Sterling to Man Utd and Isak to Arsenal – eight transfers we want to see this week

The closure of the Premier League summer transfer window is near. From 11pm on Friday night, clubs will have to wait until January to do any incoming or outgoing deals – outside of players who are free agents. With the potential for some exciting transfers before the window shuts, the Express Sport team name some high-profile moves we’d like to see before the deadline…

Sam Smith: Alexander Isak or Victor Osimhen to Arsenal

Arsenal are a genuinely elite centre-forward away from being favourites for the Premier League title. You cannot topple Manchester City by sharing the goals around your team – you need a single-minded, prolific No 9 able to keep pace with Erling Haaland’s figures. Newcastle’s Isak or Napoli’s Osimhen would be a season-defining signing.

Charlie Malam: Raheem Sterling to Man Utd

It seems easy to forget after two underwhelming seasons at Chelsea that Sterling was once one of the most dangerous wingers in the country. His goal and assist returns under Pep Guardiola were incredible.

So has his star simply burnt out or is it the surrounding chaos at Chelsea that’s to blame? A move to Manchester United would show us the truth of the matter. He doesn’t have to do too much to be an upgrade on Antony or Jadon Sancho.

Jack McEachen: Nico Williams to Arsenal

Arsenal feel as if they’re just one marquee attacker away from being able to pip Manchester City to the title finally. Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli are exceptional left-wing options but a blockbuster move for Spain’s Euro 2024 star Nico Williams could just push them over the edge in the Premier League title race.

The Gunners have been in talks with Williams this summer and paying his release clause to bring the 22-year-old to the Emirates would seriously bolster Mikel Arteta’s firepower.

Joe Krishnan: Antonio Silva to Chelsea

Based on a tenuous link from January 2024, I would love to see Chelsea sign Benfica centre-back Antonio Silva, a player in a position where they actually need to strengthen.

If rumours of Axel Disasi and Trevoh Chalobah’s departures are accurate, the Blues will be left short at the back and the defence remains the biggest issue for Enzo Maresca to resolve. At 20, Silva has a mature head on his young shoulders and might just be the towering ball-playing centre-back they have been missing.

Charlie Parker-Turner: Levi Colwill to Brighton

It is no secret that Chelsea have too many defenders, so allowing academy graduate Colwill to move on and fulfil his potential elsewhere may be an option for the Blues as they continue to search for ‘pure profit’ sales.

Brighton were desperate to sign the England international last summer and remain in the market for a left-sided centre-back so the stars could align for Fabian Hurzeler’s side.

Fraser Watson: Victor Osimhen to Arsenal

Arsenal have pushed Manchester City close in the last two Premier League seasons, but with no cigar. Signing Victor Osimhen from Napoli however, would really ramp up the pressure on Pep Guardiola and co.

Equally as important, it would spare the Nigerian international from wasting his peak years in Saudi Arabia. For all of Mikel Arteta’s defiance, the Gunners are a clinical No.9 away from being a serious force in Europe as well as domestically. Osimhen has done it in Serie A, it would be great for the Premier League to see him test his prowess in England.

Amos Murphy: Ivan Toney to Man City 

Look, there’s nothing saying it won’t blow up in everyone’s face and turn out to be a complete disaster, but at least on paper this makes sense. Ivan Toney reportedly wants out, Brentford are after cash and Manchester City need an Erling Haaland back-up.

Granted, Toney might not get the leading role at the big club he’s dreamt of, but the winning trophies and playing for Pep Guardiola will probably make up for that.

Archie Griggs: Aurelien Tchouameni to Liverpool

The Reds could really do with a new deep-lying midfielder after failing to land Martin Zubimendi. Tchouameni would represent a big upgrade on Wataru Endo and would bring plenty of title-winning experience as well as no shortage of star quality.Liverpool attempted to sign the Frenchman before he joined Real Madrid and were linked with a renewed pursuit earlier this summer.

However, it seems unlikely that the Spanish giants will be prepared to let him leave with so little time remaining in the window. It could still be one for Liverpool to pursue, though, in the knowledge that Real Madrid already have Eduardo Camavinga waiting in the wings to replace him.