Tottenham are hoping to pull off a £55million deal for Eberechi Eze after taking the lead over Arsenal in the race to sign the Crystal Palace winger.
Eze is reportedly likely to miss Palace’s Premier League opener against Chelsea on Sunday as negotiations ramp up over his future, with Spurs keen to build up their squad after James Maddison’s injury. With a fortnight left of the summer transfer window, it is one of the biggest deals still left to be resolved.
Manchester United have spent big on new forwards and have their sights on Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma – although they have ended their pursuit of Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba. They will need to make some sales with Jadon Sancho being targeted by Besiktas and Roma, Antony wanted by Benfica and Chelsea interested in Alejandro Garnacho.
Liverpool, meanwhile, have signed teenage defender Giovanni Leoni as they hope to bolster their defence. The club also remain in talks with Crystal Palace over Marc Guehi and the London side may want to cash in before his contract expires next summer. The Reds still hold an interest in Alexander Isak, who was absent from Newcastle’s opening weekend draw at Aston Villa on Saturday, but they will need to spend big money to secure him.
Follow all the latest transfer news, gossip, rumours and done deals in The Independent’s live blog below:
Transfer news live
- Spurs on brink of Eberechi Eze breakthrough
- Liverpool target Marc Guehi and possible swap deal
- Reds still chasing Alexander Isak but Newcastle are intent to keep striker
- Manchester United pull out of Carlos Baleba deal after Brighton hold firm on price
- Jadon Sancho has suitors in Europe as Man United look to make sales
- Chelsea considering Alejandro Garancho but want lower fee than United's valuation
City reject Savinho bid?
08:02
,
Lawrence Ostlere
Manchester City have reportedly rejected a €70m (£60.3m) second bid from Tottenham for Savinho according to Spanish outlet Diario AS.
It was reported yesterday that the Etihad club wanted around £67m for their player.
Savinho’s agents are also rumoured to be flying in to get him ‘the move he wants’ before the deadline.
Why Alan Hansen’s ‘you can’t win anything with kids’ line is still iconic 30 years on
07:01
,
Miguel Delaney
It was 30 years ago this week that Phil Neville and Paul Scholes were among the few Manchester United players who could even bring themselves to watch Match of the Day on the opening day of the 1995-96 season. They consequently got to actually witness a piece of punditry that everyone around the training ground – and the Premier League – would be talking about the next day.
“You can’t win anything with kids,” Alan Hansen famously stated after United’s 3-1 defeat to Aston Villa, almost saying that notorious line in passing.
Tottenham ready to beat Arsenal and sign Eze after opportunity emerges
05:17
,
Lawrence Ostlere
Tottenham Hotspur are aiming to seize a window of opportunity to beat Arsenal to the signing of Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze, by putting together an acceptable package for Crystal Palace this week.
As reported in the Independent's 'Inside Football' newsletter on Friday, Spurs have ramped up interest in the 27-year-old after the injury to James Maddison, amid a widespread belief that the saga might finally come to a head by the start of the Premier League season. That would coincide with the expiration of Eze's release clause for this window.
Arsenal have long been interested in Eze, and are viewed as the Crystal Palace player's first preference, but the fact that no proper transfer bid has yet materialised means there is a chance for Spurs to move forward.
European clubs interested in Sancho
03:03
,
Lawrence Ostlere
Perhaps the player Manchester United most want off the books in Jadon Sancho.
The exiled midfielder remains on the market and is gaining interest from clubs around Europe.
Besiktas are the most recent to make their desire to sign him known with Borussia Dortmund and Roma also previously linked.
Sancho’s attractiveness want up following his loan spell at Chelsea in which he won the Conference League but his high wages remain a sticking point for clubs wanting to sign him.
Donnarumma's agent fumes with PSG over Man Utd dea
01:09
,
Lawrence Ostlere
l
Gianluigi Donnarumma’s agent, Enzo Raiola, has hit out at Paris Saint-Germain over their handling of his future.
The goalkeeper is determined to leave PSG this summer, with Manchester United pushing hard to sign the Italian who lifted the Champions League last season.
