Just a few days to go until the start of the new Premier League season and club’s are looking to finalise any deals for new signings ahead of their campaigns beginning.
Liverpool are still pursuing Alexander Isak having sold Darwin Nunez to Al Hilal for £46.3m, which should open up funds for a bid but Newcastle have, so far, been resolute in their desire to keep the Swedish striker. The Magpies do not wish to sell, but the Reds may be encouraged by Isak’s insistence that his Newcastle career is over, with it reported that he will not wish to reintegrate with the side, even if he stays beyond the deadline. Should he force Newcastle’s hand over a sale, Liverpool will be the key beneficiaries.
Manchester United, meanhwhile, have been handed a huge boost in their pursuit of Gianluigi Donnarumma, with the Italian shot-stopper now looking certain to leave PSG off the back of a stellar 2024/25 campaign. He was entirely left out of their squad to face Tottenham in the Super Cup, with Luis Enrique opting for new signing Lucas Chevalier between the sticks. It comes after United unveiled their new signing Benjamin Sesko to supporters at Old Trafford on Saturday, completing their front line overhaul this summer with Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha set to feature in a new-look front three for Ruben Amorim.
Spurs are also preparing to bolster their own forward line further by signing Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze. Palace want a fee in excess of £60m and an official offer could soon go in though Palace’s Community Shield win over Liverpool may now make a deal harder to negotiate. Thomas Frank’s side are in need of a creator following the long-term injury to James Maddison and are also in talks for Manchester City’s Savinho.
All the latest updates, rumours and done deals will be covered in the blog below:
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Transfer news live
- Liverpool are still chasing Alexander Isak but Newcastle are intent to keep striker
- Manchester United target PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma
- Eberechi Eze is a top target for Arsenal but face competition from Spurs
- Tottenham make shock move for Manchester City’s Savinho
- Chelsea have emerged as suitors for Alejandro Garancho
Ex-Man United starlet Brandon Williams set to join new club
12:06
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Will Castle
Ex-Man United starlet Brandon Williams is set to join Hull City after 14 months away from football.
Williams will sign a two-year contract at the MKM Stadium with the option of a third.
Jack Grealish's new shirt number revealed
11:53
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Will Castle
According to multiple reports, Jack Grealish will wear the number 18 at Everton.
The Man City winger is on the verge of completing a loan move to the Toffees.
Newcastle looking at Rasmus Hojlund and Jacob Ramsey
11:40
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Will Castle
With Newcastle looking to turn around their disastrous transfer window, targets are being made across all positions.
According to The Athletic, they are one of the clubs taking a look at a potential deal for Man United striker Rasmus Hojlund.
This is on top of making Aston Villa midfielder Jacob Ramsey a priority target.
Brentford and Newcastle battling over Kalimuendo
11:27
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Will Castle
Brentford and Newcastle are in talks to sign Stade Rennais' striker Arnaud Kalimuendo, according to L’Equipe.
Brentford are more advanced in negotiations, which could lead Newcastle to look elsewhere.
West Ham eyeing swoop for Mateus Fernandes
11:15
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Will Castle
West Ham want to sign Southampton star Mateus Fernandes, according to The Guardian.
The Saints value him at £30m.
Alexander Isak moves out of Newcastle home to force Liverpool transfer
11:12
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Will Castle
Alexander Isak has moved out of his Newcastle home in a bid to force a transfer to Liverpool, according to The Times.
His home in the North East was put on the rental market the day after he was omitted from Newcastle United’s players and families day.
The 25-year-old was the only member of Newcastle’s first-team squad not allowed at the bonding day held at the club’s training ground last week.
The striker’s desire to leave is so strong that he has moved out of the property in Ponteland, with the owner now seeking new tenants.
Federico Chiesa to stay at Liverpool?
11:02
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Will Castle
Federico Chiesa is now set to remain at Liverpool next season, according to latest reports in Italy.
La Gazetta dello Sport say Chiesa has had a direct conversation with Arne Slot, and his agent, Fali Ramadani, has spoken to Liverpool’s hierarchy.
The response from both was unequivocal: Chiesa will stay because of the sales of Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz, with Liverpool needing the attacking depth.
