Business & Finance

Premier League clubs race to complete squad business before transfer deadline

With the summer transfer window closing on September 1, top-flight teams are focused on key reinforcements and squad reductions.

Updated Aug 25, 2026 · 09:21 UTC1 reports

The short version

The summer transfer window is scheduled to close on Tuesday, September 1 at 23:00 BST, leaving clubs with little time to finalize their squads.
A major focus for several clubs is player outgoings, particularly Chelsea, which needs to trim its massive 39-player squad down to approximately 25.
Key transfer pursuits include Arsenal's interest in forward Julian Alvarez and Aston Villa's search for a striker replacement amid a transfer saga involving Ollie Watkins and Al-Hilal.

The Premier League summer transfer window will officially close on Tuesday, September 1 at 23:00 BST.[BBC News]
Arsenal has already acquired Bruno Guimaraes, Christos Tzolis, and Ezri Konsa this summer, but continues to maintain interest in forward Julian Alvarez.[BBC News]
Aston Villa has opened talks with Club Brugge for central defender Joel Ordonez after bids for Southampton's Taylor Harwood-Bellis were rejected.[BBC News]
Chelsea's main transfer priority is to reduce its squad size from 39 players to around 25 within the final week of the window.[BBC News]
Ipswich Town has spent more than £150 million on 12 new signings since earning promotion back to the Premier League.[BBC News]
Bournemouth is finalizing a deal for Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio while holding firm that Eli Junior Kroupi and Alex Scott are not available for sale.[BBC News]

Whether Al-Hilal will successfully complete a transfer for Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins remains unresolved.[BBC News]
It is unclear if Arsenal will be able to structure a viable deal to sign Julian Alvarez due to what reporters describe as several complicating factors.[BBC News]