Normally the transfer window in European soccer doesn't close until the end of August. That gives clubs a few weeks to see their players perform and figure out if they have any gaps that need plugging. For most of Europe that is the same again this summer, but not in England. In the Premier League, the transfer window closes before the season begins, so this Thursday. That has left managers with a lot less time to get business done, especially since the World Cup ended less than a month ago. Even though the deadline is almost a month earlier than normal, you can still rest assured that there will be a mad rush to get those lingering deals done on deadline day.

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So what transfers are waiting in the wings for Thursday to arrive? Well, Chelsea is likely where most of the action will be taking place as the window inches closer to slamming shut. One of the main sagas of the summer in the Premier League has been the fate of Eden Hazard, Willian, and Thibaut Courtois. It's a minor miracle that at the time of typing this, all three of them remain at Stamford Bridge. While all of them could feasibly leave the club after Thursday as other European transfer windows will still be open, Chelsea needs to sign their replacements by Thursday.

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The most likely man of those three to depart Stamford Bridge is Courtois. The Belgian keeper made his intentions very clear by not returning to pre-season training this week following an extended rest after the World Cup. Courtois will be moving to Real Madrid, but who will Chelsea sign in his place? At the moment, Jack Butland appears to be the front-runner, but the Blues have been linked with countless keepers over the past month. Everyone from Kasper Schmeichel to Gianluigi Donnarumma. Which one of them actually becomes a Chelsea player is anyone's guess.

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With Hazard and Willian looking as if they'll be staying, Maurizio Sarri has likely dropped out of the race to sign Anthony Martial from Manchester United. The Frenchman has fallen out with Jose Mourinho to the point where it would be a big surprise if he remains at the club beyond this week. His most likely destination? Tottenham Hotspur. The deal that could be struck if this transfer goes down is pretty fascinating. Spurs want Martial and United wants Tottenham defender, Toby Alderweireld. The most logical thing to do would be some sort of swap deal, however, it isn't going to be as straightforward as that.

Due to the age difference between Alderweireld and Martial, a straight swap wouldn't really be fair. United is likely looking for cash plus Alderweireld for its young World Cup winner which only seems fair. Mourinho isn't relying on that deal being struck though. The Portuguese manager wants a new defender before the season begins and he has been looking elsewhere too. Leicester City's Harry Maguire is also on his radar, but other target, Yerry Mina has been snapped up by Everton.

RELATED: MANCHESTER UNITED CONTINUE TO CHASE HARRY MAGUIRE

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Spurs, on the other hand, are likely eager to get the deal done but simply don't want to be ripped off. As it stands, Tottenham is the only team in the Premier League not to have signed a new player during this transfer window. For a team that is trying to find those last few pieces that will get them a Premier League title, that's not good. What's for certain is that Martial would be a great addition to the side and would most certainly be getting more game time than he will at United this season. Plus, Spurs have a ready-made replacement in Davison Sanchez who they will hope can fill the shoes of Alderweireld should he leave for Old Trafford. Plus, Tottenham could also swoop for Aston Villa's Jack Grealish on deadline day. It did look as if he was waving goodbye to Villa fans when he came off during his side's 3-1 win over Hull City on Monday.

If all of the above isn't enough action for you for one deadline day, then let's not forget that there are always a few surprises that no one saw coming. Robinho signing for Manchester City or Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano showing up at West Ham, those are the types of signings that really make transfer deadline day exciting. One thing is for certain, even though it is closing so much earlier this season, the last day of the English transfer window will be just as action-packed as ever.

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