48 hours to go – Everything you need to know ahead of one of the most chaotic ends to a Transfer Window Ever
By Jim James
With 48 hours to go, the transfer window is in its most chaotic phase yet. As teams struggle to get deals over the line, transfer fees can be ridiculous and deals accelerate as quickly as possible. With that in mind, I’ll tell you everything you need to know before the anticipated climax of the 2022 Summer Transfer Window.
(Fees will be in Euros)
The Close deals
Antony to Manchester United
Stage of Completion: Medical
Fee: 100m
Contract: 2027 (Option until ‘28)
Here We Go?: Yes
Probability: 98%
Antony will be:
The 13th most expensive player ever (and the 13th player to be moved for 100m)
The Eredivisie’s record departure
The most expensive Brazilian in Premier League history
United’s 2nd most expensive signing (Behind Paul Pogba)
The 3rd most expensive attacker in Premier League history (Behind Jack Grealish and Romelu Lukaku)
The 3rd most expensive Brazilian ever (Behind Neymar and Philippe Coutinho)
Massive expectations for the 22-year old.
Wesley Fofana to Chelsea
Stage of Completion: Medical
Fee: 81m
Contract: 2028
Here we Go?: Yes
Probability: 95%
He is the 4th most expensive defender of all-time, only 7m behind record holder Harry Maguire. A big factor in these negotiations have been Fofana “going on strike” with Leicester, like Antony before him. The here we go was 2 days ago, but Chelsea have had trouble finishing out deals this window (Kounde says hi). I am sure that we won’t see any problem with this deal being done though.
Martin Dubravka to Man Utd (Loan)
Stage of Completion: Medical
Fee: 5m Loan Fee
Contract: 1-season loan
Here we go?: Yes
Probability: 95%
Following Dubravka falling out of favour at Newcastle, he thought: “Why not go from being No.2 at Newcastle to being No.2 at Manchester United?”. The logic of this deal confuses me but it’s going to happen nonetheless it appears. He also revolted against Newcastle to get his move, which will make it awkward when he reunites with Eddie Howe after this season.
The Discussed Deals
Sergino Dest to Man Utd/Aaron Wan-Bissaka to Barcelona
Stage of Completion: Club Talks
Likely Fee: Straight Swap
Likely Contract: Unknown
Here We Go?: No
Probability: 30%
A deal that hasn’t been rumoured until recently, but it makes some sort of sense. Both clubs are looking for Full-Backs, both Dest and Wan-Bissaka are on the outs at their teams. That being said, I don’t see this working out if it happens and I dont even see it happening in the first place.
Memphis Depay to Man Utd
Stage of Completion: Club Talks
Likely Fee: 10m
Contract: Unknown
Here We Go?: No
Probability: 25%
Thanks Juventus. That deal was completed, and then they pulled out to sign Milik. Now the deal is up in the air. I don’t think this will happen, how it is at the moment, but if Ronaldo sells, I think the deal will be significantly accelerated. However, this doesn’t look like it’s happening.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Chelsea
Stage of Completion: Contract Terms
Fee: 25m
Contract: Unknown
Here We Go?: No
Probability: 75%
Many conflicting reports on this one. Chelsea sources have no doubts about this deal being completed, but other sources are saying that it may not happen. Aubameyang seems to be happy in Barcelona and Chelsea are now having second thoughts. Only time will tell on this one.
Cristiano Ronaldo to Napoli/Sporting/Atletico
Stage of Completion: Club/Player talks
Likely Fee: 10-20m
Likely Contract: 2023-2024
Here We Go?: No
Probability: 15%
Like the Kevin Durant saga, I would be very surprised if this happened. The talks are no more advanced than they were in early July. The Sporting deal was supposed to be “99% Done”, but it wasn’t. Cristiano Ronaldo WILL be a Manchester United player come September.
Other Potential Deals
N’Golo Kante to PSG
Stage of Completion: Rumours
Likely Fee: 85+m
Likely Contract: Unknown
Probability: 3%
Callum Hudson-Odoi to Leverkusen (Loan)
Stage of Completion: Medical
Fee: Unknown Loan Fee
Likely Contract: Season Long Loan
Probability: 99%
Wilfried Zaha to Chelsea
Stage of Completion: Rumours
Likely Fee: 20m
Likely Contract: Unknown
Probability: 30%
There are a billion other deals I could cover in this post, but I think we’ll end it here. Tune in on Deadline Day to see a LIVE POST on all the action on Deadline Day (with a break between 9-10am EST). For now though, I’m Jim James, until next time!