Premier League heavyweights reshape forward lines as Barcola heads to Liverpool

Liverpool’s £106m move for Barcola underlines Anfield’s attacking rebuild

Liverpool have completed the signing of Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint‑Germain in a marquee addition to Andoni Iraola’s squad on a five‑year contract.

The French forward joins for an initial £106m fee, with the total potentially rising to £123m. The 23‑year‑old has been a Liverpool target throughout the summer and was keen on a move to Merseyside despite drawing interest from other clubs.

Barcola’s arrival continues a period of sustained investment in Liverpool’s attack, following the recruitment of Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz for fees in excess of £100m apiece last summer. That outlay reflects both the financial power of leading Premier League clubs and the competitive pressure at the top of English football, where depth in forward areas is regarded as essential for clubs competing across domestic and European fronts.

Capped 28 times by France, Barcola was part of the PSG squads that won consecutive UEFA Champions League titles in 2025 and 2026, featuring off the bench in both finals. Exposure at that level offers Liverpool a forward already accustomed to the demands of knockout European football, an increasingly important consideration for leading clubs operating under the current [UEFA competition structure](https://www.uefa.com).

The move also has internal repercussions at Anfield. With Cody Gakpo looking likely to remain at the club after Liverpool rejected an approach from Manchester City late in the window for the £80m‑rated winger, Iraola is set to work with an attacking group that combines high‑value signings with established performers. Liverpool judged that City’s late bid for Gakpo created too great a risk around replacing him before the deadline, a decision that stabilises their options across the front line for the coming season.

Alexis Mac Allister signals commitment amid contract pause

While Liverpool reshape their forward line, the club have also received a public indication of commitment from Alexis Mac Allister. The midfielder’s father has stated that his son wants to stay at Anfield, even though talks over a new contract have not yet begun.

“Alexis is not thinking of leaving Liverpool. He wants to stay at the club,” he said, adding that Liverpool have not started negotiations over an extension but that the player’s “desire is to continue in the club.”

In practical terms, those comments give Liverpool headroom to prioritise squad-building around the new forward line, without the immediate pressure of replacing a key midfield figure. For Iraola, a midfield anchored by a settled Mac Allister should help integrate Barcola and preserve continuity behind an evolving attack.

Celtic plan late-window midfield refresh

In Scotland, Celtic are preparing for a busy conclusion to the transfer window, with the Scottish deadline falling two days later than in England. That longer window, governed domestically in parallel with the wider [FIFA transfer regulatory framework](https://www.fifa.com), gives Celtic more room to complete both arrivals and departures.

The club are expected to reinforce their midfield with Oliver Sorensen from Parma and Joel van den Berg from PSV Eindhoven. Adding two central options would give Martin O’Neill greater flexibility as Celtic look to balance domestic fixtures with European commitments and maintain control of possession in high‑stakes matches.

Celtic are also exploring their options at left‑back. Reports in France suggest they are attempting to beat Nice to the loan signing of Eintracht Frankfurt defender Niels Nkounkou. Earlier in the window, Celtic examined a loan for Chelsea left‑back Landon Emenalo, but that move was put on hold while the 18‑year‑old recovered from injury.

Outgoings are likely to shape the final days as much as signings. Midfielder Reo Hatate is expected to leave before Thursday’s deadline after falling out of favour under O’Neill. Should he depart, Celtic’s central‑midfield rotation would hinge even more on the planned arrivals of Sorensen and Van den Berg, underlining how the club are using this window to turn over key areas of the squad rather than simply add depth.

Arsenal weigh Fofana move after reshaping forward options

Arsenal, Premier League champions and again competing on multiple fronts this season, are considering a late move for Lyon winger Malick Fofana before Tuesday’s deadline.

The London club’s interest in the 21‑year‑old forward dates back to last summer as they continue to evaluate wide attacking targets. Fofana, a Belgium international capable of playing across the frontline but with a preference for the left wing, could be available for around £50m as Lyon face financial pressure after missing out on Champions League qualification.

Arsenal’s calculus has shifted over recent days. Gabriel Martinelli has been sold to Al Hilal for a record £60m fee for the Brazilian, while Gabriel Jesus is in talks over a move to Barcelona for around £8.5m. Those two departures would significantly alter Arsenal’s attacking hierarchy and place greater emphasis on securing another wide player who can operate within Mikel Arteta’s positional structure.

