Chelsea, Aston Villa lead deadline-day spending as Premier League transfer window enters final hours
By Joel Masibo, September 1, 2026Premier League clubs are racing to complete their final pieces of business as the summer transfer window enters its decisive hours, with Chelsea, Aston Villa and Everton among the clubs involved in major moves on Tuesday, September 1, 2026.
The transfer window in England is scheduled to close at 11 pm UK time on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, leaving clubs with only a few hours to finalise deals, medicals and paperwork.
Chelsea have been particularly active, with the club pursuing midfield reinforcements while also completing the signing of teenage defender Honest Ahanor from Atalanta on a pre-contract agreement.
The deal for Ahanor is understood to be worth £40 million (about Ksh7.01 billion). The 18-year-old is expected to move to Stamford Bridge next summer, with a potential loan spell at Crystal Palace lined up.
Chelsea are also working on a possible deal for Roma midfielder Manu Kone, although the transfer has become uncertain because Roma manager Gian Piero Gasperini is reportedly opposed to losing the France international.
According to Sky Sports, negotiations between Chelsea and Roma have advanced around £52 million (approximately Ksh9.12 billion).
Gasperini’s stance could prove decisive, with the Roma boss keen to retain the midfielder despite Chelsea’s interest.
Chelsea have also seen Monaco reject a £38.5 million (around Ksh6.75 billion) offer for Lamine Camara. The midfielder is understood to be another major target as Chelsea prepare for the possibility of losing Enzo Fernandez.
Aston Villa complete two major deals
Aston Villa have also been busy during the final hours of the window, confirming the signing of Southampton defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
The transfer is worth £30 million (about Ksh5.26 billion), consisting of a guaranteed £25 million (Ksh4.38 billion) fee and a further £5 million (Ksh876.55 million) in add-ons.
Villa have also announced the arrival of 18-year-old Paris Saint-Germain winger Ibrahim Mbaye.
The deal for the highly-rated teenager is understood to be worth £47 million (approximately Ksh8.24 billion), highlighting Villa’s willingness to invest heavily in young talent.
The two moves underline Villa’s ambitious approach as they look to strengthen their squad before the deadline.
Everton agree Maitland-Niles deal
Everton have reached an agreement with Lyon for the signing of former Arsenal player Ainsley Maitland-Niles.
The Toffees are expected to pay £4.2 million (approximately Ksh736.3 million) for the versatile 29-year-old, who is capable of operating both at full-back and in midfield.
The move could end Everton’s pursuit of Fulham defender Kenny Tete, with the latter’s transfer reportedly being held up because Fulham have yet to secure a replacement.
Everton are therefore proceeding with Maitland-Niles, while Tete’s proposed move remains uncertain.
Arsenal complete Vieira sale
Arsenal have confirmed the departure of midfielder Fabio Vieira, who has joined Hamburg in a deal worth £7.7 million (approximately Ksh1.35 billion).
Vieira joined Arsenal from Porto in 2022 in a deal that could eventually have reached £34 million.
His departure represents a significant reduction from the original investment in the Portuguese midfielder.
Alvarez situation remains uncertain
One of the biggest unresolved stories involves Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez.
The Argentina international was back in training with Atletico on Tuesday after a difficult period in which he missed several sessions.
Atletico had reportedly set Sunday as a deadline for Alvarez to decide whether he would remain at the club or consider a move to Arsenal.
Arsenal have been monitoring the situation throughout the summer, although Alvarez has reportedly been reluctant to leave Spain, with his family also preferring to remain there.
Atletico have repeatedly made it clear that Alvarez will not be joining Barcelona, leaving Arsenal as one of the principal alternatives should the striker decide to leave.
Tottenham’s Richarlison likely to stay
Richarlison is also increasingly likely to remain at Tottenham after a proposed move involving Everton failed to materialise.
The Brazil international had been part of discussions that would also have involved Iliman Ndiaye moving to Tottenham.
However, Ndiaye is now undergoing a medical with Manchester City, while Tottenham are pursuing Mykhailo Mudryk on loan as an alternative left-wing option.
Unless a late development occurs, Richarlison is expected to stay at Tottenham, although competition from Omar Marmoush and Dominic Solanke could make regular playing time difficult.
Deadline-day drama set to continue
With the English transfer window closing at 11:00 pm UK time, clubs still have only a limited period to complete their remaining business.
Chelsea’s pursuit of midfielders, Arsenal’s interest in Alvarez and a number of late moves across the Premier League could make the final hours particularly busy.
The financial scale of the deals also demonstrates the huge sums involved in the modern transfer market, with several individual moves already running into billions of Kenyan shillings.
At the current CBK indicative rate, Chelsea’s potential £52 million Kone deal is worth about Ksh9.12 billion, while Aston Villa’s £47 million acquisition of Mbaye translates to approximately KSh8.24 billion.
As the clock ticks towards the deadline, clubs will be racing against time to turn negotiations into completed transfers.