WHAT THE PAPERS SAY
The English transfer window has closed but the future of Liverpool ace PHILIPPE COUTINHO remains in the air with the Spanish window open until 11pm BST on Friday. Barcelona have already made three big-money bids for the Brazilian and, according to The Sun, could make a final offer on Friday.
However, The Daily Mail say Barca have admitted defeat in their pursuit of Coutinho, which is why they denied ANDRE GOMES a loan move to Tottenham on Thursday.
Chelsea forward DIEGO COSTA is another who could find himself centre stage on Friday, with the want-away Spain international keen on a return to Atletico Madrid. According to The Mirror, negotiations are moving – albeit slowly – for Atletico to sign Costa and, with the Rojiblancos under a transfer ban until January, for the striker to then go out on loan.
Staying put at the Bridge: Costa.
Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho launched a last-gasp bid to sign WILLIAN from former club Chelsea late on deadline day, reports The Sun. No deal was forthcoming for the Brazilian but time will tell if something materialises in January.
Crystal Palace may have added £26million defender Mamadou Sakho to their ranks on deadline day but it remains to be seen if manager FRANK DE BOER will still be around to utilise the France international, with The Times reporting that the Dutchman fears he could be sacked this weekend.
Sakho is the man at Selhurst Park.
SOCIAL/ONLINE ROUND-UP
@SkySportsPL: Chelsea and Atletico Madrid set for more talks on Friday over the transfer of Diego Costa skysports.tv/Sq4zKX
@MARCAinEnglish: Marcos Llorente is a man in demand! @realmadriden have received 20 offers. buff.ly/2vIyID4
@GuillemBalague: Barcelona still “hopeful” of Coutinho deal. But will not go “crazy”. Liverpool will reject any offer that might arrive in the next 24 hours
PLAYERS TO WATCH
RIYAD MAHREZ
Mahrez looked certain to leave Leicester on transfer deadline day after Algeria gave the winger permission to leave their training camp to “formalise his transfer to his new club”. Nothing was settled on Thursday but Barcelona could still swoop for the Foxes forward, according to The Sun.
The 26-year-old is staying with the Foxes.
PAULO DYBALA
Juventus rejected an offer of €160m from Barcelona for their Italian playmaker, according to Il Corriere Dello Sport on Thursday. With Neymar’s money still burning a hole in their pockets, it could be that Barca will launch a further bid for Dybala on Friday.
MESUT OZIL
According to Spanish radio station Cadena Cope, Barcelona could turn their attentions to Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil if they cannot make any headway with Coutinho, with reports of a 60million euro offer for the Germany international.
Ozil is staying a Gunner.