Back page With two weeks until the transfer window slams shut until January, clubs are desperately trying to get their business done ahead of September’s deadline.
Others, such as Liverpool, sorted their deals earlier in the summer and that decision could bear fruit in their top four hopes this season.
There have been a number of high-profile transfers across the continent already. Manchester United acquired Bastian Schweinsteiger from Bayern Munich, Manchester City signed Raheem Sterling and Iker Casillas moved to Porto after 25 years at Real Madrid.
Here are five of the biggest deals that are yet to go through.
Pedro (from Barcelona to Manchester United)
The Spain international has been linked with a move to Old Trafford this summer and Louis van Gaal has admitted that he is a big fan of the Barcelona winger.
Pedro has struggled for game time at Camp Nou in recent years and, with Luis Suarez, Neymar and Lionel Messi up front, the 27-year-old would find it difficult to break into the first team on a regular basis this campaign.
However, it appears that Manchester United are on target to sign the winger before the transfer window closes. Pedro scored the opening goal of the 2011 Champions League final when Barcelona earned a 3-1 victory over United at Wembley Stadium.
While Red Devils fans won’t exactly have happy memories of that encounter, they will remember Pedro’s superb performance and will be excited at the prospect of seeing him feature in United’s attack.
Saido Berahino (from West Bromwich Albion to Tottenham Hotspur)
Berahino was one of the best strikers in the Premier League last season and his performances for West Brom have attracted attention from some of England’s biggest clubs.
Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham are perhaps favourites to sign Berahino this summer. Spurs are relying on Harry Kane to lead the line and the England youngster could do with some help in attack at White Hart Lane.
The 22-year-old scored 14 Premier League goals last season – an impressive haul. Although he has failed to score in either of West Brom’s opening two matches this campaign, Berahino has shown positive signs throughout these games and may be suffering slightly from the off-field speculation.
With just two weeks until the window closes, it wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see Berahino make his Tottenham debut against Sunderland on 13th September.
David de Gea (from Manchester United to Real Madrid)
The longest transfer saga of the summer continues to drag on. De Gea has been axed by Van Gaal in recent weeks and the Dutchman is adamant that United’s number one will not play another game for the club whilst the transfer window is open.
The Spaniard is one of the best goalkeepers on the planet and is likely to move to Real Madrid in the near future, although the 13-time Premier League champions are yet to receive a formal bid for the 24-year-old.
De Gea’s circumstances, body language and attitude all point towards a move back to Spain. His girlfriend lives in Madrid after struggling to settle in Manchester, he has often dreamed of playing for Real Madrid.
While his position at United isn’t untenable, supporters may see him in a different light if they know that he is planning to leave Old Trafford on a free transfer next summer.
Isco (from Real Madrid to Juventus)
After they failed to tempt Chelsea into selling Oscar, Serie A champions Juventus are interested in a move for Real Madrid star Isco. The 23-year-old is one of the best young talents in Europe and the likes of Chelsea, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain have all been linked with a move for the midfielder.
Isco played a key role under Carlo Ancelotti but his place is reportedly under threat with new manager Rafa Benitez at the helm.
Juventus are desperately looking to claim a fifth successive Italian title this season but lost the likes of Carlos Tevez, Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal earlier this summer.
These players have all left colossal voids in Juve’s side but Isco could be exactly the type of player that Massimiliano Allegri wants to bring in this summer. The transfer fee would be large but it’s definitely money that is worth paying.
Marco Verratti (from Paris Saint-Germain to Barcelona)
The Italy international has been linked with a move to Barcelona, despite the transfer ban in place at Camp Nou. The Catalans have already acquired Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal this summer but neither player is allowed to play competitive football until January.
Verratti has drawn interest from European’s elite clubs but Barca are reportedly considering a bid for the youngster and could tempt him way from the Parc des Princes.
His fluent, infectious brand of football would suit Barcelona down to the ground. The midfield maestro is capable of controlling the tempo of a football match and although nobody could ever replace the great Xavi, he is a similar type of player.
Verratti’s low centre of gravity enables him to glide past opponents with ease and, with Andres Iniesta on the wrong side of 30, Barca may contemplate bringing Verratti to the Camp Nou in the near future.
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