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.
Benjamin Sesko wants to move to Manchester United despite RB Leipzig accepting an offer from Newcastle for the 22-year-old striker. The Premier League clubs are battling to sign a No.9 but the Old Trafford hierarchy are confident they can secure Sesko’s signature despite a lack of Champions League football.
Newcastle also have issues with Alexander Isak. The 25-year-old has been trying to force a move away from the club amid interest pursuit from Liverpool but the Magpies want a huge fee, having rejected Liverpool‘s first bid of £110m.
Elsewhere, Liverpool have agreed to sell Darwin Nunez to Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal which should open up funds to purchase Isak if they are willing to match Newcastle’s valuation and 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
- Arsenal set to make big-money bid for Palace star Eberechi Eze
- Liverpool handed boost for Isak move
- Isak to train away from Newcastle squad amid Liverpool pursuit
- Man Utd set to beat Newcastle in battle to sign Benjamin Sesko
Man Utd reject offers for Harry Maguire
09:08
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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.
Liverpool and England U21 midfielder Tyler Morton joins Lyon
09:00
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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.
Dortmund targeting up to four Chelsea stars
08:50
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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.
Son Heung-min completes move to LAFC from Tottenham in MLS record deal
08:41
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Mike Jones
Son Heung-min has completed a move from Tottenham Hotspur to Los Angeles FC in what is a record Major League Soccer transfer.
Son has officially ended his 10-year stay at Spurs, where he scored 173 goals in 454 appearances and led the team to Europa League glory in May.
After an agreement between Tottenham and LAFC was struck for a deal in excess of £20m, the 33-year-old arrived in Los Angeles on Tuesday and a day later he has finalised his transfer, which is the highest fee paid by an MLS club for a player.
Villa agree deal for striker
08:34
,
Mike Jones
Aston Villa have agreed a deal for Nice striker Evann Guessand, according to Sky Sports.
The deal will cost an initial £23.5m potentially rising to almost £28m with add-ons, and it is all pending a medical.
The 24-year-old will sign a contract until 2030.
Newcastle to move on to new targets?
08:27
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Mike Jones
Newcastle may have to quickly move on to new striker targets as news emerges that Benjamin Sesko prefers to join Man Utd.
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?
08:18
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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.
Guiu 'undergoing a Sunderland medical'
08:11
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Mike Jones
Chelsea striker Marc Guiu îs currently undergoing his medical at Sunderland ahead of a season-long loan move, reports Sky Sports.
The two clubs have agreed a loan deal that “should be finalised later today” according to Keith Downie.
Leipzig looking at Elliott
08:00
,
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 Xvi 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.
Alexander Isak forced to train alone at Newcastle amid Liverpool transfer links
07:54
,
Mike Jones
Newcastle striker Alexander Isak was told he must train away from the Newcastle squad as uncertainty over his future continues.
The 25-year-old Sweden international was told to report for training on Wednesday but only after the rest of the squad had left.
Isak did not travel with his team-mates on their pre-season trip to Singapore and South Korea, ostensibly because of a minor thigh injury, after Liverpool, who subsequently tabled a £110m bid for him, let it be known they remained interested in acquiring his services.
Man Utd expecting Garnacho offers
07:48
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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.
Man Utd's Sesko talks 'advancing'
07:43
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Mike Jones
Manchester United are indeed “closing in on [a] deal to sign Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig” reports The Athletic’s David Ornstein.
The German club have accepted the previous bid from Newcastle but the striker wants to join Man Utd, and while there is no club-to-club agreement yet, “talks [are] advancing towards [a] conclusion”.
Arsenal set to bid for Eze?
07:38
,
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.
Sesko picks Manchester over Newcastle
07:35
,
Mike Jones
Manchester United believe that Benjamin Sesko has chosen to join them over Newcastle after they submitted an official bid for the striker.
Sesko has been the subject of interest from Newcastle – who made their own bid ahead of United – and both clubs are waiting for the Slovenian’s final decision.
But Man Utd believe that the 22-year-old only wants to join them and that they can get a deal over the line.
Liverpool handed boost for Isak move
07:31
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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.
Good morning!
07:26
,
Mike Jones
Welcome to The Independent’s transfer blog.
We’ll have all the latest comings and goings from the Premier League and more throughout the day.
Dortmund targeting up to four Chelsea stars
07:46
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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.
Darwin Nunez on verge of Liverpool exit as striker faces decision
06:30
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Chris Wilson
Liverpool are close to agreeing a deal to sell Darwin Nunez to Saudi Pro-League side Al-Hilal for an initial £46.2m.
However, they are waiting to see if the striker will agree to leave Anfield after a three-season spell.
Nunez also attracted interest from AC Milan but there were doubts if the Serie A side could meet Liverpool’s asking price, whereas Al-Hilal are willing to pay a fee that could rise to £56.6m, including add-ons.
