5 transfer sagas which will conclude only on deadline day

The transfer window will slam shut at 11 PM (GMT) on 31st August and as always, some of the biggest transfer deals can be expected to take place on deadline day.

Every season there are a few transfer sagas which culminate only when the transfer window slams shut or on deadline day, as we have witnessed with the deadline day moves of Wayne Rooney, Gareth Bale, Mesut Ozil, Fernando Torres and Anthony Martial.

The saga involving David De Gea, Real Madrid and Manchester United also culminated post the transfer deadline with a paperwork fiasco preventing the Spaniard to complete his dream move to the Santiago Bernabeu outfit.

Here we take a look at the 5 transfer sagas of the current season, which will conclude mostly on the deadline day:

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#5 Gareth Bale

Gareth Bale is constantly linked with a move to Manchester United, ever since he snubbed the Red Devils for a move to Real Madrid back in 2013.

Once again, since the start of the transfer window the Welshman has been linked with a move away from the Santiago Bernabeu outfit. The 28-year-old's last season with Los Blancos was marred with injuries and he was forced to play a bit-part role as a result.

While Zinedine Zidane has insisted that the Welshman is integral to his plans for the upcoming season, it might all change with the arrival of Kylian Mbappe. The Frenchman wants assurance from the reigning UEFA Champions League winners regarding his playing time that he will be afforded and it is likely that Madrid will consider selling one of BBC to facilitate a world record move for the 18-year-old.

However, we will have to wait and watch, as to how this transfer saga develops but it is not expected to reach its conclusion before deadline day.

#4 Alexis Sanchez

Will he stay or leave?

Alexis Sanchez has entered the last year of his contract with Arsenal and is reportedly interested in a move away from the Emirates Stadium outfit. The Chilean is expected to hold showdown talks with manager Arsene Wenger within the current week but the Frenchman has maintained that their prized-asset is not for sale and is expected to honour his contract.

The Gunners are open to the idea of losing out on huge transfer fees and allowing the Chilean to leave on a free next season but are not prepared to allow the 28-year-old to leave for a rival, within the same country or abroad in the ongoing transfer window.

While it is expected that the Chilean will stay at the club and see out his contract, he may or may not pen an extension, or if a huge bid from an overseas club comes in, who knows, Arsenal may be tempted to sell. No matter what, we will have to wait until the deadline day to find out how this one pans out.

#3 Philippe Coutinho

Will he join Barcelona?

Philippe Coutinho has been linked with Barcelona for a long time now but with recent reports suggesting that Neymar is set to leave the Camp Nou outfit for Paris Saint-Germain in a world record deal, the talks of Coutinho moving to the Catalan outfit has grown significantly.

Jurgen Klopp has come out and categorically denied that the Brazilian is available for sale and has insisted that the 26-year-old will remain at Anfield as the Reds prepare for Champions League football this season.

Coutinho’s transfer saga is yet another one which will most likely go on for a long duration of time and no concrete development is expected before transfer deadline day, unless of course, something extraordinay happens.

#2 Marco Verratti

Will PSG allow him to leave?

Marco Verratti was Barcelona’s prime target in the opening stages of the transfer window until Paris Saint-Germain made their stance clear, insisting that they are not interested in doing business with any club involving the sale of the Italian.

The 24-year-old is the ideal candidate to take the Camp Nou outfit forward and has all the requisites to thrive in Barcelona’s midfield. However, with the enormous money that PSG possess, they don’t have any obligation to sell, especially due to the lack of a buyout clause in the Italian’s contract.

While Barcelona may have cooled their interest in the midfielder for now, they are expected to make a last ditch push to sign the 24-year-old towards the end of the window.

#1 Kylian Mbappe

Where will he play next season?

The AS Monaco superstar is easily the most coveted footballer in all of Europe and has been linked with a host of clubs including Real Madrid, Arsenal, Manchester City and PSG. Astronomical transfer fees, well in excess of 100m, are being reported for the services of the 18-year-old but the transfer saga is not expected to end anytime soon.

The Frenchman is likely to choose from 3 options, whether to stay at AS Monaco and progress his career with a significantly depleted squad, or to move to Real Madrid and challenge BBC for a first-team starting berth, or to move to Arsenal, where he will be guaranteed playing time.

While early indication is that the Frenchman is set to extend his stay with the Stade Louis II outfit, one can never be too certain in football as things change in a matter of minutes.