The closure of the summer transfer window has left several high-profile footballers without the expected moves. They are stuck in their current teams at least until January.
Jamie Gittens (Chelsea)
Gittens hasn’t been a full part of the outcast group at the London club. However, the former Borussia Dortmund winger remains at Stamford Bridge with little hope of significant game time.
The English talent received enticing offers, with Italian side Roma making a late deadline day approach to the Blues.
Chelsea’s hierarchy rejected the bid, likely influenced by Roma’s refusal to sell Manu Kone.
New head coach Xabi Alonso isn’t keen on pure wingers, and with his 4-2-3-1 formation, Morgan Rogers is set to take up the left flank role.
Last summer, Gittens was acquired for a hefty £48.5 million, yet he has found himself on the bench through the opening two Premier League matches, managing only 10 minutes in the League Cup against Luton. His prospects look bleak until January.
Joshua Zirkzee (Manchester United)
The Netherlands forward was expected to leave Manchester United this summer, with Michael Carrick not seeing him fitting into his tactical plans.
The club was actively seeking a buyer or a loan option. A return to Serie A seemed probable, with Juventus and Fiorentina reportedly interested. However, due to the lack of motivation from both United and the player, the Italians pursued other options in the Premier League.
Everton showed late interest, yet the deal failed to materialise.
Zirkzee remains at Old Trafford, appearing curiously comfortable on the substitutes' bench, despite the absence of regular minutes, even with a shortage of strikers in the team.
Rayan Ait-Nouri (Manchester City)
The defender garnered tentative interest from United, as Ait-Nouri’s agents offered his services to the rivals of the Citizens in the final week of the window.
Manchester City were open to loaning the Algerian with a buy option, but United turned down the deal. Consequently, he now finds himself third choice for the left-back position under Enzo Maresca.
Ismaila Sarr (Crystal Palace)
The winger was possible to leave the London club, but Liverpool failed to meet the vendor's financial demands.
Turkish club Galatasaray also chose not to pay the asking price, opting instead to sign Rafael Leao. Now, the Senegal international must find his optimal form to maintain Liverpool's interest come January.
Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)
At the start of the summer, the Englishman believed his time at Old Trafford was over. He wanted to stay at Barcelona, but the Catalans declined to pay for his transfer, instead investing heavily in a rival for Rashford’s international spot.
A move to London’s Arsenal also fell through, primarily due to the striker’s enormous salary. United’s hierarchy aimed to relieve their wage bill, but no buyers emerged, meaning both parties will have to come to terms with the situation.
