Transfer news LIVE: Chelsea thrown Osimhen lifeline, Sterling to Arsenal, Sancho twist

All hope is not lost in Chelsea’s pursuit of Victor Osimhen.

Saudi Arabian sources have told Sky Sports that Al-Ahli will only sign one of Osimhen or Ivan Toney.

They have had bids accepted for both players but only 10 foreign stars are permitted in Saudi Pro League squads.

Al-Ahli would therefore have to sell one of their foreign players to make room for both strikers.

It is also said that they don’t have the budget for Osimhen and Toney.

Chelsea are considering moves for two alternative strikers in case Ivan Toney and Victor Osimhen are snapped up by Al-Ahli.

Toney is set to undergo a medical today before signing a lucrative contract with the Saudi Pro League side, which will include a massive increase on his current wages.

A bid for Osimhen has also been accepted, though Al-Ahli are still waiting for his seal of approval.

While the door to signing Osimhen is not yet closed completely, and reports indicate that Al-Ahli may only sign one of the two strikers, The Independent claim that Chelsea are making contingency plans in case both of their top targets are snatched away.

Aston Villa forward Jhon Duran and Everton marksman Dominic Calvert-Lewin are both being ‘considered’ by the Blues. And swap deals have been touted as the simplest way to bring either Villa or the Toffees to the negotiating table.

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James Ward-Prowse is set to leave West Ham for Nottingham Forest as the two sides have agreed on a loan deal for the midfielder, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Hammers signed Ward-Prowse for £30million only 12 months ago.

His departure would make way for Julen Lopetegui to welcome Carlos Soler.

Personal terms have already been agreed with the Paris Saint-Germain star and talks are now advancing ahead of Ward-Prowse’s departure.

Arsenal are holding internal discussions over a move for Raheem Sterling, according to Fabrizio Romano.

But other reports indicate that the Gunners will only press ahead with the move if it does not involve a fee.

Sterling has been exiled from Chelsea’s first team by Enzo Maresca.

Manchester United have also been offered the chance to sign him but there has been little in the way of progress over the last 24 hours.

Wolves have signed Sam Johnstone from Crystal Palace for around £10million.

Both clubs have confirmed the goalkeeper’s switch after he was demoted to being Dean Henderson’s back-up at Selhurst Park.

Johnstone has signed a four-year deal at Molineux and will compete with Jose Sa for the starting role, unless the Portuguese moves on today.

Chelsea and Strasbourg have reached an £18million agreement over the transfer of Deivid Washington, according to L’Equipe.

The 19-year-old has only made three senior appearances for Chelsea’s first team.

And the move, if it goes through, would be a record spend for the Blues’ sister team in France.

Chelsea spent £17m to snap the forward up from Santos only 12 months ago.

Brentford have accepted a £35million offer from Al-Ahli for Ivan Toney, according to RMC Sport.

It comes after the Saudi side also reached a deadline-day agreement with Napoli over the signing of Victor Osimhen.

It remains to be seen whether they will press ahead with their pursuit of both strikers.

Chelsea have also been linked to Osimhen and Toney, and both players are yet to make their final decisions on where to go.

By Charlie Parker-Turner

Napoli have reignited talks with Brighton over a deal for Billy Gilmour, Express Sport understands.

The Seagulls called off talks with the Serie A outfit yesterday after insisting that they would not part ways with the Scotland international due to an ankle injury sustained by new signing Matt O’Riley in midweek, which requires surgery.

However, Napoli are making a last-ditch effort to sign the ex-Chelsea star and talks are now back underway over a potential deal. If an agreement is reached, it could go to the wire.

Napoli and Al-Ahli have reached an agreement over the sale of Victor Osimhen, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Di Marzio claims that the Saudi Pro League side have put together a lucrative proposal worth more than £33million per season in wages.

Napoli, meanwhile, would receive a £67m transfer fee plus add-ons.

A release clause included in Osimhen’s proposed contract would leave the door open for Chelsea to have another crack at signing the Nigerian further down the line if they fail to snap him up this summer.

Late drama is not completely out of the question, however.

The final decision still rests with Osimhen, who is yet to give his green light to Al-Ahli.

A serious counter-offer from Chelsea could flip the situation on its head if Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital are prepared to cough up.

Brentford have made contact with Chelsea to discuss a move for Ben Chilwell, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Blues boss Enzo Maresca has made it clear that Chilwell has no future at Stamford Bridge while he is in charge.

The left-back was offered to Manchester United but they have opted to pursue other targets.

With little in the way of interest from elsewhere, Brentford could have a clear run at Chilwell if they make a decisive move over the coming hours.

Arsenal have identified Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon as a future target and they could make an approach for him next summer, according to The Daily Mail.

Gordon is expected to stay at St. James’ Park beyond tonight’s deadline and the Magpies are attempting to tie him down to a new contract.

But the 23-year-old has admirers in high places, with Liverpool showing interest earlier in the current window.

And now that Arsenal are also on the case, the temptation for Gordon to leave the north-east over the coming years may only increase.

Manchester United and Juventus are at a standstill in talks for Jadon Sancho, according to Fabrizio Romano, despite reports earlier this week suggesting that an agreement had been struck between the Red Devils and the Turin giants.

United’s financial demands are reportedly deemed too high by Juve, whose chiefs fear that Sancho wants to join Chelsea instead.

It is believed that Juventus’ move for the winger will only be revived today if United are willing to drop the price for a loan or a permanent switch.

Arsenal have agreed a loan deal for Bournemouth captain Neto, according to The Athletic.

The Gunners turned their attention to the 35-year-old goalkeeper after hitting a snag in talks with Espanyol for Joan Garcia.

The La Liga side are determined to bank all of Garcia’s £25million release clause, forcing Arsenal to pursue other options.

Mikel Arteta needs a new back-up to David Raya as Aaron Ramsdale closes in on a permanent move to Southampton.

And Neto risks being frozen out of the team if he stays at Bournemouth, with Kepa Arrizabalaga now on the south coast following his loan move from Chelsea.

The race for Victor Osimhen is going down to the wire.

Paris Saint-Germain are no longer in the hunt, leaving Chelsea and Al-Ahli to battle it out for the Napoli striker.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea approached Napoli with a new proposal for Osimhen last night, which centred around a loan and an obligation to buy the 25-year-old next summer.

Salary discussions are also underway, though the Blues’ offer is almost certain to fall short of what their super-rich Saudi rivals have put on the table.

The situation is tense, but it is said Osimhen will only head to the Middle East if talks with Chelsea fail to bear fruit.

More updates on this one to come later today.

Good morning and welcome to Express Sport‘s Transfer news LIVE!

The summer window has been building up to this very point, with a matter of hours left for teams in the Premier League and beyond to get their squads in shape.

Don’t go anywhere. Updates to follow…