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Transfer Deadline Day 2026: The Final Hours — Jesus to Barcelona, City Push for Ndiaye and Enzo Fernandez Talks Intensify

After90

Confirmed deals, advanced negotiations and major moves still developing. Follow the biggest stories from the final hours of the 2026 summer transfer window.

The 2026 summer transfer window has entered its final hours, and there is still plenty happening.

Liverpool have already completed the signing of Bradley Barcola.

Barcelona have moved quickly to bring in Gabriel Jesus.

Manchester City are pushing to complete more than one major deal before the deadline.

Chelsea could lose Enzo Fernandez and are already preparing possible replacements.

Tottenham continue to reshape their squad despite spending heavily this summer.

And Everton could end up being one of the busiest clubs of deadline day.

The window is not closed yet.

That means some of the moves below are official, some are at the agreement stage, and others remain under negotiation.


Official: Gabriel Jesus Joins Barcelona

Barcelona have officially signed Gabriel Jesus from Arsenal.

Reports put the transfer fee at around:

£8.6 million — approximately €10 million.

The Brazilian has signed a contract until June 2029.

Jesus leaves Arsenal after recording:

MetricTotal
Arsenal appearances123
Goals32

The 29-year-old originally joined Arsenal from Manchester City for around £45 million in 2022.

His position in the Arsenal squad had become less secure, however, and Barcelona have now taken advantage of the opportunity.

One important point is that this move does not necessarily end Barcelona's interest in Julian Alvarez.

The two situations are understood to be separate.

That means Jesus could represent an additional attacking option rather than Barcelona's only major forward target.

After90Sports Angle

The most interesting question is not simply the low transfer fee.

It is:

Why do Barcelona need Gabriel Jesus when they already have several attacking options?

The answer may be versatility.

Jesus can operate as:

  • A centre-forward.
  • A striker who drops away from the box.
  • A wide attacker when required.
  • An aggressive pressing forward.
  • An experienced Champions League player.

Official: Newcastle Sign Matias Fernandez-Pardo

Newcastle have completed the signing of Belgian forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo from Lille.

The 21-year-old has signed a long-term contract.

British reports put the fee at around:

£51.4 million.

Fernandez-Pardo helped Lille qualify for the Champions League last season and arrives with a reputation as a quick, explosive attacker capable of playing in several positions.

Newcastle have described him as:

  • Fast.
  • Explosive.
  • Technically strong.
  • Capable of scoring and creating.
  • Dangerous in one-v-one situations.

After90Sports Angle

Rather than simply covering the announcement:

“Have Newcastle bought their own version of Jeremy Doku?”

A useful data comparison could examine:

  • Progressive carries.
  • Dribbles.
  • Top speed.
  • Penalty-area touches.
  • The zones from which he attacks defenders.

Official: Moussa Diaby Returns to Bayer Leverkusen

One of the day's most significant moves involving the Saudi Pro League has also been completed.

French winger Moussa Diaby has returned to Bayer Leverkusen following his spell with Al-Ittihad.

Leverkusen confirmed the transfer today, bringing Diaby back to the club where he established himself before subsequent moves to the Premier League and Saudi Arabia.

The initial announcement did not disclose the financial details.

Why It Matters

Diaby's departure changes an important part of Al-Ittihad's attacking profile.

He provides:

  • Speed in transition.
  • Direct threat in open space.
  • The ability to operate as a winger or second striker.

So the Saudi angle should go beyond the transfer itself.

The bigger question is:

How will Al-Ittihad replace Diaby's pace?


Manchester City Agree Ndiaye Deal — Official Announcement Still Pending

This is one of the biggest developing stories of the final hours.

Manchester City have reached an agreement with Everton for Iliman Ndiaye, according to Sky Sports.

The reported deal is:

£60 million guaranteed + £5 million in add-ons.

Potential total:

£65 million.

City moved for Ndiaye after Liverpool rejected an £80 million bid for Cody Gakpo.

That rejection appears to have accelerated City's move towards the Everton attacker.

Status

🟡 Club-to-club agreement — awaiting official confirmation.

Why Do City Need Another Winger?

Manchester City have allowed several attacking players to leave this summer, including:

  • Savinho.
  • Omar Marmoush.

The squad therefore contains fewer natural wide options.

Even in City's recent win over Crystal Palace, Phil Foden started wide despite not being a traditional winger.

That makes Ndiaye's potential arrival logical from a squad-balance perspective rather than simply another attacking purchase.


Enzo Fernandez Wants Manchester City

This may be the biggest unresolved transfer of deadline day.

Manchester City have opened direct talks with Chelsea over Enzo Fernandez.

