A fresh twist in the future of Alexander Isak as he attempts to force a move to Liverpool, with Newcastle opening talks to sign Paris Saint-Germain striker Randal Kolo Muani which could open the door to the Swede’s exit.
Liverpool have agreed to sell Darwin Nunez to Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal for £46.3m which should open up funds to purchase Isak if they are willing to match Newcastle’s £150m valuation. They have already seen a £110m bid rejected and will hope the sale of Nunez, who will undergo a medical ahead of his move to the Saudi Pro League, takes them a step closer to signing Isak.
Arsenal are preparing to bolster their forward line further by signing Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze. Palace want a fee in excess of £60m and the Gunners are on the verge of submitting an official offer having also rejected a swap deal which have seen them sign Real Madrid’s Rodrygo and send William Saliba the other way.
Elsewhere, Manchester United are on the verge of signing Benjamin Sesko who will undergo a medical after the club beat off competition from Newcastle for the Slovenian striker. Ruben Dias is close to agreeing a new contract with Manchester City while Nicolas Jackson is set to leave Chelsea this summer.
All the latest updates, rumours and done deals will be covered in the blog below:
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Transfer news live
- Manchester United announce signing of striker Benjamin Sesko
- Liverpool handed boost for Alexander Isak move having agreed sale of Darwin Nunez
- Newcastle open Randal Kolo Muani talks amid Isak speculation
- Arsenal set to make bid for Palace star Eberechi Eze after Rodrygo swap deal rejected
- Join Miguel Delaney's Inside Football newsletter and go beyond the game with exclusive insights
Leicester agree fee for Ndidi transfer
13:30
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Mike Jones
Leicester City have agreed a fee worth around £8.5m with Besiktas for Wilfred Ndidi, according to Sky Sports.
Ndidi has attracted interest from a number of clubs in the Premier League and Europe after his buy-out clause reduced following Leicester's relegation, but plans are now in place for Ndidi to fly to Istanbul to undergo a medical.
Arsenal duo set for exit door?
13:10
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Mike Jones
Jakub Kiwior and Fabio Vieira could be set to leave Arsenal this summer, with reports linking them both to moves away from the Emirates.
Kiwior is pushing to play more with Porto thought to be interested, though Arsenal rejected an offer from an unnamed club last month according to Fabrizio Romano.
And Vieira - who spent last season on loan at Porto – has been the subject of an approach from German side Stuttgart, who want to sign him on a permanent deal, according to David Ornstein.
It is though that both players could command fees in the region of £26m.
Liverpool have contingency plan if they can't sign Isak
12:50
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Mike Jones
Liverpool haven’t yet gone all in on signing Alexander Isak though it seems he is their priority.
The Reds want to bring in another new striker during this window and have drawn up a shortlist of options after selling Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich and accepting an offer for Darwin Nunez.
Real Madrid’s Rodrygo has been linked with them and now reports say that Bradley Barcola has been added to the list.
Barcola is a key member of PSG’s team and the French champions will not let him leave easily with the sum of £87.3m (€100m) being touted as the possible fee.
The list is longer and Liverpool will switch targets if they feel a deal for Isak is impossible.
Premier League clubs interested in Sterling
12:31
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Mike Jones
Raheem Sterling is believed to have caught the interest of Fulham, Crystal Palace and West Ham, according to the Daily Mail.
The former England international is virtually guaranteed to make the move away from Chelsea this summer.
Liverpool and England U21 midfielder Tyler Morton joins Lyon
12:10
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Mike Jones
Liverpool have sold midfielder Tyler Morton to Lyon for £15m, meaning they have brought in almost £150m in transfers this summer.
The England Under-21 international, who made 14 first-team appearances for Liverpool, joined the Ligue Un club after passing a medical.
Liverpool also have a 20 percent sell-on clause for Morton if the 22-year-old, who helped England win the European Under-21 Championships in June, continues to improve.
Newcastle to compete for Guehi?
11:50
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Mike Jones
Newcastle United are considering returning to a move for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, according to the Times.
