With the transfer window set to be slammed shut on Wednesday, we look at six possible moves in the offing with just a couple of days left to complete deals.
Do you think any of the following transfers will happen?
LIVERPOOL MOVE FOR MONACO STRIKER
Liverpool could step up the chase to sign Monaco’s Keita Balde if a move for his club team-mate Thomas Lemar fails to materialize. The Kop club have been put off by the French riviera side’s £90m (Dh 465m) valuation for the midfielder, with Tottenham-linked forward Balde being a cheaper option. Lemar, 22, has been widely touted as a would-be Anfield star for some time but talks seem to have gone a bit quiet over whether there is a pre-agreement in place for the France international.
Likelihood Rating: 7/10
EVERTON LOOK TO FORMER STOKE MAN FOR MIDFIELD REINFORCEMENTS
Everton are set to make a late move for Steven Nzonzi as a direct defensive midfield replacement for the injured James McCarthy. The Toffees have been keen on Sevilla’s French star for a while and Sam Allardyce feels the ex-Stoke City man’s physical presence can bring a new dimension to the Blues midfield. Nzonzi, 29, is likely to be the final incoming into Goodison Park before the deadline although several other squad players, including Dutch midfielder Davy Klaassen and Sandro Ramirez, could leave on loan.
Likelihood Rating: 8/10
WEST HAM TURN TO RUSSIAN STRIKER FOR FIREPOWER
West Ham could launch a surprise late bid for Krasnodar striker Fyodor Smolov before the window slams shut. Hammers boss David Moyes recently sent scouts to watch the 27-year-old, with glowing reports coming back about the Russian international. The east London side aren’t short of striking options but Andy Carroll is on the treatment table and there are doubts over Javier Hernandez’s future. Smolov could be available for £8m (Dh 41m) and is bang in form this term, having netted 10 goals in 13 league outings.
Likelihood Rating: 8/10
REAL BETIS HOPE TO BRING DORTMUND STAR BACK TO SPAIN
Real Betis are eyeing a move for Borussia Dortmund centre-back Marc Bartra, according to Marca. The 27-year-old, who has previously been a target of both Manchester United and Manchester City, is said to favour a return to La Liga where he previously played with Barcelona up until 2016. However, having failed to fully settle in Germany, Betis are set to try and get Bartra on loan during the window. The defender needs regular first-team football to keep his place in Spain’s World Cup plans.
Likelihood Rating: 7/10
MOURA BOUND FOR SPURS
Tottenham are confident they can wrap-up a deal for Paris Saint-Germain winger Lucas Moura before Wednesday. The out of favour Brazilian is seemingly surplus to requirements at the Parisian club, with Spurs keen on bolstering their attacking options and taking the load off of the likes of Harry Kane and Dele Alli. A fee of £25m (Dh 129m) is being touted, and given Moura is still only 25, the Premier League side would be landing a player with their peak years still ahead of them.
Likelihood Rating: 8/10
