Football transfer rumours: Osimhen courts Chelsea? Nketiah to Palace?

Nothing is certain except death, taxes and Chelsea wanting to buy more players. The club may have over 40 squad members as deadline day looms on the horizon, but it seems they may try and stuff more into their ranks before the door is welded shut (well, at least until the winter window, where the squad may reach 100).

The latest player linked to Todd Boehly’s megasquad is not being pursued by Chelsea, though. Instead, it is Victor Osimhen who is pushing the Blues to make an offer. The Napoli striker had been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia but it is thought he wants to judge Chelsea’s interest. The 25-year-old Nigeria international is waiting for a bid and then he will decide where he plays his football this season.

Related: Football transfer news: latest updates as Premier League deadline day looms – live

We can’t seem to move without hitting a transfer rumour with Chelsea’s name attached to it but this is one that has been as quick to form as it has been slow to confirm: Raheem Sterling’s departure. After not being included in the first Premier League matchday squad of the season and manager Enzo Maresca saying the winger was not part of the first team plans, it felt inevitable that the England international would leave to get game time.

While the rumours have been coming thick and fast, confirmation has not yet followed. The latest report surrounding the 29-year-old says he would be open to join Manchester United but that he wants to discuss his contract in west London further first. The window is closing though and so we may see Sterling having to do a movie-style slide under the door before it closes come deadline day.

Let’s move away from Chelsea now before they try to sign us as well. Across London at Arsenal , Eddie Nketiah wants to change postcodes while also not moving too far away. It has been reported that Crystal Palace are close to agreeing a deal with the Englishman for £25m, plus £5m in add-ons.

The Gunners may also lose another fringe player by the end of the week as they are reportedly open to last-minute offers for winger Reiss Nelson . It is understood manager Mikel Arteta does see Nelson as part of his plans this season but is also prepared to cope without him, as with Nketiah and Emile Smith Rowe.

It has been all quiet on the transfer front for Liverpool this summer with no new senior arrivals – yet. The new manager, Arne Slot, reportedly wants to make three signings before the end of this window. No concrete names have been ironed out but it is thought the Dutchman wants to bring in a centre-back, a central midfielder and a winger before Friday night.

Those three may not be the only arrivals to Anfield, with goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili’s deal expected to be announced in the coming days. The Georgia international is said to have had his medical. However, it is being reported that the Valencia player will remain in Spain and join Liverpool for the 2025/26 season.

It has been a miserable start to the season for Everton , who have conceded seven goals in two games without finding the net themselves and it may get worse before it gets better. Dominic Calvert-Lewin has rejected several contract renewals with the Merseyside club and so the side are being forced to look at offers from other clubs.

Elsewhere, Nottingham Forest are eyeing a move to sign James Ward-Prowse from West Ham as it is understood the England international is not a part of new manager Julen Lopetegui’s plans. The Hammers are open to listening to offers but they are not actively trying to sell the free-kick maestro.

Finally, Brighton’s Billy Gilmour is wanted by Napoli . The Italian club want him in their squad by Saturday and are confident about getting the deal over the line. The signing for the 23-year-old is reportedly worth £12.5m and Gilmour could form an all-Scots midfield partnership with Scott McTominay in Naples.