Brentford are close to finalising a deal to sign West Ham United defender El Hadji Malick Diouf for a fee in the region of £40million.

Sources say Diouf has attracted interest from three Premier League clubs, but Brentford have made the strongest push to secure the Senegal international’s signature.

West Ham are set to make a significant profit on the £19m they spent on Diouf last summer.

🚨 EXCL: Emiliano Martinez offered to Chelsea by representatives & west London club considering possibility of signing 33yo goalkeeper before transfer window finishes. #AVFC open to Argentina int’l exit after Zion Suzuki made No1 + #CFC keen

Crystal Palace have rebuffed an initial approach from Liverpool for Ismaila Sarr.

Liverpool discussed a move for Sarr as their search for a right-sided winger continues and the Palace attacker was identified as a player of interest until it became clear his current club were not willing to sell.

Exploratory talks for Sarr were not followed by a bid and sources have told The Athletic that only an astronomical bid would change Palace’s stance and, with other targets still in mind, Liverpool are unlikely to budge.

🚨EXCL: Sunderland submit offer to sign Jack Grealish from Manchester City. Bid for 30yo winger loan with #MCFC covering part of salary + possibility to become permanent next summer when contract ends. #SAFC pursuing Igor Paixao in parallel

Aston Villa are exploring a deal to sign Jean-Clair Todibo from West Ham United.

The club had been progressing in talks to sign Joel Ordonez from Club Brugge on an initial loan with a €30million obligation. However, the deal is currently off, with Crystal Palace stepping up negotiations to sign the 22-year-old Ecuador defender.

This has led to Villa exploring alternatives, with Todibo viewed as a cheaper and alternative target.

Crystal Palace are closing in on a deal to sign defender Joel Ordonez from Club Brugge.

Palace’s offer for the 22-year-old, a loan with a conditional obligation to buy for a fee in the region of €30million (£25m), hijacks Premier League rivals Aston Villa’s attempts to sign the centre-back.

🚨 Aston Villa strike agreement with Chelsea to sign Nicolas Jackson. Deal for 25yo striker worth £47.5m + £17.5m add-ons for maximum package £65m. Personal terms in process of being finalised ahead of Senegal int’l moving from #CFC to #AVFC

🚨Al Hilal finalising agreement with Aston Villa to sign Ollie Watkins. Subject to #AVFC landing replacement, 30yo England striker to move for £50m + small add-ons & would travel in next days for medical before joining #AlHilal on 3yr terms

Aston Villa are in talks over a deal to sign Rafael Leao from AC Milan.

The Portugal international winger is also the subject of interest from Turkish club Galatasaray.

Villa believe Leao’s preference is for a move to Villa Park, and the club would be keen to secure the forward on a loan deal with an obligation to buy.

Despite the proposed arrival of Jackson, Villa want further attacking reinforcements after finalising the departure of Ollie Watkins to Al Hilal in a £50m transfer.

🚨 BREAKING: Liverpool reach agreement in principle on terms of deal to sign Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain. Still details to finalise between #LFC� & #PSG but moving fast after breakthrough overnight on package ~£120m, ~£100m fixed

🚨Excl: Hull City close to agreement on deal to sign Robinio Vaz from Roma. Proposed package for 19yo #ASRoma striker season-long loan (€2m fee) + €30m option to buy. #HCAFC work ongoing to finalise between clubs & with France youth int’l

🚨 BREAKING : Atletico Madrid statement: the club will not negotiate Julian Alvarez’s transfer to Barcelona. The board unanimously backs the stance, insisting Barca failed to meet the required standards. No talks, no consideration of a deal

Manchester City are interested in a move for Everton forward Iliman Ndiaye, with the Merseyside club keen on a deal that would see Jack Grealish head in the opposite direction.

🚨 AC Milan accept €45m bid from Galatasaray for Rafael Leao; 27yo attacker offered €10-12m net salary & deciding whether or not to accept #Galatasaray move. Aston Villa discussing loan + buy obligation but #ACMilan want permanent sale now

Fiorentina are advancing in talks with Manchester United over a loan move for Joshua Zirkzee.

United have been open to offers for the Dutch forward, and there is a growing chance he leaves the club before the September 1 deadline.

Southampton reach agreement in principle to re-sign James Ward-Prowse from West Ham United. Nominal fee with 31yo set to return to #SaintsFC after leaving in 2023

Chelsea have reached an agreement with Atalanta to sign defender Honest Ahanor.

The two clubs have struck a deal for a fee of £40million (€46m) with personal terms in place on a long-term contract.

The 18-year-old has been given permission to travel for a medical and complete a move to Stamford Bridge.

Ahanor came through Genoa’s academy and made six appearances for the Italian side’s first team before joining Atalanta in the summer of 2025.

🚨EXCL: Reiss Nelson agrees deal with Arsenal to terminate contract by mutual consent. Terms ran until June 2027+1 but 26yo winger leaves #AFC now as free agent. Interest from England & abroad - will assess options before deciding next step

🚨EXCL: Nottingham Forest submit offer to sign Daniel Munoz from Crystal Palace. Proposal for 30yo right wing-back worth £20m + £2m add-ons. #CPFC considering whether to accept - #NFFC boss Oliver Glasner keen to reunite with Colombia int’l

🚨 BREAKING: Chelsea reach agreement with Aston Villa to sign Emi Martinez. Permanent deal for 33yo #AVFC goalkeeper worth £7.5m & Argentina international to join #CFC on 2y contract + option to extend at Stamford Bridge by further 12 months

Jack Hinshelwood could be out for 5-6 weeks, according to a well-placed source. The good news is that means he should be back for the start of the Conference League group phase on October 15. #BHAFC