Born in the south east of Ireland, Simon put his life-long love of football to good use when he started a successful independent blog in 2010. That opened up an alternative route to a career in journalism, and having had work published across a number of sites and publications, Simon joined the staff at Spotlight Sports Group in 2018.
The Premier League 2019 summer transfer window will slam shut at 5pm later today, but there already looks like being a considerable amount of business done before fax machines up and down the country are unplugged.
To help you keep track of all the latest movers, shakers and last minute scrambles, FST will use this page to bring updates on latest confirmed transfers and most compelling rumours.
Check out the latest updates below:
Keep up to date with all the Premier League’s confirmed transfers in the summer transfer window with our regularly updated list here.
DEADLINE DAY UPDATES
15:00 DONE DEAL – Ryan Sessegnon – Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham have signed England youth international Ryan Sessegnon from Fulham on a 5-year contract. Spurs have paid £25m for the versatile left-sided player and that fee could rise to £30m if certain performance based targets are reached.
12:49 UDPATE – Villa closed for business
Dean Smith has confirmed Aston Villa’s incoming business for the summer is complete.
Villa have already brought 12 new faces to the club during the transfer window, as they prepare for life back in the Premier League.
12:38 UPDATE – United pull plug on Mandzukic deal
Manchester United have ended discussions with Juventus over their veteran striker Mario Mandzukic. The Croatian was believed to be keen on a move to Old Trafford, however United think his wage demands and the fee requested by Juventus to be excessive.
12:14 UPDATE – Tierney having Arsenal medical
Scottish left-back Kieran Tierney is having a medical at Arsenal ahead of his £25m move from Celtic.
The Gunners agreed terms for the deal with the SPL champions last night, and Tierney flew to London to complete his switch this morning.
11:54 RUMOUR – Wolves make late move for midfielder?
Sportitalia reports #Wolves have agreed a €28m deal to sign #ACMilan midfielder Franck Kessie!
The 22-year old highly-rated midfielder played 34 times in Serie A last season, scoring 7 times.
11:40 DONE DEAL – Romaric Yapi – Brighton
Brighton have completed the signing of French defender Romaric Yapi from Paris St Germain for an undisclosed fee.
The versatile 19-year-old has signed a one-year deal at the Amex Stadium, with Albion holding the option for a second.
Yapi will initially link up with the Premier League club’s under-23 squad.
Seagulls under-23 boss Simon Rusk said in a club statement: “He is a versatile player and is comfortable at right-back, on the right wing or as a wing-back.
✍️ Albion have completed the signing of French right-back Romaric Yapi from @PSG_inside.
📲 Breaking news brought to you by @eToro.#BHAFC 🔵⚪️
— Brighton & Hove Albion ⚽️ (@OfficialBHAFC) August 8, 2019
11:26 RUMOUR – Hornets chase German left-back
Watford are in talks with Hertha Berlin defender Marvin Plattenhardt, according to the Daily Mail. The 27-year old left-back is highly-rated in his homeland, though it’s unclear whether the Hornets have enough time to complete a deal.
11:14 UPDATE – Carroll set for sensational Newcastle return?
Newcastle are in negotiations with free agent and former player Andy Carroll according to reports surfacing in the north east. Carroll, a Newcastle academy product, spent 4 and a half seasons in the Magpies first team before moving to Liverpool for £35m in 2011.
11:09 DONE DEAL – Emil Krafth – Newcastle
Newcastle have completed the signing of Emil Krafth from Ligue 1 side Amiens for a fee believed to be in the region of £5m.
The 25-year old Swedish defender signs a 4-year deal at St James’ Park.
Introducing our 4️⃣th signing of the summer, Emil Krafth.#WorKrafth #NUFC #DeadlineDay pic.twitter.com/0mQ2jw7Lwv
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) August 8, 2019
10:52 UPDATE – Dybala’s Tottenham move OFF!
