First transfer deadline frenzy: Gittens to Chelsea before the window closes?

The football world is bracing for a flurry of last-minute transfer activity as the summer’s initial transfer window, established for the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup, is set to slam shut at 7 PM UK time on Tuesday night. Clubs are racing against the clock to finalize deals and register players for Gianni Infantino’s marquee tournament. Among those in the thick of the action, Chelsea is reportedly making late pushes for key targets. The London giants are keen to add Borussia Dortmund's Jamie Gittens to their collection of wingers and are also pursuing AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan, with both potential transfers likely to go down to the wire. Manchester City is another club to watch, as they reportedly aim to secure Rayan Cherki in time for the deadline.

Beyond the immediate Club World Cup window, other intriguing transfer sagas are unfolding across Europe. Bournemouth, who enjoyed a strong mid-winter run, could see some of their unearthed talents move to bigger clubs. While Dean Huijsen's unexpected move to Real Madrid set a high bar, Illia Zabarnyi's potential transfer to European champions PSG for a reported £59 million fee could eclipse it, with Bournemouth prepared to sell at the right price.

Meanwhile, Antoine Semenyo has attracted interest from Europa League participants Tottenham and Manchester United, though these moves might hinge on their success in landing Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo. Mbeumo, notably, has reportedly turned down an offer from Newcastle, who seem to be experiencing some difficulty in securing targets despite no immediate Financial Fair Play concerns. The Magpies are also rumored to be interested in West Ham's dynamic midfielder Mohammed Kudus, a player also admired by Chelsea.

One of the most talked-about players this summer, despite turning 30 in September, is Jack Grealish. Reportedly deemed surplus to requirements by Manchester City, Grealish is seeking a fresh challenge. A surprising link has emerged with Bayer Leverkusen, though the financial viability of such a move, considering his remaining two seasons on a significant Etihad contract, remains a question. Should a move to Germany not materialize, Grealish has options in England with Everton, Newcastle, and Tottenham, alongside interest from Saudi clubs, Milan, Napoli, Borussia Dortmund, and Inter. An emotional return to Aston Villa, however, appears financially unlikely.

On the continent, Bayern Munich is actively seeking a winger, with PSG's Bradley Barcola and Athletic Club's Nico Williams at the top of their target list. It remains to be seen if Bayern can complete either of these high-profile signings in time for the Club World Cup.