After a summer of big-money moves, astute additions and will-they-won’t-they sagas, transfer deadline day is finally here. It remains one of the most important days on any football fan’s calendar. Can a club’s recruitment team see through the hectic flurry to find the next Cole Palmer, Wayne Rooney or Claude Makelele, three of the most influential deadline-day deals in recent memory? Or might they succumb to the temptation and take on a risky target in the final hours that proves to be a flop referenced by the fanbase for generations?

As sporting directors throughout the country prepare to glue their phones to their ears for the day, The Athletic has looked at 10 of the most high-profile players who could be wearing a different shirt by the time the clock strikes 11pm this evening.

Jadon Sancho: Back to the Future?

Jadon Sancho returned to Manchester United this summer after reaching the Champions League final on loan with Borussia Dortmund. He had made significant strides in restoring a reputation that had been damaged during a challenging spell at Old Trafford.

After mending his strained relationship with Erik ten Hag, it seemed the 24-year-old was back in the manager’s plans and would remain a United player for the 2024-25 season. However, Sancho was left out of Ten Hag’s matchday squad for United’s opening two matches of the league season, and he is available if a club meets United’s asking price.

United’s preference is a permanent departure, with a valuation of around £25million ($32.9m) but, as the deadline draws close, they may yet sanction another temporary switch. The Athletic’s David Ornstein reported Juventus and Chelsea were both interested earlier this week. Other suitors could always emerge in the window’s final hours, too.

Sterling's Uncertain Future

Raheem Sterling is not part of Chelsea’s plans and has not been included in Enzo Maresca’s matchday squads in the Premier League and Europa Conference League. After being left out of their opener against Manchester City, his representatives sought clarity regarding his future.

Sterling’s contract, which exceeds £300,000 per week and runs until 2027, is a point he wants to address before engaging in talks with interested clubs about a potential move. The 29-year-old is training separately from the first team and has lost his squad number to Pedro Neto, who joined Chelsea from Wolves earlier this month.

There have been reports linking Sterling to Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, and United, though Villa are not pursuing him, as reported in the Transfer DealSheet. A player would need to go the opposite way if Chelsea were to proceed with a move for Sancho. Earlier in the week, David Ornstein reported Sterling was viewed as the most feasible of the candidates discussed. But United would also have to ponder whether the prospect makes financial and footballing sense to them.

While clubs like Arsenal could be appealing due to their location, progress, and stability, and Sterling’s familiarity with Mikel Arteta — having worked with the Spanish coach at City — there’s no indication that anything is developing. An out-and-out No 9 remains Maresca’s priority on the final day of the transfer window.

Osimhen's Future Remains Up in the Air

Chelsea are interested in Napoli forward Victor Osimhen but, earlier in the week, The Athletic reported that they were only prepared to take him on loan. Following reports linking Saudi Pro League club Al Ahli with a bid, Osimhen’s agent, Roberto Calenda, appeared to suggest he wants to play for a club in Europe. Calenda posted on X: “He is not a package to be shipped far away to make room for new prophets. Victor was elected African Footballer of the Year, eighth at the Ballon d’Or; he still has so much to do in Europe. There needs to be respect and balance.”

Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson scored his first goal of the league season in their impressive 6-2 away win over Wolves on Sunday, and the addition of Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid earlier this month has only strengthened their options at the point of attack. However, Osimhen would add an elite pedigree to the forward line.

Brentford's Ivan Toney Eyes a Move

Ivan Toney was excluded from Brentford’s matchday squad on Sunday for the second consecutive week after the club rejected an offer from Al Ahli in Saudi Arabia. The 28-year-old, in the final year of his contract, has made his desire to leave the Gtech Community Stadium apparent. There is no obvious elite destination for Toney, who played an important role from the bench for England as they reached the final of this summer’s European Championship, but he would surely be of interest to clubs across the world. This feels like a situation that needs to be resolved before the deadline.

