10 players who could still move before the transfer window closes
Here are 10 players who either really need to find a solution, or promise to be the subject of intense speculation, ahead of the transfer window slamming shut on Sept. 1.
Premier Leaguesoccer transfersEnglish Premier LeagueArsenal
Full story
With just under a week to go until the 2026 summer transfer window closes, which players still need to make a move?
ESPN have totted up a list of 10 players, plus a handful of honorable mentions who are intriguing free agents, who either really need to find a solution, or promise to be the subject of intense interest and speculation over the next week.
Bradley Barcola 24, Winger, Paris Saint-Germain
Where does Barcola's future lay? Will PSG really stick to their sky-high valuation of €170 million, despite bringing in three new forwards this summer for a combined €145 million, or will the price drop in the final knockings of the window, allowing a Premier League team to get a deal done?
Liverpool are chiefly interested -- sources have told ESPN they have reignited talks with PSG -- but Arsenal are also on the radar, having failed to sign a marquee attacker this summer despite pursuits of Morgan Rogers and Vinícius Júnior. Bear in mind that even if PSG drop their asking price, any deal for the 24-year-old France international is still likely to cost at least €115 million.
Emiliano Martínez 33, Goalkeeper, Aston Villa
Martínez has been halfway out the exit door at Villa Park for over a year but, until now, the club has done everything to keep him. That stance changed earlier this month when Zion Suzuki was brought in for €30 million, paving the way for the 2018 World Cup winner to depart.
The problem? As of right now, there's no suitable destination for the Argentina international. Juventus showed interest, but ultimately signed Guglielmo Vicario on loan from Tottenham Hotspur instead. Perhaps Saudi Arabia could provide an escape route for Martínez? Or another top club (Chelsea?) decides a late lunge could complete their summer's work.
Julián Álvarez 26, Forward, Atlético Madrid
The Álvarez saga has been rumbling on since before the FIFA World Cup, as Barcelona made it clear early on they'd love to sign him -- and Atleti responded just as clearly that they had no intention of letting him go.
So far, Los Colchoneros have been true to their word; they've even publicly stated that a bid of €200 million would not be enough to sign the Argentina international. But after Atlético fans booed the striker at the weekend, has the situation become untenable?
Barcelona still want him, Arsenal are lurking in the background, and Álvarez clearly wants to leave. Will Atleti's resolve hold?
Nicolas Jackson 25, Striker, Chelsea
Jackson was left out of Chelsea's matchday squad for the opening weekend of the Premier League season as the club made it clear his future lies elsewhere. Aston Villa have long been credited with an interest and could make a move if Ollie Watkins departs, while Atlético Madrid have also submitted a loan bid.
The Senegal star has proven himself to be a capable lone striker in the Premier League -- something only a small pool of players can claim -- which makes him very valuable in today's market. The Blues want in the region of £65 million for him, and it seems likely they'll get a bite.
Yankuba Minteh 22, Winger, Brighton
Minteh sustained a serious injury in preseason and is expected to be out for several months, but that hasn't stopped Liverpool bidding for him. An offer of £60 million was turned down by the Seagulls and they're reportedly holding out for £70 million.
That the Reds are even considering spending that on a player who probably cannot contribute until November hints at the state of the winger market -- particularly for those who are left-footed and like to cut in from the right, as Mohamed Salah did.
Ollie Watkins 30, Striker, Aston Villa
A club that might bite on Jackson is Villa... if Watkins moves on in the final days of this window. Al Hilal have had four bids rejected for the England international, who has made it clear he wishes to leave the club.
This is a messy situation; it's been reported that Watkins refused to play for Villa last weekend, which left them without a recognised striker for the 4-0 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion. There's a new contract on the table for him to stay, but fan sentiment has turned so rapidly against him, he may feel as though he's burned his bridges.
Enzo Fernández 25, Center midfielder, Chelsea
Chelsea set a deadline of 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14, to place a bid for Fernández with the price set at £120 million. To the surprise of absolutely no one, the one club interested in his services, Manchester City, did not adhere to that.
That doesn't mean this transfer is dead. The only real deadline is the close of the transfer window, and City know Fernández's situation at the Blues is untenable -- he's publicly stated his desire to leave.
It's in City's interests to drag this one out, potentially to the wire, in an attempt to get Chelsea to budge on the price. Watch this space.
Cody Gakpo 27, Winger, Liverpool
It threatens to be all change on the flanks at Liverpool; Salah is gone and Gakpo is attracting interest from Tottenham and Manchester City. It's no wonder they want to sign two wingers before the deadline.
Gakpo is a proven Premier League forward who comes alive at the back post and has experience as a No. 9, but endured a difficult 2025-26 season and it seems clear the Reds are willing to sanction a departure for the right price.
Rafael Leão 27, Winger, AC Milan
It wasn't that long ago -- three, four years perhaps -- that Leão was considered one of the finest wingers in the world. He was the X-factor attacker in an AC Milan side that reached the UEFA Champions League semifinals in 2023.
But since then his career has only dipped, leading to the Rossoneri effectively transfer listing him this summer. Aston Villa want him; he reportedly wants Galatasaray; while Milan don't mind, they just want rid.
A deal for Leão would be expensive, difficult and dictated by super-agent Jorge Mendes. Will anyone take the plunge in the closing days?
Gabriel Martinelli 25, Winger, Arsenal
Arsenal appear happy to sanction the departure of Martinelli this summer as they seek to evolve their left flank. The Brazilian hasn't kicked on since scoring 15 league goals in the 2022-23 season and his contract is starting to wind down.
Al Hilal are engaged in discussions but no deal has firmed up yet. Galatasaray reportedly waded in with a €45 million bid earlier this month, but Martinelli's reluctance to move to Turkey scuppered any potential move from the off.
Free agents
For reasons unclear, it's been an extremely slow summer for free agents outside of the elite options, such as Bernardo Silva or Ibrahima Konaté. That's left a whole host of names still searching for a new club, despite much of Europe now having kicked off their seasons.
Jadon Sancho, Tyrell Malacia, Dani Ceballos and Diogo Leite are all aged 30 or under and still very capable of playing a role at the top level. Others, such as Yves Bissouma and Oleksandr Zinchenko, have quality, but also come with noted injury concerns.
And then there's those in the twilight of their career -- the likes of David Alaba (34), Raheem Sterling (31) and Paul Pogba (33) -- who are perhaps on the hunt for one last contract, one last role to play, in the game they love.
All of these players (and more) need a new home soon enough. Clubs can take extra time to consider free agent additions, as they can still be registered to play even after the transfer window shuts.
