Deadline day preview: Arsenal's forward search, Fernandez uncertainty, and more
Clubs have until 11pm BST to finalize transfers on the last day of the window. Arsenal are close to selling Gabriel Martinelli to Al Hilal and may also lose Gabriel Jesus, prompting a search for a forward. Enzo Fernandez's situation remains unresolved, while Tottenham and Manchester City have unfinished business.
Arsenal's potential sale of Martinelli for €70m would shatter their previous record outgoing transfer, which stood at £35m when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain moved to Liverpool in 2017. The fee is fully guaranteed with no performance-based add-ons, and Al Hilal are prepared to offer a four-year contract. Meanwhile, the club faces a possible double departure, as Barcelona are closing in on Gabriel Jesus, leaving Arsenal to evaluate replacements including Lyon's Malick Fofana and Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez, though the latter prefers Barcelona.
The deadline day also features several other significant potential moves. Folarin Balogun could return to the Premier League, with Monaco agreeing a £40m deal with Everton, a transfer that would trigger a 17.5 percent sell-on clause for Arsenal. Enzo Fernandez's situation remains fluid after Chelsea's deadline for a £120m offer from Manchester City passed without a bid, though City have since shifted their focus to the midfielder after abandoning their pursuit of Cody Gakpo.
This transfer deadline day could reshape competitive balances across multiple leagues, affecting fan expectations and club strategies for the season ahead. Arsenal supporters may see a significant squad overhaul, while the potential movement of high-profile players like Fernandez and Balogun could influence team performances in domestic and European competitions. The financial scale of these deals also underscores the growing global reach of the Saudi Pro League and the continued spending power of Premier League clubs, which may impact how fans perceive their clubs' ambitions and long-term planning.