Guehi has been a target for Liverpool this summer but was the subject of a large bid from Newcastle last summer, and recent reports suggest that the Reds may not return with another bid, instead targeting young talent from around Europe.
This year, it is thought that the Magpies value Guehi at £40m, though Palace’s valuation is more like £50m.
Man Utd reject offers for Harry Maguire
11:30
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Mike Jones
Man Utd have rejected five offers from clubs in the Premier League and Serie A for defender Harry Maguire, reports the Daily Mail.
The club have reportedly told potential suitors that Maguire could be offered a new deal to see out his career at Old Trafford, though clubs in Europe and the UK are ready to swoop in if that doesn't happen.
Dortmund targeting up to four Chelsea stars
11:10
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Mike Jones
Borussia Dortmund are targeting four pf Chelsea’s wantaway players, according to reports in France.
The German club are close to agreeing a move for midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka – who spent the second half of last season on loan at the Signal Iduna Park – in a deal that would be worth around £22m.
And they are also said to be interested in Tyrique George, Axel Disasi and Renato Veiga, with talks ongoing between the two clubs.
How Man Utd could line up after Sesko signing
10:50
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Mike Jones
Manchester United are on the brink of signing Benjamin Sesko and will head into the new season with a whole new forward line.
Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo have also been brought in from Wolves and Brentford respectively and bring a heap of Premier League experience with them.
Ruben Amorim is pleased with how his team have been performing in pre-season but may want a few more additions before the window is done.
Here’s how United could line up for their first match against Arsenal on August 17:
Man Utd possible XI: Onana; Mazraoui, Maguire, Martinez; Amad, Fernandes, Ugarte, Dorgu; Mbeumo, Cunha, Sesko
Manchester United announce signing of striker Benjamin Sesko
10:38
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Mike Jones
Manchester United have taken their summer spending past £200m by bringing in Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig for a fee rising to £73.3m.
The Slovenian has signed a five-year deal at Old Trafford and United believe he has world-class potential and is one of the best young talents in the global game.
Sesko cost an initial £66.5m and United have a favourable payment structure, but his arrival means they may need to start selling unwanted players such as Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho and Antony.
Benjamin Sesko snubs Newcastle with fee agreed for Man United move
10:30
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Mike Jones
Manchester United have agreed a £66.5m fee with RB Leipzig for Benjamin Sesko.
The Slovenian striker, who could cost up to £73.7m if add-ons are triggered, is set to become Ruben Amorim’s third major signing this summer and to take his spending in the transfer window to over £200m.
But, with Sesko preferring to join Manchester United after Newcastle United also made a bid for him, it represents another blow for Eddie Howe in the Magpies’ troubled summer.
Newcastle to move on to new targets?
10:10
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Mike Jones
Newcastle will have to quickly move on to new striker targets after Benjamin Sesko elected to join Man Utd instead of them.
The Magpies have reportedly earmarked both Ollie Watkins and Nicolas Jackson as targets, though Chelsea are valuing their man at around £80m according to reports.
Watkins would be available for closer to £60m, while other names linked to Eddie Howe’s side include Yoane Wissa, who was the subject of a £30m bid earlier in the window.
Will Liverpool bid again for Alexander Isak?
09:50
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Mike Jones
Liverpool’s first bid for Newcastle striker Alexander Isak was for £110m and landed on Friday with the North East side rejecting it promptly.
The swiftness of their rejection led to The Independent’s Richard Jolly reporting that the Reds had decided against making a second bid with Newcastle’s £150m valuation for Isak deemed too high.
However, Fabrizio Romano believes Liverpool have changed their mind again and are preparing to make a second bid for Isak depending on what Newcastle do in the market.
Newcastle are exploring moves for Benjamin Sesko and Goncalo Ramos while Al-Hilal hold an interest in Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez which could be a boon to help fund a move for Isak.
Leipzig looking at Elliott
09:30
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Mike Jones
RB Leipzig are exploring a deal for Liverpool forward Harvey Elliott, reports the Athletic.
Elliott is seen as a potential replacement for Chelsea-bound Xavi Simons, with talks between the two clubs at an early stage.