More from senior football writer Richard Jolly:
Everton approach Man City about signing Jack Grealish on season-long loan deal
06:00
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Chris Wilson
Everton have approached Manchester City about the possibility of taking Jack Grealish on loan for the season.
Grealish, 29, was stuck on the fringes of City’s squad last season and his prospects look no brighter after a summer in which the talented 21-year-old French midfielder Rayan Cherki joined Pep Guardiola’s squad.
Guardiola left Grealish out of his selection for the recent Club World Cup after coming to a mutual agreement with the winger that he needed a break.
Rio Ngumoha: Get to know Liverpool’s teenage sensation ready to star in Premier League
04:00
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Chris Wilson
It is quite the statement to say that, amid a £269m outlay to bring in players with the quality of Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Hugo Ekitike, Liverpool’s most exciting prospect this season comes in the form of a developing teenage striker.
Yet that is the building hype concerning 16-year-old forward Rio Ngumoha and the quality his possesses at such a young age. Then again, hype is one thing but performing on the pitch is another and in this arena Ngumoha is showing why football fans are getting excited about his future.
On Monday 4 August, Liverpool played two pre-season games against Athletic Bilbao at Anfield. The games had different starting XIs with a mix of senior players and potential first team starters combining with fringe members of the squad in order to give Arne Slot a better feel for how his players are coping ahead of the start of the new season.
John Stones fires warning to Manchester City’s Premier League rivals
Wednesday 6 August 2025 23:00
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Chris Wilson
John Stones is convinced Manchester City have the “fire in our bellies” to regain their Premier League title.
City surrendered the crown they won in the previous four seasons to Liverpool during an underwhelming 2024-25 campaign.
Defender Stones believes lessons have been learned and has detected a strong desire to put things right since the players have reported for pre-season training.
Newcastle United transfer news: Benjamin Sesko, Yoane Wissa, Marc Guehi and more
Wednesday 6 August 2025 22:30
,
Chris Wilson
Having ended their trophy drought with Carabao Cup success last season, Newcastle United now have work to do in the transfer market.
With a return to the Champions League, the Magpies need to strengthen their squad to compete at the highest level, but despite boss Eddie Howe making it known that he is looking to work fast this summer, Newcastle have missed out on several of their top targets so far.
Benjamin Sesko is the latest high-profile target to opt against a move to St James Park, while key striker Alexander Isak remains linked with a move to Premier League champions Liverpool.
Newcastle have been without any major recruits over the past two seasons due to PSR rules, and started the summer with a big move for Anthony Elanga – with the Nottingham Forest winger joining in a deal worth £55m – but have been thwarted in attempts to sign Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and James Trafford since then too.
And it means that there are a big three weeks ahead for the Magpies ahead of the start of the 2025/26 season and the transfer deadline on 1 September, with the club needing to strengthen in several key positions.
Here’s everything you need to know about Newcastle United’s summer transfer plans:
Newcastle make offer for Milan defender
Wednesday 6 August 2025 22:00
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Chris Wilson
Newcastle have made an offer of €30m for AC Milan defender Malick Thiaw, according to Sky in Germany.
Sources in Italy say the first bid for the 23-year-old has been rejected though, and it is not known whether the Magpies will return for the defender.
Arsenal transfer news: Eberechi Eze, Rodrygo, Jeremy Jacquet and more
Wednesday 6 August 2025 21:30
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Chris Wilson
Arsenal remain active in the transfer market after enjoying a productive summer so far as they look to buck their trend of second-place finishes next term.
It was once again a case of close but not close enough for Mikel Arteta’s side in 2024/25. Finishing second fiddle to the Premier League champions for a third successive season, the Gunners endured another trophyless campaign after their Champions League push fell at the hands of eventual winners PSG.
A key reason for their failure to achieve was an attacking injury crisis that forced Mikel Merinoto take up a role of makeshift number nine, and despite their undeniable quality in the starting XI, Arsenal’s depth is far from good enough for a team hopeful of major titles.
With the transfer window having re-opened on 16 June, a striker was top of the club’s shopping list, and they’ve finally got their man after completing a move for Viktor Gyokeres, while the arrivals of Noni Madueke and Martin Zubimendi have strengthened the squad in other key areas.
New sporting director Andrea Berta is leading the club’s transfer dealings, with deals for other midfielders and defenders including Eberechi Eze being considered as Arteta looks to lead the club back to the Premier League pinnacle for the first time since 2006.
Here’s everything you need to know about Arsenal’s summer transfer plans.
‘I want to be player of the year’: Phil Foden ready to be Man City’s talisman in the post-De Bruyne era
Wednesday 6 August 2025 21:00
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Chris Wilson
New season, new Manchester City. And, if it all goes well, old Phil Foden. The best season of his career was followed by the worst. And yet, in the curiosity of a tournament that belonged fully to neither one season nor the other, there were hints he was returning towards the kind of form that saw him named Footballer of the Year. The Club World Cup may offer a long-term benefit to City if it provides a shift in momentum for Foden.
