Several high-profile squad issues from the summer transfer period remain unresolved as windows in other countries stay open. A number of players who sought moves during the summer have seen potential destinations narrow, but transfers are still possible.

Emiliano Martínez looked to have said farewell to Aston Villa supporters at the end of last season but did not complete a move and now faces an uncomfortable return. He was linked with Manchester United late in the window, but United signed Senne Lammens instead. Martínez has been connected with the Saudi Pro League and could still be a target there; Galatasaray are another reported option after failing to sign Éderson.

André Onana has not actively pursued an exit and is content at Manchester United, yet the arrival of Lammens has altered the goalkeeper pecking order. Onana has been replaced by Altay Bayındır for all three of United’s Premier League matches this season and only featured in the Carabao Cup defeat to Grimsby Town. A move to Turkey or Saudi Arabia remains a possibility if offers appear.

Tyrell Malacia was the only member of Manchester United’s so-called ‘bomb squad’ who did not secure an exit, with Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho and Antony all leaving. A late loan to Elche fell through and the left back is currently in limbo, with first-team minutes at Old Trafford unlikely.

Raheem Sterling’s loan at Arsenal diminished his standing and a permanent exit from Chelsea did not materialise despite reported interest, including from Fulham. Sterling has never played abroad and, given Chelsea’s reported weekly wage commitment, a move away will be costly for the club if they fail to shift him.

Axel Disasi arrived at Chelsea from Monaco for £39 million but fell down the pecking order under Enzo Maresca and spent the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa. Villa declined to sign him permanently and links to Bournemouth and Monaco did not progress. Chelsea continue to pay his reported wages and clubs in Turkey, Portugal or Saudi Arabia could offer a solution.

Yves Bissouma has been marginalised since Thomas Frank’s arrival at Tottenham Hotspur and was even omitted from the club’s league phase Champions League squad. Reports link him with interest from Turkey and Saudi Arabia as Spurs seek to recoup a fee before his contract runs down next summer.

Jamaal Lascelles has been pushed further down the pecking order at Newcastle United following the signing of Malick Thiaw. He has not featured this season, though he was on the bench for the goalless draw at Leeds United, and The Athletic reports Newcastle may allow him to leave this summer despite the domestic deadline.

Parma’s chief executive has confirmed the club rejected a higher offer from Newcastle United for teenage centre back Giovanni Leoni before the defender completed a high-profile move to Liverpool.

Leoni has so far been involved with Liverpool only as an unused substitute, his sole matchday selection coming in the 3–2 win over Newcastle. Parma say the sequence of events reflected both the financial appeal of Liverpool’s bid and the player’s willingness to accept the opportunity.

Federico Cherubini told local newspaper Gazzetta di Parma: “I’ve always said we wanted to keep him, and he’s always said he’d be happy to stay here. We even turned down an offer from Newcastle, which was more advantageous than the one Liverpool eventually made,”

He added: “When the Reds came forward, our plans changed: both because the offer was very attractive and because the player made it clear he was very happy to take advantage of this opportunity.”

Parma say their decision followed a period in which they had backed Leoni despite limited first-team experience. The club had promoted him after he had made just 12 appearances in Italy’s second tier.

Cherubini acknowledged mixed emotions at losing a youngster the club had backed early. “On the one hand, it’s disappointing to lose such a promising young player, but on the other, we’re proud to have believed in him in unsuspecting times, when he’d only played a few games in Serie B,” Cherubini explained.

The club framed the move as the result of a commercially attractive offer from Liverpool combined with the player’s preference to move. Parma say their earlier refusal of Newcastle’s higher proposal underlined their initial wish to retain Leoni before circumstances changed.

Chelsea opened talks over Alexander Isak early in the summer transfer window, but those approaches failed as the striker made clear his preference for Liverpool, sources reported. Isak is believed to have been looking to leave Newcastle as far back as April, and the Daily Mail claim Chelsea made contact to gauge his interest.

The Blues were active in the early weeks of the window. Liam Delap joined from Ipswich Town for £30 million on June 4, one month before João Pedrom, ironically a target for Newcastle, completed a £60 million switch from Brighton & Hove Albion. Chelsea also spoke to Isak’s representatives, who communicated that the Sweden striker was holding out for a move to Liverpool.

The Athletic claim Liverpool were first alerted to Isak’s interest in moving to Anfield in May. Complications around the sheer size of the deal meant the club proceeded with caution. It is stressed that Isak’s “mood changed” after Liverpool signed Hugo Ekitiké, himself another target for Newcastle, as the 25-year-old recognised he would need to add pressure on the Magpies.

Isak’s controversial actions ultimately saw him granted his wish as he sealed a record-breaking move to Liverpool on Deadline Day. He could make his debut for his new side as early as September 14, away at Burnley.

For Chelsea there will naturally be disappointment at missing out on a striker of Isak’s calibre. Club officials can, however, point to the additions they did secure. Pedro has five goals and two assists in his first six games for the club, while Delap also caught the eye before being struck down by injury before the international break.