Raiola told Sky Sports: “We are shocked by PSG. There’s zero respect by the club after 4 years together. We will consider the situation also with our legal team
“We will consider solutions now, maybe in Premier League there will be clubs able to pay what’s needed. Paris Saint-Germain are asking for big money. They talk about respect, but it’s only about the money.”
Man City hold talks to sign Rodrygo
23:03
,
Lawrence Ostlere
Manchester City have held initial talks to sign Real Madrid star Rodrygo, according to Sky Germany.
However, right now, it is questionable whether the club can afford a permanent deal for the Real Madrid star, who would cost upwards of £80m.
The player has not a made a clear decision to leave yet.
Negotiations over Eze 'difficult' for Spurs but issues expected to be resolved
21:53
,
Alex Pattle
Tottenham hit a snag in their pursuit of Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze on Saturday, as The Independent was told negotiations between the clubs were ‘difficult’, but it is expected that these issues will be resolved.
Furthermore, there are no issues on Eze’s part, it seems; he is thought to be looking forward to the move.
At present the deal would be worth £55m plus add ons for the winger.
If they do sell Eze, the Eagles have been looking at Leicester City’s Bilal El Khannouss as a possible replacement.
Nottingham Forest complete signing of James McAtee from Man City
21:10
,
Mike Jones
Nottingham Forest have signed James McAtee from Manchester City for a fee rising to £30m.
The England Under-21 captain is set to spark a spell of spending from Forest, who are also expected to confirm the club-record signing of Omari Hutchinson from Ipswich.
McAtee has signed a five-year deal at the City Ground after Forest beat off competition from a host of other clubs who were interested in the 22-year-old.
James McAtee signs for Nottingham Forest
21:04
,
Mike Jones
Manchester City midfielder James McAtee has signed for Nottingham Forest in a £30m move which sees him make the switch from Manchester City.
The midfielder has signed a five-year deal becomes Forest’s second signing of the day following the arrival of Omari Hutchinson.
Sell-on and buy-back clauses have been inserted in the deal as well.
Liverpool in talks for Guehi with options being explored
21:01
,
Lawrence Ostlere
Liverpool remain in talks with Crystal Palace for Marc Guehi as they look to add to their defensive line.
The Reds must decide whether to submit a bid for Guehi this summer or wait until his contract runs out at the end of the upcoming season before making a move for the defender.
The Daily Mail reports that Crystal Palace want £45m for Guehi but, due to the expiring nature of his contract, a deal for around £35m may be possible as they risk losing out on a fee if his contract runs down.
Alternatively, there is talk of a potential swap deal involving Harvey Elliott.
Eberechi Eze is being targeted by Arsenal and Spurs and should he leave to one of those clubs then Palace may want to bring Elliott, who is rumoured to be leaving Liverpool, in as a replacement with Guehi going the other way.
Bournemouth close in on £25m agreement for Liverpool winge
20:02
,
Lawrence Ostlere
Bournemouth are close to agreeing a £25m deal for Liverpool winger Ben Doak.
Porto are also interested in the Scotland international but the likelihood is that he opts to stay in the Premier League.
Doak has been a target for a host of other clubs this summer, with Wolves, West Ham and Leeds among his other suitors.
But Bournemouth have made a move, with their transfer budget boosted by receiving £40m from Liverpool earlier this summer for left-back Milos Kerkez.
Parker on Burnley signings
18:58
,
Lawrence Ostlere
Scott Parker is pleased with the state of Burnley’s squad and is happy with how they’re shaping up ahead of the new season.
“Really positive and it is crucial as well – the balance of a squad going into the Premier League,” Parker said of their current signings.
“It was a young squad last year, and it’s a young squad this year, and certainly it’s a young squad in terms of actually being in the Premier League.
“So, these players that have an understanding of what this league demands and what it looks like is crucial for us and delighted that we’ve managed to get some of these over the line.”
