The transfer window for the major leagues in Europe closes on Thursday, and many of the big sides have already done a lot of their business this summer. However, with the deadline closing in, there are still a few things to settle.
Will Chelsea and Arsenal add to their squads? Do Barcelona still need to move some players on before attempting to bring in any others? And will Cristiano Ronaldo still be a Manchester United player next week?
ESPN’s writers round up some of the major storylines to watch ahead of Thursday’s deadline.
All fees of completed deals as reported by Transfermarkt.
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Manchester United exits and Ronaldo’s future
After wrapping up deals for Antony (€95 million) and Martin Dubravka (loan) in recent days, Man United’s focus will be on outgoings ahead of the deadline. Defenders Phil Jones, Axel Tuanzebe and Brandon Williams are all available to move, but with all three injured, their exits may have to wait until January.
There is also interest from Crystal Palace and West Ham in right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and although he is not in Erik ten Hag’s immediate first-team plans, the Dutchman would want to sign a replacement before letting him go. United have monitored Inter Milan’s Denzel Dumfries, Barcelona’s Sergino Dest, Borussia Dortmund‘s Thomas Meunier and Norwich’s Max Aarons, but time is running out to get something over the line — particularly with very little left in the budget after spending a total of €240m following the arrivals of Tyrell Malacia (€15m), Christian Eriksen (free), Lisandro Martinez (€57m) and Casemiro (€70m).
The other issue is Ronaldo’s future. Watching wins over Liverpool and Southampton from the bench will have only strengthened his desire to leave Old Trafford, but the question is: Where will he go? Napoli have shown interest and can offer Champions League football, but they would rely on United making a compromise over the 37-year-old’s wages which, so far, they have not been willing to do. — Rob Dawson