Jose Mourinho wants Oleksandr Zinchenko
10:50
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Will Castle
Fenerbahce are chasing Arsenal defender Oleksandr Zinchenko.
That’s according to reports in Turkey, who say Jose Mourinho has sanctioned a bid for the Ukrainian after Arsenal dropped their asking price.
Zinchenko could cost around £13m.
FPL tips 2025/26: 30 players you should consider signing including Palmer, Wirtz and Gyokeres
10:37
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Will Castle
The new season of the English top flight is fast approaching, and with that will come the long-awaited return of Fantasy Premier League.
As pre-season gives us a glimpse of potential top performers, many players will have already picked their squads for the opening gameweek of the 2025/26 campaign, though even at this stage, new signings and potential injuries might change things.
The usual suspects - your Erling Haalands and Mo Salahs of the world - will be among the most popular picks, with history dictating their unwavering ability to rack up points.
However, there are plenty of other players across the Premier League who might offer genuine value this season, from breakout stars to marquee new arrivals, with the potential of setting your team apart from the rest in your mini-league.
Here are 30 players we think might be solid additions to your FPL side:
Premier League 2025/26 predictions: Champions, top four, relegation, best signing, top scorer and more
10:24
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Will Castle
The Premier League is back and just 33 days after Chelsea appeared to bring the curtain down on the 2024/25 season with their thumping win in the Club World Cup final, champions Liverpool kick off their title defence against Bournemouth at Anfield.
The transfer window continues to rumble on with plenty of deals yet to materialise, which could shift the trajectory of many teams, notably Arne Slot’s side and Newcastle, with Alexander Isak’s future still in doubt.
Arsenal appear closer than ever after near misses in recent years, with Viktor Gyokeres brought in to spearhead Mikel Arteta’s title charge, while Pep Guardiola has rebuilt Man City quickly and Chelsea will hope to ride the momentum of their victory over PSG last month.
Manchester United’s lavish outlay has enabled them to revamp swiftly, Tottenham begin a new era under Thomas Frank, while newcomers Burnley, Leeds and Sunderland hope to avoid a quick return to the ever chaotic Championship.
Here, the Independent’s sports staff preview the new campaign and make their picks for the 2025/26 Premier League season:
Carlos Baleba keen on Man United switch
10:10
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Will Castle
Carlos Baleba is keen on a possible Manchester United move, and personal terms would not be a problem, according to The Athletic.
A number of United players have been in contact with Baleba about a transfer, explaining the current landscape and ambitions.
Baleba is also reportedly among one of the lowest earners in the Premier League, meaning Brighton would have to give him a mammoth pay rise to keep him at the Amex.
Mark Chapman to host first Match of the Day without Gary Lineker
09:57
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Will Castle
Mark Chapman will present the BBC's first Match of the Day Saturday highlights programme this weekend.
Chapman is part of a three-person presenting line-up alongside Kelly Cates and Gabby Logan, who will work on rotation this season following the departure of former lead presenter Gary Lineker.
Chapman will be the first of the trio to host the flagship Saturday night show.
The delicate balancing act Arne Slot must master to maintain Liverpool’s success
09:44
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Richard Jolly
Spending can bring its own problems. Some footballers can be weighed down by their price tags, though there were precious few signs of that when the £100m signing Florian Wirtz found the £69m buy Hugo Ekitike to score four minutes into their Liverpool bows. But some teams can be unbalanced by expenditure.
Arne Slot assessed a first meaningful match after Liverpool gave their defence a £75m makeover and concluded: “We need to be better defensively.” It wasn’t an attempt to make the Community Shield an indictment of Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez, his deluxe pair of new full-backs. Rather, it was a broader view.
It may be a temporary glitch, and Slot is determined to ensure it is, but he nevertheless considered the evidence of pre-season friendlies as well. It was not merely the two goals Crystal Palace scored at Wembley, their 14 shots, their xG of 2.12 or some fine saves by Alisson.
Man Utd new boy Benjamin Sesko hoping to emulate his idol Zlatan Ibrahimovic
09:32
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Will Castle
Manchester United’s latest signing Benjamin Sesko is hoping to emulate his idol Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the club’s famous shirt.
