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Welcome to the 14th edition of The Transfer DealSheet for the summer 2026 window.
Our team of dedicated writers take you inside the window to explain the deals being worked on over an extremely busy few months. This includes players who could arrive at your club and the ones on their way out across the Premier League.
The information in this article has been gathered in line with The Athletic’s sourcing guidelines. This means that, unless stated, our reporters have spoken to more than one person briefed on each mooted deal before offering the clubs involved the opportunity to comment. Those responses, when they were given, have been included. Sources were granted anonymity to protect their positions.
In this edition, we take a look at the transfers in and out that could still happen at Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, Barcelona and Real Madrid on deadline day. The Premier League and La Liga windows shut today (Tuesday) at 11pm BST (6pm ET/3pm PT).
We aim to bring you analysis you can trust on what is happening at Europe’s leading clubs and the latest information we’re hearing from across the market.
This article is long but detailed, so enjoy it all — or search for the team or player you want to read about.
Why soccer transfers are so different from trades in U.S. sports
Hannah Vanbiber and Reuben Pinder
Arsenal
Will the club make any more signings?
At this late stage, it doesn’t look likely. The Premier League champions have recruited Christos Tzolis, Bruno Guimaraes, Ezri Konsa and Illan Meslier for the first-team squad.
They have also been looking to add another elite attacker. There have been high-profile pursuits of Morgan Rogers and Vinicius Junior, and most recently, Arsenal have positioned themselves as suitors for Julian Alvarez should he be willing to leave Atletico Madrid for a club other than Barcelona. With the transfer deadline less than 24 hours away, Alvarez appears unmoved.
Arsenal have discussed other potential attacking additions, but having left it so late, multiple factors would have to align for a deal to be successfully concluded now.
After Monday’s 1-0 away win against Aston Villa, manager Mikel Arteta told reporters: “We are trying to improve the squad, and until tomorrow night we’re going to try to do that.”
Arsenal have positioned them as suitors for Julian Alvarez (Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Will your club let anyone leave?
Yes: Brazilian forwards Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus are set to depart for Al Hilal and Barcelona, respectively. The anticipated €70million (£60m; $81m) fee for Martinelli, 25, would be a club-record sale. Jesus, 29, will join Barca for an initial €10m, with a further €4.5m due in potential add-ons.
Fabio Vieira is also set to join Hamburg on a permanent deal for €10million. The 26-year-old spent last season on loan at the Bundesliga club. Ethan Nwaneri, 19, has travelled for a medical ahead of a deadline-day loan move to another German side, Borussia Dortmund.
Another possible departure is 20-year-old reserve goalkeeper Tommy Setford, who is available to move on loan.
Are there any obvious gaps in the squad?
The remaining question is over the left-wing position.
Jesus has been Arsenal’s third-choice centre-forward behind Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres. They also have midfielder Mikel Merino to provide cover there, so they will hope that should be sufficient at the position.
On the left, however, Leandro Trossard and now Martinelli have been allowed to leave, with only Tzolis brought in. Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke provide possible left-sided options, but Arsenal’s pursuit of Rogers and Vinicius Jr shows they believe that flank can be improved upon.
In the final days of the window, sporting director Andrea Berta has been exploring a possible deal for Lyon’s 21-year-old Malick Fofana. The Belgium international would be keen to join Arsenal should they choose to proceed.
James McNicholas
Chelsea
Will Chelsea make any more signings?
This is Chelsea we’re talking about — there is always a chance of more arrivals, right up until any transfer deadline.
This time around, there are obvious deals that could still be made.
One of the requirements for allowing Enzo Fernandez to leave is bringing someone else in. It is not just about a club, with Manchester City interested, meeting the asking price. It does not necessarily have to be a like-for-like acquisition. Chelsea are considering all kinds of midfielders, not just someone with similar skills to the Argentinian.
One of the players they like is Monaco’s Lamine Camara but interest in the 22-year-old is separate from the Fernandez saga. Roma’s Manu Kone, 25, is another on their wishlist.
Chelsea like Lamine Camara (left) of Monaco (Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
Will Chelsea let anyone leave?
Yes, there are plenty of players that they are looking to shift, either on a permanent transfer or on loan.
