Michele Di Gregorio, Juventus and Bournemouth
24 August 2026

Michele Di Gregorio is set to join Bournemouth from Juventus on loan, with the reported agreement including a €14 million option to buy. The official announcement is still awaited, but the structure of the deal has been detailed.

Bournemouth can activate the purchase option in June 2027. If the club chooses not to buy Di Gregorio, it would still owe Juventus a €1.5 million penalty, giving the Italian side a financial return even without a permanent transfer.

Al-Hilal, Aston Villa and Ollie Watkins
24 August 2026

Al-Hilal are reported to be close to finalising a deal for Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, with Saudi broadcaster Waleed Al-Faraj saying the transfer is largely wrapped up. Watkins has also made clear that he wants the move.

Al-Hilal and Villa are described as being in decisive-stage negotiations as Simone Inzaghi looks to strengthen his attack. Al-Faraj said Watkins could appear for Al-Hilal against Al-Ahli on 1 September if the transfer is completed in time.

Esther Gonzalez, Al-Qadsiah and Gotham FC
Sunday

Spain striker Esther Gonzalez has signed for Al-Qadsiah in the Saudi Women’s Premier League less than a month after unexpectedly leaving defending NWSL champions Gotham FC. The 33-year-old was a 2025 NWSL MVP finalist and Gotham’s leading scorer.

Gonzalez had been contracted with Gotham through 2027 before both sides mutually terminated the deal in July. The World Cup winner now joins an Al-Qadsiah side coached by former Orlando Pride assistant Giles Barnes, adding another prominent international player to Saudi women’s football.

Manchester City, Lille and Ayyoub Bouaddi
Sunday

Manchester City have agreed a deal worth up to €100m for Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi. The 18-year-old Morocco international emerged as one of the World Cup’s standout young players and is now set for a major Premier League move.

Bouaddi will join a heavily rebuilt City midfield following the departures of Rodri and Tijjani Reijnders. His arrival gives Enzo Maresca another long-term central option alongside record signing Elliot Anderson, while Lille secure a huge return on their academy-developed midfielder.

Leon Goretzka, Aston Villa and Unai Emery
Sunday

Aston Villa have reached an agreement with Leon Goretzka over a free transfer after his Bayern Munich contract expired. The 31-year-old midfielder has agreed financial terms and is expected to sign a two or three-year contract if he passes his medical.

Unai Emery reportedly played a decisive role by personally calling Goretzka and promising him an important role at Villa. The medical is the final obstacle, making this a material advance from earlier exploratory talks involving Juventus, Milan, Inter and Arsenal.

Darwin Nunez, Al-Hilal and Al-Diriyah
Saturday

Al-Hilal have officially loaned Uruguay striker Darwin Nunez to newly promoted Saudi Pro League club Al-Diriyah. The move ends uncertainty around the former Liverpool forward after he slipped out of Simone Inzaghi’s plans following one season with Al-Hilal.

Nunez had recently been linked with Trabzonspor, but Al-Hilal instead sanctioned a domestic loan before the transfer window closes. Al-Diriyah have also added Enzo Millot and Idrissa Gueye as they strengthen their squad after promotion.

Unai Emery, Emiliano Martinez, Ollie Watkins and Aston Villa
Friday

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery says Emiliano Martinez has again communicated his desire for a new challenge, while the club has received four Al-Hilal bids for Ollie Watkins. Emery admitted Watkins could leave if a suitable deal benefits all parties.

Villa signed Zion Suzuki partly because Martinez could depart and have already sold several major players this summer. Emery says he wants Watkins to stay, but the striker’s future remains open with roughly ten days left before the transfer window closes.

Liverpool, Brighton and Yankuba Minteh
Friday

Brighton have rejected Liverpool’s improved £60m offer for Gambia winger Yankuba Minteh after turning down a £50m bid earlier this week. Talks are continuing, with Brighton understood to want closer to £70m for the 22-year-old.

The second formal rejection shows Liverpool are escalating their pursuit rather than merely monitoring Minteh. Andoni Iraola says Liverpool lack specialist wingers, while the club are also exploring PSG attackers Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye before the transfer deadline.

Inter Milan, Liverpool and Curtis Jones
Friday

Inter Milan have completed the signing of Curtis Jones from Liverpool for €30m plus €5m in add-ons. The 25-year-old midfielder has signed through 2031, ending a 16-year association with his boyhood club after 228 senior appearances.

Liverpool also secured a 10% sell-on clause after previously rejecting a lower Inter approach. Jones wanted a new challenge after struggling for regular Premier League starts, while Inter add a third English player this summer after John Stones and Djed Spence.

Manchester United, Brighton and Carlos Baleba
Friday

Manchester United have agreed a deal worth up to £70m for Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba. United will pay £65m initially plus £5m in add-ons, with the Cameroon international now cleared to undergo a medical this weekend.

The agreement converts United’s recent pursuit into a club-to-club breakthrough after Brighton previously demanded a much larger fee. Baleba wants the move and would add athleticism to Michael Carrick’s midfield following the departures and injuries affecting United’s current options.