What can we expect on transfer deadline day? Balogun, Enzo, Álvarez updates? - ESPN

Enzo Fernández, Julián Álvarez, Folarin Balogun and Cody Gakpo — it sounds like a list of big performers at the 2026 men's World Cup, but fast-forward six weeks from that tournament, and they are the leading names that could seal headline moves on transfer deadline day.

By the time the summer window closes at 11 p.m. BST / 6 p.m. ET on Sept. 1, Premier League spending alone is likely to go past the £2.5 billion mark due to the magnitude of the deals that could still be done; a huge figure, but still short of last summer's £3.1 billion total outlay.

Manchester City's pursuit of Chelsea midfielder Fernández, who was a Premier League record transfer when he arrived at Stamford Bridge from Benfica for £106.8 million in January 2023, could see the Argentina international break the Premier League record again if Chelsea force City to exceed the £125 million figure that Liverpool paid to sign striker Alexander Isak from Newcastle 12 months ago.

City have already smashed their own transfer record this summer by completing a £116 million move for Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, but sources have said that Chelsea want a higher fee than that to land the 25-year-old Fernández, so the numbers will go only higher and higher.

If Chelsea, as expected, sanction Fernández's departure, then manager Xabi Alonso will move for Monaco's £40 million-rated Lamine Camara as his midfield replacement. But City, who signed Morocco's World Cup breakout star Ayyoub Bouaddi in an £86 million deal from Lille last week, won't restrict their business just to signing Fernández.

Talks are ongoing with Liverpool over a potential £85 million deal for Netherlands forward Cody Gakpo — a transfer unlocked by Liverpool agreeing a £123 million deal