An atmosphere of tension, uncertainty, last-minute negotiations and major transfer moves has taken over English football as the summer transfer window heads towards its final hours.
As the Premier League transfer window approaches its 23:00 BST deadline on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, several clubs have been busy completing deals, while others remain involved in late negotiations.
Arsenal midfielder Ethan Nwaneri has joined Borussia Dortmund on a season-long loan, while Manchester City have completed the signing of Everton forward Iliman Ndiaye.
Nwaneri, 19, will spend the season with Dortmund on a straight loan deal without a purchase option, with the Bundesliga club covering his full wages.
The England Under-21 midfielder previously spent the second half of last season on loan at Marseille. Arsenal and Nwaneri believed another temporary move would provide him with valuable first-team experience. Dortmund accelerated their pursuit following an ACL injury to new signing Giannis Konstantelias.
Manchester City also announced Ndiaye’s arrival on Tuesday evening, posting: “Welcome to City, Iliman.”
The Senegal international has moved from Everton in a deal reportedly worth £60 million, with a further £5 million available in add-ons. Ndiaye agreed personal terms with City and completed his medical earlier in the day. City pursued the forward after Liverpool rejected their attempt to sign Cody Gakpo, while Tottenham had also previously held advanced discussions over the player.
Other confirmed Premier League deadline-day deals include Aston Villa signing Paris Saint-Germain winger Ibrahim Mbaye for £47 million and Southampton defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis for approximately £29-30 million. Newcastle United have also completed a £51 million deal for Lille forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo.
Arsenal confirmed Gabriel Jesus’ move to Barcelona for about £8.6 million and Fabio Vieira’s transfer to Hamburg for around £7.7 million, alongside Nwaneri’s loan departure. Crystal Palace have brought in Honest Ahanor from Atalanta on loan, while Newcastle forward Nick Woltemade has joined Juventus on a season-long loan, with the Italian club reportedly paying £3.5 million and having no option to make the move permanent.
Tottenham midfielder Pape Matar Sarr has also moved to Juventus on loan for the season, with an obligation to buy worth approximately £23.6 million if certain performance and qualification conditions are fulfilled. Several other loan and permanent transfers have also been completed across the Premier League and EFL.
The Premier League and EFL transfer window officially closes at 23:00 BST. However, clubs can still complete transfers after the deadline if they submit a deal sheet before the window shuts. The Scottish Premiership and Women’s Super League windows will remain open until Thursday.
With fewer than two hours left before the deadline, attention has shifted to several major deals that could still be completed through the deal-sheet process.
Manchester City and Chelsea are reportedly holding advanced negotiations over Enzo Fernandez in a potential deal that could equal or come close to the British transfer record. The Argentina midfielder is also believed to be keen on reuniting with Enzo Maresca.
The move could depend on Chelsea finding a replacement in midfield, with Monaco’s Lamine Camara and Manu Koné reportedly among the options under consideration.
Tottenham are also being linked with a possible late double swoop for Chelsea duo Mykhailo Mudryk, potentially on loan with an option to buy, and Tosin Adarabioyo.
Meanwhile, Everton’s efforts to sign Monaco forward Folarin Balogun have encountered possible medical concerns, which could have an impact on other related transfers.
Crystal Palace and Sunderland are continuing to show interest in Lyon winger Malick Fofana. Clubs have until 21:00 BST to submit deal sheets, giving them an additional two hours to complete the necessary paperwork.
Arsenal have largely focused on departures rather than new arrivals during the final hours of the transfer window. The Gunners completed three outgoing deals on deadline day, with Nwaneri joining Borussia Dortmund on loan, Gabriel Jesus moving to Barcelona and Fabio Vieira completing a permanent transfer to Hamburg.
Arsenal also considered a late move for Lyon winger Malick Fofana but ultimately refused to meet the French club’s valuation and withdrew from the negotiations. Sunderland have since moved forward with the Fofana deal.
Atlético Madrid forward Julian Alvarez remains a long-term target for Arsenal, although reports suggest the player has yet to commit to a move to north London and is currently more likely to remain in Spain.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta had indicated that the club would continue looking for ways to strengthen the squad until the deadline, but there appears to be no major incoming deal close to being completed.
Clubs will have another opportunity to reinforce their squads when the winter transfer window opens on January 1, 2027. The next Premier League transfer window will close at 23:00 GMT on Monday, February 1, 2027, giving teams a month to make mid-season additions before the market closes again until the summer.