Enzo Fernandez to Man City and 12 major transfers set to be announced on Deadline Day

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Tom Weber | Writer

Deadline Day of the 2026 summer transfer window has arrived, and dozens upon dozens of deals are set to be completed in a frantic 24-hour period.

The most hectic day of the football calendar is here, with the transfer window winding down after months of drama and lavish spending. Some of the biggest deals of the summer, however, have yet to be announced.

Last year, Alexander Isak became the most expensive player in Premier League history when he joined Liverpool in a last-minute €145 million deal from Newcastle on Deadline Day. It is possible that his record will be shattered today.

The future of Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez still needs to be resolved, while there are also question marks over Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez. Below, FootballTransfers runs through 12 major transfers set to be announced on Deadline Day...

Enzo Fernandez - Chelsea to Man City

Let's start with the most obvious one. Chelsea superstar Enzo Fernandez has been trying to get out of Stamford Bridge all summer, but things are going down to the wire.

The Argentina international had his heart set on joining Real Madrid, but Los Blancos refrained from making a move. Enter his former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, who is now trying to come to his rescue.

The Man City manager wants to reunite with the midfielder, and the midfielder wants to reunite with the Italian - but things aren't that simple. The relationship between City and Chelsea is tense, and the latter want at least €140m for the 25-year-old.

Three weeks ago, Chelsea set a deadline by which City had to make a bid, but the Etihad club refused to play ball as they still had to resolve the futures of Rodri, Tijjani Reijnders and Nico Gonzalez.

It took until yesterday for formal club-to-club talks to start. Fernandez is pushing for the move.

Julian Alvarez - Atletico Madrid to Arsenal

Julian Alvarez has spent all summer trying to engineer a transfer to Barcelona, but Atletico Madrid have flat-out refused to negotiate with their LaLiga rivals. They have made it clear that the only way for the Argentina to move to Catalunya is if his €500m release clause is triggered.

Barcelona have tried everything from charm offensives to media pressure - the Blaugrana-linked press has even suggested that Alvarez could terminate his contract - but to no avail.

Meanwhile, Arsenal have been working on a deal in the background. They know that Atleti would be prepared to sell a non-Spanish club. However, securing buy-in from Alvarez has proved more challenging.

The 26-year-old didn't have the best experience during his spell at Man City and is reticent to return to England. But with his relationship with Atleti broken and a Barcelona deal impossible, he could yet greenlight a transfer to Arsenal.

Gabriel Martinelli - Arsenal to Al-Hilal

When Arsenal failed in their pursuit of Real Madrid megastar Vinicius Jr and also didn't really seriously pursue any other marquee left-wingers, it appeared as though Gabriel Martinelli's future at the club would be secure.

However, things ultimately panned out differently. After turning down a move to Galatasaray, the Brazilian received strong interest from Al-Hilal and eventually caved when offered life-changing money by the Saudi giants.

Although Martinelli will be missed, it is also a lucrative deal for Arsenal, with Al-Hilal paying a €70m package. The winger therefore becomes the Gunners most expensive sale ever.

Gabriel Jesus - Arsenal to Barcelona

Martinelli isn't the only Gabriel who's leaving Arsenal, with Gabriel Jesus heading to Barcelona in a bargain deal. Due to their failed pursuit of Julian Alvarez, the Blaugrana had to consider different options.

They moved swiftly to wrap up a deal for the Brazilian striker, who has always made it clear that he wanted to keep playing in Europe despite strong interest from boyhood club Palmeiras in recent years.

Barcelona are paying just €10m for the 29-year-old.

Malick Fofana - Lyon to Arsenal

Although new Arsenal signing Christos Tzolis has hit the ground running, the reigning Premier League champions could add another winger to replace Martinelli. On Monday, it emerged that one option they were considering was Lyon youngster Malick Fofana.

The Belgium international was being courted by Chelsea and Everton last year, but he stayed put and then endured a difficult season due to a long-term ankle injury.

This summer, his future has been the subject of plenty of speculation, with numerous clubs showing an interest. Arsenal are his latest suitors in their search for a new winger.

Iliman Ndiaye - Everton to Man City

Everton winger Iliman Ndiaye initially looked set to join Tottenham in an informal swap deal that would have seen Richarlison return to Everton. However, this proposed transfer collapsed when the Brazilian striker failed to agree terms with the Toffees.

This allowed Man City to swoop in and hijack the deal for Ndiaye. The Etihad club struck a €76m agreement with Everton to sign the Senegal international after ending their pursuit of Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo.

City had originally wanted to sign the Dutchman, but the Reds ultimately decided to keep him and turned down an offer worth north of €90m from the Manchester outfit.

Mykhailo Mudryk and Tosin Adarabioyo - Chelsea to Tottenham

On Monday, Tottenham opened talks with Chelsea over moves for defender Tosin Adarabioyo and winger Mykhailo Mudryk, with both deals now fully agreed.

Tosin had been deemed surplus to requirements by the Chelsea hierarchy, while Mudryk needs a loan after not playing competitive football in more than 18 months.

Spurs boss Roberto de Zerbi previously worked with Mudryk at Shakhtar and once tipped him to win the Ballon d'Or. Due to Premier League rules, Tottenham will purchase Tosin on a permanent deal and sign Mudryk on loan.

Honest Ahanor - Atalanta to Crystal Palace

On the face of it, Crystal Palace loaning a defender from Serie A isn't the most exciting deal, but the circumstances make this an eye-catching transfer. Honest Ahanor is regarded as one of the biggest prospects in world football - he already has two senior caps for Italy at just 18.

Beyond his potential, this deal is notable because Ahanor is only being parked at Palace for a year. The centre-back joins on a straight loan from Atalanta because he will be purchased by Chelsea next year.

The Blues wanted to beat his other suitors to the punch and then loan him to Palace because they currently have no need for the teenager. However, because Axel Disasi has already joined the Eagles on a temporary deal, Chelsea have been forced to conjure up a different formula.

They have pre-agreed a €47m transfer for 2027. In the meantime, Atalanta will loan Ahanor to Palace.

Matias Fernandez-Pardo - Lille to Newcastle

Lille did not want to lose Belgian sensation Matias Fernandez-Pardo this summer, but they were ultimately left with little choice when the 21-year-old started pushing for an exit.

Fernandez-Pardo has been linked with numerous clubs this summer, including the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool, but Newcastle ultimately won the race for his signature after agreeing a €60m deal with Lille.

The versatile forward's arrival could, in turn, mean that Nick Woltemade departs on loan, with Juventus his most likely destination.

Folarin Balogun - AS Monaco to Everton

Former Arsenal prospect Folarin Balogun is on his way back to England after ending the 2025/26 season in red-hot form and also impressing at the World Cup prior to his red card controversy.

After links with numerous clubs, including Tottenham and Barcelona, Everton reached an agreement for a €50m package on Monday evening.

Everton need another striker as Beto is set to join Serie A outfit Fiorentina and with Richarlison seemingly unwilling to return to Merseyside, Balogun emerged as the Toffees' top target.

Ibrahim Mbaye - PSG to Aston Villa

After pining for a move away from Paris Saint-Germain for several weeks, Ibrahim Mbaye is finally set to depart the club on Deadline Day after Aston Villa struck a full agreement to sign him.

Villa will pay €55m to sign Mbaye and the Senegal star was in attendance at Villa Park to watch their 1-0 defeat against Arsenal on Monday night.

Unai Emery's side will also sign Southampton central defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis today.

Written by

Tom Weber | Writer

Tom Weber is an experienced, multilingual sports writer who specialises in European football and American soccer as part of his freelance work for FootballTransfers.

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