Sesko said: “Since I’ve been small I’ve been watching him. Every single YouTube video that I can find because he’s amazing for me.
“We don’t have the same character, but I like to see the way he plays, the way he enjoys football, how everything works.
“It has been my dream to one day meet him, that would be great, so in general, he’s my idol.
“We have a different playing style, but if there is any situation, I try to do the same as he did.”
Robert Lewandowski reveals how close he was to joining Man United
09:20
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Will Castle
Robert Lewandowski has revealed how close he was to joining Manchester United while at Borussia Dortmund.
"To Manchester United I decided and said yes," he told BBC Sport. "I wanted to join Manchester United, to see Alex Ferguson.
"They could not sell me because they knew if I stayed they could earn more money, and that I could wait maybe one or two more years.
"But it is true that I said yes to Manchester United."
DONE DEAL! PSG sign Bournemouth's Illia Zabaryi
09:09
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Will Castle
PSG have completed the signing of Illia Zabarnyi from Bournemouth.
The highly-rated defender moves for £57m and brings Bournemouth’s defensive sales this season to £147m.
Le Paris Saint-Germain est ravi d’accueillir Illia Zabarnyi. ✍️
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_inside) August 12, 2025
Le défenseur central de 22 ans, qui portera le numéro 6, devient ainsi le premier joueur ukrainien de l’histoire du club.
Manchester United fan group postpones protest against Sir Jim Ratcliffe
09:07
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Will Castle
A Manchester United supporters’ group has postponed a demonstration against the club’s ownership planned for the day of their opening game of the Premier League season.
The 1958 had organised a protest march to Old Trafford on August 17, ahead of United’s clash with Arsenal, with banners referring to minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
The 1958 has overseen numerous demonstrations in recent years, principally aimed at unpopular majority shareholders the Glazers, but frustration has now spread to Ratcliffe.
Chelsea progressing with Alejandro Garnacho deal
08:55
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Will Castle
Chelsea have stepped up talks to strike a deal for Alejandro Garnacho.
Fabrizio Romano says club-to-club discussions with Man United are now well underway, with Garnacho only wanting Chelsea.
Personal terms are agreed and the two clubs are in negotiation over fee. Garnacho is expected to become a Chelsea player this summer.
Man City eyeing up Rodrygo
08:42
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Will Castle
Manchester City are considering a move sensational move for Real Madrid forward Rodrygo, according to Fabrizio Romano.
He is valued at around £87m and has also attracted reported interest from the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool this summer.
Nottingham Forest closing in on James McAtee
08:30
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Will Castle
Nottingham Forest are close to agreeing a deal for James McAtee, according to The Athletic.
A verbal agreement could be reached in the next 24 hours.
Alexander Isak ready to force Liverpool move?
08:18
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Will Castle
Alexander Isak is adamant he will not play for Newcastle again, according to The Athletic.
This is regardless of whether he stays or leaves in this transfer window, viewing his Magpies career as over with no wish to reintegrate.
He wants a move to Liverpool but the club insist he is not for sale.
Benjamin Sesko shirt number revealed
08:10
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Will Castle
Benjamin Sesko will wear the number 30 at Old Trafford, according to Fabrizio Romano.
3️⃣0️⃣ Benjamin Šeško will wear shirt number 30 at Manchester United. pic.twitter.com/EmTdlbE6QX
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 11, 2025
Gianluigi Donnarumma to the Premier League?
08:01
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Will Castle
Gianluigi Donnarumma will “100 per cent” leave PSG this summer after being left out of their Super Cup squad to face Spurs, as per Fabrizio Romano.
Man United are reportedly considering the Italian who would cost just £26m, with a year left on his contract in Paris.
Chelsea, meanwhile, are not in talks to sign Donnarumma and don’t intend to make him a target, with the Blues said to be happy with their goalkeeper selection.
Crystal Palace ramp up interest for Bilal El Khannouss
07:47
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Miguel Delaney
Crystal Palace have intensified their pursuit of Leicester’s Bilal El Khannouss, The Independent understands.