Guehi's Move to Newcastle Falters

Marc Guehi’s potential move to Newcastle United has arguably been the transfer saga of the summer, and it will finally be resolved — one way or another — today. Despite Newcastle’s interest, he has remained central to Oliver Glasner’s plans. Guehi, named club captain before the season, played 90 minutes in Crystal Palace’s 4-0 win over Norwich City in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, their first win of the season. Still, his future remains unresolved heading into deadline day. Newcastle have been very keen and have had several bids rejected throughout the window. However, Palace will only let the 24-year-old leave if their valuation is reached and Newcastle are at the stage where they are essentially walking away from the deal. Howe still wants him, but a deal feels highly unlikely.

Ings Seeks a Premier League Move

Danny Ings was made available for transfer at the beginning of the window by West Ham United, but a move has yet to materialise. Ings is keen to remain in the Premier League, but there are no apparent suitors in England’s top flight. There is a slight chance West Ham could release the 32-year-old if a move does not work for the club and player, allowing him to search for a contract as a free agent, but they would prefer to arrange a deadline day transfer. The striker played five minutes from the bench in West Ham’s opening day defeat to Villa, another of his former clubs, but was not brought on by Julen Lopetegui in last weekend’s 2-0 win over Palace. He was left out of the matchday squad for West Ham’s 1-0 win over Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.

Trippier's Departure from Newcastle Uncertain

Fresh from announcing his international retirement on Thursday, Kieran Trippier could leave St James’ Park today. Trippier is eager to leave Newcastle in pursuit of regular first-team football after being replaced by Tino Livramento for the first two Premier League matches; he also lost his role as captain on the field after being demoted in favour of Bruno Guimaraes. His decision to seek a move is driven more by his lack of playing time than by losing the captaincy, which remains an ongoing situation. Everton have shown interest this window. Howe remains keen to keep Trippier, but the 33-year-old’s future is uncertain. The right-back played in Newcastle’s penalty shootout victory over Nottingham Forest on Wednesday but was replaced shortly after the hour mark by Livramento. As the deadline draws closer, it would likely take Trippier to push for a move if he were to exit Newcastle, but it remains an active situation entering the final day.

Chalobah Looks to Revive His Career

Another member of Chelsea’s ‘bomb squad’ under Maresca, Trevoh Chalobah, needs a move to re-ignite a promising career. Chalobah emerged in Chelsea colours in the 2020-21 season, making 20 league appearances and scoring three goals from central defence. He became more established in the following season, playing 25 times in the league, but his standing within the squad diminished last season and he is free to move should a suitable offer arrive at Stamford Bridge. The Athletic reported Palace wanted him earlier this week, but Chalobah could yet stay if Chelsea sell Axel Disasi.

Nunes' Future Uncertain After Unsettling City Spell

It’s been an underwhelming year for Matheus Nunes, who joined Manchester City on deadline day last summer from Wolves. The 26-year-old signed for £53million after spending a single season in the West Midlands. A year later, he could depart on deadline day again. David Ornstein reported Atletico Madrid were exploring a loan signing earlier this week. Nunes made 29 appearances in all competitions, making just nine starts in the Premier League. He came on for his first appearance of the season in the 90th minute of City’s 4-1 win over Ipswich Town last Saturday. Still, he will find first-team opportunities limited as Ilkay Gundogan and Rodri are integrated back into the side.

Gomez Seeks a Move After Limited Anfield Minutes

Given Joe Gomez’s role under Jurgen Klopp last season, featuring 51 times in all competitions in four different positions, he might have expected a more prominent role under new Liverpool boss Arne Slot. However, Gomez was left out of Slot’s first competitive squad for Liverpool’s 2-0 opening-day win over Ipswich Town and was an unused substitute for the win against Brentford. Despite forcing his way back into the England set-up under former manager Gareth Southgate for the Euros, the 27-year-old appears firmly out of favour at Anfield and could move away on deadline day. Newcastle were interested in his signature earlier in the window as a makeweight in a deal to bring Anthony Gordon to Anfield, but it appears unlikely they will make another approach as things stand. Gomez’s versatility would undoubtedly be attractive for many Premier League managers, so there could be a late approach for his services as the window reaches its final hours.

(Top photos: Getty Images)

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Elias Burke is a staff writer covering European football and transfers. He has previously covered U.S. soccer, West Bromwich Albion and Derby County for The Athletic. He is based in London. Follow Elias on Twitter @eliasburke