Fernandez is the highest-profile of these, though he has never been someone they have actively looked to sell this summer. There was a verbal agreement, which expired on August 14, that he could go for £120million ($162.5m). The passing of that club deadline does not mean the door has shut. Chelsea will now ask for a greater sum, plus, as highlighted above, they need to bring someone in, too.
As for other outgoings, Chelsea are trying to offload goalkeeper Robert Sanchez after bringing in Emiliano Martinez from Aston Villa to replace him as first-choice. Italian side Como have reached an agreement to sign the 28-year-old on loan. Mike Penders, 21, will get game time as the No 2, with 23-year-old Teddy Sharman-Lowe expected to be third-choice.
Winger Mykhailo Mudryk is going to be loaned out. Tottenham Hotspur have agreed a deal to borrow him, but personal terms still need to be finalised. Leeds United had a bid turned down for the 25-year-old earlier this window. Strasbourg are among the other keen teams.
Chelsea have also done a deal with Tottenham for Tosin Adarabioyo, while Strasbourg are among a few clubs looking to buy Brazilian forward Deivid Washington. Striker Marc Guiu is going to RB Leipzig.
Dario Essugo is going to be loaned out, with Hull City among his options. Landon Emenalo is wanted by Celtic, also on loan. Aaron Anselmino (loan), Shumaira Mheuka (loan) and Kendry Paez (loan) are also earmarked to depart.
Are there any obvious gaps in the squad?
Central midfield is the biggest cause for concern, particularly with Moises Caicedo’s injury issues and the possibility of Fernandez going.
When you consider that Essugo is also lined up for a loan, plus the historic fitness issues of Romeo Lavia and Reece James, Chelsea are rather light in this area.
Simon Johnson
Liverpool
Will the club make any more signings?
Liverpool landed Bradley Barcola in a huge £123million deal on Monday, but the news that Manchester City are no longer working on a deal for Cody Gakpo has an impact on the likelihood that they will make any further signings in attacking positions.
Gakpo is set to stay at Anfield after City had an £80million bid rejected, which means that despite talks about Yankuba Minteh (Brighton & Hove Albion) and Ismaila Sarr (Crystal Palace), Liverpool are unlikely to make another senior addition here.
There could, however, be changes in the goalkeeping department, with 18-year-old Lucca Brughmans close to joining for €33million. The plan is to send him back to Genk of Belgium on loan for the remainder of the season, unless there’s any late interest in Giorgi Mamardashvili.
Elsewhere, there’s a push to bring in winger Djylian N’Guessan, also 18, from Saint-Etienne of France after agreeing a fee worth around €5million for the French under-20 international. He is set to link up with Liverpool next summer.
Liverpool are looking to add Lucca Brughmans (Bruno Fahy/Belga/AFP via Getty Images)
Will Liverpool let anyone leave?
There are no plans to entertain offers for first-team players other than those already discussed.
Federico Chiesa could be the only exception, as his future has been uncertain all summer following two seasons spent largely on the sidelines. Late calls could spark a move for the Italy forward, who hasn’t featured yet in 2026-27 because of injury, but the growing feeling is that it’s unlikely.
Harvey Elliott has travelled to Spain overnight for a medical to join Valencia on a season-long loan. Striker Keyrol Figueroa, 20, is also off on loan, to Port Vale of League Two.
There has also been plenty of interest in Luke Chambers, Jayden Danns, Lewis Koumas and James McConnell. However, Koumas, 20, and McConnell, 21, appear certain to stay after impressing new coach Andoni Iraola. Chambers, 22, and Danns, 20, are also likely to remain at Liverpool, but a final decision will be taken today.
Liverpool also rejected a £30million bid from Nottingham Forest for 19-year-old midfielder Trey Nyoni on Monday.
Are there any obvious gaps in the squad?
Quite a few, and that’s a big concern.
Liverpool decided against signing a new right-back despite all the problems in that position last season, and while Barcelona loanee Ronald Araujo could cover for Jeremie Frimpong in Conor Bradley’s continued absence, the feeling is that it is far too makeshift.
Another addition in central midfield would also have given the squad a boost following Curtis Jones’ move to Inter. The gap does open up an opportunity for Nyoni, but there’s a concern that this could be a missed opportunity to strengthen.
Then there are the forward positions. Despite signing Barcola and Victor Munoz this summer, Liverpool still do not have a specific right-sided winger to fill the gap left by Mohamed Salah’s departure.