More importantly, the player is reportedly open to — and interested in — the move.

Chelsea have previously valued Enzo at around:

£120 million.

The situation is complicated because Chelsea may only approve a sale if they can strengthen midfield before the window closes.

Status

🟠 Direct negotiations — no final agreement yet.

Why Do City Want Enzo?

This is about much more than reputation.

City are looking for a midfielder capable of:

  • Passing under pressure.
  • Progressing the ball.
  • Playing as a No.6 or No.8.
  • Controlling tempo.
  • Connecting defence with the final third.

If completed, it would immediately become one of the defining deals of deadline day.


Chelsea Prepare for Life Without Enzo — Manu Kone Leads the List

While talks over Enzo continue, Chelsea are also moving for Manu Kone of Roma.

Sky Sports report that negotiations are moving towards a deal worth approximately:

£52 million.

There is, however, an important obstacle.

Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini does not want to lose the midfielder.

Talks have reportedly also included the possibility of Jamie Gittens joining Roma on loan in the opposite direction.

Chelsea have also made a £38.5 million offer for Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara, but that bid has been rejected.

Status

🟠 Manu Kone: Advanced talks.

🔴 Lamine Camara: First offer rejected.

Kone vs Enzo

This is where the tactical difference becomes interesting.

Over the last two league seasons, Enzo has contributed:

16 goals + 11 assists.

Kone, meanwhile, has recorded:

2 goals + 5 assists.

Kone offers more:

  • Ball-winning.
  • Carrying power.
  • Physical presence.
  • Defensive midfield capability.

But losing Enzo could significantly reduce Chelsea's attacking production from midfield.


Tottenham Keep Moving — Mudryk and Tosin Undergo Medicals

Despite spending more than £300 million this summer, Tottenham remain active.

Sky Sports report that Chelsea duo:

Mykhailo Mudryk

and

Tosin Adarabioyo

have entered medical procedures ahead of possible moves to Spurs.

Mudryk would become another addition to a rebuilt attacking unit already containing:

  • Omar Marmoush.
  • Savinho.
  • Several other new attacking options.

Tosin would add another experienced option at centre-back.

Status

🟡 Medicals underway — no official announcement yet.

At this point, Tottenham's story has become larger than any individual transfer.

The club are effectively rebuilding an entire squad in a single window.


What Happened to Tottenham's Ndiaye Move?

Tottenham had been in advanced talks with Everton for Iliman Ndiaye.

The proposed deal was reportedly worth:

£60 million.

But Richarlison's hesitation over returning to Everton complicated those negotiations.

When Manchester City entered the race, Tottenham shifted towards alternative options, including Mudryk.

Everton had also discussed bringing Richarlison back for a fee potentially reaching:

£35 million.

The domino effect is clear.

One player's decision changed the direction of several other negotiations.


Everton Could Become Deadline Day's Busiest Club

Several major moves are developing around Everton.

Jack Grealish

Grealish is moving towards a medical ahead of a potential transfer from Manchester City.

The two clubs already have an active transfer relationship, while the England international has entered the final year of his City contract.

Folarin Balogun

Everton have also reached an agreement to sign the US international striker from Monaco.

The reported fee is around:

£40 million.

Balogun, 25, has recorded:

31 goals and 9 assists in 91 Monaco appearances.

Status

🟡 Grealish: Medical/final negotiations.

🟡 Balogun: Agreement reached — awaiting completion.

If both deals are completed, Everton's attack could look very different within a matter of hours.


Aston Villa Continue Their Major Rebuild

Villa have been one of the most active clubs of the summer and have completed two more notable additions.

Ibrahim Mbaye

From Paris Saint-Germain for:

£47 million.

Taylor Harwood-Bellis

From Southampton for:

£30 million.

That means Villa have added two players for a combined:

£77 million on deadline day alone.

This comes during a summer in which several established players have left, including:

  • Ollie Watkins.
  • Emiliano Martinez.
  • Youri Tielemans.
  • Other important squad members.

After90Sports Angle

Villa are no longer simply "selling and replacing."

They are conducting a major squad rotation.

That deserves a standalone analysis:

“How much production has Aston Villa lost — and how much have they spent replacing it?”


Arsenal — Jesus and Fabio Vieira Leave

Deadline day has also brought two confirmed Arsenal departures.

Gabriel Jesus → Barcelona

£8.6 million

Fabio Vieira → Hamburg

£7.7 million

Arsenal originally signed Vieira from Porto in 2022 in a deal worth up to £34 million.

From a financial perspective, both exits are interesting because Arsenal are recovering relatively modest fees compared with their original investment.

As for Julian Alvarez, there is still no major breakthrough.

