Liverpool close in on £120m Barcola transfer as Premier League dominoes fall
Liverpool are on the verge of landing Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola in a blockbuster deal worth up to £120m, with more than £100m guaranteed, in a move that could send shockwaves through the late stages of the transfer window.
The 21-year-old is set to become the latest marquee arrival at Anfield, and his signing is expected to trigger an attacking reshuffle. Barcola’s imminent move could clear the path for Cody Gakpo to join Tottenham, with Spurs still pushing hard for the Netherlands forward as they look to add firepower before the deadline.
Tottenham’s interest in Gakpo hinges on Liverpool getting Barcola over the line. If the Frenchman walks through the doors at Melwood, the London club will be ready.
Chelsea move for Ahanor
At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea are working on the future as much as the present.
The Blues are in talks to sign Atalanta defender Honest Ahanor, one of the standout young centre-backs in Serie A. The 18-year-old is highly rated in Italy, and Chelsea want him in before the window shuts as they continue their aggressive rebuild of the squad’s defensive core.
Villa reshape attack as Jackson nears
Aston Villa are in the middle of a major attacking shake-up.
Nicolas Jackson is set for a medical with Villa after a £65m fee was agreed with Chelsea, according to reports. Unai Emery wants more cutting edge up front, and the Senegal striker has been identified as a key piece of that plan.
That move is expected to open the exit door for Ollie Watkins, with Al Hilal ready to pounce in a £51m deal. If completed, it would mark another high-profile Premier League departure to the Saudi Pro League and leave Villa with a very different frontline to the one that started last season.
Villa are not stopping there. They are battling Crystal Palace for Club Brugge defender Joel Ordonez, with Palace attempting to hijack the Midlands club’s move. At the same time, Villa have also asked about West Ham defender Jean-Clair Todibo as they cast the net wide in search of defensive reinforcements.
One striker in, one striker out, and a new back line under construction. Villa’s window is turning into one of the most aggressive in the league.
Abraham set for Ipswich switch
While Villa rebuild, one of their forwards looks set to drop back into the Championship promotion race.
Ipswich Town are close to agreeing a loan deal for Tammy Abraham, according to reports. The move would give Kieran McKenna a proven goalscorer to spearhead another push, while offering Abraham a fresh platform to relaunch his career in England.
City and Arsenal circle Ndiaye
At the top end of the Premier League, two title contenders are eyeing the same attacking talent.
Manchester City and Arsenal are both monitoring Everton forward Iliman Ndiaye, with the Senegal international valued at around £80m. His price tag underlines how highly he is regarded, and any formal move from either club would test Everton’s resolve late in the window.
From Liverpool’s pursuit of Barcola to Villa’s sweeping rebuild and the looming tug-of-war over Ndiaye, the final days of this window are lining up to be anything but quiet.