The hope is that with a handful of multi-functional forwards, they can all contribute at different times in different positions.
Gregg Evans and James Pearce
Manchester City
Will the club make any more signings?
City will aim to push through a deal with Chelsea for Enzo Fernandez, who they had identified as a key target before the end of last season.
Despite setting a public deadline of August 14 for bids, Fernandez has been left out of Chelsea’s squad for games against Luton Town and Brighton & Hove Albion over the past week. The midfielder’s family arrived in London from Buenos Aires on Tuesday morning in anticipation of a deal being completed, though terms still need to be finalised between the clubs.
City will also hope to complete a move for Everton winger Iliman Ndiaye, after a £60million deal with £5m in potential add-ons was agreed in principle on Monday evening. The 26-year-old is scheduled to have a medical this morning, after City reignited their interest when Liverpool made it clear that target Cody Gakpo would not be leaving Anfield.
City have agreed a deal in principle for Iliman Ndiaye (Lewis Storey/Getty Images)
Will your club let anyone leave?
Jack Grealish is expected to finalise a move away, with Everton working on a second straight season-long loan move.
Claudio Echeverri, who has been loaned to River Plate in Argentina, Germany’s Bayer Leverkusen and Girona of Spain since signing for City in 2024, is now expected to move to Portugal’s Benfica. The two clubs have been discussing the structure of a deal for the 20-year-old attacker, who could be loaned out with either an option or an obligation to make the transfer permanent.
Are there any obvious gaps in the squad?
Perhaps because City sold several players on the eve of the new season a couple of weeks ago and have left it late to bring in replacements, it feels like the squad is still short of bodies, and their weak-looking bench for the 4-1 win against Crystal Palace on Friday suggested as much.
But provided that they sign Fernandez and Ndiaye, they will have 23 senior players on the books, and it is hard to argue that they would need any more. They have three goalkeepers, a strong defence, a new-look midfield that would boast Fernandez as well as fellow newcomers Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi, with Mateo Kovacic, Nico O’Reilly and Marc Guehi as cover. Then there is a group of forwards that includes Rayan Cherki, Jeremy Doku, Antoine Semenyo, Phil Foden and Erling Haaland, as well as two other new arrivals in Allan and Ndiaye.
Given the amount of business done, it may take a while for this group of players to gel, but City are well-stocked. It was always new manager Enzo Maresca’s aim to have a big squad.
Sam Lee
Manchester United
Will the club make any more signings?
After recruiting midfield reinforcements already — Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba — other positions are likely to be the focus.
Left-back is an area that has been discussed in depth. Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly and Lewis Hall of Newcastle United — both of whom were also seen as possibly offering cover in midfield — were linked to Old Trafford earlier in the window. Both have started their clubs’ opening two Premier League games, though, and their respective managers have publicly ruled out moves.
Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde has been another option. However, as The Athletic reported, United’s caution over spending meant their interest was primarily in a loan deal, whereas Barca would want a permanent sale if he were to leave. Balde was an unused substitute in a 5-2 win against Rayo Vallecano on Monday night, but is willing to fight for his place.
Another option was Jorge Salinas of fellow La Liga side Racing Santander. However, Atletico Madrid are in talks for the 19-year-old, who has a €16million release clause in his contract. Ian Maatsen, the 24-year-old Aston Villa left-back, also came into United’s thinking.
If Joshua Zirkzee leaves, United will look to recruit another striker, but this could be a loan prospect.
United are weighing up how to proceed with Leicester City over 18-year-old midfielder Louis Page. Arsenal have also looked at signing him, but a transfer fee needs to be agreed.
Head coach Michael Carrick sounds like he wants another addition, but United have been disciplined this summer, and there is no guarantee more signings will arrive.
“It’s difficult to say when there’s so little time left,” Carrick said after the 5-2 home win against Ipswich Town on Sunday. “The situation that we’re in, the business that we’ve managed to do, I’m pleased with. We’re always open if there’s something else to be able to add, so I wouldn’t shut that down — but as it stands, we’ll have to wait and see.”
Joshua Zirkzee is of interest to other clubs (Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Will they let anyone leave?
Many talks have taken place about Zirkzee. United have been open to offers for the Dutch forward, and there has been interest from Serie A, where he played previously for Parma and Bologna, including Juventus and Como. On Thursday, The Athletic reported that their fellow Italians Fiorentina were advancing in discussions over a loan — but Everton’s Beto is now close to joining them instead, which would push Zirkzee towards an alternative destination. Napoli have been in contact, with Juventus are also in talks over a loan for Newcastle forward Nick Woltemade.
