Deadline day is less that 24 hours away and clubs are scampering to get their deals done before that clock strikes 11:30 PM tomorrow night. It is going to be one hectic day for clubs who still need to get that one marquee player to really complete their squad for the season.
Deadline day can be very tricky for many reasons. Transfer fees are jacked up, paperwork needs to be completed, travel arrangements and agent negotiations are also a key part of the deals.
Some clubs have had brilliant deadline day transfers in the last few years more out of necessity than anything. Here are 5 clubs that will sign players on deadline day.
5) AC Milan
AC Milan scaled the heights of success in the 2000s and are now in the doldrums of failure. The club has been taken over by Chinese investors with renewed hope that they will be able to bring back the glory days.
Three months have gone and there is no sign of a big name player heading that way. Milan are nowhere near the side that once conquered Italy and Europe. Their midfield looks out of shape and lacking in quality.
Carlos Bacca is their one shining light in the forward department. The club have done extremely well to hold on to the Colombian. In goal, they have one of best young Goalkeepers in Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Milan suffered a humiliating defeat to Napoli and the one win they have registered was one they are fortunate to have under their belt. AC Milan need to pump some of that newly acquired riches on deadline day and really beef up their defense and midfield.
The club have enough firepower up front and don’t seem to have trouble scoring goals but their defense and midfield need to complement their attacking talent if they should have any chance of making the Champions League places.
4) Paris Saint-Germain
French Champions PSG were ruthless in the league last season. Zlatan Ibrahimovic had his best campaign in goalscoring terms and the club managed to wrap up the title in record time. The only trophy that still eludes them is the Champions League.
With that goal in mind, PSG replaced Laurent blanc with former Sevilla manager Unai Emery. The 44-year-old won three back to back Europa league titles with the Spanish team, proving his caliber in Europe.
But PSG’s season has gotten off to a very rocky start. After two wins, one narrow and one comfortable, the champions were left exposed by a brilliant AS Monaco side. They have strengthened the squad since Zlatan left but Jese Rodriguez and Ben Arfa will take time to settle.
The two are also traditionally wingers than being out and out strikers and Edinson Cavani cannot carry the burden all on his own. The Uruguayan has not even got off the mark this season and seems to be struggling.
Emery will need a big forward tomorrow to ensure his first season as PSG manager is a success.
3) Tottenham Hotspur
Spurs came very close to winning the league last season. They pushed Leicester City for almost the entire campaign but somehow ended up finishing 3rd behind their nearest and dearest rivals Arsenal.
Tottenham have a good squad with players who have adapted to the system Mauricio Pochettino wants them to play in. They have brought in Vincent Janssen and Victor Wanyama in this transfer window but could do with one more player.
Isco of Real Madrid is one name that has been mentioned in the last 48 hours and seems to be gaining some momentum. Spurs have recently offloaded Nacer Chadli, and could do with the playmaker
Isco could prove to be the player that really pushes them ahead this season. The Spaniard has immense quality and is in need of a regular game time, something he will most certainly not receive at Real Madrid.
He is the kind of player that would suit the Premier League and someone who can execute Pochettino’s strategy perfectly. The likes of Silva and Mata have done extremely well and with Isco being in the same mold as his Spanish compatriots he could be an instant hit.
2) Chelsea
Chelsea fans have had a mixed three months so far. On the pitch, everything seems to be in place. Eden Hazard has started to fire, Conte’s tactics seem to be getting the best out the players and they are currently 3 wins from 3.
But there is the slight concern of squad depth that the club still need to address. The current back four are the only four recognizable defenders they have. With Kurt Zouma still injured Conte’s priority was to purchase a central defender.
For a long time, they were linked with moves for Kalidou Koulibaly of Napoli and Nikola Maksimovic of Torino but neither of two moves materialized. That isn’t to say there is zero chance of them joining but the Blues have turned their attention to other attainable targets.
Marcos Alonso of Fiorentina is reportedly close to a deal along with Inter midfielder Brozovic also reportedly closing in on a move. But the Blues will still need to sign a central defender to ease the tension of the fans.
If any of Terry or Cahill suffer an injury then it will panic stations for them. Hopefully, Conte can pull something off in the last minute.
1) Real Madrid
Real Madrid are normally kings of the transfer market. Most footballers in the world dream of playing in the Bernabeu and they are able to pay any transfer fee that is demanded of them. Such is their buying power.
But this has been one of the quietest windows in their recent history. They have only completed the signing of Alvaro Morata from Juventus, but otherwise, both Zidane and Perez seem to be content with what they have which is not consistent with their previous spending patterns.
Two players have been the subject of several rumors of an exit. James Rodriguez has been the one every big club wants , with the Chelsea the latest to try their hand. But the club have apparently blocked a move for him as Zidane intends on keeping him.
Isco on the other hand just might be set for a move. With deadline day coming up it would be very surprising if Madrid did not dip their hand into the transfer market and pull out a rabbit from the hat!
