Thanks to the ravages of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, football leagues all across the world concluded much later than usual last season. The virus forced footballing leagues and competitions to be paused, cancelled or suspended in March 2020, with some competitions resuming action in June and July. With the conclusion of the UEFA Champions League in August, the 2019-20 season was finally brought to an end.

However, fans did not have to remain disappointed for much longer, as the new 2020-21 season started just a few weeks later. The Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, La Liga and Ligue 1 have all restarted – and meanwhile, the summer transfer window is also open until October 5.

October 5 is hence the Transfer Deadline Day of the ongoing summer window, and on that day, fans can expect to see many deadline-day deals.

It goes without saying that almost all of the major clubs are busy signing players, with some big profile transfers having already taken place in the recent weeks. Thiago Alcantara shifted base from Bayern Munich to Liverpool while Gareth Bale and Sergio Reguilon joined Tottenham Hotspur from Real Madrid. Barcelona sold Luis Suarez to La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid while Chelsea sealed the signing of Kai Havertz, Timo Werner and Eduoard Mendy among others.

So today, let us take a look at the top ten players who could shift bases in a deadline day transfer deal this year.

10. Milan Škriniar (Inter Milan to Tottenham Hotspur)

Several reports in England and Italy suggests that Tottenham are close to submitting an official bid to Inter Milan for Milan Škriniar. As per The Guardian, the clubs held talks over the player last week with the Nerazzurri making it clear that they want €60million for the defender.

The latest reports claim that the North Londoners told the Italian club that they are prepared to make an offer in the region of €30-35million. While a mutual agreement is yet to be reached, it will not be very surprising if the Slovakian joins the London-based side on a deadline day transfer.

Škriniar was on the transfer radar of Manchester United and Barcelona till recent times, but his relatively high asking price caused both clubs to cool down their initial interest in him.

9. Michaël Cuisance (Bayern Munich to Leeds United)

According to the French publication L’Equipe, Leeds United are in advanced talks with Bayern Munich to sign Michaël Cuisance for around €20million.

Tipped to be one of the world’s best in a few years, Cuisance joined the Bavarians from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2019 for a reported €12million transfer fee. He eventually became a part of their treble-winning side in the recently concluded 2019-20 season.

At the newly-promised Leeds United, the midfielder would easily walk into the starting XI and would be a valuable asset for manager Marcelo Bielsa. Bielsa himself is keen to continue impressing fans and pundits alike after helping his club win the EFL Championship last season.

8. Sergiño Dest (AFC Ajax to FC Barcelona)

Until recently, both Bayern Munich and Barcelona were keen to sign Ajax’s right-back Sergiño Dest. However, as per the latest reports from Fabrizio Romano, the Bundesliga champions have fallen behind in the race as the Catalans offered Ajax a fee of €23million for his services.

According to the Italian journalist, the 19-year-old US international has also agreed personal terms with Barcelona and will have his medicals later this week before signing on the dotted line.

Sergiño Dest is also part-Dutch and has been plying his trade with Ajax since joining them as a youth player. He had attracted interest from the likes of PSG and Juventus as well in recent times.

7. Houssem Aouar (Olympique Lyonnais to Arsenal)

The latest word around the rumour mill is that Lyon’s Houssem Aouar is all set to join Arsenal, with the player having already agreed personal terms with the North Londoners ahead of the potential move. As per Telefoot, the Gunners will begin negotiating with Lyon over a transfer fee for the player.

If all goes as per plan, the midfielder might arrive at the Emirates Stadium as a deadline day transfer.

Aouar has been playing in the French top-flight league for quite some time now, and he has enough quality to make it to the bigger leagues. Barcelona were linked with him for a while, but it would be Arsenal who will hand him his first big break, most probably.

6. Samuel Umtiti (FC Barcelona to Lyon)

Lyon have opened talks with Barcelona over the loan signing of centre-back Samuel Umtiti, as per L’Equipe.

It is no secret that the FIFA World Cup 2018 winner is not a part of the starting-XI at the Camp Nou, due to his persistent injury issues among other reasons. The fact that Ronald Koeman is looking to sign more centre-backs this summer makes it more difficult for him to impress the Dutch manager.

Hence, it will not be surprising if the Frenchman returns to his former club this season. In case you did not know, it was at Lyon that Umtiti first rose to fame, before Barca snapped him up in 2016.

5. Sergio Romero (Manchester United to Everton)

According to The Times, Manchester United goalkeeper Sergio Romero is interested in signing for Premier League outfit Everton.

There have been no discussions between the clubs but it is understood that Everton have made contact with intermediaries to discuss a potential deal. As per the English news agency, the Argentine himself is keen on the switch following Dean Henderson’s multi-year contract extension at Old Trafford.

It will not be a surprise if the Argentine and 2014 World Cup finalist is tired of playing second fiddle to David de Gea. At Everton, a potential starting XI chance awaits him, provided the deal is done.

4. Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund to Manchester United)

We have heard about this for such a long time that a section of the fans has already started likening it to the tale of the boy who cried “Wolf!”. But as per Mirror, the Red Devils will make a bid of £90million for Sancho next week. It will be split into two parts – £75million will be paid upfront, while the remaining £15million will be paid later as add-ons.

It has also been reported that Ed Woodward will tell Dortmund that there will be no more negotiating over the fee or structure of the deal. After all, maybe Sancho will come over to the Theatre of Dreams sooner than expected.

Dortmund seem keen to make him stay in a bid to challenge for the Bundesliga title, while United have also reportedly identified Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembele as an alternative choice.

3. Declan Rice (West Ham United to Chelsea)

Another one of those deals that we have been hearing for a long time is close to completion, as Declan Rice is reported to be ready to force an exit at West Ham and push for a move to Chelsea before the summer transfer window shuts.

According to Fabrizio Romano, the Englishman is clear about his priorities, with Chelsea reciprocating his interest equally. The midfielder is rumoured to be valued at over £80million and might join the Blues on a deadline day transfer.

The midfielder was previously linked to Manchester United along with his national teammate and Leicester City ace James Maddison, but neither deal took off due to the high asking price.

2. Alex Telles (FC Porto to Manchester United)

As per The Telegraph, Alex Telles has signalled his determination to move to Manchester United this summer. In the meantime, Matt Judge has been reported to be trying to drive down the asking price with Porto because the left-back only has one year left on his contract.

Earlier, the Red Devils fell out on their chance to sign Sergio Reguilon who joined Spurs after they agreed to Real Madrid’s buy-back clause, which United did not accept.

The player is an all-time favourite among EA Sports FIFA fans, due to his consistently highly rated FUT card, which is rare scenario especially in the case of full-backs.

1. Mario Gotze (free agent to Bayern Munich)

The German news agency BILD reports that Bayern Munich are considering bringing Mario Gotze back to the club.

The Bundesliga champions are looking for cheap additions to their squad, having allowed Thiago Alcantara to join Premier League reigning champions Liverpool for a reported transfer of £30million.

Meanwhile, Gotze – who wrote himself into the history books by scoring the winning goal for Germany in the FIFA World Cup 2018 – is currently without a club, having parted ways with Borussia Dortmund following the end of his contract last season.