The striker was involved in Atletico Madrid training today, and the Spanish club have maintained a strong stance against selling him.

Status

🟢 Jesus: Official.

🟢 Vieira: Official.

🔴 Alvarez to Arsenal: No decisive progress.


Liverpool After Barcola — Harvey Elliott Could Leave

Liverpool have already completed their blockbuster Bradley Barcola signing, but departures remain possible.

Valencia are close to signing Harvey Elliott on loan, according to the latest updates.

The move would make sense for a player who needs regular minutes following the increased competition inside Liverpool's squad.

Status

🟡 Advanced loan talks.

Meanwhile, Cody Gakpo remains a Liverpool player after the club rejected Manchester City's £80 million offer.


Manchester United — Further Business May Depend on Zirkzee

Manchester United are still exploring defensive reinforcements.

The squad's remaining needs are considered to include:

  • Centre-back.
  • Left-back.

But Sky Sports' latest updates suggest further business could depend on resolving Joshua Zirkzee's future first.

A sale could create both financial and squad space for another defensive addition.

United have already spent approximately £155 million this summer strengthening midfield with:

  • Carlos Baleba.
  • Andrey Santos.
  • Youri Tielemans.

The final hours will determine whether they close the window without the defensive addition still being discussed around the club.


Other Deals Confirmed Today

The final hours have also produced several other completed moves:

PlayerFromToDeal
Elias AnsahUnion BerlinHull City£21m
Honest AhanorAtalantaCrystal PalaceLoan
Marc GuiuChelseaRB Leipzig£14.6m
Fabio VieiraArsenalHamburg£7.7m
Kota TakaiTottenhamSint-TruidenLoan

Hull City's summer spending has now exceeded £100 million following the Ansah deal.


The Biggest Deals to Watch Before the Window Closes

Several open files could still completely change deadline day.

1. Enzo Fernandez → Manchester City

Direct talks. The player is interested.

2. Manu Kone → Chelsea

Potentially connected to Enzo's departure.

3. Iliman Ndiaye → Manchester City

Agreement worth up to £65m — official confirmation pending.

4. Mykhailo Mudryk → Tottenham

Medical process underway.

5. Tosin Adarabioyo → Tottenham

Medical process underway.

6. Jack Grealish → Everton

Moving towards a medical.

7. Folarin Balogun → Everton

Agreement reached at around £40m.

8. Harvey Elliott → Valencia

Advanced loan discussions.

9. Julian Alvarez

The situation remains active in the background, although a late move appears difficult because of Atletico Madrid's position.


Deadline Day Is Becoming a Tactical Rebuild, Not Just a Spending Race

One theme stands out across the final hours.

Major clubs are not simply asking:

Who is the biggest name available?

They are looking for specific profiles.

Manchester City want:

A winger + a midfielder.

Chelsea want:

An Enzo replacement before allowing Enzo to leave.

Tottenham want:

More pace and squad depth despite already spending heavily.

Barcelona have added:

A versatile, relatively low-cost forward.

Newcastle have bought:

An explosive one-v-one attacker.

This is an important shift.

Modern transfer strategy is increasingly about:

How does the player play?

rather than simply:

How many goals did he score?


The After90Sports Angle

Deadline day should not end with a simple list of who moved where.

Once the window closes, the more important question becomes:

Who built the best squad?

Not:

Who spent the most money?

The major clubs can be evaluated across five categories:

  1. Starting XI quality.
  2. Squad depth.
  3. Positional balance.
  4. Spending versus value.
  5. Tactical fit with the manager's system.

That creates the basis for an:

After90 Transfer Window Rating

covering:

  • Liverpool.
  • Arsenal.
  • Manchester City.
  • Manchester United.
  • Chelsea.
  • Tottenham.
  • Barcelona.
  • Real Madrid.
  • Atletico Madrid.
  • Al Hilal.
  • Al Nassr.
  • Al-Ittihad.

This would turn deadline-day reporting into a proper analytical project.


The Bottom Line

The biggest confirmed move of the latest hours:

Gabriel Jesus to Barcelona.

The biggest agreed deal awaiting official confirmation:

Iliman Ndiaye to Manchester City for up to £65 million.

And the biggest unresolved transfer:

Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea to Manchester City.

But the real story of deadline day is how interconnected these negotiations have become.

If Enzo leaves?

Chelsea need Kone.

If Ndiaye joins City?

Tottenham move towards Mudryk.

If Grealish leaves City?

Everton reshape their attack.

In the final hours of the market, the window has become one connected chain of decisions.

One transfer can trigger three more.

And that is the real story of Deadline Day 2026.