liverpool’s deadline day attention is not only on Isak. Slot’s side are also working on strengthening the back line, with an offer of £35million lodged for Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi. The defender underlined his quality with a goal against Aston Villa last night, but Palace remain firm.
Manager Oliver Glasner was unequivocal, stating after the Villa win that “there is no deal in place to sell Guehi.” Palace know how crucial he is to their campaign, yet with the financial muscle of top Premier League sides, few can feel entirely secure.
Chelsea recalibrate after Delap setback
Chelsea have been among the busiest clubs in the transfer market, but plans were disrupted by the injury to Liam Delap. The setback forced the club to rethink their forward strategy. Nicolas Jackson had been lined up for a loan move to Bayern Munich, but Delap’s injury meant Chelsea requested the deal be converted into a permanent sale, so they could raise funds for another striker. Bayern, in response, turned their attention to Ademola Lookman of Atalanta.
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Chelsea are not standing still. They have agreed a loan for Brighton’s Facundo Buonanotte, after his proposed move to Leeds United fell through. There has also been a bid lodged for Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez, while talks continue with Sunderland about recalling Marc Guiu from his loan. For a squad that has already seen significant turnover, the final day looks set to add further layers of intrigue.
Manchester United, Arsenal and the rest
At Aston Villa, a 3-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace highlighted vulnerabilities, not least with goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez absent. The Argentinian is now on Manchester United’s radar, though Villa are simultaneously working to bring in Jadon Sancho and former United centre-back Victor Lindelof. United have also explored goalkeeper options, holding talks with Royal Antwerp over Senne Lammens.
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United’s outgoings remain a subplot of the window. Antony could join Real Betis, with a fee agreed in principle, though salary complications are delaying progress. Tyrell Malacia is another who may leave, with Elche interested in a loan. Incoming, meanwhile, is striker Rasmus Hojlund, whose loan move from Napoli includes a conditional obligation to buy for £38m.
Arsenal, beaten by Liverpool at the weekend, are finalising a deal for Bayer Leverkusen’s Piero Hincapie. The defender was travelling for a medical on Sunday, with Jakub Kiwior heading to Porto in a separate transfer worth up to €27m. Oleksandr Zinchenko remains available for transfer, while Albert Sambi Lokonga, Fabio Vieira and Reiss Nelson could all depart.
Elsewhere, Brighton are trimming their squad, with Julio Enciso set for Strasbourg, Tariq Lamptey joining Fiorentina and Jeremy Sarmiento heading to Cremonese. Nottingham Forest are closing on Botafogo left-back Cuiabano, while Fulham look to complete a deal for Shakhtar Donetsk winger Kevin. Chelsea youngster Tyrique George is attracting suitors across Europe.
Elliott interest keeps Anfield guessing
One subplot at Liverpool could yet surprise. Harvey Elliott, a bright young midfielder, has admirers abroad. RB Leipzig, having sold Xavi Simons to Tottenham Hotspur for £52m, are keen, though valuations between the clubs differ. For Liverpool supporters, the focus remains on securing Isak, but Elliott’s situation adds a further twist to deadline day at Anfield.
Final thoughts on deadline day
Deadline day in the Premier League is always a whirlwind, and 2025 is proving no different. Liverpool’s pursuit of Isak is the defining story, but there is tension across the league. Newcastle are scrambling for attacking cover, Chelsea are adjusting plans in response to injury setbacks, and Manchester United are balancing arrivals with high-profile exits. Arsenal, Brighton, Forest and Fulham all have important pieces of business in motion.
What happens in these final hours will not only shape squads for the months ahead but also dictate the tone of the season. With ambitions of title challenges, European qualification and survival on the line, every signature and every decision carries significance. The transfer window is drawing to its close, but the reverberations of this day will echo across the Premier League until May.