Morning all,
Welcome to our live blog of the final day of this summer's transfer window, as Premier League clubs do the equivalent of a Red-Bull powered all-nighter on the eve of dissertation deadline.
In years gone by it would be customary to start a blog like this by poking fun at Sky Sports' overblown coverage of TDD, but that somehow feels a bit passe now. Even they seem to be in on the joke and as satire goes, sending it up now feels about as fresh as a Little Britain impression.
That said at least this year the whole thing has some novelty value with the window closing before the start of the season rather than the usual August 31 (that deadline remains in place in the other major European leagues - more on that here).
So, what can we expect today? Manchester United will surely be busy, as they try desperately to sign a centre-back. Leicester's Harry Maguire remains their main target despite failing with a bid to sign him yesterday, while they could also step up their attempts to sign Jerome Boateng from Bayern Munich and Tottenham's Toby Alderweireld.
MAN UTD NEWS
The Sun are reporting that Manchester United will try to sign teenager Arthur Zagre from Paris Saint-Germain.
The 16-year-old has been part of the first team preseason tour squad (admittedly with about 40 World Cup stars missing) and featured against Arsenal in Singapore.
Photo: Getty
Zagre is yet to sign a professional contract at PSG, though one has been offered, and is said to be considering his options, with interest from a host of top European clubs.
The reports claim that United, along with Monaco, are at the head of the queue for a player who is regarded as one of the brightest prospects in Ligue 1.
MAN UTD NEWS
The Sun are reporting that Manchester United will try to sign teenager Arthur Zagre from Paris Saint-Germain.
The 16-year-old has been part of the first team preseason tour squad (admittedly with about 40 World Cup stars missing) and featured against Arsenal in Singapore.
Photo: Getty
Zagre is yet to sign a professional contract at PSG, though one has been offered, and is said to be considering his options, with interest from a host of top European clubs.
The reports claim that United, along with Monaco, are at the head of the queue for a player who is regarded as one of the brightest prospects in Ligue 1.
*** PLEASE REFRESH FOR UPDATES ***
The transfer window closes at 5pm on Wednesday in England
Chelsea break world record for keeper with £72m Kepa replacing Courtois
Courtois signs Real Madrid contract
Lucas Perez signs for West Ham
Mateo Kovacic joins Chelsea on season-long loan
Wolves sign Leander Dendoncker
Manchester United linked with Maguire, Godin, Zouma, Alderweireld and Mina in CB chase
Ousmane Dembele linked with £90m Prem move - with Arsenal interested
Man City kick off deadline day action with signing of Australian prospect
Video - The huge deals which could happen on transfer deadline day 02:16
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3:15pm: Dendoncker speaks to Wolves TV
Here are the first words from Wolves's new Belgian signing, Leander Dendoncker.
" I'm very happy to be here, it's a dream for every player to play in the Premier League. I hope I can help the team as fast as possible. This is the biggest league in the world so it's very nice to play every week in here. They told me if I come here I will become a better player so we'll see, I'm very excited to start. I followed Wolves a bit last year and I saw they did really good, winning a lot of games, playing good football. I think it's an ambitious club so I am ready to give everything. "
3:10pm: Arter to Cardiff?
Bournemouth's Harry Arter has been linked with Cardiff on and off for the past few days, but the whispers now suggest that a move to Wales is looking likely, albeit on loan.
3pm: Two hours to go
More from Kepa:
" Over the next seven years, I expect to achieve a great growth, personally and collectively, and I hope we will win many, many titles. I am a player who demands a lot from myself. "
2:55pm: Kepa speaks
First quotes out of Kepa's unveiling press conference.
"I am incredibly happy to be here. It’s a great challenge to me and means a lot. It’s a great step forward in my career. In terms of my price, it’s something I don’t think about. I will just try to be myself and do the best I can."
2:45pm: Dembele not Arsenal-bound
Reports now suggest that Arsenal won't be bidding for Barcelona's Ousmane Dembele despite admiring the player - and won't be bringing any more new faces in during this window.
2:40pm: Kepa unveiling imminent
While we're short of permanent moves, we can fill some time with the forthcoming official unveiling of new Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa.
2:30pm: Dendoncker joins Wolves
Wolves have signed Belgium midfielder Leander Dendoncker from Anderlecht.
2:20pm: Ayew to Palace
Jordan Ayew scored 11 goals for relegated Swansea last season, and is now set to join Crystal Palace on a season-long loan.
2:10pm: Everton duo sign deals
Kieran Dowell and Callum Connolly have both signed new three-year contracts with Everton - and Connolly has also joined Wigan on a season-long loan.
2pm: Oxford set for Bundesliga move
West Ham defender Reece Oxford has been linked with a transfer to the Bundesliga - with Hannover, RB Leipzig and Frankfurt all interested in signing him for a fee understood to be around £10m.
1:55pm: Swansea John?
Rangers left-back Declan John - once at Cardiff - is having a medical at Swansea.
