Enzo Fernández, Julián Álvarez, Folarin Balogun, and Cody Gakpo are names that could take center stage in the transfer market following the 2026 Men’s World Cup. As the transfer deadline approaches, these players are among the most sought after, with significant moves expected to unfold.
By the closing of the summer transfer window at 11 p.m. BST / 6 p.m. ET on September 1, it is anticipated that Premier League spending will surpass £2.5 billion, although this will fall short of last summer’s impressive £3.1 billion total.
Manchester City is keen on acquiring Chelsea midfielder Fernández, who made headlines earlier this year with a Premier League record transfer of £106.8 million from Benfica. Should Chelsea demand more than £125 million, it could set a new Premier League record, surpassing the fee Liverpool paid for Alexander Isak last year.
City has already set their transfer record this summer by signing Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson for £116 million, but sources indicate that Chelsea is looking for an even higher fee for the 25-year-old Fernández, likely driving prices even further up.
If Chelsea approves Fernández’s exit, manager Xabi Alonso is expected to turn to Monaco’s £40 million-rated Lamine Camara as his replacement. However, City’s ambitions aren’t limited to Fernández; they are in discussions with Liverpool regarding a potential £85 million transfer for Cody Gakpo. This move could be facilitated by Liverpool’s recent agreement to a £123 million deal for Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola.
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Everton’s manager David Moyes recently urged his board for more signings, and it seems to be bearing fruit as they near a deal to re-sign Richarlison from Tottenham. In a separate transaction, Iliman Ndiaye is set to move to Spurs.
Moyes aims to strengthen his attacking options, maintaining interest in Balogun, but Everton needs to offload Beto before securing a €40 million deal for Camara.
The deadline often sees forwards making significant moves as clubs look to secure guaranteed goals for the season. Meanwhile, Arsenal faces a challenge in convincing Atlético Madrid to release long-term target Julián Álvarez.
Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta has been chasing Álvarez since last season, but Atlético remains firm in its position regarding the former Manchester City player not moving to Barcelona.
Despite a brief standoff over his future, Álvarez returned to training with Diego Simeone’s side this past weekend, possibly indicating an acceptance that he may remain with the club this window. Nonetheless, Atlético could consider selling Álvarez to Arsenal if they receive Viktor Gyökeres in exchange, keeping the prospect of a blockbuster deal alive.
Should that trade occur, Arsenal may need to adjust their finances after a busy summer, during which they signed Newcastle’s Bruno Guimarães (£75 million) and Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa (£51 million). This could open up a potential surprise deadline-day deal for youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Arteta previously insisted that the versatile 19-year-old, who can play both left back and in midfield, would not be leaving the club; however, Arsenal CEO Richard Garlick hinted that offers might be considered if the “right opportunity” emerged.
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Laurens tells Atletico Madrid to accept Alvarez’s exit
Chelsea and Manchester United have shown interest in Lewis-Skelly and may pursue a last-minute deal if Arsenal signals its willingness to consider offers, but his stay at the Emirates currently appears more likely.
Meanwhile, United is tracking Newcastle’s Lewis Hall as they search for an upgrade on left-back Luke Shaw, but it’s expected Hall will remain at St James’ Park. Following their moderate spending of £148 million on three midfielders (Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans, and Carlos Baleba) and a backup goalkeeper (Karl Darlow), United is not expected to make further moves unless they find a left-back option.
United forward Joshua Zirkzee is likely to depart on loan, with Juventus and Fiorentina expressing interest.
Fenerbahce has shown longstanding interest in Marcus Rashford, yet United manager Michael Carrick has reintegrated the 28-year-old forward following prior loan spells at Barcelona and Aston Villa. It would take a substantial offer for United to consider selling Rashford.
Tottenham had explored a move for Rashford earlier in the window, but the team has now shifted its focus and is executing plans to offload players including Kevin Danso, Richarlison, and Pape Matar Sarr.
Sunderland is in discussions to acquire Danso, and Richarlison will return to Everton, while Juventus negotiations for Sarr are ongoing.
If Spurs can expedite these player exits, they might pursue one final attacking reinforcement — potentially targeting Gakpo if City fails to finalize a deal with Liverpool. They have also been linked with AC Milan’s USMNT star Christian Pulisic, but the expectation is that more players may leave than arrive at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
As the deadline approaches, all eyes will be on Fernández and Álvarez; a move for Fernández appears imminent, while Álvarez remains a possibility, albeit more uncertain.
On transfer deadline day, anything can happen.