It has been one of the great conundrums of this window, leaving people pontificating over what Harvey Elliott should do next. The midfielder was, arguably, the leading light in England’s European Under-21 Championship triumph but it still feels like minutes will be hard to come by at Liverpool. Many have suggested he would suit the Bundesliga and RB Leipzig seem to think the same and have got in touch with Liverpool to see if something can be worked out.
Supposedly Newcastle have a plan B if they do not land Benjamin Sesko from Leipzig, although considering they have missed out on so many players this summer, it is more like a plan T. The latest contingency walks, talks and gets booked just like Nicolas Jackson, mainly because it is the Chelsea striker. There is a parallel universe where Sesko hot foots it to St James’ Park, leaving Manchester United light of a No 9, which would then see them bid for Jackson to fill the void. But it does not end there, because Ollie Watkins could once again be back on the Ruben Amorim dartboard and Aston Villa are fortifying themselves for a bid.
One person that will certainly be at Manchester United this season is Harry Maguire, despite the centre-back being the focal point of a whopping five offers, which seems like a lot. Premier League and Serie A clubs have purportedly made bids, while Galatasaray and Besiktas are interested, not to mention Monaco and Marseille who could make a move when Maguire’s contract is up at the end of the season.
Newcastle are facing a hectic final few weeks of the window, having struggled to do much business thus far. While everyone is distracted by Alexander Isak and the subsequent fallout, people are forgetting they really need a centre-back, too. Milan’s Malick Thiaw is one potential target for Eddie Howe, who is searching for the Italian dialling code and a number for San Siro so he can make an enquiry.
Considering the fact every man and his dog have needed to sign a new striker this season, it comes somewhat of a surprise that Dominic Calvert-Lewin is still unemployed. The former Everton frontman is available for free and the latest club to bat their eyelids in his direction are newly-promoted Sunderland.
Jacob Ramsey has brought a bit of tittle and plenty of tattle in recent weeks. First, Nottingham Forest were credited with wanting to sign the Aston Villa midfielder and now West Ham are being linked with a £40m move for the 24-year-old. As he has risen through the ranks at Villa Park, any income made from his sale would be pure profit in the back pocket, which cheers up the money men.
Speaking of Forest and central midfielders. Depending on who you believe, they are in talks to sign Douglas Luiz from Juventus or are desperate to secure the services of Mads Bidstrup from RB Salzburg.
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Down in the Championship, the former Manchester United defender Brandon Williams is set to return to football after a year away. He has recently been on trial at Hull City, who are keen to sign him, but plenty of other second-tier teams hold a candle for him.