1:45pm: Clucas medical ongoing
See 11:35am - Sam Clucas's medical prior to a move to Stoke is happening right now.
1:35pm: Fernandez heading to Newcastle
Defender Federico Fernandez is literally on his way from Swansea to Newcastle to talk about a possible move. The transfer fee under discussion is somewhere around £6m.
1:30pm: Boro bump up bid for Freeman
Middlesbrough are looking to sign QPR midfielder Luke Freeman; Blackburn were also interested but their bid of £4m was turned down.
1:20pm: Rico to Fulham
Goalkeeper Sergio Rico is all ready to complete his loan move from Sevilla to Fulham.
1:15pm: Nmecha to Preston
Forward Lukas Nmecha has joined Preston on a season-long loan from Manchester City.
1:05pm: Swansea set to move for Clare
This one might not be concluded today, but Swansea are hoping to sign midfielder Sean Clare, currently a free agent so able to do a deal outside the transfer window. Leeds and Aston Villa are also interested.
1:01pm: Cardiff sign Camarasa
Cardiff have signed midfielder Victor Camarasa on loan from Real Betis for a year.
1pm: Newcastle chasing Marlon
Newcastle gossip incoming - they're looking to get hold of a work permit for Brazil's Marlon, who they want on loan from Barcelona.
12:50pm: Besic to Boro?
Everton continue to pursue Yerry, and Muhamed Besic could be on his way out to Middlesbrough for a fee of £4m.
12:40pm: Sanchez to West Ham
Former Aston Villa midfielder Carlos Sanchez is set to sign for West Ham after a spell at Fiorentina. You may remember him more recently as the first player to be sent off at this year's World Cup, when representing Colombia.
12:30pm: Zinchenko rejects Wolves
Rumours suggest that Oleksander Zinchenko has had a think and decided not to leave Manchester City for Molineux after all.
12:20pm: Courtois signs Real Madrid contract
All done and dusted.
12:15pm: Godin says no
Diego Godin doesn't fancy leaving Atleti for Manchester United, and has turned down their offer.
12:10pm: Brighton sign Burn
Brighton have agreed a £4m fee with Wigan for central defender Dan Burn, with an additional potential £1m due in add-ons. He'll also likely stay with the Latics on loan for the first half of the new season. All very amicable.
12 noon: Zinchenko undecided about Wolves move
Wolves are still hopeful of completing a deal for Manchester City wing back Oleksander Zinchenko, although the player himself is apparently not sure about the move.
11:55am: Courtois has Real medical
Real Madrid will confirm their signing of Thibaut Courtois soon.
11:45am: Anguissa to Fulham?
Midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa is set to move from Marseille to Fulham, for a transfer fee of around 30 million euros (£25m).
11:41am: Grealish not for sale?
Jack Grealish is going nowhere, reckon Aston Villa, and certainly not to Tottenham, who will stop bidding for him now they've been told he's not for sale at any price.
11:40am: Livermore to Watford?
The word is that West Brom's Jake Livermore could be heading to Watford on loan with an option to buy.
11:30am: Everton chasing Mina
Barcelona defender Yerry Mina could be on his way to Goodison Park - although currently he's still in Spain, talking to Everton officials and possibly having his pre-transfer medical to save time.
11:25am: Clucas to Stoke?
Stoke City have agreed a £6m fee with Swansea to sign midfielder Sam Clucas, whose proposed move to Burnley fell through due to failing to agree personal terms.
11:15am: Man Utd chasing Godin
Maybe this will give Jose something to smile about - or at least something to distract him. Rumours abound that he wants to sign Atletico Madrid defender Diego Godin.
11:10am: Non-Premier League signings
A couple of moves outside the top flight - Accrington Stanley forward Kayden Jackson signs for Ipswich Town, and Shrewsbury Town have signed Tranmere midfielder Ollie Norburn.
10:55am: DONE DEAL
Benkovic is confirmed.
10:50am: Another defender arriving at Leicester
The Foxes have reportedly completed a deal for Filip Benkovic - a young centre-back from Dinamo Zagreb. Are they stacking the decks to justify Harry Maguire's departure later today? Stand by for confirmation of this move, and make sure to check our done deals update as they continue to go through today.
[Transfer deadline day 2018: All the done deals]
10:40am: West Ham are bang on trend
Lucas Perez is the first announcement to come accompanied with a 'hilarious' social media video. Here it is in all its glory:
The bar has been set. Can anybody top that?
10:30am: DONE DEAL!
It's confirmed: Lucas Perez is a West Ham player. The striker arrives from Arsenal on a three-year deal and is very happy.
But don't just take our word for it. Here he is, repeatedly saying just how happy he is about the move... in a manner of a man who is desperately trying to hide how unhappy he is about the move:
" I’m very happy to be here at such an historic club. I’m very excited, as West Ham are giving me the chance to stay in the Premier League and I’m very happy to be part of this new project. West Ham have great fans and play in an amazing stadium, so to sign here brings me great joy. I’m very motivated. "
10:20am: West Ham close in on Arsenal striker
West Ham are hours away from confirming the arrival of Lucas Perez from Arsenal. The forward has passed a medical and agreed terms.
