The crazy football season is set to conclude on Thursday, but anyone who has been watching the beautiful game closely in recent times will know that massive transfer can still happen on deadline day.
Here’s a look at the top 10 transfers that could take place on the final day of the 2017 summer transfer window:
Kylian Mbappe to PSG
After being courted by Real Madrid all summer, 19-year-old Mbappe seems set to move to Paris Saint-Germain.
Les Parisiens have smashed the transfer record with their €222 million purchase of Neymar but, with UEFA insistent on the club’s compliance with Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules, perhaps a loophole to add Mbappe in the same window has been found.
According to several reports, Monaco will loan the forward to their arch-rivals PSG for a year with a ‘must-buy at the end of the season’ clause inserted in the contract.
It seems that one way or the other, the €180 million transfer will happen, whether UEFA likes it or not.
Expected Transfer Fee: Loan*
*Eventual fee: €180 million
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to Liverpool
A grainy image of Oxlade-Chamberlain in a Liverpool jersey has already gone viral, effectively confirming the versatile Englishman’s transfer to the Reds.
In the last year of his contract, ‘Ox’ reportedly rejected a £180,000-per-week extension after becoming disillusioned with life under Arsene Wenger.
The 24-year-old has, however, agreed to a £120,000-per-week contract with Jurgen Klopp’s side and is expected to sign on the dotted line well before the deadline.
Expected Transfer Fee: £35 million
Alexis Sanchez to Manchester City/United/Chelsea
Another Arsenal player in the final year of his contract and seemingly hell bent on a move away from the Emirates is Alexis Sanchez.
A trio of Premier League clubs are in the race for his signature, but signs point toward Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City being the likely destination.
City’s arch-rivals United are said to be interested as well as defending champions Chelsea, but the Chilean wants to be reunited with a certain Catalan manager.
The 28-year-old is desperate to leave, but the Gunners are playing hardball and not accepting any bids north of £60 million for a player in the final year of his contract, which is putting most of his suitors off. In case of a deal with City, Sergio Aguero and/or Raheem Sterling could move in opposite directions.
Expected Transfer Fee: £65 million
Raheem Sterling to Arsenal
After City approached Arsenal for Sanchez, the Sky Blues reportedly offered Raheem Sterling in exchange along with ‘some’ cash.
Pep Guardiola has not been impressed by the 22-year-old’s development and is ready to cut him loose in a bid to get Sanchez.
For Arsenal, the move makes sense as Sterling would be a like-for-like replacement for the Chilean and while he is not on his level, there is plenty of potential, considering his age.
However, the suggestion that City are ready to let go of a young player they spent £50 million for two seasons ago is a little hard to believe and it may just be Aguero who makes way in his stead.
Expected Transfer Fee: Makeweight*
*if part of Alexis Sanchez deal
Sergio Aguero to Arsenal
Is Sergio Aguero’s time at Manchester City over?
Pep Guardiola clearly prefers Gabriel Jesus to the Argentine hit-man and with days of a two-forward system a thing of the past, City’s iconic striker may just have played his final game for the Sky Blues.
A swap deal for Alexis Sanchez might be seen a win-win situation for both clubs, but will they agree to release their stars to strengthen direct rivals?
Expected Transfer Fee: Makeweight*
*if part of Alexis Sanchez deal
Riyad Mahrez to Arsenal/Manchester United
The Algerian winger has been given permission to leave the national team’s training camp to finalise a deal, if several reports are to be believed.
Arsenal, especially if Alexis Sanchez leaves, would need a winger and Juan Mata, who plays on the wing for Manchester United, is not an ideal ‘Jose Mourinho type player’.
Mahrez’s acquisition would improve both clubs and while he would be a guaranteed starter at Arsenal, the allure playing for a resurgent Red Devils side may prove telling.
So where will the winger head up? Not at the King Power Stadium, that’s for sure but after a move to Serie A side Roma fell through at the last-minute, there are no guarantees.
Expected Transfer Fee: £40 million
Thomas Lemar to Liverpool
Liverpool club officials reportedly flew down to Monaco to finalise a move for the midfielder but the French side are said to be holding out for a figure close to £100 million.
Is he that good? Absolutely not, but should Philippe Coutinho push for a move to Barcelona, the Reds would be flush with funds and be able to facilitate the deal without a hitch.
However, should the Brazilian stay at Anfiedl past the deadline, then the Reds may just have to accept defeat in their pursuit of the 21-year-old Lemar.
Expected Transfer Fee: £70 million
Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona
Coutinho wants Barcelona and Barcelona want him back, but Liverpool are essaying the part of the third wheel in this love story.
The fact that several bids have been rejected for the twinkle-toed Brazilian suggests the Reds have made it a matter of ego to not let the midfielder go in this window.
With the 25-year-old effectively on a strike while at national duty, it remains to be seen if Liverpool will cave in.
Expected Transfer Fee: £120 million
Virgil van Djik to Liverpool/Chelsea
A transfer saga that had been seemingly brought to an end with Liverpool’s apology to Southampton, but has been reignited in recent weeks.
The Dutchman, like Coutinho, has effectively gone on a strike and is yet to play a single game for his club this season.
Liverpool are favourites to land the centre-back, but with Chelsea lurking in the background as well, may be forced to shell out a premium to land the 26-year-old who has set his heart on a move away from St Mary’s.
Expected Transfer Fee: £30 million
Diego Costa to Atletico Madrid
Chelsea’s bad boy Diego Costa has effectively been on a strike since the end of last season. But despite downing tools, he has been unable to force a move away from Stamford Bridge.
The wantaway striker, who was in self-imposed exile in his native Brazil, is desperate to move but with Atletico Madrid unable to register players till January 2018 and interest from China cooling off, there is a strong possibility he may remain in London beyond the deadline.
Expected Transfer Fee: £30 million