Transfer news LIVE: Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez deadline looms, Arsenal eye up shock Osimhen move, Rodri exit latest

Arsenal have opened talks with Bayer Leverkusen over signing England international Jarell Quansah. The Premier League champions have been keen to sign a defender following the injury to William Saliba and the 23-year-old Quansah, formerly of Liverpool, would be able to cover both centre-back and right back positions.

The Gunners have also received interest in Gabriel Martinelli from Galatasaray, while the he availability of striker Victor Osimhen has been raised in those talks. Arsenal have also been linked with moves for Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez and Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola as Arteta bids to add a marquee signing in attack this summer. Barcola also leads Liverpool’s list of transfer targets and the Reds remain in talks with PSG over a fee,

Meanwhile, Barcelona are set to make a third bid of around £60m for Rodri, but are still set to fall £10m short of Manchester City’s valuation of the Ballon d’Or winner. The deal could yet influence the speed of any move for Enzo Fernandez, with his former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca pushing for the midfielder's signature. Chelsea’s deadline of 5pm on Friday passed without City submitting their £120m bid, and the club expect Fernandez to now stay for the upcoming season.

Follow all of the latest news, rumours and done deals with our live blog below

Enzo Fernandez set to stay at Chelsea as deadline passes

Enzo Fernandez is set to stay at Chelsea after the club’s 5pm Friday deadline passed without any acceptable bids being received.

The club laid down terms on Thursday that they expected either to receive a written bid matching their £120m valuation of the player or they would consider the matter of his future closed, and would not entertain any subsequent offers.

It is understood that the verbal terms and conditions that were made available to Fernandez’s representatives for potential suitors at end of May are now off the table, and the club expects him to stay.

Manchester City are the last remaining club with a known interest in signing the World Cup winner, after Real Madrid publicly stated in July that they would not be pursuing Fernandez.

The 25-year-old worked with City boss Enzo Maresca during their 18 months together at Stamford Bridge and the Italian is known to admire the player.

It was thought that, with a £52m deal having been agreed to sell Tijjani Reijnders to Saudi Pro-League outfit Al-Qadsiah, funds would be freed up for City to take Fernandez to the Etihad Stadium as a like-for-like replacement for Rodri, who looks set to join Barcelona.

However, unless Chelsea can be persuaded into a U-turn and be brought to the negotiating table, Fernandez will still be at Stamford Bridge when the transfer window closes on 1 September.

Enzo Fernandez(Getty)

Will Liverpool’s transfer budget change after Jeff Bezos investment?

Jeff Bezos, one of the world’s richest men, has bought into Liverpool as part of a consortium after reaching a definitive agreement with majority owners Fenway Sports Group to purchase a minority stake.

1892 Holdings, led by former QPR director Amit Bhatia and including the Amazon owner Bezos and Eduardo Saverin, one of the founders of Facebook, will have a share of 30 percent of the Premier League club worth £1.5bn.

Bezos’ personal wealth is in the region of $270bn, with fans anticipating the arrival of his riches will result in a spending spree at Anfield.

However, there will be no change to Liverpool’s transfer budget or policy, with no new funds being allocated for Andoni Iraola as he looks to bolster his squad before the 1 September deadline.

Will Liverpool’s transfer budget change after Jeff Bezos takeover?

Jeff Bezos is buying into Liverpool – this is why

The world’s third-richest man is part of a consortium that has bought a 30 per cent stake in Liverpool. While the Amazon founder may be a ‘silent partner’ in the deal, it is clear that the uncertainty at the top of global football presents an opportunity to the billionaire class, writes Miguel Delaney

Cristian Romero bids farewell to Tottenham

Cristian Romero has announced his departure from Tottenham and acknowledged he was not always perfect, but insisted the club will always hold a place in his heart.

Romero has ended a five-year spell at Spurs to sign for Atletico Madrid in a 40 million euros deal (£34.1m) with a 15 per cent sell-on clause part of the overall package, the Press Association understands.

Argentina international Romero divided opinion during his time in N17 with multiple suspensions across 156 appearances, but he was awarded man of the match for a colossal display in the 2025 Europa League final against Manchester United, which ensured Tottenham brought a 17-year trophy drought to an end.

“Today, I say goodbye to a place that, for five seasons, was much more than a club,” Romero said on Instagram.

Cristian Romero has left Tottenham(PA Wire)

Mikel Arteta on Arsenal's transfer window

"It's a very exciting part of the season. When a lot of things happen, it creates excitement," Mikel Arteta said when asked if the Gunners will do any further transfers

"There's an opportunity to evolve and understand how every player is feeling. We are trying the maximum within 13 or 14 days to compete for every possible position.

"It's always the case. There's an opportunity for players to go both ways and see how the market responds.

"I'm not going to talk about individuals. The ambition of the club is big. We want to improve and evolve the squad. We have detected the areas that can be strengthened."

(Getty)

Mikel Arteta admits Ethan Nwaneri may have to leave Arsenal

Mikel Arteta has admitted that Ethan Nwaneri may have to leave Arsenal to find the regular football he needs to fulfil his potential.

The Arsenal boss praised how academy graduate Nwaneri has evolved since a difficult loan at Marseille, but admitted: “I want him to be at the club but something is in the medium-long term what is best for the player as well.

“Ethan needs to play football and if he stays here it’s because we can guarantee that he can have those minutes.”

Ethan Nwaneri of Arsenal in action(Getty)

Mikel Arteta coy over Ezri Konsa and Jarell Quansah links amid Arsenal injury woes

Mikel Arteta has remained coy over Arsenal’s pursuit of Ezri Konsa and Jarell Quansah but asserted his desire to “improve the squad” as he looks to plug gaps in his defence caused by injury.

The defending English champions raise the curtain on their season with the Community Shield on Sunday, taking on FA Cup winners Manchester City at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.

Osimhen to replace Martinelli?

A further addition to Arsenal’s talks with Galatasaray concerns the future of Victor Osimhen.

The Telegraph report that the two clubs have been discussing a move for the striker though it is unclear if Arsenal are driving the negotiations or if Osminhen has been offered to them.

Osimhen being included in a deal for Martinelli (and a lower fee) does seem like a proposal Galatasaray may favour and Arsenal are in the market for a new attacker.

Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli heading to Galatasaray?

Turkish clubs have been active in the transfer window and Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli is the subject of a £38.5m bid from Galatasaray.

That’s according to journalist Florian Plettenberg, who reports that the 25-year-old Brazil winger is top of Galatasaray’s list of targets.

Arsenal have signed a winger in Christos Tzolis this summer and have been linked with Julian Alvarez and Bradley Barcola.

Uefa takes inspiration from European Union in plan to oust Gianni Infantino and reform Fifa

Uefa and their allies want the Fifa presidency to be rotated between the confederations, meaning Fifa could never again have another president with the power of Infantino says Miguel Delaney.

Uefa takes inspiration from European Union in plan to oust Infantino and reform Fifa

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies