Home Transfer news: Isak considering move away from Newcastle – latest

Transfer news: Isak considering move away from Newcastle – latest

· July 24, 2025 · 0 Comment
  2. get involved
  3. Re Ben from Wolverhampton 13:46. Respectfully, Liverpool already have the league, they won it and they don’t need to “buy it”. It is up to other teams to try and win it back.
  4. The league already belongs to us we don’t need to buy it.
  7. Chelsea
  • Liam Delap – from Ipswich – £30m
  • Estevao Willian – from Palmeiras – £29m (£48.5m)
  • Dario Essugo – from Sporting – £18.5
  • Mamadou Sarr – from Strasbourg – £12m
  • Kendry Paez – from Independiente del Valle – £8.3m (£16.6m)
  • Joao Pedro – from Brighton – £60m
  • Jamie Gittens – from Borussia Dortmund – £48.5m
  3. get involved
  4. Do Chelsea genuinely need Hato and Simons at this point? Considering the players that they have in the cb and Cam role already!
  7. Sami Mokbel and Nizaar Kinsella
  8. Chelsea have opened talks with Ajax over a move for centre-back Jorrel Hato while pushing ahead with interest in RB Leipzig forward Xavi Simons.
  9. Hato, 19, has emerged as one of Europe’s most promising young defenders after an impressive campaign in the Eredivisie, making 31 appearances.
  10. BBC Sport understands that Chelsea are in direct communication with both Ajax and Hato’s camp to explore the possibility of a summer transfer. Talks are understood to be in the early stages, with no agreement yet in place.
  11. Meanwhile, Chelsea are discussing personal terms with Simons.
  12. The Netherlands international, 22, is understood to be open to a move to Stamford Bridge, as the Blues look to add more creativity and attacking flair.
  13. RB Leipzig are aware of Chelsea’s approach, though no agreement has yet been reached.
  14. Image source, Getty Images
  17. Joe Rindl
  18. BBC Sport
  19. Already begun, Ben.
  20. Right, earlier we told you that Chelsea had been linked to two more players.
  23. get involved
  24. When do we start saying that Liverpool are buying the league?
  27. Joe Rindl
  28. BBC Sport
  29. Thanks Jack, and everyone else for your messages.
  30. Wirtz, Ekitike, Frimpong, Kerkez and Isak all in one transfer window would be sensational. Feels like EAFC.
  31. Now then, I’ve been a fool as per and deviated from our plan. While we wait for Isak developments, let’s return to Chelsea.
  34. get involved
  35. If Liverpool do sign Isak this summer, surely this has to go down as one of the best/craziest summer windows in Premier League history.
  38. get involved
  39. Chelsea fan here but if Liverpool get Isak. What’s stopping genuinely them from winning everything?
  42. Liverpool
  • Florian Wirtz – from Bayer Leverkusen – £100m (£116m)
  • Jeremie Frimpong – from Bayer Leverkusen – £29.5m
  • Armin Pecsi – from Puskas Akademia – £1.5m
  • Milos Kerkez – from Bournemouth – £40m
  • Hugo Ekitike -from Eintracht Frankfurt £69m (£79m)
  3. get involved
  4. If Diaz goes for 75 mil then I can see Liverpool going in on Isak. After all they still have some Coutinho money left don’t they…
  8. Image source, Getty Images
  9. Earlier, we asked for your views after Alexander Isak was not named in Newcastle’s squad for their Asia tour because of what the Magpies describe as a “minor thigh injury”.
  10. Here are some of your comments:
  11. Gary: If these tours are all about driving commercial revenue, surely you take your star striker regardless of a minor injury?
  12. Martin: Until he comes out and says he wants to leave, he is injured. Full stop.
  13. Richard: I hope I am wrong but I do not see Isak being in a Newcastle shirt next season. I think the club will sell, but the way transfers have fallen so far, I worry that we will not be able to recruit to the level we need.
