It’s transfer deadline day, so expect to hear a lot of talk about “getting this deal over the line”.

Or maybe your club are “monitoring the situation” – another phrase used when media folk are trying to work out the mysteries of football’s transfer market.

From a Welsh perspective, the main interest revolves around Wales striker Brennan Johnson, who, along with captain Aaron Ramsey, is probably the biggest star in the squad these days following the retirement of Gareth Bale.

Johnson is wanted by Tottenham, but so far Nottingham Forest’s asking price of £50m has proved a barrier to any deal being agreed.

Forest’s Welsh manager Steve Cooper has admitted, though, that a deal could go right down to the 11pm deadline.

Cooper said: “If something is going to happen, then it’s coming to that time.

“There is no official news. So, we’ll have to carry on as normal. We’ll treat this as best as we can as a normal day.”

Spurs have already made one offer of around £40m that has been turned down by Forest.

Cardiff City are confident they can beat Swansea City to the loan signing of Nottingham Forest central defender Jonathan Panzo.

Both clubs have been keen to pick up the 22-year-old, who was reported as having held talks with Bluebirds manager Erol Bulut in Cardiff on Thursday evening.

Cardiff can only sign players on loan deals because of their ongoing transfer ban, but it is understood Panzo is keen to keep his options open with Forest, so a loan agreement holds appeal.

The defender spent a successful loan campaign with Coventry City last season, helping them reach the play-off final at Wembley, before they were beaten by Luton Town.

Swansea City head coach Michael Duff has confirmed he is still working on bringing in at least one defender and one striker before the transfer window closes.

Duff has confirmed interest in Cologne’s former Birmingham City defender Kristian Pedersen, after reports in Germany that the Dane is closing in on a move to South Wales.

The 29-year-old has long been mentioned as a possible target for the Swans, with Michael Duff keen to further strengthen his left-sided options this summer, despite the arrival of Dutchman Nathan Tjoe-A-On.

Swansea have confirmed the loan exit of Ben Blythe who has joined Barry Town for the 2023/24 season.

 

While all this activity goes on, the Welsh clubs are all preparing for matches this weekend.

Cardiff should be feeling in a confident mood as they prepare to visit Ipswich Town on Saturday.

Erol Bulut’s side have registered back-to-back victories – a 2-1 win at home to Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship last weekend, followed by a 3-1 triumph away at Birmingham City midweek in the Carabao Cup.

For Swansea head coach Michael Duff, the situation is not as rosy as he looks towards the first Welsh derby of the season at Cardiff on September 16.

Swansea have suffered back-to-back defeats – their 2-1 Championship defeat at Preston last weekend, being followed by a 3-2 loss at home to Premier League Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup.

It was not that the Swans were poor against the Cherries, but Duff admitted his squad need further strengthening, which is why he’s hoping to bring in three players on deadline day.

Newport County are the in-form team among the Welsh clubs, and sit in the current play-off positions in League Two.

They have won their past two league games and were unlucky to lose on penalties to Premier League Brentford in the Carabao Cup after a 1-1 draw.

On Saturday, Newport aim to make it three League Two wins on the bounce at Crawley.

Wrexham, meanwhile, have drawn three of their last four games in League Two and hope to improve on that record when they make the short trip to Tranmere.