Once again, the much-anticipated transfer window is officially open, remaining so until September 1. This period promises to be bustling with activity as football clubs race against time to strengthen their squads with strategic player signings ahead of the upcoming season.
For the latest updates, here’s what’s unfolding from the experts, Simon Jones and the Daily Mail Sport team…
Aston Villa expect Saudis to meet £50m Watkins asking price
Aston Villa is standing firm on their £50 million valuation for England’s forward Ollie Watkins, anticipating that Al Hilal will agree to their terms to finalize the deal.
Despite Al Hilal’s persistence, with four unsuccessful offers already, there is a rising sense of confidence within Villa’s camp that their transfer demands will ultimately be met.
Simultaneously, Villa is targeting Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson in a significant £65 million move, positioning him as Watkins’ likely successor.
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Monaco join queue for Spurs star Matar Sarr
Monaco have joined the list of clubs showing interest in signing Tottenham midfielder Pape Matar Sarr.
Monaco are looking at the market for new midfielders in case they lose Lamine Camara who has attracted offers from Crystal Palace and interest from Chelsea.
All options open for Grealish as clock ticks down
Manchester City are leaving all options open to Jack Grealish as the window draws to a close.
The 30-year-old has returned to City’s first-team fold, appearing as substitute in their first two games.
He was on loan at Everton last season and their chief executive Angus Kinnear says they have remained in contact.
City have not ruled out a permanent sale. Nor have they ruled out another loan or an option to stay, though that could be with potentially limited game time.
Coach Enzo Maresca has not ruled out a move either, saying after Sunday’s win over Bournemouth: ‘He is here and it is my duty to coach Jack and to try to get the best. ‘Then it is one more week to go and we will see what happens. Not only with Jack but also other players.’
City’s Omar Marmoush is due to undergo his medical at Tottenham today and Nico Gonzalez is finalising his move to Newcastle.
City are signing Palmeiras winger Allan Elias while a City bid is expected to go in for Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez.
Jack Grealish is now back at Manchester City but all options are open as the window closes
Liverpool look elsewhere with Minteh fee too high
Liverpool are exploring alternative wing options with Brighton’s valuation of Yankuba Minteh considered too high.
As Daily Mail Sport reported at the weekend, Brighton have been looking for a figure closer to £80million for the 22-year-old Gambian who is out until October with injury.
Liverpool had initially hoped to strike a deal around £50m.
Meanwhile, Celta Vigo are understood to be interested in midfielder Stefan Bajcetic but Liverpool have yet to receive a formal approach.
The 21-year-old started out at Vigo.
Yankuba Minteh is valued at around £80million by Brighton
Forest in talks over Celta defender
Nottingham Forest have opened talks with Celta Vigo for right-back Javi Rueda.
Forest are discussing an £8m offer for the 25-year-old who joined Celta from Real Madrid in 2024.
Tottenham have asked about Forest full-back Neco Williams but he is expected to stay at the City Ground.
As reported by Daily Mail Sport, Forest are also in talks over a £13.6m move including add ons for Corinthians midfielder Andre.
The 20-year-old only made his league debut a year ago but Corinthians are holding out for more.
Javi Rueda (left) in action in Celta Vigo’s La Liga opener against Valencia at the weekend
Palacios set for £23.5m Ipswich deal
Ipswich are finalising a £23.5m deal for Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Exequiel Palacios. The 27-year-old has agreed a four-year contract. As Daily Mail Sport reported yesterday, Ipswich want £9m for midfielder Anis Mehmeti, who has offers from Wrexham, Birmingham and Derby.
Ezequiel Palacios is set to became the latest signing in a busy summer at Portman Road
Osmajic leaves Preston
Preston striker Milutin Osmajic has signed for Genoa.
Deepdale boss Paul Heckingbottom confirmed the move was on the cards at the weekend and added to BBC Radio Lancashire: ‘The business we’ve done so far has been really good in terms of players we’ve brought in to replace, players who have gone out, but we’ve lost a lot of players. We’ve still got a lot to replace and now Milly is another one we’ve got to replace.’
Milutin Osmajic is heading to Genoa after three years at Preston North End
TUESDAY: Nottingham Forest close in £45m deal for Liam Delap
MONDAY: Aston Villa in touch with AC Milan over Rafael Leao