  16. get involved
  17. Does Slot think he’s playing Championship Manager..!
  20. get involved
  21. Would be nice to get Isak, I reckon he we would be a good impact off the bench.
  24. The Athletic journalist David Ornstein has just posted this on X:
  25. “Alexander Isak wants to leave Newcastle United. Absence from Celtic friendly + Asia tour 25yo’s preference.
  26. “Newcastle keen for Sweden international striker to stay on improved deal but also exploring potential replacements.”
  29. Today, Alexander Isak was not been named in Newcastle’s squad for their pre-season tour of Asia as speculation over his future continues to grow.
  30. On Saturday manager Eddie Howe said the 25-year-old striker would “absolutely” be part of the squad for their games in Singapore and South Korea.
  31. Newcastle have selected a 30-man group for the trip but said Isak “misses out with a minor thigh injury”.
  32. The Sweden international scored 27 goals in 42 appearances in all competitions last season.
  33. He was also left out of Saturday’s 4-0 defeat at Celtic as Newcastle began their pre-season fixtures.
  36. get involved
  37. If Isak wants away, he wants away. Seems as good a time than ever with him being at his peak value. Would I love to have him on a 10 year contract? Yes. Does anyone realistically see him being here beyond his current contract (even next summer to be honest)?
  40. get involved
  41. Anon at 13.10 – nice try Eddie Howe, we know it’s you…
  44. Joe Rindl
  45. BBC Sport
  46. Haha, never rated him did you, Anon?
  47. And so it begins…
  50. get involved
  51. Isak who? One season wonder, no pace or athletic ability. Good riddance.

Page 2

  2. get involved
  3. As a Chelsea fan, if Liverpool get Isak we might as well just hand them the League before the season starts.
  6. get involved
  7. As a Liverpool fan, surely we won’t… surely not…
  10. Joe Rindl
  11. BBC Sport
  12. Wow, OK. A story we’ll be keeping an eye on today.
  13. Get in touch using the Get Involved button at the top.
  16. The Daily Mail is reporting, external that Isak has told Newcastle he wants to explore a move away this summer.
  17. BBC Sport has contacted Newcastle for comment.
  18. A source has told BBC Sport that Liverpool are still interested in signing Isak.
  19. Image source, Getty Images
  22. Image source, Getty Images
  23. Rashford’s departure from his boyhood club has been a long time coming.
  24. After being dropped by Ruben Amorim in December last year, he was later accused as somebody who “doesn’t give the maximum every day“.
  25. Speaking to the media after his unveiling, he said “The [Barcelona] fans can expect my maximum effort and dedication. I will give everything in every match and training session to help the team achieve our goals.”
  26. “[Manchester United] is in a period of change and they have been for a while. I want to win the biggest trophies and I feel like Barcelona is a huge club in the football world, so it is the perfect place.”
  29. Joe Rindl
  30. BBC Sport
  31. Thanks Ben. So, erm, did you actually take up Tim’s bet?
  32. In fact, don’t answer that.
  33. As for this afternoon’s agenda, there’s just one more Marcus Rashford posts and then we switch.
  36. Ben Ramsdale
  37. BBC Sport
  38. You lot are speaking with your thumbs and telling me it’s about time to PIVOT away from Marcus Rashford.
  39. And there’s no better person at pivoting than Joe Rindl.
  40. He’s going to build on that Chelsea chatter he got you riled up with earlier I believe. Unless we get word of another new transfer that is.
  41. You never know…
  42. Here’s JOE.
  45. Guillem Balague
  46. Spanish football journalist on ITV
  47. It is no secret that Rashford’s last seasons at Manchester United were challenging. His form dipped. Injuries, noise, expectation took its toll.
  48. But something shifted at Villa.
  49. His performance against Paris St-Germain in their Champions League quarter-final was a reminder of who he is: electric, intelligent, capable of brilliance in a moment.
