21 August 2025 – Ben Jacobs

Al-Ahli have added Aston Villa’s Amadou Onana to their list of midfield targets. Not an easy deal to get done. No approach to Aston Villa yet.

Raheem Sterling set to be sold or loaned before the window shuts. Understand Sterling prefers to stay in London. Fulham one option and talks have taken place. West Ham and Crystal Palace also made checks. #CFC still waiting on formal bids.

Wrexham confirm 21-year-old defender Callum Doyle has joined from Manchester City on a four-year contract. £7.5m fee. #MCFC retain a buy-back option and a 25% sell-on clause.

How #AFC signed Eberechi Eze, and why plenty of meetings and legwork came long before the ‘hijack’.

– Arsenal made a June approach, as revealed, and a key July meeting took place between Eze, Arteta and Berta. – Eze always wanted Arsenal, but Nwaneri’s new deal stopped a bid in early August.
– Spurs moved after missing out on Gibbs-White and Maddison’s ACL. They had backed off earlier in the window prioritising adding the Forest attacker.
– Levy couldn’t close the deal before the Premier League season started and this, in hindsight, proved costly. But Spurs didn’t think Arsenal would bid last week, so took their time.
– Spurs reached a full agreement with Palace and Eze 48 hours ago, but Havertz’s injury meant Arsenal were suddenly in the race.
– Arsenal able to agree a fee quickly on Wednesday with Berta and Tim Lewis involved. £60m plus add-ons, same ballpark as Spurs had in place.
– Eze would have joined Spurs had Arsenal not bid, but as soon they did, he was always going to pick #AFC due to an emotional connection with the club.

Sheffield Wednesday have signed American goalkeeper Ethan Horvath from Cardiff City.

Eberechi Eze will not now play for Crystal Palace against Fredrikstad in the #UECL, as @iamrahmanosman
called. Eze wanted to participate, and was earmarked to start, but Arsenal and Crystal Palace have decided to withdraw him. Eze’s Arsenal medical to take place on Friday.

Wolves are in advanced talks for defender Ladislav Krejci. Girona want €30m.

Safia Middleton-Patel has signed a new Manchester United contract keeping her at the club until June 2028.

Understand Inter are close to a €23m deal for Lens’ Andy Diouf. Personal terms have been agreed on a five-year contract.

Exclusive: Fulham add Basel’s Philip Otele to their list of options. Frankfurt monitoring. Otele available for under €15m. Price still remains an issue with Shakhtar’s Kevin. Fulham could bring in two attackers before the window shuts.

Liverpool’s preference is to keep Harvey Elliott. Leipzig still working on a deal, but nothing agreed club-to-club as of Thursday morning. At the right price, Liverpool will reluctantly sanction a sale due to understanding Elliott’s desire to start every week. Yet Elliott staying would be welcomed by Liverpool as he remains a valued squad player.

Dortmund also discussing a loan move for Aaron Anselmino, as @berger_pj called. Carney Chukwuemeka remains open to a Dortmund return as well, if the clubs can agree a package.

Eberechi Eze expected to undergo his Arsenal medical on Friday ahead of his £60m plus add-ons transfer to Arsenal. Set to be in the Palace squad first for tonight’s #UECL game against Fredrikstad before formalising the move.

Enzo Maresca confirms Nico Jackson and Christopher Nkunku will not be part of the West Ham squad as #CFC expect both to leave. “Nico is available, but he’s not part of the squad. We know something can happen before the window closes. With Christo, it’s the same answer.”

Issa Kabore has held talks with Southampton with Manchester City open to a loan or sale. Lyon are also interested. Hamburg had made an approach earlier in the window but are not an active suitor.

Bournemouth confirm Leverkusen midfielder Amine Adli has joined on a five-year contract. £25m fee.