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.
With just two weeks to go before the transfer window slams shut on October 5th, the clock is ticking…
A number of Premier League clubs are still desperately scouring the market for new recruits, and with time running out to do business, the rumour mill has been cranked into overdrive, with countless combinations of players and potential suitors spun into headlines.
Last year, Premier League clubs splashed out around £1.4billion on close to 100 permanent signings during the transfer window, and while this year’s equivalent figure promises to pale in comparison, a number of major market moves are still expected to happen before deadline day.
Below, we’ve taken a closer look at some of the transfers that could still get over the line by October 5th.
Diego Costa – hot-headed striker to sign for Spurs?
Tottenham are in the market for competition and cover for leading marksman Harry Kane, and reports in Spain have indicated that the North London giants have been sniffing around Diego Costa.
The ex-Chelsea hitman was a huge success during his first stint in England, where he scored 59 goals in 120 games for the Blues between 2014 and 2017.
The Spanish international was brought to Stamford Bridge by former Chelsea manager and current Spurs boss Jose Mourinho, and the controversial Portuguese manager – who wants to add more aggression to his squad – is believed to be keen on a reunion.
Dele Alli – England international hoping for a fresh start in Paris?
Dele Alli’s future with Tottenham is in serious doubt after the England international was omitted from the Spurs squad that played and won at Southampton on Sunday.
Jose Mourinho’s determination to freeze Dele Alli out of the first-time set-up at Spurs is rumoured to have baffled his teammates, but in the Portuguese coach’s latest power play, the England midfielder looks set to be forced out of North London before the end of the month.
The 24-year-old, who notched 50 goals in 157 appearances for Spurs since 2015, will have no shortage of suitors if he does leave Tottenham, though Ligue 1 champions Paris St. Germain are reportedly the early front runners to sign him.
Ross Barkley – out of favour schemer to cross London to West Ham?
Enigmatic attacking midfielder Ross Barkley has been inching towards the periphery of the first team picture at Chelsea, and the 26-year-old looks certain to seek out a more prominent role elsewhere in the Premier League before the transfer window closes.
The 33-times-capped England international has been linked with switches to Aston Villa, Everton and Wolves, though a move across the capital to West Ham currently looks the most likely.
With Chelsea still keen on brining Irons’ anchorman Declan Rice to Stamford Bridge, Barkley could be used as a makeweight to sweeten the deal, and the ex-Toffees starlet could link up again with the man who handed him his first team debut at Goodison Park, David Moyes.
Jadon Sancho – last chance saloon for United
An entire summer’s pursuit reaches its climax over the next fortnight, as the off again, on again Jadon Sancho to Manchester Untied saga finally reaches its conclusion.
After months of conflicting reports and rumour to counter rumour, United now have just 14 days to try to find common ground with Borussia Dortmund over a deal for their star player.
Following their rotten performance in their Premier League opener against Crystal Palace on Saturday, the Red Devils’ increasingly frustrated supporters are in need of some positivity, and Jadon Sancho’s arrival would be just the tonic.
United’s reluctance to blow north of £100m on a player in uncertain economic times, while understandable, could yet scupper any possible Sancho transfer however.
Wilfried Zaha – Ivorian winger to finally get his move?
Having angled for a move away from Selhurst Park for several years now, and seen a number of potential transfers fallen though, Wilfried Zaha could finally find the new challenge he has been longing for in 2020.
The Ivorian attacker was in scintillating form for Palace against his former club Man Utd on Sunday, notching two of the Eagles’ three goals in what was a timely reminder to his suitors of his match-defining ability.
Zaha, who was priced out of a move last year due to Palace’s £80m valuation, could be allowed to fly the Eagles’ nest for a fee closer to £50m this year, and Ligue 1 duo PSG and Monaco are believed to be monitoring developments.
Max Aarons – Canaries full back on Barcelona’s radar
In one of the more unusual transfer stories of the summer, Norwich City right-back Max Aarons has been heavily linked with a move to La Liga behemoths Barcelona.
With Nelson Semedo on the cusp of joining Premier League outfit Wolves, Los Cules are in the market for reinforcements at full-back, and Aarons, 20, is believed to be their primary target.
Despite Canaries boss Daniel Farke’s insistence that he wouldn’t accept a “bid of £100m” for the promising defender, a sizeable offer would likely see a move sanctioned by the Championship side.
Aarons, who impressed despite Norwich’s relegation from the top-flight in 2019/20, is certain to jump at the opportunity to strut his stuff at the Camp Nou, and the England Under 21 regular could be playing in La Liga by the end of the month.
Theo Walcott – a move back to the south coast a possibility
Having swollen their salary costs this summer following a number of high-profile incoming transfers, Everton look ready to offload several members of their bloated looking squad before October 5th, and Theo Walcott could be one of a number of players shown the door at Goodison Park.
The 31-year-old, who joined the Toffees from Arsenal in January 2018, could be line for a Southampton homecoming if reports and rumours in the media hold weight.
Walcott came through the Saints academy and played just 23 first team games for the club before he was snapped up by the Gunners as a 16-year-old in 2006.
The former Three Lions star swapped London for Merseyside over two years ago, but having failed to nail down a starting spot under Carlo Ancelotti, Walcott has been made surplus to requirements at Goodison Park.
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