  50. He waited for Barca – and would have waited longer if he had to.
  51. In January, a move collapsed because of the club’s inability to register players such as Dani Olmo and Pau Victor.
  52. But this summer, he did not want the opportunity to escape.
  55. get involvedClick ‘Get Involved’ at the top of this page to have your say
  56. I’m a Leeds Fan, I Like Rashford as a player and man, I wish him well in that new shirt.
  59. get involvedClick ‘Get Involved’ at the top of this page to have your say
  60. I would present anything with my pants on my head if United get top four. It’s going to take more than a few less games to get there. Prem predictable there will be no Leicester’s. Top Four: Liverpool, Man City, Arsenal, Chelsea(in whatever order bet any money or forfeit)
  63. Image source, BBC Sport
  64. Rashford’s announcement as a Barcelona player came in unusual fashion.
  65. Barcelona posted a video on X, external of the forward answering a phone call in a traditional British red telephone box saying, “Yeah, you can tell them now. It’s official. Let’s do this. Visca el Barca.”
  66. The caption read, ‘Rashford follows in Lineker’s footsteps.’ The England legend made his move to the Spanish club back in 1986.
  69. Image source, Getty Images
  70. The England international leaves the Premier League for the first time in his career but says he was “clear on his decision” as early as January.
  71. “I enjoyed a good period at Aston Villa and I am grateful for the opportunity that I had there,” said Marcus.
  72. “It [Barcelona] feels like home so I feel like I have made the right decision. I am eager to play the first game in front of these fans and I am happy and eager to be here. This is my next chapter and I am fully focused on trying to improve myself.
  73. “There are things I am looking forward to – living in a new city, new country and playing in a new league with new teams. These are things I am not afraid of, I’m excited.”
  76. get involvedClick ‘Get Involved’ at the top of this page to have your say
  77. The Rashford situation is interesting. Because United have vastly overinflated everyone’s wages, the only thing that seems able to let them sell players is them moving to a club with a big reputation. I doubt Rashford would have taken the same pay cut to move to Villa, for example.
  80. Guillem Balague
  81. Spanish football journalist on ITV
  82. Media caption,
  83. ‘My choice was easy’ – Rashford explains Barcelona move
  84. Barcelona’s latest arrival did not touch down in a blaze of fireworks. There were no rooftop unveilings, no dramatic montages backed by operatic scores.
  85. Marcus Rashford landed quietly with a little video of him talking to someone in a red telephone kiosk. “It’s official,” he says. And the obligatory “Visca el Barca”.
  86. The announcement was understated, the press only alerted hours before the official presentation and even that felt intimate. About 70 journalists, photographers and cameras packed into the Nou Camp official store.
  89. El dorsal 14 ja té nom. El número 14 tiene dueño. Number 14 has a new name.
  90. Although the unveiling of their latest arrival has been described as understated, FC Barcelona took to Instagram and welcomed Marcus Rashford to the ‘best club in the world.’
  91. Their £30.3m signing posed with his new number 14 shirt, as well as the club’s president Joan Laporta.
  92. Image source, BBC Sport
  93. Image source, BBC Sport
  97. Ben Ramsdale
  98. BBC Sport
  99. Anyway, swiftly moving on…
  102. Ben Ramsdale
  103. BBC Sport
  104. The entire office in Media City re-enacting that Neil Warnock meme with his hands on his head when Man Utd sneak into the top four on the last day…
  107. get involvedClick ‘Get Involved’ at the top of this page to have your say
  108. Side eyes emojis at Cunha and Mbeumo being top players (they are) and ignoring objective analysis that United have an extremely advantageous set of circumstances in the league this season (they do). When United finish in a Champions League position Ben should present chat in his pants like Lineker.
  111. If you are just joining us…Good afternoon! You can catch up on everything we have been discussing this morning and the latest signings here:
  112. New signings:
  113. Elsewhere:
  114. Stick with us as we dive into Barcelona signing Marcus Rashford on a 12-month loan and later, Chelsea’s interests in centre-back Jorrel Hato and forward Xavi Simons.
  115. Want to have your say? Get involved in all the usual ways:
  • #bbcfootball on X
  • WhatsApp on 03301231826
  • or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
  3. Noel Sliney
  4. BBC Sport
  5. At 27, Colombia international right winger Jhon Arias is older than most South American players who cross the Atlantic Ocean to try their luck in Europe.