United are willing to consider an exit for 19-year-old left-back Harry Amass this summer. However, there is a question mark over whether he would be allowed to depart without more cover being brought in at left-back. Amass was absent from United’s under-21 game against their Leicester counterparts on Monday, as clubs continued talks. Burnley of the Championship spoke to United about a £3.5million offer, but that appears to be on hold.
Striker Chido Obi, 18, also missed that under-21 match. Feyenoord of the Netherlands have been among the clubs showing interest.
Are there any obvious gaps in the squad?
Should Zirkzee depart, United’s centre-forward department would look patchy. Benjamin Sesko is first-choice but missed pre-season as he was recovering from a shin injury and has only appeared from the bench in the season’s first two games. Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha can deputise, but in some matches, that solution has left the team lacking a focal point.
The most pressing concern, though, is left-back. Luke Shaw is entering his 13th season with the club and started all 38 Premier League games last season — a significant feat considering his prior injury record. With the return to Champions League football to the schedule, concerns about Shaw’s ability to stay fit throughout the campaign are understandable.
Patrick Dorgu, signed as a left wing-back under Ruben Amorim, seems to be preferred as a left-winger by Carrick and his staff. Amass has made five Premier League appearances for United, all in 2024-25. He spent last season on loan at Championship clubs Sheffield Wednesday and Norwich City.
United’s decisions on the left-back situation this summer can also be viewed in the context of a year’s time, when Shaw will be 32 and his current contract is due to expire.
Though Newcastle have no intention of parting with Hall today, that does not end United’s interest, and it could be that they return to look at a deal in the next off-season. That helps explain why, for example, a loan move for a left-back in the coming hours could make sense.
Laurie Whitwell and Cerys Jones
Newcastle United
Will Newcastle make any more signings?
Newcastle are certainly “active”, according to sources inside the club, though it will most likely be one further signing maximum. Do not expect multiple additions before 11pm tonight, barring a dramatic series of events.
They have been aggressively pursuing Matias Fernandez-Pardo and have agreed a €60million deal, plus potential add-ons, with Lille. They pitched a vision to the player about where he would fit in and develop at St James’ Park. He flew in on Monday night to undergo his medical.
The 21-year-old Belgium international can play across the front line and is seen as an athletic, pacy forward who would add a goal threat and greater creativity.
Matthias Jaissle, the new head coach, has been keen to bring in another offensive option and Stuttgart’s Bilal El Khannouss has been discussed. The 22-year-old Morocco international is a central attacking midfielder, more of a No 10.
Should they fail to finalise the deal for Fernandez-Pardo, it is unclear whether Newcastle would switch attention to another attacker in the window’s remaining hours. Their shortlist of potential options is small, they insist, and the club are adamant they will not panic and sign a player they have not been closely tracking.
Those at the top of the club insist that they will only make an addition who improves what they already have and whose costs do not damage the economic reset that have been overseen this summer. Ongoing UEFA compliance, following their fines for breaches, remains the utmost priority.
Newcastle are pushing to finalise the signing of Matias Fernandez-Pardo (Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Will Newcastle let anyone leave?
Potentially, yes.
Nick Woltemade seems the most likely to leave, with multiple clubs showing an interest in taking the Germany forward on loan. Newcastle would prefer any deal to include an option to buy — an obligation at the level they would want seems unlikely — as, stylistically, Woltemade does not appear to fit into Jaissle’s plans.
Juventus have held talks, while Borussia Dortmund are also interested in taking him back to his homeland. It is not certain Woltemade departs, though it feels like it is heading towards an exit for the 24-year-old.
Jacob Murphy, meanwhile, has attracted interest from Nottingham Forest, though the 31-year-old is a senior dressing-room leader and Newcastle are minded to keep him. The same is true for Joe Willock, despite both players being in the final year of their deals, and interest from Turkey’s Besiktas is likely to be rebuffed. There is a chance Willock will negotiate an extension to his present contract.
Nick Pope is still available and a last-minute exit, most likely on loan, is possible, though there is a decent chance the 34-year-old now backup goalkeeper stays. Lewis Hall will not be leaving, Newcastle insist, despite Manchester United’s summer-long courtship.