Forest agree fee for City’s McAtee
18:00
,
Lawrence Ostlere
Nottingham Forest have agreed a fee rising to £30m with Manchester City for James McAtee.
The former Premier League champions have included buy-back and sell-on clauses, which could mean the midfielder returns to the Etihad Stadium or makes City more money in the future.
McAtee is now set to become Forest’s fourth summer buy after winger Dan Ndoye, striker Igor Jesus and defender Jair Cunha, while Nuno Espirito Santo is also closing in on Omari Hutchinson from Ipswich.
Tottenham close to deal for Eze
17:29
,
Miguel Delaney
Tottenham Hotspur are close to agreeing a deal with Crystal Palace to sign Eberechi Eze.
The deal would be worth £55m plus add ons for the creative winger.
Securing Eze’s signature would be a big signing for Spurs as rivals Arsenal have also held an interest in Eze.
Spence pens new contract at Tottenham
17:03
,
Lawrence Ostlere
Djed Spence has signed a new long-term contract with Tottenham, just months after agreeing fresh terms last October.
The versatile full-back has been rewarded for a fine breakthrough campaign at Spurs, which saw him make 35 appearances in the 2024-25 season, finally earning his full debut in December, two-and-a-half years after his initial arrival.
The 25-year-old’s journey at the club has been one of resurgence.
Sesko primed for Man United debut against Arsenal: ‘He is ready’
16:52
,
Lawrence Ostlere
Ruben Amorim has declared that Benjamin Sesko is ready to make his Manchester United debut against Arsenal but has warned his new £200m strike force that they face a fight for their places in his revamped team.
Sesko completed his £66.5m move from RB Leipzig on Saturday but arrived too late to feature in any of United’s pre-season games.
Amorim could unleash his new attack of the Slovenian, the £62.5m buy Matheus Cunha and the £71m arrival Bryan Mbeumo on Sunday, but warned that he has other options for spots in his front three.
Join the Miguel Delaney: Inside Football newsletter and go beyond the game with exclusive insights
16:02
,
Lawrence Ostlere
The football fixture calendar is relentless, and the news cycle feels nonstop – spanning everything from results and matches to tactics, competitions, transfers, politics, global expansion, and even the geopolitics and greater forces now reshaping how the very sport is played.
In short, there’s a lot to keep up with – and to make sense of. That’s where my new newsletter Inside Football comes in.
Landing in your inbox every Monday and Friday, Inside Football delivers insight, opinion, and the under-the-radar details you love.
Newcastle agree fee for Ramsey
15:17
,
Lawrence Ostlere
Newcastle have agreed a fee with Aston Villa for Jacob Ramsey in a deal that could reach £43m.
The deal is for £39m plus £4m add-ons.
The midfielder travelled to the North East to undergo a medical on Thursday.
An announcement of his signing should be made shortly afterwards.
After a summer of struggles this move is a good one for the Magpies.
Roma in talks over Leon Bailey
14:31
,
Lawrence Ostlere
Roma are in talks with Aston Villa over a deal to sign Leon Bailey, according to The Athletic.
There has been no formal bid for the 28-year-old as of yet but Roma are emerging as the strongest suitor, with interest also coming in from Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
Nottingham Forest latest
13:51
,
Lawrence Ostlere
Omari Hutchinson is due to undergo a medical in Nottingham today, after a fee of £37.5m, was been agreed with Ipswich Town.
James McAtee is also due to undergo a medical after a £30m fee was agreed yesterday with Manchester City.
Callum Hudson-Odoi has verbally agreed the terms of a new and improved contract with Forest.
Finally, a deal is close for Stade Rennais striker Arnaud Kalimuendo worth up to £25m.
Leeds not done spending yet, says Farke
13:03
,
Lawrence Ostlere
Daniel Farke insists Leeds' hierarchy remains committed to further strengthening his squad before the transfer window closes.
The newly promoted Premier League club, who face Everton in their season-opener at Elland Road on Monday, completed their eighth summer signing on Friday with the arrival of free agent Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Leeds had previously spent a combined total of just over £75million on Jaka Bijol, Sebastiaan Bornauw, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Sean Longstaff, Anton Stach and Lucas Perri, with Lukas Nmecha also a free signing, since winning the Sky Bet Championship title.