Paulo Dybala’s move to Tottenham Hotspur now appears to have fallen through, with rumours breaking that the Serie A club have now decided to keep the Argentine attacker. The news will come as a bitter blow to Spurs who believed they were securing a big-name signing ahead of the new season.
BREAKING: Tottenham’s proposed move for Paulo Dybala is OFF after Juventus ultimately decided not to sell the 25-year-old Argentina forward #THFC #Juve
— David Ornstein (@bbcsport_david) August 8, 2019
10:48 UPDATE – City line up back-up stopper
Veteran goalkeeper Scott Carson is in Manchester to tie up the lose ends ahead of a shock move to Premier League champions Manchester City. The 33-year old Derby keeper is expected to provide depth and cover for the Citizen’s number one Ederson.
10:43 RUMOUR – Wanyama to leave Spurs?
Tottenham are open to the idea of allowing midfielder Victor Wanyama to leave the club before the window shuts – but only on loan. Spurs have strengthened in midfield considerably this summer and now they are looking to reduce wage costs by allowing Wanyama to leave on a temporary basis.
10:40 UPDATE – Brighton make move for PSG starlet
Brighton are close to finalising a deal to bring Paris Saint-Germain right back Romaric Yapi to the club.
The 19 year old Frenchman will most likely join the Seagulls’ U23 team.
It will be Yapi’s first senior professional contract.
10:37 RUMOUR – Marcos Rojo to move to Everton?
Manchester United are looking to offload Marcos Rojo and Everton are rumoured to be interested in signing the Argentine defender on loan for the 2019/20. United would prefer to find a permanent buyer for the former Sporting employee however. Talks are believed to be continuing.
10:34 DONE DEAL – Albian Ajeti – West Ham
West Ham United have announced the signing of Switzerland international striker Albian Ajeti from FC Basel for an undisclosed fee.
The 22-year-old joins the Hammers on an initial 4-year contract, with an option to extend for a further 2 seasons.
Ajeti, who played his last game for the Swiss Cup holders in a Champions League qualifying win over PSV last week, has scored more than 40 goals over the past three seasons and is considered to be one of European football’s most promising young attackers.
“I’m very excited to be here,” said the striker in an official statement. “It is a pleasure for me to be here, at this big club.
“Once I felt West Ham’s interest, I didn’t have to think twice about signing for such a big, traditional club in the Premier League. This is a big day for me and my family.”
Introducing our new striker… #WelcomeAjeti pic.twitter.com/h6T0fL1Tuu
— West Ham United (@WestHamUtd) August 8, 2019
10:15 UPDATE – Dybala’s Spurs move edges closer
Tottenham are close to finalising their deal to sign Juventus forward Paulo Dybala. The latest updates suggest that Juventus are willing to pay some of the attacker’s wages to force a deal over the line. There is talk that agent fees and image rights are complicating matters however.
10:00 RUMOUR – Real Madrid make late Neymar dash
Real Madrid are in talks with Paris Saint-Germain over the signing of Brazilian attacker Neymar, according to Sky Sports.
The 27-year old is believed to have told the Ligue 1 club that he wants to leave France this summer, though PSG have yet to receive a formal offer for their want-away star.
PSG are unlikely to rubber stamp a sale unless they are able to recoup the £200m they spent on Neymar 2 years ago.
9:37 DONE DEAL – James McCarthy – Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace have completed the signing of Republic of Ireland midfielder James McCarthy from Everton for a fee believed to be in the region of £3m.
The 28-year-old had just 1 year left on his Everton contract and leaves Goodison Park after 6 seasons on Merseyside.
He made 133 appearances for the Toffees during his spell with the club, scoring 6 times.
In an official statement, Palace manager Roy Hodgson said: “I’m really pleased we’ve been able to bring James to the club because he’s a player I’ve admired for a very long time.”
📝 Welcome to Palace, James McCarthy!#CPFC
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) August 7, 2019
9:22 UPDATE – Leicester close to Praet deal
Leicester and Sampdoria have agreed a deal worth an initial £19m for Dennis Praet, according to reports.
