The Independent understands that Arsenal and Chelsea are in talks over a loan move for Raheem Sterling, wiht the 29-year-old’s current contract at Stamford Bridge continuing to block any progress over an agreement.

We reported earlier that Arsenal are not filling to pay a big fee for Sterling, who has three years remaining on his contract at Chelsea and is on wages of £350,000 a week. That would have to come down if he is to leave the club today.

There is a desire on Chelsea’s side to do that, as they need to get players out the door after so many signings this window - especially if a late move for Manchester United’s Jadon Sancho is considered. Time is running out, but a loan for Sterling has been floated as a solution.

Big news from Saudi Arabia: Al Ahli have agreed fees for both Napoli’s Victor Osimhen and Brentford’s Ivan Toney. The fee for Toney is in the region of £40m, and The Independent understands that the Saudi Pro League club want to sign both strikers on deadline day.

Al-Ahli earlier agreed personal terms with Osimhen, according to Sky in Italy, in a huge financial package worth around £65m in total. Osimhen was Chelsea’s top target for a striker this summer, while Toney was their back-up option. Now, both strikers could be joining the same club.

Toney has agreed personal terms and has arrived at a medical in London. The 28-year-old will be leaving Brentford and the Premier League.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has admitted it could have been a “mistake” to not sign a replacement for Julian Alvarez this summer.

The World Cup winner joined Atletico Madrid for a fee potentially rising to £81m - but the return of Ilkay Gundogan and the signing of Savinho are the club’s only incomings.

“I’m happy with the squad,” Guardiola said. “We didn’t expect Julian was leaving, although he had conversations a long time ago with other clubs and his agent, so it could happen and in the end it happened.

“We saw what we have, if we have many, many injuries it will be a problem, but in a few months Oscar Bobb will be back (from injury) and Phil (Foden) is in that position, McAtee can play in that position, Gundogan can play in that position, Bernardo...

“They are different players to Erling of course. Maybe it is a mistake, I don’t know but I don’t like leaving players without playing for a long time. When everyone is involved with a chance to play the performance of the teams is always better.

“I know the group and how serious and professional they are and their commitment in every single game. We are pretty sure it is better to wait.”

It’s a quiet day in terms of incomings at Tottenham Hotspur, but Ange Postecoglou says there could be moves before the deadline for Giovanni Lo Celso and Serge Reguilon.

“Both players are exploring options and I won’t get to involved,” Postecoglou said. “There is today and another window so fair to say they are exploring options.”

Lo Celso was signed for a club record-equalling £55m in 2019.

Chelsea are refusing to be beaten to the signing of Victor Osimhen, despite Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli reportedly agreeing terms with Napoli for the striker.

The Blues would need Osimhen to fit into their wage structure, and are hoping to agree a deal with Osimhen first before returning to Napoli with an offer.

With Ivan Toney all but agreed, Chelsea are hoping that they find themselves in a position to sign Osimhen if his proposed move to Al-Ahli falls through.

There remains doubts over whether Al-Ahli would be able to register both Toney and Osimhen, let alone whether they can afford it.

Ipswich’s move for Chelsea striker Armando Broja is back on. Manager Kieran McKenna has said talks are ongoing and the club’s are hopeful an agreement can be reached before tonight’s deadline.

Broja is not in Chelsea’s plans for the season and Ipswich want to strengthen their options in attack.

Billy Gilmour’s move to Napoli is back on, according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano. The Brighton midfielder looked set to stay at the club following the injury to new signing Matt O’Riley, but Romano reports that Napoli are now preparing a medical for Gilmour.

It’s going to be tight to beat the deadline, but both clubs seem to be working on a deal.

Chelsea are inching closer in their pursuit of Jadon Sancho, with Sky Sports’ Dharmesh Sheth now reporting that Manchester United will look to sign Carney Chukwuemeka - though that would be part of a different deal.

Chukwuemeka is one of the players Chelsea will listen to offers for before the deadline at 11pm tonight.

Chelsea are exploring options beyond Victor Osimhen to bolster their attack.

Dominic Calvert-Lewis is being considered, The Independent understands, with the Blues eager to convince Everton by including David Datro Fofana in a deal.

The Ivorian impressed on loan at Burnley last season and could give the Toffees an extra option in addition to cash to complete a deal.

There is hope for Enzo Maresca’s side though, as they hold firm in talks for Osimhen, with Gianluca Di Marzio reporting that Saudi side Al-Ahli will not increase their offer and that Napoli can take it or leave it.

Erik ten Hag has claimed criticism of Marcus Rashford was “stupid” analysis as he defended the forward for his performance in Manchester United’s defeat to Brighton.

Former England captain Alan Shearer, the Premier League’s record scorer, found fault with Rashford for being caught offside in Saturday’s loss at the American Express Stadium, while the United attacker is yet to register a shot on target this season.

Ten Hag substituted Rashford at Brighton but is adamant that did not mean he was disappointed with the 26-year-old.