Football transfer rumours: Liverpool to sign Estêvão? Christian Pulisic to Spurs?

Elite football clubs splash out millions on their scouting efforts these days, gather reams of data and spend countless meticulous hours assembling their recruitment plans, yet somehow the final days of the transfer window remain a desperate scrap, for some, to recruit players.

After an underwhelming start to the season and with a slightly threadbare frontline, Liverpool certainly find themselves in that bracket and, despite the fact Bradley Barcola is en route from PSG, the Reds want more wide forwards. Much seems to depend on Cody Gakpo’s future – with Manchester City and Tottenham in pursuit – but Andoni Iraola’s side have been linked with Chelsea’s Estêvão, as well as Yankuba Minteh and Ismaïla Sarr. What on earth Iraola’s forward options will look like in a couple of days is anyone’s guess.

It looked like Spurs were in for Iliman Ndiaye, but former Chelsea man Christian Pulisic has been touted as a possible alternative as the club’s owners look to give Roberto De Zerbi even more talented attacking players to work with. Heaven knows he needs them.

Crystal Palace are another club in dire need of a transfer boost or two and it seems Pierre Sage has identified midfield as a key area to be strengthened. The Eagles are battling Fulham for Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Hugo Larsson, but are also keen on Quinten Timber of Marseille; while 18-year-old centre-back Honest Ahanor looks set to join on loan from Atalanta. They are also trying to hold on to Dean Henderson amid interest from Nottingham Forest.

Manchester United may be feeling all warm and fuzzy after their demolition of Ipswich, but they could have a couple of players poached from under their noses, with Fenerbahce apparently preparing to swoop for Marcus Rashford and Leny Yoro the subject of admiring glances from Milan and his former manager Ruben Amorim. Joshua Zirkzee to Serie A remains a distinct possibility, but he won’t be joining Fiorentina.

In terms of incomings at Old Trafford, a left-back remains a priority and a surprise last-minute deal for Aston Villa’s Ian Maatsen could be on the cards. And if United do lose Zirkzee or Rashford, they have been alerted to the fact Atlético Madrid striker Alexander Sorloth could be available for the small price of £30m.

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