- Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham could have a busy deadline day
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Olivier Giroud look set to be among the late movers
- Could Riyad Mahrez also be set for some late drama before the transfer window closes?
- READ MORE: Terms agreed: Chelsea star unlocks £78m+ transfer merry-go-round, great news for Arsenal
Deadline day is fast approaching, so here’s a look at five high-profile deals that look to be on the cards for the final 24 hours of the January transfer window.
Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham could all be busy, and there seems an outside chance of a major incoming at Manchester City as well.
It’s always hectic and unpredictable on deadline day, and that’s why we love it, but here’s our best guess at five moves that look likely to materialise over the course of the next 24 hours…
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Arsenal
According to the Guardian, this one finally looks set to go through as Arsenal have got lucky with deals elsewhere.
It’s long been reported by various outlets that both a transfer fee with Borussia Dortmund and personal terms with Aubameyang were all in place, and it now seems likely that this will be official soon.
The Gabon international should be an ideal replacement for Alexis Sanchez at the Emirates Stadium after 141 goals in 213 appearances for Dortmund.
Olivier Giroud to Chelsea
According to the Telegraph, a move taking Olivier Giroud to Chelsea from Arsenal for £18million is very much on.
This will help Arsenal complete their deal for Aubameyang, whilst also finally giving Chelsea the striker they’ve been chasing without resorting to a ridiculous option like Peter Crouch or Andy Carroll.
Giroud spent five and a half successful years at Arsenal, scoring 105 goals for the Gunners, including the occasional spectacular effort – none more so than his 2017 ‘scorpion kick’ against Crystal Palace that won the Puskas Award.
Michy Batshuayi to Borussia Dortmund
According to the Evening Standard, Borussia Dortmund also have their Aubameyang replacement sorted in the form of Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi.
The popular Belgian just hasn’t quite made it count on the pitch when he’s been given the chance by Antonio Conte, and in fairness that’s not been often.
Still, he’ll only join on loan for the moment and Chelsea will feel they’ve surely got an upgrade in the form of Giroud up front.
Lucas Moura to Tottenham
Sky Sports have reported that Lucas Moura has had a medical with Tottenham ahead of completing an exciting transfer from Paris Saint-Germain.
The Brazilian winger arrived as a highly-rated wonderkid at PSG a few years ago, and it’s fair to say things haven’t really worked out that way for him.
Still, he’s shown flashes of brilliance and could certainly do a job for a team like Spurs, as many would struggle to play regularly with the likes of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe ahead of them in attack.
Riyad Mahrez to Manchester City
This one might be a bit of an outsider for deadline day, but BBC Sport claim Manchester City are after Riyad Mahrez and that he’s submitted a transfer request at Leicester City.
Following Leroy Sane’s injury, Mahrez could be an ideal signing for Pep Guardiola’s side in a key area, and would make a decent alternative to Alexis Sanchez, who ended up joining Manchester United instead.
BBC Sport suggest City are not yet close to matching Leicester’s valuation for Mahrez, but they should be able to afford to go higher so it’s worth keeping an eye on this one over the next 24 hours.