10:10am: DONE DEAL!
It's a deal that everybody knew about, but official confirmation is in: Mateo Kovacic is a Chelsea player. The Real Madrid midfielder arrives at Stamford Bridge on a season-long loan with no official option to buy.
In a statement the new Chelsea signing said:
" I am really happy and excited to be here at Chelsea. It is an amazing feeling. I will try to do my best for this club. It is a new league for me, the beginning is always tough but I am sure the coach and my new team-mates will help me and I am looking forward to a great season. "
10:00am: Seven-hour warning
The deadline is rapidly approaching, but what will unfold in the next seven hours? Will Spurs actually sign somebody? Will Manchester United finally give Mourinho a reason to smile? We will know all-too-soon, but the big question is how exactly the window will shut. Will it slam, or will it simply close? And does anyone care? The answer to that last question is, famously, yes...
9:50am: More from Mou
If you're playing Mourinho bingo then today's a good day.
"It is difficult for me to believe we finished second last season, when I read or hear these things," Mourinho said in his media conference this morning. "The media are capable of making people who finished second look like they got relegated and people who finished below us look like serial winners. I won eight championships and three Premier Leagues, to finish second last year was one of my best achievements."
So that's a subtle dig at Liverpool, a jab at the media, and a hefty pat on the back for his previous career achievements. That's not far off a full house!
9:40am: Jose's in a much better mood
Only joking. Jose Mourinho has arrived at his press conference and is as grumpy as expected, saying:
" I am not confident (on new signings). I am not confident, & the market closes today, so it's time, at least for me, to stop thinking about the market because the market will be closed. "
9:30am: Will anything happen for Spurs today?
Our resident cartoonist, Zezo, doesn't think so:
9:10am: QPR not in a selling mood
Queens Park Rangers' midfielder Luke Freeman has been linked to a number of clubs this summer, but it doesn't look like he's going anywhere. QPR owner Tony Fernandes has been quite strong in his rebuttal of the rumours:
9:00am: Loftus-Cheek's future
Could Ruben Loftus-Cheek be set for another loan move? We know that the English youngster is one of the most handsome men at the club, but what we don't know is whether we'll get much of a chance to see those chiseled cheekbones out on the pitch for Sarri's side. Could he be set for another year out on loan? And if not at Palace then where?
8:50am: Palace move for Ayew
You might recognise David Ornstein from numerous hilarious photoshop efforts on Twitter, but the journalist isn't just a cult hero amongst Arsenal fans, he's also a credible transfer rumour source. And Ornstein says that Crystal Palace are on the cusp of announcing a deal for Swansea forward Jordan Ayew on a season long loan, with the player effectively replacing Ruben Loftus-Cheek in Roy Hodgson's tactical set-up. Cheers for that, Dave.
8:35am: Did you miss these?
Yes it's only been a short transfer window, but the distraction of the World Cup meant a lot of decent deals may have slipped through your net. Have a gander at these 28 big transfers that you might have missed earlier in the summer:
Video - The 28 BIG transfers you missed during the World Cup… 01:54
8:25am: What does the future hold for Arzani?
City's new man has already been linked with a loan switch to Celtic, and signs aren't good if anybody wants to see him in City's sky blue.
"In a short period of time, Daniel has developed into one of Australia’s brightest young stars and has demonstrated the drive and raw talent required for success at the highest level," Brian Marwood, the managing director of global football for City Group, said in a revealing statement.
“This pathway was first forged by Aaron Mooy just two years ago, and we are all delighted to see another Australian-grown talent make this move."
That's the same Aaron Mooy who made a total of zero appearances for the Manchester club before completing a permanent move to Huddersfield.
8:15am: DONE DEAL!
We've got our first confirmed deal of the day and it's a humdinger (if you like the idea of talented prospects moving to a club where they have little to no chance of regular first-team football). Manchester City are the club in question, confirming a deal for young Australian Daniel Arzani from Melbourne City - a club who are part of the City group's attempt to subtly achieve worldwide football dominance. Early indications suggest that Arzani could head straight back out of City on loan.
8:10am: Early risers at Leicester
The Foxes aren't hanging about today. The sun has barely risen and reports suggest that the club have agreed terms with Freiburg for their £19m-rated young centre-back Caglar Soyuncu. On its own that rumour shouldn't clear those bleary eyes... but could it signal that another defender might be leaving? A certain Harry Maguire perhaps?
8am: Good Morning and welcome to Deadline Day 2018
Good morning and welcome to summer transfer deadline day 2018! There's an absolute shed-load of deals reportedly in the pipeline today, so make sure you stay tuned for what promises to be one of the busiest deadline days in Premier League history.
