10 Major Talking Points Heading into Final Week of 2015 Summer Transfer Window
It's nearly over, and when it is, we'll all have to just focus on the actual football.
The summer transfer window for the Premier League will, in one of its best traditions, "slam" shut at 6 p.m. BST next Tuesday, but there is still so much to sort out between now and then.
These 10 talking points all need to be resolved one way or another, so what will happen with all of them?
Do Liverpool Actually Want to Sell Lucas Leiva?
1 of 10
Only in articles about the Mersey tunnels have the words “Liverpool” and “exit” been used more often than they have in pieces about Lucas Leiva, but the Brazilian midfielder is still at Anfield and was called up to play a starring role in Monday night’s goalless draw at Arsenal.
Jason Burt of the Telegraph has suggested that Lucas was in line to complete a move to Besiktas before that game, with officials from the Turkish club even in London to seal the deal only to be surprised by Brendan Rodgers’ decision to pick the 28-year-old for his starting XI.
Burt’s report also states that Rodgers doesn’t want to lose a player he had left out of his previous two matchday squads, so uncertainty reigns as Liverpool’s longest serving current player waits to find out his future.
Will Manchester City Finally Wrap Up the Kevin De Bruyne Deal?
2 of 10
Manchester City’s superb start to the season has meant that transfer talk surrounding the club has gone a little quiet, and that's simply because the players they have at their disposal have been so good.
One man consistently linked with the club has been Kevin De Bruyne, but the Independent have claimed that the Belgian could now be targeted by rivals Manchester United as the protracted transfer saga rolls on into yet another week.
The Wolfsburg midfielder has suffered a below-par start to the season as rumours persist over his future, and although City remains his most likely destination following a summer-long chase, Manuel Pellegrini’s men need to wrap up the transfer sooner rather than later.
Does Anyone Actually Believe That Arsenal Will Sign a Striker?
3 of 10
And so, lo and behold, the summer-long Karim Benzema rumours were proved to be false by none other than Benzema himself on Twitter. So inevitably, Arsenal must now be linked with another forward.
As the linkbait peddler’s club of choice, the Gunners are now seeing their name next to that of Edinson Cavani of Paris Saint-Germain, according to the Daily Express.
But with Arsene Wenger seemingly happy to stick with his current squad and trust Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott as his front-line forwards, fans have been left doubting whether their club will bring anyone else in during a summer in which Petr Cech has been their only major arrival.
Maybe if Benzema could just...no. No, it’s not going to happen.
"For all those clowns who want to make believe things at my fans. Here this is my home ! #HalaMadridYNadaMas pic.twitter.com/og6tMZKoft
— Karim Benzema (@Benzema) August 24, 2015"
And Can They Strengthen in Midfield?
4 of 10
As was evident in the Liverpool game, Arsenal still look short in midfield—an area which probably needs more attention than their attack, truth be told.
Francis Coquelin’s rapid rise last season was tremendous to see and a huge boost for Arsene Wenger, but the Frenchman is by no means the finished article. At the very least, he could use a similar player to help bear a burden that is growing with every passing Gunners match.
Mikel Arteta doesn’t seem to have the trust of his manager anymore, and Santi Cazorla’s defensive abilities can’t be relied upon, meaning Wenger needs another player in there if his squad are to be in a good position to challenge for trophies this season.
Otherwise, they just look to be falling back into old habits.
Will Saido Berahino's Transfer Request Continue to Be Ignored by West Brom?
5 of 10
Considering his recent omission from an important fixture and his transfer request, Saido Berahino’s immediate West Bromwich Albion future only looks to be heading one way at the moment.
Yet as reported by the BBC, West Brom have so far chosen to ignore the frontman’s plea, having both rejected the request and two transfer offers from Tottenham in the past week.
Can they keep on saying no? Probably not, but relations between the player and his club might have to get a lot more strained if they are to consider parting ways, which—as the Baggies repeatedly insist—will only be done on their terms.
What Will Be the Outcome of the David De Gea Saga?
6 of 10
Ah, here we are. The big one.
David De Gea remains a Manchester United player in name but not exactly deed at the moment, given that he’s been housed firmly in the Old Trafford stands for their home matches so far this season.
A resolution to this summer’s longest running saga doesn’t appear to be any nearer as we enter the last week of the transfer window, but what is clear is that the goalkeeper is no use to anyone other than bored cameramen when he’s sitting so far away from the pitch.
Left out of the squad for the Champions League qualifier away to Club Brugge this week, it would be no surprise to anyone if De Gea completed his long-rumoured switch to Real Madrid, with the alternative now appearing to be a season of watching from the stands as his contract runs down.
Where Is Manchester United's Superstar Signing Coming From?
7 of 10
Having missed out on Pedro so publicly and having seen a spurious link with Neymar dismissed by Barcelona, per Sky Sports, Manchester United might have to face up to the fact that the superstar forward they longed for this summer might not end up arriving at the club after all.
Wayne Rooney’s struggles in front of goal this season have only intensified that need, and whilst it must be remembered that United pulled off their deal for Radamel Falcao on deadline day last summer, it would be a huge surprise if they were to complete a similar deal this time around.
And What About the New Centre-Back They Need?
8 of 10
Neither Sergio Ramos nor Nicolas Otamendi are wearing red right now, and with Louis van Gaal stationing Daley Blind at centre-back this season in the continued absence of the injured Phil Jones, a new centre-back has long been seen as a priority by many Old Trafford onlookers.
Alternatively, the fact that United have not conceded a goal in their three Premier League matches so far this season is evidence enough for many that the club don’t need a new defender, and with the De Gea and new forward stories dominating the transfer agenda at United, this one seems to have dipped below the radar a little.
Will Chelsea Succeed in Their Pursuit of John Stones?
9 of 10
The Daily Mail reported that United were interested in Everton’s John Stones back in June, and ever since, the young Englishman has been the apple of Chelsea’s eye.
As evidenced by some of their defensive performances this season, a new centre-back is certainly needed at Stamford Bridge, and Chelsea’s aggressive pursuit of Stones has been one of the stories of the summer.
Oliver Kay of the Times now reports that Stones has submitted a transfer request in order to force through a transfer that could reach a staggering £40 million. Although that price sounds astronomical, it might prove to be value for money if the former Barnsley defender goes on to be the long-term successor to the creaking John Terry at the club.
"John Stones handed in a transfer request at Everton this afternoon. He wants to join Chelsea #EFC #CFC
— Oliver Kay (@OliverKayTimes) August 25, 2015"
Who'll Sign Charlie Austin?
10 of 10
Only Sergio Aguero, Harry Kane and Diego Costa scored more goals than him in the last Premier League season, but as it stands, Charlie Austin isn’t going to play in the division this time around.
The forward remains marooned at QPR in the Championship, with seemingly half of the top flight assessing a move for a man whose goals in the last campaign earned him a call-up to the England squad.
A Daily Star report suggests that Crystal Palace are close to beating the likes of Newcastle, Tottenham and Everton to Austin’s signature, whilst West Ham don’t appear to be in the running after co-owner David Sullivan questioned the forward’s fitness record, as per the Guardian.
This one appears set to run right up to deadline day, and it's anyone’s guess just where Austin will end up.
