Transfer Deadline Approaches for Manchester City
With the transfer window closing at 11pm tomorrow, Manchester City are working to finalise several key deals. The club are understood to be confident of completing an £85m transfer for Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo before the deadline, with the Dutchman believed to have already agreed personal terms on a five-year contract. Gakpo is reported to have chosen City ahead of Tottenham Hotspur, who had been credited with interest throughout the summer.
According to Sports Mole, the move for Gakpo depends partly on Liverpool completing a deal for a replacement winger, with Crystal Palace's Ismaila Sarr seen as the leading target. Bradley Barcola's move to Liverpool is also reported to be close to being finalised.
Grealish Left Out of Squad
Jack Grealish was left out of Manchester City's squad to take on Crystal Palace on Thursday, and did not travel to Selhurst Park with the squad amid transfer interest from Everton and Aston Villa. Manchester Evening News reports that City have not expected to keep Grealish for the season, but he is still under contract and there have been no agreements with other clubs as the deadline closes in.
Enzo Maresca spoke to Grealish on Thursday, when it was decided he would not be part of the matchday squad for the Palace game, as the possibility of another loan move rises. "We'll see what happens in the next 48-72 hours," the manager said when asked about it afterwards.
Sports Mole reports that City are prepared to sanction Grealish's departure before the deadline, with the 30-year-old reportedly choosing a return to Everton ahead of interest from Sunderland. The Toffees and City are understood to be in advanced discussions over a fresh loan agreement for Grealish, who made just an eight-minute cameo in the recent win over Crystal Palace.
Fernandez Pursuit Continues
City's pursuit of Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez remains ongoing, according to both Manchester Evening News and Sports Mole. The Manchester Evening News reports that Chelsea have already smashed their club record to bring in Elliot Anderson for £116m, but interested parties were told before the start of the season that they must offer £120m for Fernandez or the player would not be leaving Stamford Bridge. That deadline has passed, but City never lost confidence that Chelsea would be open to business for the right price.
Fernandez starred under Enzo Maresca at Chelsea and is keen to reunite with his former boss, who needs another experienced midfielder after seeing Bernardo Silva and Rodri depart the Etihad. Sports Mole adds that Chelsea are believed to have agreed a deal for Monaco's Lamine Camara as a replacement in case the Fernandez deal goes through.
Other City Transfer News
Palmeiras' Allan is set to sign for Manchester City, according to Manchester Evening News. However, the same outlet reports that Everton's Iliman Ndiaye will not be moving to the Etihad, despite earlier interest, and that Grealish could have been used as a makeweight in such a deal. Sports Mole reports that Ndiaye is expected to head to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, possibly as part of a deal seeing Richarlison head the other way, or to the Emirates.