  6. Nonetheless, Wolves’ new signing has been the creative force for Brazilian side Fluminense for several years and is affectionately known as ‘The Colombian Pele’ by the club’s supporters.
  7. During the Club World Cup, exalted former Brazil playmaker Kaka described stocky livewire Arias as “an extremely dangerous player who can decide a match at any moment”.
  8. Arias showcased his trickery and relentless running in that competition, creating an unrivalled 18 chances across his six games.
  9. He won the man-of-the-match award three times and earned a place in the team of the tournament.
  10. Image source, Getty Images

Page 3

  2. Image source, Getty Images
  3. Arias, who has worn the captain’s armband in the past and is a regular on set pieces, chalked up another 13 assists during the first half of the 2025 campaign, before Fluminense turned their attention to the Club World Cup this summer.
  4. The winger shone on the world stage in the United States, staring in the Brazilian side’s run to the semi-final by being named Player of the Match against Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan HD and Inter Milan, and earning a place in the competition’s Team of the Tournament.
  5. Arias, who leaves Fluminense with 102 goal contributions, now moves to Europe for the first time, becoming Vitor Pereira’s second signing of the summer and bolstering the head coach’s attacking options.
  8. Ben Ramsdale
  9. BBC Sport
  10. Plymouth out here catching strays.
  13. get involvedClick ‘Get Involved’ at the top of this page to have your say
  14. @ Gordon in Glasgow. I am a United fan, and we are about as close to finishing top 6 as Plymouth Argyle are to finishing top 6 in EPL this year.
  17. Nick Mashiter
  18. BBC Sport football news reporter
  19. Wolves’ signing of Colombia international Jhon Arias continues their shrewd business
  20. The winger has joined from Fluminense in a deal worth up to £19m.
  21. The days of Wolves spending over £40m on individual players has gone, with the £44m record signing of Matheus Cunha in 2023 likely to stand for a while.
  22. This window attacker Fer Lopez has arrived for up to £19m from Celta Vigo while last summer midfielder Andre – who played with Arias at Fluminense – joined for around £17m.
  23. Centre-back Emmanuel Agbadou joined from Reims in January for £16.6m and played a large part in ensuring Wolves avoided relegation.
  24. They are all ‘mid-range’ fees with Wolves looking to pay sensible money for players who can make an instant impact, having been burned by big-money signings who have not lived up to their price-tags.
  25. Midfielder Goncalo Guedes joined for £38m from Valencia in 2022 but struggled and has been loaned to Benfica and Villarreal while Matheus Nunes arrived from Sporting Lisbon for a similar fee and rarely shone despite then earning a move to Manchester City two years ago.
  26. Wolves are still looking for a replacement for right-back and captain Nelson Semedo while another forward to compete with Jorgen Strand Larsen is wanted.
  29. Noel Sliney
  30. BBC Sport
  31. Jhon Arias switched position to play up front for the latter half of Fluminense’s run to the semi-finals but still led the side overall for most touches per 90 minutes (68) and was involved in 40 open-play moves that led to a shot, double that of any team-mate.
  32. Arias also won possession more than any other Flu player, demonstrating his hard work off the ball.
  33. He has scored 47 goals in 229 games for the Rio-based club and his tally of 55 assists is the second highest of any player for Fluminense this century.
  34. Image source, Getty Images
  37. get involvedClick ‘Get Involved’ at the top of this page to have your say
  38. Someone wake Gordon in Glasgow up… United haven’t even had their equivalent of 6 months of Roy Hodgson yet!
  39. @Gordon, Glasgow – surely closer to relegation that the top six?
  42. Image source, Getty Images
  43. Seung-soo Park speaking to Newcastle United’s website: “It’s a huge honour to join Newcastle United.
  44. “It’s a big step for me and I feel incredibly thankful for the faith the club have shown in me.
  45. “I’m excited to develop here, learn from the coaches, and give everything to become the best player I can be.”
  48. Image source, Getty Images
  49. Arias’ professional career began with Patriotas in his home nation in 2018 and he played more than 100 times in Colombia, also gaining experience on loan with Llaneros, before permanent moves to America de Cali and Santa Fe as a youngster.
