Manchester City, apparently not content with merely dominating the Premier League, have decided to acquire more footballers, because why not. They are set to bolster their attack by buying Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye for up to £65m, and have opened talks with Chelsea over a deal to sign Enzo Fernández.

City’s hijack of Tottenham’s deal for Ndiaye came after their attempts to land Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo broke down - because when one shiny toy slips away, you simply grab another. The Senegal international is set to undergo a medical after a fee of £60m plus £5m in add-ons was agreed with Everton, who now have precious little time to find a replacement for one of their most important players before the transfer window shuts on Tuesday night. Nothing like a deadline to make everyone act like headless chickens.

It had seemed Ndiaye would move to Spurs after they agreed a deal in principle with Everton on Sunday. Richarlison was poised to move in the opposite direction, but the transfer stalled on Monday. Richarlison released an emotional statement on social media, declaring he would not allow his future to be decided for him. The Brazilian is cold on a move to Everton and is currently expected to stay at Spurs, presumably because he has feelings and things.

City registered their interest in Ndiaye last week and swooped in after Liverpool pulled out of an £85m deal for Gakpo. Spurs, left at the altar, have moved on to other attacking targets. In a surprise development, they are poised to sign Mykhailo Mudryk on loan from Chelsea.

The Ukraine winger, who is free to play again after his doping ban was resolved earlier this summer, played for Roberto De Zerbi at Shakhtar Donetsk and favours a reunion with the Spurs manager. Leeds and Brentford have also contacted Chelsea about Mudryk, because everyone wants a piece of the action.

Chelsea are set for a busy end to the window and have finally been contacted by City about Fernández. The Argentina midfielder wants to leave and has his heart set on a move to City. Fernández has a close relationship with City’s manager, Enzo Maresca, who left Chelsea earlier this year - because football is a small world and everyone knows everyone.

Chelsea set a price of £120m for Fernández earlier this summer and may push for a higher fee with the deadline drawing close. Another consideration for the Stamford Bridge club as they face up to losing one of their biggest players is the need to improve their squad. Because, you know, selling your star players might leave you a bit short.

Chelsea have sounded out Roma’s Manu Koné and Monaco’s Lamine Camara. They have been met with resistance with attempts to sign Bournemouth’s Alex Scott, while Crystal Palace want to keep Adam Wharton. Chelsea are tracking Morgan Gibbs-White but know Nottingham Forest are unlikely to sell at this stage. So, in other words, Chelsea are frantically scrambling, because what else is new?