5 summer transfer deals that are still in the balance

There’s less than 48 hours left…

With less than two full days left until the transfer window closes clubs are still hurriedly finalising their business. Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham are all expected to be active before 11pm on Thursday, but will they get their deals done in time?

There are still disputes to be resolved and contract situations to iron out, but something will have to give. The Coral News team looks at five deals that are still very much in the balance.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Arsenal do not want to play ball with Liverpool over Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. The winger turned down a move to Chelsea this week with Anfield his preferred destination. The Gunners, however, do not want to sell to a Champions League rival.

It could leave the two clubs – and the player – at a stalemate. The 24-year-old does not hold the cards in this situation and it appears that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger could dig his heels in. Liverpool may be favourites for the Ox’s signature, but a deal still looks 50-50.

Danny Drinkwater

Danny Drinkwater has handed in a transfer request at Leicester City. That that doesn’t mean a switch to Chelsea is guaranteed, though. The Foxes have played tough with AS Roma over Riyad Mahrez all summer and could be prepared to do the same here.

Chelsea do not have a good record of getting deals over the line this summer. And that leaves Leicester with the upper hand. Drinkwater is contracted at the King Power until 2021. Only an enormous offer from the Premier League champions would tempt Leicester’s Thai owners into selling one of their prize assets.

Mamadou Sakho

Crystal Palace have already seen three bids rejected for their former loan star but look set to go back with a fourth. The Eagles are desperate to reinforce defensively and Liverpool ace Sakho is a player they already know.