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Movement has been rather slow in the transfer market of late. This summer transfer window got off to an exciting start. We saw top teams splurging money to rope in their top targets with enough time to settle down ahead of the new campaign.
However, that momentum has dissipated in recent weeks. But it's always harder to get transfer deals over the line once the new domestic seasons start. This is because selling teams won't be ready to part ways with a player as it could leave them without an alternative and make the team significantly weaker.
Despite that, there are still some deals that could go over the line before the transfer deadline. The transfer window closes on September 1. Let's take a look at five big transfers that could still happen before deadline day.
#5 Emile Smith Rowe (Arsenal to Chelsea)
Chelsea seem to have found a way to sign just about anybody they want and somehow get away with it. Arsenal attacking midfielder Emile Smith Rowe is the latest player on their wishlist. It looks like they will make a last-ditch effort to bring him to Stamford Bridge before deadline day.
Daily Mail claims that the Gunners have already rebuffed an offer from the Blues and are unlikely to sell him to a direct competitor. However, if Chelsea do offer Arsenal a significant amount of wealth from their loaded coffers, things could change.
Smith Rowe was viewed as one of Arsenal's brightest young prospects not long ago. He seemed to be improving with every game until a groin injury sidelined him for over two months in the 2022-23 season and derailed his momentum considerably.
#4 Marc Cucurella (Chelsea to Manchester United)
Manchester United are desperately scouring the transfer market for a left-back and have opened talks with Chelsea over a loan deal for Marc Cucrella. Both Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia are sidelined with injuries and the Red Devils have been left without a specialist in the position.
Cucurella endured a thoroughly underwhelming debut season at Chelsea following his £60 million move from Brighton & Hove Albion last summer. The Spaniard is likely to struggle for game time this term with new manager Mauricio Pochettino preferring Ben Chilwell and youngster Ian Maatsen at left-back.
As such, both the Blues and the player could be open to a move and it would benefit United greatly.
#3 Matheus Nunes (Wolverhampton Wanderers to Manchester City)
Manchester City are looking to sign a dynamic midfielder before the transfer window draws to a close in two days. This comes on the back of Kevin De Bruyne picking up a hamstring injury which should see him lose out on about four months of action.
Portuguese midfielder Matheus Nunes is high on Manchester City's wishlist. However, Wolverhampton Wanderers are not too keen to part ways with the 25-year-old Portugal international they spent £42 million on last summer. They have reportedly slapped a £60 million price tag on Nunes.
According to the Guardian, the midfielder has gone on strike at Wolves and has stopped training with the club to try to force a move to City. The reigning Premier League champions are expected to make another bid for Nunes but Wolves are in a strong position since Nunes is contracted to the club until 2027.
#2 Ryan Gravenberch (Bayern Munich to Liverpool/Manchester United)
Both Liverpool and Manchester United would love to add one more player to their midfield departments. Ryan Gravenberch was widely heralded as one of the most promising midfielders on the planet prior to his move to Bayern Munich last summer.
The Dutchman spent most of his debut season warming the bench and is understandably frustrated with the way things have gone for him in Bavaria thus far. Sport1 claims that Gravenberch's representatives have intimated Bayern of the player's desire to leave the club before the transfer window closes.
Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claims that the young midfielder's agents are in contact with both Manchester United and Liverpool. As such, a deadline-day deal for the 21-year-old cannot be written off.
#1 Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid to Barcelona)
Joao Felix's relationship with the Atletico Madrid top brass seems to have fractured beyond repair. He has been intent on leaving the club this summer and even issued a come-and-get-me plea to Barcelona in July. Speaking to Fabrizio Romano, the Portuguese youngster said:
“I’d love to play for Barça. Barcelona has always been my first choice and I’d love to join Barça. It was always my dream since I was a kid. If it happens, it will be a dream come true for me."
Felix's dream could yet come true with Barca president Joan Laporta refusing to dismiss the possibility of signing the Portuguese attacker before the transfer deadline. In response to a question about their pursuit of Felix following Barcelona's 3-4 win over Villarreal on Sunday, Laporta said:
"You should ask Deco [Barcelona's sporting director]. We have a salary margin for last-minute operations, more than one, and we are working on it."
Goal reports that Manchester City right-back Joao Cancelo and Felix are currently high on Barca's wishlist. The Catalans are hoping to complete two signings before the transfer window closes.