Any move for Fofana would therefore be about maintaining balance as much as adding star power, ensuring Arsenal retain enough variety in one‑v‑one wide options while sustaining the depth Arteta has repeatedly stressed is required for a club competing in four competitions across a long season.

Tomori monitored as defensive market remains fluid

Away from the forward lines, several Premier League clubs are tracking the situation of AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori.

There is said to be a real possibility that the former Chelsea centre‑back could leave San Siro on deadline day, a scenario that would immediately influence late defensive planning for clubs in England. With top‑level central defenders in short supply and late‑window prices typically high, Tomori’s future is one of the few remaining variables that could reshape the defensive options available to sides looking to adjust their back lines before the deadline.

Manchester United prospects continue development on loan

Manchester United have again turned to the loan market to aid the development of two young midfielders.

Jayce Fitzgerald has joined Rotherham on loan, while Dan Gore has secured a move to Luton for the remainder of the season. For United, such placements are central to their pathway strategy, offering competitive minutes in senior football that would be harder to guarantee at Old Trafford.

The receiving clubs gain players schooled in a top‑level training environment, while United retain the option of integrating them later with greater experience of high‑intensity league campaigns.

Burnley test Brighton’s resolve over Igor Julio

Burnley have submitted a proposal to Brighton for the permanent transfer of defender Igor Julio.

The Brazilian was at the centre of a major deadline‑day saga last year after refusing a move to Crystal Palace, a decision that contributed to a chain of events culminating in Liverpool missing out on Marc Guehi. Igor later spent the second half of last season on loan at West Ham, adding Premier League experience that now increases his attractiveness to Burnley.

For Brighton, the proposal presents a familiar decision between maintaining depth in defence and capitalising on the market value of a player whose future has already been the subject of multiple transfer narratives. For Burnley, securing a left‑sided defender with top‑flight experience would be a significant late‑window step in consolidating their back line for the challenges ahead.

Fulham consider loan route for Kusi‑Asare

Fulham’s planning around their attacking corps includes the possibility of a loan for 19‑year‑old striker Jonah Kusi‑Asare.

Preston North End have made a bid for the Sweden youth international, who joined Fulham from Bayern Munich last summer. The Cottagers are exploring a loan move that would allow Kusi‑Asare to play regular senior football while remaining under contract in west London.

For Preston, bringing in a young forward from a Premier League club offers the chance to add dynamism in attack without the long‑term financial commitment of a permanent transfer. For Fulham, a well‑chosen loan destination is a way to accelerate the player’s development and test him in the physical demands of the English league system.

Gakpo stays as Liverpool resist late City move

Back at Anfield, Liverpool’s decision to resist Manchester City’s approach for Cody Gakpo has implications across the Premier League title race.

The Dutch winger, valued at £80m, now looks likely to remain at the club after City’s late‑window enquiry was turned away. Liverpool judged that the timing of the bid, so close to the deadline, created significant difficulty in sourcing a replacement of comparable quality.

City, who are also interested in Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye, may now turn to other attacking options. Their pursuit of Ndiaye is complicated by competition from Tottenham, who were leading the race for the Senegal international heading into the eve of deadline day. As interest has grown, doubts have emerged over whether a move to Spurs can be completed before Tuesday’s cut‑off.

In squad‑building terms, Liverpool’s stance over Gakpo closes off one of the few potential direct transfers between two clubs expected to contest the top positions again, while also reinforcing the premium placed on wide forwards who can operate across multiple attacking roles.

Arteta underlines depth as Arsenal eye late business

Mikel Arteta’s comments following Arsenal’s match against Aston Villa framed the club’s approach to the final hours of the window.

He noted that Arsenal were “trying to improve the squad” and would continue to do so “until tomorrow night,” explaining that he had been “disconnected from the world for 24 hours” to focus on the match but would now return to transfer work. Arteta reiterated that the depth of the squad “has to be really big” when competing on four fronts and playing an intensive style.

Those remarks place any potential move for Fofana, and any further late additions, within a broader strategy: Arsenal are not looking simply to add names before the deadline, but to sustain the depth required to manage the physical and tactical demands of an entire campaign across domestic league, domestic cups and European competition.

Taken together, the moves and manoeuvres across Liverpool, Arsenal, Celtic, Manchester United, Fulham, Brighton and Burnley show a transfer market still heavily shaped by the structures and scheduling of modern elite football, where marginal gains in squad depth and profile can carry significant competitive consequences once the window closes.