  50. During his time with America de Cali Arias he claimed a first title – the Colombian Championship in 2020 – while his move to Rio de Janeiro and Fluminense arrived one year later.
  51. Arias has remained at the club since, gaining a reputation for his creativity during his 229 games in red and green, with 2022 proving his breakthrough season, bringing 16 goals, 17 assists and a first of two Guanabara Cup titles.
  52. One year later, alongside Andre in the midfield, Arias won South America’s top title of the Copa Libertadores – the continent’s Champions League equivalent – with both named in the Team of the Tournament.
  55. Ben Ramsdale
  56. BBC Sport
  57. Blooming heck Joe, come back! I can’t keep up.
  58. Like London busses are these signings.
  59. Speaking of London – surely your day today, Arsenal fans?
  62. Newcastle United have completed the signing of South Korean winger, Seung-soo Park from K League 2 side Suwon Bluewings.
  63. Park, who has been capped five times for South Korea under-20s, will join the club’s academy and link up with the Magpies’ under-21 squad.
  66. get involvedClick ‘Get Involved’ at the top of this page to have your say
  67. How far away are Man U from being a top 6 side again? Surely a full pre-season and a couple more signings and they should be there?
  70. Liverpool
  71. It’s all going on!
  72. Hugo Ekitike has just rocked up at the stadium in Hong Kong where Liverpool are training, much to the surprise of the LFCTV presenters.
  73. “He’s a very tall guy,” said former Reds keeper Jerzy Dudek.
  74. The French striker has just been shown on the big screen to the fans in attendance too and received a huge cheer.
  76. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
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  84. Image source, Getty Images
  85. The 27-year-old attacker moves to the Old Gold after impressing at the Club World Cup this summer and will reunite with Andre, who he played with at Fluminense, and international teammate Yerson Mosquera. Capable of playing across the attacking line behind a central striker, Arias arrives with both personal accolades and team titles to his name from playing in Colombia and Brazil and has 31 international caps to date.
  88. Wolves have completed the signing of Colombian Jhon Arias from Brazilian side Fluminense in a deal worth £19m.
  89. Arias joins on a four-year deal, with the option of a further 12 months.
  92. Ben Ramsdale
  93. BBC Sport
  94. Oh good, we’ve got some more breaking news to kick off the stint.
  97. Liverpool
  98. It’s incredibly busy inside the stadium for a training session, over 25,000 people in attendance.
  99. There’s genuinely more people watching Liverpool train than there were at a lot of Club World Cup fixtures.
  102. Ben Ramsdale
  103. BBC Sport
  104. Cheers for the reminder on this one, Joe.
  105. I’ll not start with that again.
  106. However, I do need to get my bearings a minute – it has been a manic morning.
  107. If I ask you lot what we’ve been up to – will you let me know? Not just say we’ve been watching a film or something like we used to do to supply teachers at school (my sincere apologies, supply teachers).
  110. Joe Rindl
  111. BBC Sport
  112. That’s my morning stint over. Time for Ben Ramsdale to take the wheel.
  113. And Jack, I’m so sorry but I’ll have to do my FPL tips another time.
  114. It’s for the best. My emergency “Fix my team” last season and then the panicked fallout which saw me bring in Ruud van Nistelrooy as my assistant manager – on the advice of you lot may I add – is the reason why I’m still a laughing stock on Reddit’s r/FantasyPL.
  117. Brighton & Hove Albion
  118. It’s been a busy summer so far for the Seagulls, both with ins and outs.
  119. Ins:
  • Tom Watson from Sunderland
  • Yoon Do-Yong from Daejeon Hana Citizen
  • Charalambos Kostoulas from Olympiacos
  • Diego Coppola from Verona
  • Olivier Boscagli from PSV Eindhoven
  • Maxim De Cuyper from Club Brugge
  1. Outs:
  • James Beadle to Birmingham City (loan)
  • Valentin Barco to Strasbourg
  • Joao Pedro to Chelsea
  • Ibrahim Osman to Auxerre (loan)
  • Simon Adingra to Sunderland
  • Evan Ferguson to Roma (loan)
  • Pervis Estupinan to AC Milan
  3. Pervis Estupinan made his professional debut in his homeland of Ecuador with LDU Quito in 2015 before earning a move to England with Watford the following year.
  4. During his time with the Hornets, he had four different loan spells in Spain with Granada, Almeria, Mallorca and Osasuna respectively.
  5. He then returned to Spain on a permanent deal in 2020, moving to Villarreal without ever having made an appearance for Watford.
  6. In 2022, Brighton brought him back to England and he quickly cemented himself as a regular starter for the Premier League side.
  7. He leaves having made 104 appearances for the Seagulls, scoring five goals.
  8. Image source, Getty Images

Page 4

  2. Brighton & Hove Albion
  3. Brighton’s head coach Fabian Hurzeler said, “I have enjoyed working with Pervis and he has made a significant contribution to the club during his time here.
  4. “He is at the stage of his career when he wants a fresh challenge and this opportunity to play in Serie A gives him that. I’d like to thank Pervis for his contribution to the club and wish him all the best for the future.”
  7. A regular under both Roberto De Zerbi and Fabian Hurzeler, Pervis Estupinan made 34 Premier League appearances last season and was part of the squad which played in Europe for the first time in the club’s history two seasons ago.
  10. Joe Rindl
  11. BBC Sport
  12. Hang on, maybe later….
  15. get involved
  16. Can you give us your early FPL tips please Joe?
  19. Image source, Getty Images
  20. Professional football scout and analyst Umir Irfan speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside about Liverpool’s pursuit of both Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike: “It’s perhaps a better long-term signing for Liverpool in general to end up with Ekitike.
  21. “Ekitike is a really impressive player. There’s room for him to improve, which is always an exciting thing – but one thing he does offer is something that is very complementary to the rest of the players around him. I always think that is the most important thing when you sign a player.
  22. “At Liverpool you have Salah, who you want to maximise for the next couple of years. He’s not a player you want defending loads. With Florian Wirtz and Ekitike – they are both players who press incredibly well.
  23. “But, it’s not only the defensive side. On the ball Ekitike drops in really well and facilities play combining with the midfield really well, almost in a Firmino-like manner.
  24. “That allows players like Salah or Wirtz to come inside and attack further up the pitch more centrally. On top of that, he has a great passing range and willingness to run in behind – whether that is to let other players come inside or free up space for the midfielders behind him.
  25. “He’s a very selfless player in general play and is someone who I think will facilitate Salah’s game really well. But, he is selfish in the box in terms of taking lots of shots, which is always something you want from your number nine.”
  28. Joe Rindl
  29. BBC Sport
  30. This is reminding me of the time we asked you for your petty reasons for why you hate certain football clubs.
  31. One guy hated Manchester United because he’d been undertaken by their team bus on the M5.
  32. A Rangers fan refused to buy a Christmas tree because it was green.
  33. Stuff like that. Ah, good times.
  34. What’s the flip side? What could Chelsea do to earn more than reluctant respect? Could they ever be loved by non-Blues fans?
  37. get involved
  38. Football is tribal. The best Chelsea will get is grudging respect. They don’t give much more.
  41. Liverpool
  42. Here’s a little Thursday morning treat.
  43. Liverpool are taking part in an open training session in Hong Kong with new signings Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong and Giorgio Mamardashvili on display to fans for the first time.
  44. Latest signing Hugo Ekitike won’t be involved but he is due in Hong Kong “any time now” according to the LFCTV reporters.
  47. get involved
  48. I’m with you Sam it’s draining supporting a club everyone hates. It’s been going on even pre-Abramovich when all I heard about is the number of foreign players we had in the 90s. I wouldn’t change a thing but it’s nice to be liked!
  51. Hugo scored 15 goals in 31 starts as Eintracht Frankfurt finished third in the Bundesliga last term.
  52. However, the 23-year-old is a provider as well as a scorer, with his eight assists ranking him within the top 6% among forwards for creating chances in Germany last season.