Farke, who declared there was "still business to be done", said: "I like to speak openly and honestly about our status and I've given praise to our key people so far. We're on a really good path.
"We've done lots in central defence, central midfield and the goalkeeping position, also the full-back position.
"I've also made it clear we need to strengthen our squad, perhaps one more full-back, and especially the offence.
"With Dominic it's a first step, an important step for us of course. But there is still business to be done."
Hurzeler convinced Baleba will stay at Brighton
12:22
,
Lawrence Ostlere
Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler is "very, very, very confident" Carlos Baleba will remain at the club.
Forward trio Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko have moved to Old Trafford this summer and it seems Man United are out to reinforce their midfield before the transfer window closes on September 1.
But Ruben Amorim's side do not currently plan to pursue a move for the Cameroon international after Albion made clear their intention to keep him this summer.
Hurzeler was bullish when asked whether Baleba will remain with the Seagulls this season, adding the 21-year-old is enjoying being at the club and has not been distracted by United's interest.
"Very, very, very confident (he will stay)," Hurzeler told a press conference ahead of Brighton's Premier League curtain-raiser at home to Fulham on Saturday. "It's just my belief.
"I didn't see any change in him. He only changed his hair, that was the only change he made in the last two weeks!
"But overall, he seems to be in a really good place. He's enjoying it with his team-mates. He's enjoying being a Brighton player.”
Man Utd sign Rolfo from Barcelona
11:50
,
Lawrence Ostlere
Fridolina Rolfo has joined Manchester United Women on a contract until June 2027, subject to registration, after four years at FC Barcelona, the club said in a statement.
The 31-year-old won her 100th cap for Sweden in the Uefa Women’s European Championship last month, and also scored in the same game against Germany to take her international goal tally to 33.Rolfo, known as a left-sided player equally comfortable in attack or defence, has 313 senior club appearances and 113 goals with clubs including Barcelona, VfL Wolfsburg and Bayern Munich. With Barcelona, she won two UEFA Champions Leagues and four Primera Division titles.
Kompany hails Coman's impact
11:09
,
Lawrence Ostlere
Coman's departure from Bayern comes two weeks after the German champion signed Luis Diaz from Liverpool, intensifying Coman's competition for places. He got a fond farewell from Bayern coach Vincent Kompany after they won the Bundesliga together last season.
"When a player as successful as him leaves the club, it's always a bit emotional," Kompany said earlier Friday. "You have to have understanding for his position in this situation and what he'd like. For me, what's important now is that we look forward and that we show a lot of respect for Kingsley Coman, for what he's done for this club."
Coman set to leave Bayern
10:59
,
Lawrence Ostlere
Kingsley Coman is leaving Bayern Munich after a trophy-filled decade to join up with Cristiano Ronaldo at Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr.
Bayern announced the transfer late Friday. Kicker magazine reported a fee of up to 35 million euros for the French winger.
Coman, who scored Bayern's winning goal against Paris Saint-Germain in the 2020 Champions League final, will be part of a star-studded forward lineup with Ronaldo, fellow new signing Joao Felix and Coman's former Bayern teammate Sadio Mane.
Al-Nassr are looking to improve after finishing third in the Saudi Pro League last season and signed Ronaldo to a two-year contract extension in June. Former Barcelona defender Inigo Martinez joined on a free transfer last week.
Galatasaray submit bid for Ederson
10:56
,
Lawrence Ostlere
Could this be the domino effect that leads Gianluigi Donnarumma to the Premier League?
EXCL: Galatasaray send first official bid to Man City for Éderson.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 16, 2025
Proposal in the region of €10m while City ask for higher fee.
Gigio Donnarumma has already opened doors to City move, no issues on personal terms
If Éderson leaves, Donnarumma can join #MCFC. pic.twitter.com/m1qqmcvr0Q
Chiesa could stay at Liverpool
10:56
,
Lawrence Ostlere
Federico Chiesa had been expected to move back to Serie A this summer but could now stay at Liverpool after his late cameo to win the match against Bournemouth last night.