Spurs and Newcastle are also interested in the Moroccan midfielder, who has three years left on his deal at the King Power.
Tottenham back in talks for Eberechi Eze
07:46
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Will Castle
Tottenham have reignited their pursuit of Eberechi Eze, according to Fabrizio Romano.
With the club in need of a creator following James Maddison’s injury, they have re-entered talks for the Crystal Palace star, rivalling Arsenal for his signature.
Spurs are also pursuing a separate deal for Man City’s Savinho.
Where it went wrong for Jack Grealish at Man City – and how Everton can fix him
07:37
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Richard Jolly
They had achieved great success together before their paths diverged. The strategist might have envied the charisma of his ally but despite their different characters, men with a shared affection for Manchester City seemed in harmony with each other in the good times.
Then, suddenly, they were together again. Still, enough about Noel and Liam Gallagher. Pep Guardiola and Jack Grealish bumped into each other at Oasis’s homecoming gig at Heaton Park.
This, however, was a briefer reunion. They, it transpired, neither need each other nor believe in one another, not anymore. The Gallaghers may bring in a nine-figure sum for their second coming.
The damage Newcastle’s disastrous summer could do to their wider project
07:30
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Will Castle
It was as early as the first days of June that Eddie Howe and his staff feared this summer was going to be “a big problem” for Newcastle United.
The reason then was not yet failed purchases, the departure of sporting director Paul Mitchell or even Alexander Isak. Or at least just Isak. Newcastle already knew about the Swede’s ambitions to leave for months. Now, the same fears were growing about Tino Livramento and Anthony Gordon, with the added concern that any unrest could lead to more agitation in the dressing room. The mood was so foreboding that Howe’s staff even asked others in football about potential solutions.
It was a huge shift from the satisfaction felt mere weeks before, and the end of a season that was the club’s best in decades. The Carabao Cup closed that long wait for a trophy, bringing a sense of release around the club. The final-day qualification for a second Champions League campaign in three seasons then seemed to take that further; to embolden everyone, and afford the club the financial assurance to really press on. There was no longer a PSR need to sell stars like Isak.
Miguel Delaney previews Newcastle’s season:
Richard Kone set for QPR move after fee agreed with Wycombe
07:23
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Miguel Delaney
Richard Kone has agreed to join Queens Park Rangers from Wycombe Wanderers in a deal worth at least £2.75m.
The two clubs are currently finalising add-ons, but the principles of an agreement have been struck in a coup for QPR to land the talented forward.
The 22-year-old also had interest from Leicester City, Preston North End and Toulouse, but has instead opted to join QPR, who have successfully sold their ambitious project amid a summer of hugely productive business at Loftus Road.
How Crystal Palace’s failed fight to stay in the Europa League unfolded
06:00
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Will Castle
Crystal Palace have officially been demoted from the Europa League.
The Eagles thought they had secured their place in the continent’s second-tier tournament after defying all the odds to win the FA Cup - their first-ever major trophy - which resulted in them qualifying for the Europa League.
However, Uefa ordered the Eagles to play the Conference League, Europe’s third-tier competition, after breaching the tournament’s multi-club ownership rules, which do not allow teams under the same owner to compete in the same competition.
Crystal Palace to play in Conference League as appeal against Uefa demotion fails
04:00
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Will Castle
Crystal Palace will play in the Conference League next season after their appeal against Uefa’s decision to demote them from the Europa League failed, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) has confirmed.
Palace had qualified for the Europa League through their stunning FA Cup victory over Man City, a historic first major trophy in the club’s history and one they followed up on with yesterday by winning the Community Shield.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk criticises Crystal Palace fans who disturbed Wembley tribute to Diogo Jota
02:00
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Richard Jolly
Virgil van Dijk criticised the small number of Crystal Palace fans who disturbed a silence in tribute to Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva before the Community Shield at Wembley.
The brothers died on 3 July in a car accident in Zamora, Spain, after a suspected tyre blowout. The tragedy occurred only 11 days after Jota, a 28-year-old father of three, had married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso.
Tottenham have hope under Thomas Frank and the priority is now clear
Tuesday 12 August 2025 00:00
,
Mike Jones