Leo Shahar, the right-back, and Sean Neave, the forward, who are both 19, are among the youth players who may depart on loan. Park Seung-soo, the 19-year-old winger, and Miodrag Pivas, the 21-year-old defender, are others who may move out.
Are there any obvious gaps in the squad?
‘Gaps’ would be stretching it, though there are areas in which Newcastle lack out-and-out specialists or significant depth.
Fernandez-Pardo is versatile but is not an archetypal No 10 to play behind a striker in a 4-2-3-1. Instead, Yoane Wissa, Willock and Jacob Ramsey (and Woltemade, should he stay) are likely to deputise in that position and, while all will bring differing qualities, whether any have the guile to break down a stubborn defence remains to be seen.
Bruno Guimaraes was not a typical No 10 but was very much Newcastle’s creative spark, and collectively, those across the Newcastle team need to step up in the absence of another attacking midfielder joining.
Elsewhere, they have three high-quality full-backs, though depth is lacking. Amar Dedic and Tino Livramento are comfortable on either flank, while Dan Burn can also fill in at left-back in an emergency, though Livramento’s fitness problems mean there is an element of risk.
At centre-back, Newcastle have four senior options, though two of them (Burn and Fabian Schar) are 34 years old. Aside from Malick Thiaw, none of the other central defenders are particularly quick over the ground, either, so there is a shortage of pace.
Overall, though, given the volume of business necessary at Newcastle this summer, it feels like they have constructed a squad that Jaissle will largely be content to work with and develop, even if it is young and inexperienced in some areas.
Chris Waugh
Tottenham Hotspur
Will Tottenham make any more signings?
Spurs are desperately trying to add one more forward to Roberto De Zerbi’s squad before the deadline. They were interested in Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo, but he preferred a mooted move to Manchester City, a transfer that will now not happen.
On Sunday morning, it looked like they had pulled off a coup by reaching an agreement in principle to sign Iliman Ndiaye from Everton. The Senegal international was also swayed by City, and this deal does look like it will be completed.
Spurs’ attention has now switched to Mykhailo Mudryk, who previously worked with head coach Roberto De Zerbi at Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk. They have agreed a loan deal but need to finalise personal terms. Gakpo and Ndiaye would have walked straight into the starting XI, but Mudryk represents a risk after being unavailable to Chelsea for nearly two years until this summer due to a doping ban.
Tottenham’s hunt for a left-winger has become a dizzying situation, and do not be surprised if there are more twists in the final few hours of the window.
They have also agreed a deal to sign Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo on a permanent basis.
Mykhailo Mudryk in action for Chelsea in pre-season (Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
Will Tottenham let anyone leave?
Spurs’ move for Tosin is connected to Kevin Danso. De Zerbi revealed after the 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United at the weekend that Danso, Richarlison and Pape Matar Sarr all want to leave.
Sarr’s impending departure to Juventus, on loan with an obligation to buy if certain conditions are met, makes sense because of the increased competition in midfield following the summer arrivals of Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali.
Richarlison was on the cusp of rejoining his previous club Everton before that move broke down. The 29-year-old Brazilian will struggle for minutes up front this season behind Dominic Solanke and newcomer Omar Marmoush.
Danso’s desire to leave is an unfortunate situation. The 27-year-old defender is versatile, experienced and popular with his team-mates. One of the reasons Spurs were prepared to sell teenage prospect Luka Vuskovic to Brighton earlier this summer was that Danso was viewed as a reliable backup to new first-choice right-sided centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke. Tosin, 28, will fill that void and the club deserve credit for quickly reacting to find a solution.
Danso was a fan favourite, and he scored on what proved his last Tottenham appearance with a header in the Carabao Cup win against Charlton Athletic, which led to him needing treatment. It perfectly encapsulated how willing Danso was to put his body on the line, and Tosin will need to live up to those standards.
Tosin is close friends with Solanke — they represented England at youth level together, which should help his integration into the squad.
Are there any obvious gaps in the squad?
Spurs have made eight signings in this window and strengthened every area of the squad. The only position on the pitch where doubts remain is left wing.
Mathys Tel has endured a frustrating spell since he joined Spurs, initially on loan before the deal was made permanent, from Bayern Munich in February 2025. The 20-year-old has started both of their Premier League matches this season but Spurs’ pursuits of Gakpo, Ndiaye and Mudryk strongly suggests they think a better option is needed.
