The clock is ticking on the summer transfer window and Premier League teams have until 11pm on Friday to strengthen their squads.
While a number of clubs will be working hard behind the scenes to finalise last-minute deals, the future of several star players remain uncertain and some of those will be seeking to force through an exit from their current clubs either on loan or permanently.
Here, Sports Mole takes a look at how the so-called top-six Premier League teams could approach transfer deadline day and what players they may look to sign and let go.
ARSENAL
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After coming up short in the last two Premier League title races, Arsenal have strengthened their squad with defender Riccardo Calafiori and midfielder Mikel Merino so far this summer, but is it thought that Mikel Arteta is keen to bring in a new attacker before the deadline.
Recruiting a new centre-forward has been mooted throughout this summer, but moves for high-profile names such as Victor Osimhen or Ivan Toney are yet to bear fruit and the Gunners could instead consider bringing in a wide forward, with Bayern Munich's Kingsley Coman allegedly on their radar.
A new goalkeeper could also arrive at the Emirates Stadium, with Espanyol's Joan Garcia and Wigan Athletic's Sam Tickle allegedly wanted to provide cover for first-choice David Raya and fill the void soon to be left behind by Aaron Ramsdale, who is close to joining Southampton in a deal which could rise to around £25m.
CHELSEA
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Chelsea are the biggest spending team in Europe so far this summer, forking out in excess of £200m on 11 new signings, and they could break the bank once again to recruit a new centre-forward before the deadline.
The Blues are believed to be in talks with the representatives of Napoli's Osimhen and Brentford's Toney; the former is thought to be Chelsea's primary striker target, but the latter could be a cheaper alternative at around £40m to £50m, with Brentford willing to sell the Englishman now that he has entered the final year of his contract.
Chelsea have also been tipped to make a late move for Man United's Jadon Sancho, while they may consider signing a new defender if Trevoh Chalobah were to leave the club. Benfica's Tomas Araujo is one name who has recently been added to their shortlist.
As for outgoings, Chalobah, Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell are all deemed surplus to requirements, although the latter is more likely to stay that leave Stamford Bridge, while goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic is on the verge of joining sister club Strasbourg on loan.
LIVERPOOL
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Liverpool's lengthy wait to announce their first signing of the Arne Slot era is now over, after they confirmed on Tuesday that goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili has joined the club permanently and will head straight back to Valencia on loan.
The Reds have also completed the signing of Italian winger Federico Chiesa from Juventus for an initial £10m - arguably the bargain of the summer thus far - and it is now understood that they will prioritise the potential addition of a new holding midfielder. Who that could be remains to be seen, though, after they were rejected by Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi earlier in the window.
There could also be outgoings from Anfield, with Stefan Bajcetic set to join Red Bull Salzburg on loan, while Ben Doak and Joe Gomez have been tipped to depart either on loan or permanently in search of regular first-team football. Brentford, Celtic and Leicester City are among the clubs that have been linked with Doak, while Newcastle United are reportedly keeping tabs on Gomez.
MANCHESTER CITY
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Premier League champions Man City have made just the two first-team signings so far this summer, with Savinho joining from sister club Troyes for an initial £21m and Ilkay Gundogan making a sensational return on a free transfer after just one season at Barcelona. Divin Mubama, meanwhile, is set to link up with the club's youth squad after leaving West Ham United.
It has been suggested that Pep Guardiola's side would look to sign a new attacker following the departure of Julian Alvarez and injury sustained by Oscar Bobb, with Celtic's Kyogo Furuhashi and Copenhagen's Orri Oskarsson both said to be admired by the Citizens, but a late move for either player or any other attacker now seems unlikely.
Man City have generated around £145m from player sales this summer and one more player is expected to depart, albeit on loan as Issa Kabore has agreed to join Benfica. Matheus Nunes has been linked with Atletico Madrid, but he is set to remain part of Guardiola's squad.
MANCHESTER UNITED
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Man United are set to follow up the signings of Leny Yoro, Joshua Zirkzee, Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui with the £50.7m arrival of top midfield target Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain.
The Red Devils are exploring the market for a new forward and could end up with ex-Man City winger Raheem Sterling if they manage to strike a deal with Chelsea over a sensational swap deal involving Jadon Sancho.
As for outgoings, Scott McTominay is set to join Napoli for £25.3m, while United are believed to be open to offers for both Victor Lindelof and Christian Eriksen, the latter has been linked with a return to Ajax.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
![Ange Postecoglou coach of Tottenham during the Pre Season Friendly match at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium, London, July 20th, 2024 [on July 26, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/30/ange-postecoglou.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Ange Postecoglou coach of Tottenham during the Pre Season Friendly match at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium, London, July 20th, 2024 [on July 26, 2024]")
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Tottenham have spent around £130m on five new players including the club-record £65m addition of Dominic Solanke, and it remains to be seen whether they intend to be active on deadline day.
It has been reported that Spurs will prioritise the addition of a new midfielder, with Middlesbrough's Hayden Hackney thought to be among their targets.
However, they may be required to sell before they can buy, with Giovani Lo Celso and Sergio Reguilon two players who are ready to seek pastures new. Lo Celso is wanted by Real Betis, while Reguilon has attracted interest from Premier League and La Liga clubs.