The report also suggests that the Belgian midfielder is due to undergo a medical with the Foxes today.
Sampdoria coach Eusebio Di Francesco spoke to the Italian media after his side’s game against Spezia, saying: “I will miss Praet, he’s one of the best midfielders in Italy.
“Now we’ll see what to do in midfield and attack, where we have very few alternatives.”
9:00 RUMOUR – West Ham boost attacking options
West Ham are finalising a deal to sign Basel striker Albian Ajeti for around £8m, according to reports.
Ajeti was left out of the Swiss club’s Champions League third qualifying round game vs Austrian side LASK this week, further fuelling rumours of his imminent departure to the Irons.
West Ham are expected to complete the formalities for the transfer later today.
8: 40 UPDATE – Spurs finally set to seal Sessegnon signing
Tottenham are close to completing a deal to sign versatile 19-year old Ryan Sessegnon from Fulham.
Spurs will pay the Cottagers an initial £25m, which could rise to £30m depending on certain milestones being reached.
Tottenham youngster Josh Onomah will move the other way as part of the arrangement.
8:28 RUMOUR – David Luiz set for surprise Arsenal switch
Chelsea defender David Luiz is on the verge of a shock transfer to Arsenal before the transfer window deadline, according to reports.
Luiz has reportedly gone on strike to force a move to the Blues’ London rivals, and the 32-year old is expected to complete his move later today.
The Blues centre-back trained away from the rest of Frank Lampard’s squad on Wednesday, after the Chelsea boss learned of his intentions to leave.
8:22 UPDATE – Tottenham’s Lo Celso deal edges closer to completion
Tottenham have agreed an initial £55m fee with La Liga club Real Betis for their midfielder Giovani Lo Celso, according to numerous reports.
The Argentina international is expected to travel to London today ahead of undergoing a medical and finalising his paperwork.
Lo Celso notched 9 goals and 4 assists during a productive campaign for Betis in 2018/19.
8:00 UPDATE – Zaha hands in transfer request
Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha has handed in a transfer request in an attempt to push through a move to the Eagles’ Premier League rivals Everton.
Zaha has been hoping to secure a move away from Selhurst Park all summer, though the Eagles’ valuation of the Ivory Coast international has scared off a number of potential suitors, including Arsenal.
Palace are believed to be demanding in excess of £100m for Zaha, though Everton will want to bring that fee down to more realistic levels.
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7:50 DONE DEAL – Joao Cancelo – Manchester City
Manchester City have completed the signing of Portugal full-back Joao Cancelo from Juventus for £60m.
The deal also sees City full-back Danilo move in the opposite direction for a fee of £34.1m.
24-year old right back Cancelo has signed a contract at the Etihad Stadium until the summer of 2025 and becomes City’s third major summer signing after Angelino and Rodri.
“City are a fantastic club, with a brilliant manager and I am delighted to be here,” said Cancelo.
“Everything about them has impressed me, from the facilities, to their style of play.
“I am always looking to develop my game and win trophies and I believe I can do that here, so now I’m really looking forward to the new season and testing myself in the Premier League.”
We’ve got our man! 🙌
Welcome to the Champions, João Cancelo!
🔵 #mancity
— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 7, 2019
7:40 DONE DEAL – Djibril Sidibe – Everton
Everton have signed French defender Djibril Sidibe from Monaco on a season-long loan.
The Toffees have the option to buy the 27-year-old on a permanent deal at the end of the season however.
Sidibe, who won the Ligue 1 title with Monaco in 2016-17, was part of the France squad that lifted the World Cup in Russia last year.
He scored 6 goals in 114 appearances for Monaco since joining the club from Lille in 2016.
🔵 | @DjibrilSidibeS3 joins the Toffees on loan for 2019/20, with an option to buy.
Bienvenue, Djibril! 💙 #EFC
— Everton (@Everton) August 7, 2019
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