Transfer deadline day: Top 5 deals to look out for

 

The transfer window closes in England at 23:00 BST on Wednesday and already the rush has started to get the last-minute deals in place - with clubs and players attempting to secure their immediate future.

Manchester United's £89m deal to bring France midfielder Paul Pogba back to Old Trafford from Juventus set a new transfer record and millions more will be spent around the Premier League before the close of business.

So which players are worth keeping an eye on as the seconds tick down to the end of this summer's transfer dealings?

1. Jack Wilshere (Arsenal) 

 

Wilshere's exclusion from England's squad to face Slovakia has focused his mind - and after only 141 minutes of action last season, a poor Euro 2016, and just 37 minutes as a substitute this season it is time for a fresh start.

There is no way Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will let the 24-year-old midfielder leave permanently as he remains potentially one of England's finest talents, but he simply has to have games and there is no sign of him getting them for the Gunners at present.

There will be no shortage of phone calls on this one - but be sure both Wilshere and Arsenal will be choosing his next club carefully. A move abroad is possible.

Potential destinations: Valencia, Roma, Juventus, West Ham United, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, Southampton, Middlesbrough.

2. Moussa Sissoko (Newcastle United)

The 27-year-old had an outstanding Euro 2016 as hosts France reached the final, only to lose to Portugal - and he has spent the weeks since making it clear he wants bigger and better things than a stay in the Championship with Newcastle United.

As yet, no firm offers have materialised with potential buyers put off by Newcastle's £35m price tag for the powerful box-to-box midfielder.

This may be a case of "buyer beware" with potential suitors unsure about whether they are getting the player who starred for his country in the summer or the one who was abysmal as his club were relegated from the Premier League last season.

Sissoko, however, is a real talent and expect more interest before deadline.

Potential destinations: Juventus, Inter Milan, Everton, Spurs, Crystal Palace, West Bromwich Albion.

3. Saido Berahino (West Bromwich Albion) 

 

It's that time of the year again - will Berahino stay or go?

The 23-year-old appears to have been standing by the exit door at West Brom for 12 months after his infamous tweet saying he would never play for Baggies' chairman Jeremy Peace again after a move to Tottenham failed to materialise.

Once again there was talk he was making his farewell appearance when he came on as a substitute against Middlesbrough on Sunday - but tweets from a holiday and another saying he is looking forward to playing with new West Brom signing Nacer Chadli suggest he is staying put again.

Potential destinations: Stoke City, Crystal Palace.

4. Lamine Kone (Sunderland) 

 

 

Sunderland manager David Moyes personally vetoed an £18m bid from Everton for the powerful central defender, who has been outstanding since his £6m move from Lorient in January, despite the Ivory Coast international being keen on the move.

The Toffees remain interested and will try their luck again - and will perhaps hope Moyes relents as deadline approaches.

And, as they struggle to sign a central defender, might Chelsea even be tempted?

Potential destinations: Everton, Chelsea.

5. James McCarthy (Everton) 

 

 

Everton manager Ronald Koeman insists the 25-year-old Republic of Ireland midfielder is not for sale but rumours persist that he will leave Goodison Park if they get an offer of around £20m - or can perhaps be used in another deal, for Moussa Sissoko perhaps.

McCarthy's stock has fallen after a fine first season at Everton as his place as Gareth Barry's midfield partner has been taken by summer signing from Aston Villa Idrissa Gueye, who has made an outstanding start.

He will not want to spend time on the sidelines - and he appears expendable if Everton need leverage in the market.

Potential destinations: Crystal Palace, Sunderland, Newcastle United, Leicester City.