“I wouldn’t say [my] absolute best but I was definitely feeling a lot sharper, I managed to score a couple of goals as well,” he said. Three, to be precise, the last his best; his 100th for City came in the 4-3 defeat to Al Hilal and was special.
Some 27 of that century came in 2023-24. If Foden could return to that brilliance, it may be particularly timely.
Liverpool transfer news: Alexander Isak, Rodrygo, Jean-Philippe Mateta and more
Wednesday 6 August 2025 20:30
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Chris Wilson
Liverpool are bracing for a busy summer to build on this season’s Premier League title success.
Arne Slot orchestrated a stunning debut campaign at Anfield, inheriting a stacked squad from Jurgen Klopp before taking English football by storm to seal a record-equalling 20th top-flight crown for the club.
The summer months of 2024 hardly shaped the season that followed for Liverpool, and Slot has already proven that he doesn’t require overwhelming transfer activity to be successful. Last summer, he saw just two arrivals come through the door in the form of Giorgi Mamardashvili (who was immediately loaned back to Valencia) and Federico Chiesa, who played a total of just 104 minutes in the Premier League.
But with Trent Alexander-Arnold heading for the exit and a Premier League title to defend, Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards are expected to engage in a substantial recruitment drive over the coming months.
And the signs are extremely promising for Reds fans, with Jeremy Frimpong having signed from Bayer Leverkusen before Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez and Hugo Ekitike followed through the door.
Here’s everything you need to know about Liverpool’s summer transfer plans.
Chelsea set to step up Simons & Garnacho efforts
Wednesday 6 August 2025 20:00
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Chris Wilson
Chelsea are to step up attempts to sign Alejandro Garnacho and Xavi Simons as the Blues look to bring in additional attacking reinforcements.
Garnacho is thought to be available for about £50m, though Chelsea are understood to be reluctant to pay such an amount, with the club likely to make an official approach soon.
As for Simons, Chelsea are in talks with Leipzig over a move, with the 22-year-old understood to have agreed personal terms with the Blues. He would be available for around €70m.
Spurs captain Son Heung-min set to seal Los Angeles FC move in MLS record deal
Wednesday 6 August 2025 19:30
,
Chris Wilson
Tottenham captain Son Heung-min is expected to complete his transfer to Los Angeles FC on Wednesday.
Son revealed on Saturday, before playing in Sunday’s pre-season 1-1 draw with Newcastle in his home country of South Korea, that he would leave Spurs after a decade of service for the Premier League club.
After an emotional farewell, Son arrived in Los Angeles on Tuesday and watched LAFC clinch a 2-1 win over Tigres at BMO Stadium.
A press conference has since been arranged by the Major League Soccer club for 1400 local time (2200BST) on Wednesday, when Son’s arrival is set to be officially announced.
Alexander Isak forced to train alone at Newcastle amid Liverpool transfer links
Wednesday 6 August 2025 19:00
,
Chris Wilson
Newcastle striker Alexander Isak was told he must train away from the Newcastle squad as uncertainty over his future continues.
The 25-year-old Sweden international was told to report for training on Wednesday but only after the rest of the squad had left.
Isak did not travel with his team-mates on their pre-season trip to Singapore and South Korea, ostensibly because of a minor thigh injury, after Liverpool, who subsequently tabled a £110million bid for him, let it be known they remained interested in acquiring his services.
Villa agree deal for striker
Wednesday 6 August 2025 18:40
,
Chris Wilson
Aston Villa have agreed a deal for Nice striker Evann Guessand, according to Sky.
The deal will cost an initial £23.5m potentially rising to almost £28m with add-ons, and it is all pending a medical.
The 24-year-old will sign a contract until 2030.
Will Liverpool bid again for Alexander Isak?
Wednesday 6 August 2025 18:20
,
Chris Wilson
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.
Burnley edging closer to deals
Wednesday 6 August 2025 18:08
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Chris Wilson
Burnley are closing in on two more signings, with deals for Martin Dubravka and Lesley Ugochukwu on the horizon according to Sky.
The club have agreed a permanent deal with Newcastle United for goalkeeper Dubravka, while Ugochukwu is expected to have a medical at Burnley in the next 24 hours ahead of finalising his move.
Ugochukwu has agreed in principle a five-year contract, and the deal will be worth over £20m.
Arsenal set to bid for Eze?
Wednesday 6 August 2025 17:48
,
Chris Wilson
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.
Newcastle United transfer news: Benjamin Sesko, Yoane Wissa, Marc Guehi and more
Wednesday 6 August 2025 17:28
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Chris Wilson
Having ended their trophy drought with Carabao Cup success last season, Newcastle United now have work to do in the transfer market.
With a return to the Champions League, the Magpies need to strengthen their squad to compete at the highest level, but despite boss Eddie Howe making it known that he is looking to work fast this summer, Newcastle have missed out on several of their top targets so far.