The Reds value Elliott at around £50m, and have no real need or great desire to sell the England U21 international at present.
Man Utd expecting Garnacho offers
09:10
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Mike Jones
Manchester United are expecting formal offers for Alejandro Garnacho later in the window, reports Sky.
Garnacho is a known target for Chelsea, who reportedly value him at around £30m.
Ruben Amorim said over the weekend that "it's clear Garnacho wants a different thing with a different leadership”, and it is likely that the Blues attempt to sign both Garnacho and Xavi Simons before the end of the window.
Arsenal reject Rodrygo swap deal?
08:50
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Mike Jones
Tin foil hat, pinch of salt, open mind time.
Arsenal are rumoured to have rejected an approach from Real Madrid to swap defender William Saliba for out-of-favour Rodrygo.
The Madrid forward is on the market this summer with plenty of clubs, Arsenal and Liverpool included, being linked to signing him.
A report from Spanish outlet Defensa Central, as relayed by FourFourTwo, claims that Real have put forward a scenario in which Rodrygo signs for Arsenal and Saliba travels the other way.
It is plausible, but more so is Arsenal’s refusal to go along with it as Saliba is a crucial part of their defensive line alongside Gabriel.
The Gunners have also strengthened their forward line this summer and are less in need of Rodrygo’s services.
Chalk this one down to highly unlikely to happen.
Newcastle target Kolo Muani
08:31
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Mike Jones
Sky in Germany’s Florian Plettenberg says that Newcastle have added Randal Kolo Muani to their shortlist of trikers after their move for Benjamin Sesko fell through.
Kolo Muani is contracted to PSG until 2028 but the 26-year-old is highly rated and could be the perfect replacement should Alexander Isak leave.
Work will need to be done before this transfer even gets moving with Newcastle needing to consider a formal approach and the cost of the fee.
Want even more behind-the-scenes football gossip?
08:28
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Mike Jones
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Arsenal set to bid for Eze?
08:25
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Mike Jones
Arsenal could make their first formal bid for Ebere Eze later this month as they wait for the proposed transfer of Fabio Vieira to Stuttgart.
The Gunners have targeted Eze all summer but rumours persist that Crystal Palace will insist that Arsenal pay the England international’s full release clause, which is around £68m.
The clause is set to expire around 16 August, though Palace could decide to remain firm in their valuation of the player.
Liverpool handed boost for Isak move
08:22
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Mike Jones
Saudi Pro League side, Al Hilal, are closing in on a deal for Darwin Nunez after securing a verbal agreement with Liverpool, reports Fabrizio Romano.
The Italian says that the “club to club agreement is done”, with the Saudi club in talks with the Liverpool striker over personal terms.
Should this move get over the line it would open up funds for the Reds to pursue Alexander Isak further and up their initial bid of £110m and get closer to Newcastle’s valuation of £150m.
Lots of moving parts but a boost for Liverpool in their pursuit of Isak.
Benjamin Sesko's Man Utd medical
08:16
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Mike Jones
Manchester United are working quickly with the new season approaching fast.
On Thursday 7 August they agreed a £74m deal with RB Leipzig to sign 22-year-old forward Benjamin Sesko.
It was expected that the striker would fly to Manchester on Thursday evening and will undergo a medical on Friday ahead of his move to Old Trafford.
Sesko has signed a five-year contract and as part of the deal United will play a friendly against Leipzig, which is still to be arranged.
Sesko scored 21 goals in all competitions for Leipzig last season and has 39 goals in 87 appearances since joining the Bundesliga team.
Meanwhile, United’s move for Sesko will take their summer spending over £190m having also signed Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Diego Leon.
Good morning!
08:15
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Mike Jones
Welcome to The Independent’s transfer news blog where we’ll have all the latest rumours and done deals.
Let’s get into it...
FPL tips 2025/26: 30 players you should consider signing including Palmer, Wirtz and Gyokeres
08:45
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Mike Jones
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.
Here are 30 players we think might be solid additions to your FPL side:
