Transfer news LIVE: Gundogan returns to Man City, Villa want Sterling and Trippier could leave Newcastle
The transfer window has just over a week to run with clubs finalising their deals for the new campaign
The 2024/25 Premier League season is now underway, with clubs and managers finalising their squads ahead of what is expected to be a long campaign.
Up and down the country there have been plenty of signings to bolster squad depths and improve on the results of last season, from Ipswich and Southampton to Mikel Arteta’s title-hunting Arsenal or Arne Slot’s ‘new’ Liverpool side.
The transfer window closes at 11pm BST on Friday, 30 August, so time is running out for teams get sales and transfers over the line in the ongoing battle to balance funds against PSR regulations.
Each day brings more news, rumours and completed deals and as we enter the final days of the transfer window, and you can find all the latest updates in our dedicated blog below.
Follow all the news, rumours, sales and signatures below, as well as build-up to another weekend of Premier League football.
Sunderland sign Isidor on loan
Sunderland have signed Wilson Isidor on a season-long loan from Zenit Saint Petersburg, with the option to make the transfer permanent.
Isidor said: “I’m so happy to be here and sign for Sunderland. It is an amazing club with a huge fanbase – and when a club like that wants you, it feels amazing.
“I didn’t hesitate. It was a natural decision. I always knew Sunderland was a big club, so I can’t wait to get started and to see the Stadium of Light full. Hopefully, I can get the fans chanting my name.”
Race for Sterling heating up
Raheem Sterling seems highly likely to leave Chelsea this summer and clubs are lining up to bring in the former Manchester City winger.
Aston Villa have begun talks with Chelsea over a transfer and now Crystal Palace are one of the teams interested in signing Sterling ahead of the transfer deadline next week.
A deal for Sterling to join Palace would need an agreement to be reached on finances and be right for the Eagles, due to the potential cost of the transfer due to Sterling’s wages and any fee that would need to be paid.
Sterling has made 81 appearances for Chelsea since joining from Manchester City for £50m in July 2022.
Guardiola on possibility of re-signing Sterling
After the signing of Ilkay Gundogan earlier today, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola was asked if the club has their sights on any further moves including the possibility of bringing Raheem Sterling abck to the Etihad Stadium.
He said: “I don’t think so but I don’t know. The market might provide us something that is financially good for us but at the moment I do not know.
“He [Sterling] is a Chelsea player. I feel so attached with him because of the time we had together and I feel like that with all my players. But he is a Chelsea player. If you had asked me about Gundogan previously, I would have said he was a Barcelona player.
“But I wish him all the best.”
Arsenal might have to wait as they target Nico Williams
Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams is Arsenal’s preferred target for a wide player in the last week of the window, although there is an acceptance they may have to wait for a major move.
Mikel Arteta is now keen to increase the options in his forward line, with the London club set to secure midfielder Mikel Merino’s move from Real Sociedad. One issue influencing recruitment, however, is Arsenal effectively operating off a different budget depending if a player is a named target or not.
It isn’t quite a case of the club just being willing to pay a certain amount for a necessary position. Arsenal are willing to pay what it takes for those specific named targets they feel would be certain starters, as could be seen with Declan Rice last summer.
Arsenal might have to wait as they target Nico Williams
Arsenal are interested in Nico Williams, but the winger would prefer to remain in Spain
Pep Guardiola press conference
Pep Guardiola’s press conference has just started, and there is likely to be a fair amount about the recent news that Ilkay Gundogan will be re-joining the club for a year.
Here is what the former Germany international said about it: “I’m incredibly happy, happy to see my team-mates, the staff, people that I had seven years with and an amazing time with. Many ups and a few downs but an incredible experience. When you leave this place, you spend a year away and you then start to appreciate the place even more.
“You realise what you had, how amazing the time was and how big the club is. The best club in the world and I think in terms of football – getting back onto that level and coming back a year later is an incredible feeling. I am very pleased, very happy and I feel privileged to share the dressing room again with these amazing players.”
EFL transfer round-up
In a rare quiet moment this close to deadline day, here are some of the EFL transfers that have happened today:
- Jean Michael Seri (Hull to Al-Orobah)
- Wilson Isidor - Loan (Zenit Saint Petersburg to Sunderland)
- Marcus McGuane (Bristol City to Oxford United
Enzo Maresca wants Noni Madueke to stay at Chelsea after goal against Servette
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca wants Noni Madueke to stay at the club beyond the end of the transfer window after the winger came off the bench to score his team’s second goal and seal a 2-0 win over Servette in the first leg of their Conference League play-off.
The 22-year-old cemented his place in the Italian’s plans with a clinical finish lashed in at the near post in the second half of what was at times an uncomfortable match against the Swiss side.
“I really like Noni,” said Maresca. “The only problem is that he has to understand that he has to be consistent during the week in training. He’s a good player and he’s doing well with us.”
Enzo Maresca wants Noni Madueke to stay at Chelsea after goal against Servette
The 22-year-old was on target in the Conference League play-off first leg
Hull player joins Saudi Pro League
Hull player Jean Michael Seri has left the club to join Al-Orobah who have just been promoted to the Saudi Pro League.
The 33-year-old had joined Hull in 2022, and the club statement said: “We would like to thank Mika for his hard work and dedication during his two-year spell at the MKM Stadium and wish him well for his future career.”
Watch live: Conor Gallagher officially unveiled as Atletico Madrid player
Watch live as Conor Gallagher is officially unveiled as an Atletico Madrid player on Friday, 23 August, after signing from Chelsea.
The England midfielder, 24, came through the youth ranks at Stamford Bridge.
He has now signed a five-year contract with the Spanish outfit after the clubs agreed to a reported £33.7m fee.
Speculation mounted about Gallagher’s future as he entered the final year of his contract and it became unclear how he fitted into new manager Enzo Maresca’s plans.
Watch live: Conor Gallagher officially unveiled as Atletico Madrid player
Watch live as Conor Gallagher is officially unveiled as an Atletico Madrid player on Friday, 23 August, after signing from Chelsea.
Fulham close to finalising Anderson deal
Fulham are closing in on the signing of Joachim Andersen from Crystal Palace.
The Cottagers are hoping to complete the deal on Friday, and he would have to be confirmed by midday to be eligible to play against Leicester on Saturday.
Fulham are reportedly paying £25m with the possibility of a further £5m in add ons.
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