“I’m very happy at Liverpool,” he said after the game. “I will speak to the club but I wanna stay here and fight to win many trophies.”
Arne Slot said: “When we needed him, he delivered. And that is always positive for your future at a club”.
United withdraw their pursuit of Baleba
10:51
,
Lawrence Ostlere
Manchester United have pulled out of their pursuit of Carlos Baleba, due to Brighton’s high price.
Brighton wanted more than £100m to sell the young midfielder and United, who still need to sell several players this summer, were not prepared to spend that kind of money, according to The Athletic.
Baleba, 21, has impressed since moving to the south coast and is said to be happy at the club, despite being keen on the switch to Old Trafford.
The damage Newcastle’s disastrous summer could do to their wider project
08:00
,
Miguel Delaney
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 had already known 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.
Chelsea agree personal terms with Garnacho
11:10
,
Lawrence Ostlere
The Blues have agreed personal terms with Alejandro Garnacho, reports Fabrizio Romano, but remain apart from Manchester United in their valuation of the winger.
United have made Garnacho available for £50m but Chelsea believe they can secure him for less.
United, meanwhile, are point to the sale of Noni Madueke to Arsenal for more than £50m as a reason for Garnacho’s market value. Though the Old Trafford hierarchy want to offload Garnacho he isn’t a big strain on the books and United can afford to hold out for the price they want.
A developing story and one to keep an eye on.
Man City enter their age of uncertainty with legacies on the line
06:00
,
Richard Jolly
Pep Guardiola’s words can be delivered with exaggeration, sarcasm or, at times, a combination of the two, so his rhetoric can lend itself to different explanations.
But as he assessed his worst season in management, he declared: “I’m delighted to have failed.” If it was failure in the context of 12 league titles in his previous 15 seasons in the dugouts, different types of trebles, three Champions Leagues and an assortment of records, those are the standards Guardiola has set.
After Manchester United hit rock bottom, are the good times finally coming?
04:00
,
Richard Jolly
If nothing else, Ruben Amorim does not try to sugarcoat things. The manager who had said he had perhaps the worst team in Manchester United’s history stood in the middle of the Old Trafford pitch and said: “Today, after this disaster season.”
The disaster season: piercing as some of the criticisms of a campaign where United had fared worse than had seemed possible, few were as pithy as Amorim’s description. The rest of his message marked a real shift in tone. “I want to tell you the good days are coming,” he added.
The secret to success for Florian Wirtz to live up to his icon potential
02:00
,
Richard Jolly
Arne Slot had made a comparison with Harvey Elliott. He had already mentioned his biggest buy as a successor of sorts to Alisson and Virgil van Dijk. Then he reached for the ultimate, and not merely Mohamed Salah, by invoking Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. No pressure there, then.
Perhaps Florian Wirtz’s £100m price tag brought it anyway, even before his manager mentioned the two dominant players of their generation and one of the greatest in Liverpool’s history. And, as Wirtz prepares to make his Premier League debut, while Slot believes the German could take time to adjust to the particular tactical demands of his team, he does not feel youth or inexperience will would be mitigating factors.
Nottingham Forest latest
Friday 15 August 2025 23:30
,
Mike Jones
Omari Hutchinson is due to undergo a medical in Nottingham today, after a fee of £37.5m, was been agreed with Ipswich Town.
James McAtee is also due to undergo a medical after a £30m fee was agreed yesterday with Manchester City.
Callum Hudson-Odoi has verbally agreed the terms of a new and improved contract with Forest.
Finally, a deal is close for Stade Rennais striker Arnaud Kalimuendo worth up to £25m.
Premier League 2025/26 predictions: Champions, top four, relegation, best signing, top scorer and more
Friday 15 August 2025 23:00
,
Mike Jones
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.
Here, the Independent’s sports staff preview the new campaign and make their picks for the 2025/26 Premier League season:
