Football
Ed Dove, Special to ESPN 6y

Potential African movers to watch out for on transfer deadline day

It's been a busy if not spectacular transfer window for African players in the Premier League, with Naby Keita's switch to Liverpool - agreed in 2017 - and Riyad Mahrez's £60 million move to Manchester City the two notable exceptions.

None of Africa's genuine superstars are expected to move on the Prem's transfer deadline day, although the continent's players are certainly the subject of speculation, intrigue and...potentially...bids as we head into the final hours of the window.

Here are the potential African movers to watch out for before the transfer window closes for English clubs.

If there is to be a big-name African mover on deadline day, one suspects that Crystal Palace might be at the heart of the action.

The Eagles have been linked with two of the continent's star attackers - Everton's Yannick Bolasie and Jordan Ayew of Swansea City - but it remains to be seen if they'll get a deal for either player over the line before the window closes.

Bolasie's progress at Everton since leaving Palace in 2016 was stymied by a cruciate knee ligament injury, and the arrival of Richarlison at Goodison Park places a significant obstacle back in his path to the first team.

A return to Palace could allow the Democratic Republic of Congo forward, now 29, to rediscover some of the form he was demonstrating before his injury.

Middlesbrough, who sold Adama Traore to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday, are also understood to be considering a move for the winger, with Burnley also linked to the forward.

Palace also appear to be favourites to rescue Ayew from his situation at Swansea City, where the Ghana international has refused to turn up to training as he seeks to force a move away from the Championship side.

Fulham may yet rival Palace for the younger Ayew's signature.

In comparison to recent transfer deadline days, speculation surrounding Wilfried Zaha - a potential outgoing from Palace - has been muted.

Nonetheless, the Ivorian forward remains one of the Prem's top talents outside the top six, and any of the division's giants may consider a late move for the Ivorian if moves for their top targets don't materialise.

Tottenham Hotspur and, particularly, Chelsea are notable admirers, while Borussia Dortmund were linked with the forward earlier in the window.

Another Ivorian who may be on the move on Thursday is Toulouse wonderkid Ibrahim Sangare, the subject of a €12 million bid from Brighton & Hove Albion.

Reports suggest that West Ham United's hopes of recruiting Yacine Brahimi from FC Porto are dead after the Algeria international was unable to agree personal terms at the London Stadium.

The North African could have been one of the Prem's most outstanding dribblers - he averaged 5.1 dribbles per match in the Champions League last term - although he may yet end up in the top flight, with Wolves also mooted as suitors for the playmaker.

Hammers fans may not be too disappointed to miss out on Brahimi if they get a deal for his Porto teammate Moussa Marega over the line.

Players like Islam Slimani have struggled to translate magnificent goalscoring form in the Portuguese top flight to the Prem, but Marega's raw talent, physical attributes and 22 goals last season could represent a significant upgrade on the Irons' current attacking options.

Various Premier League clubs boast African players who currently appear to be surplus to requirements but may be targeted by other English clubs keen for a deadline-day bargain.

The aforementioned Slimani appears unlikely to break back into the reckoning at Leicester City under Claude Puel, but while he tempted Newcastle United in January, a move abroad looks more likely this time around.

Former club Sporting Lisbon, Fenerbahce and Besiktas are among the named admirers of the Algeria international.

Isaac Success has fallen off the radar since becoming Watford's record signing in 2016, but his record of one league goal in the intervening two years might not have dissuaded Championship Aston Villa from attempting to bring him in on a late deal.

Success might move to Villa as a replacement for Championship star Albert Adomah.

The Ghana international may be the club's reigning Players' Player of the Year, but he's being targeted by Boro as a potential Traore replacement, while Leeds United have also undertaken initial talks with the 30-year-old.

ESPN reported on Wednesday that Mohamed Elneny is one of several first-teamers deemed surplus to requirements by new Arsenal boss Unai Emery as he attempts to raise funds for a squad facelift.

The Egypt international surely has more to offer the Gunners than he's shown to date, but any number of Prem clubs may see opportunity in Emery's willingness to let him leave.

At Chelsea, a whole host of African talent could be available for the right price, although loan deals for the likes of Kenneth Omeruo, Ola Aina, Charly Musonda or Tammy Abraham would be more likely to take place after the August 9 deadline.

Newcastle's desire to bring in new talent on deadline day may depend on their ability to cull some of the squad's dead wood. This includes Moroccan full-back Achraf Lazaar and Henri Saivet, according to the Chronicle, with Paris Saint-Germain's Franco-Congolese left-back Stanley Nsoki on Rafael Benitez's hitlist.

Finally, transfer deadline days regularly throw up a move from left-field that few saw coming, and perhaps this year, an African star will be the subject of one of the day's big shock deals.

Kalidou Koulibaly appears to have taken himself out of the equation with a new contract at Napoli, but the same can't be said for Hakim Ziyech, whose disgruntlement at being stripped of his No. 10 shirt at Ajax could pique the interest of Liverpool or Arsenal.

Might the unexpected mover be Ivorian powerhouse Franck Kessie?

The 21-year-old only joined Atlanta from AC Milan a year ago, but according to the Birmingham Mail, ambitious Wolves have made a £36 million bid for his services.

It's the kind of rumour that will ensure there's intrigue in Africa's deadline-day Prem movers right up until the window slams shut.

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