Rodri, Barcola and Fernandez among eight deals that could reshape the Premier League before September 1

The Premier League season has begun, but the summer transfer window does not close until September 1 — and some of the most consequential deals of the summer are still unfinished. Premier League clubs have collectively spent £2.14 billion in the current window, already surpassing the £1.98 billion total for the entire 2024 summer, driven by inflated fees at the top end of the market and heavy investment from promoted sides Coventry and Ipswich, both of whom have already exceeded £100 million in outlay.

Rodri to Barcelona

Manchester City have agreed to sell 2024 Ballon d’Or winner Rodri to Barcelona for a fee that could reach £65 million. The Spain international has entered the final year of his contract at the Etihad and made clear he wanted to leave after rebuffing contract extension talks. An official announcement is expected within days.

Ayyoub Bouaddi to Manchester City

City have moved quickly to address the void left by Rodri’s departure. With Tijjani Reijnders also heading to Saudi side Al Qadsiah for £51 million, the club identified 18-year-old Morocco international Ayyoub Bouaddi as their primary midfield target. Lille value the teenager at £85 million, and talks reached an advanced stage on Monday following the conclusion of the Rodri deal.

Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City

City manager Enzo Maresca worked with Fernandez at Chelsea and is keen to reunite with the Argentina international. City missed the window to trigger a £120 million release clause in Fernandez’s Chelsea contract, but the move has not been ruled out. Fernandez was booed during Chelsea’s final pre-season friendly and was suspended for two games last season after publicly flirting with a move to Real Madrid, adding pressure to a situation Chelsea insist they want to resolve by keeping him.

Bradley Barcola to Liverpool

Perhaps the most drawn-out saga of the summer, Barcola’s potential move from Paris Saint-Germain to Liverpool remains live heading into the final fortnight. The Reds have been deliberate in their approach, holding firm on their valuation while waiting for PSG to move on their asking price. Whether Barcola ends up at Anfield for the 2025-26 season or beyond remains to be seen, but the deal has not collapsed.

The bigger picture

The overlap between the start of the season and the close of the transfer window creates a familiar but intense period for clubs, with managers fielding questions about players who may or may not be at their clubs by the time the deadline passes. For the Premier League’s top sides, the next two weeks could significantly alter the shape of their squads — and, potentially, the title race.