Newcomer Savio can cover both wings and showed the threat he poses cutting inside from the right onto his stronger left foot during the victory over Charlton.
Wilson Odobert is expected to return from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) at some stage this season, as should Xavi Simons, who can also play on the left. If Spurs manage to sign a winger before the window closes, Tel or Odobert might find themselves surplus to requirements.
Jay Harris
Barcelona
Will Barcelona make any more signings?
The club is finalising the signing of Gabriel Jesus from Arsenal for around €10million on a two-year contract with an optional third year. He is not the centre-forward Barcelona had hoped to get — they wanted Julian Alvarez, but Atletico Madrid appear determined not to let the Argentinian move to Camp Nou under any circumstances.
Barca also brought in 31-year-old Croatia international goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic from Turkish club Fenerbahce last week. His signing was made with the future in mind. Current No 2 Wojciech Szczesny, 36, has one year left on his contract, so the Livakovic move is seen internally as preparation for when the Pole is no longer at the club.
With Jesus’ signing, coach Hansi Flick will finally have a pure centre-forward following the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres this summer. However, the 29-year-old Brazilian is expected to play a supporting role to the German’s current front line. Barca sources also continue to stress that this does not mean they will not keep pushing on Alvarez until the window closes. Given Atletico’s defiant stance, though, that deal seems impossible.
Barcelona have signed Dominik Livakovic (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Will they let anyone leave?
Two planned departures were expected in this final stretch of the window: defender Hector Fort, 20, and midfielder Marc Casado, 22. Both knew they were not part of Flick’s plans for this season.
Fort’s move to Real Sociedad was made official on Saturday. Casado is still weighing up his options, which range from Saudi Arabia to clubs across Europe, and has been training separately from the first team. He wanted to stay at Barca but, faced with the club’s decision, began exploring a move away.
Are there any obvious gaps in the squad?
If Barcelona ultimately cannot sign Alvarez, they can get by with Raphinha and Anthony Gordon operating as centre-forwards, with Jesus’ experience also coming in to play. But it is not the ideal solution.
Looking ahead, the club want to invest in a specialist in that position who has some experience but can also become a player for the long-term future. At 29, Jesus does not fit that profile.
Barca would also have liked to sign a left-footed centre-back, and Ronald Araujo’s departure on loan to Liverpool for the season has left a void in defence.
Laia Cervello Herrero
Real Madrid
Will Madrid make any more signings?
Madrid have committed to spending around €250million on six players this summer: Denzel Dumfries from Inter (€25m); Ibrahima Konate (free agent after leaving Liverpool); Marc Cucurella from Chelsea (€55m plus €5m in potential add-ons); Bernardo Silva (free against after leaving Manchester City); Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig (€125m plus €15m in possible add-ons, which would make him their record signing) and Carlos Espi from Levante (€25m).
It is very unlikely that a seventh will follow before the window shuts tonight. Even if there were an unexpected departure in the coming hours, it’s not certain that Madrid would sign a new player.
The board and Jose Mourinho agree that the squad, with every position covered by at least two players, can compete for every available title this season — even if the Portuguese manager would ideally like another midfielder and another centre-back.
Will they let anyone leave?
Madrid are conscious that several teams in the Premier League — the league with the most money — have positions to fill, and they have not entirely ruled out a last-minute exit.
In this regard, there are some players who are untouchable, but there are also cases where the club would be open to offers, such as for midfielder Eduardo Camavinga or centre-back Raul Asencio (both 23).
Madrid would be open to offers for Eduardo Camavinga (Alexandra Beier/AFP via Getty Images)
Are there any obvious gaps in the squad?
There is a view, both outside and to some extent within the club, that there is still a need for a more dominant midfielder, someone capable of dictating the tempo of matches.
This has been evident since Toni Kroos’ retirement in summer 2024 and Luka Modric’s departure as a free agent a year later — and it is something Carlo Ancelotti and Xabi Alonso pointed towards internally while they were Madrid coach.
They signed Bernardo after he left City, but their attempts to buy his long-time team-mate Rodri in July — before Spain’s 2026 World Cup-winning captain opted for Barcelona — suggest that other figures at the club saw room for improvement in midfield, but failed to fill it.
Mario Cortegana