  53. Ekitike registered 117 shots on goal in the Bundesliga last term – more than any other player.
  54. His expected goals figure of 21.6 was the league’s second highest.
  55. Image source, Opta
  58. Joe Rindl
  59. BBC Sport
  60. Sorry, Sam. I guess we’re not ready to move on from the “Chelsea have loads of players” narrative just yet…
  61. If it makes you feel better I once handed over to Ben Ramsdale who immediately posted “Where my Ram Stans at?” and he got 500 thumbs down in five minutes.
  62. He’s grown since.
  65. get involved
  66. Didn’t realise that comment would be so unpopular! Quite daunting picturing over 400 people giving me a thumbs down… Anyway, Hato is a CB who can fill in at LB if needed, and Simons will be a replacement for Nknunku and Felix. I think it’s smart business so far!
  69. The signing of Hugo Ekitike has put Liverpool back at the top of this summer’s Premier League spenders, and it’s probably no surprise that the ‘Big Six’ are also the top six at splashing the pre-season cash.
  70. They have all spent a minimum of £120m, while Sunderland are the only other club to have edged over the £100m mark.
  71. At the other end of the scale are Aston Villa and Crystal Palace, who have so far spent £6.4m and £2m respectively, while Fulham are yet to spend anything.
  72. Image source, BBC Sport
  75. Joe Rindl
  76. BBC Sport
  77. Delayed due to overcrowding.
  80. get involved
  81. The way things are going at Chelsea, they won’t need a team bus… they’ll need a team train.
  84. get involved
  85. Boehly just getting ready for when the prem introduces attacking XI and defensive XI, he knows his football.
  88. Joe Rindl
  89. BBC Sport
  90. By the way, Newcastle are in a really strong position PSR-wise, and don’t need to sell Alexander Isak if they don’t want to.
  91. Earlier this month BBC Newcastle’s Matthew Raisbeck told me: “Very much the message around Isak is he’s not for sale. They are determined to keep him.
  92. “They have no desire to sell. There’s also no financial need to sell Isak or any big stars.
  93. “In fact Newcastle want to extend his contract which has another three years to run. They’re in a strong position with Isak despite rumours.”
  96. Newcastle United
  97. New signing Anthony Elanga is in Newcastle’s 30-man squad that will leave for Asia today, while Lewis Hall is also included after a lengthy lay-off.
  • Odysseas Vlachodimos
  • Nick Pope
  • John Ruddy
  • Max Thompson
  • Emil Krafth
  • Harrison Ashby
  • Sven Botman
  • Matt Targett
  • Kieran Trippier
  • Lewis Hall
  • Tino Livramento
  • Fabian Schär
  • Jamaal Lascelles
  • Dan Burn
  • Alex Murphy
  • Bruno Guimarães
  • Joelinton
  • Lewis Miley
  • Sandro Tonali
  • Joe Willock
  • Harvey Barnes
  • Jacob Murphy
  • William Osula
  • Anthony Elanga
  • Anthony Gordon
  • Sean Neave
  • Alfie Harrison
  • Anthony Munda
  • Travis Hernes
  3. Newcastle United
  4. Alexander Isak was not part of the squad that lost 4-0 to Celtic on Saturday but speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle after the game, manager Eddie Howe said he expected him to make the trip to Singapore.
  5. “Yes, absolutely,” Howe said when asked if Isak will travel.
  6. “He’s part of our squad. At this moment in time, I expect him to come.”
  9. Image source, Getty Images
  10. Newcastle United have announced the first team squad that has departed for the club’s 2025 Asia Tour and there is one glaring omission…
  11. Striker Alexander Isak hasn’t been named in the 30-man squad with the club announcing he misses out with a “minor thigh injury”.
  12. Defender Lewis Hall is back involved after missing the second-half of the 2024-25 season with a foot injury.

Page 5

  2. “Eddie Howe has an almost fully-fit squad to choose from, however Alexander Isak misses out with a minor thigh injury,” say Newcastle.
  5. As things stand, this is how Liverpool could be lining up when they face Bournemouth in the opening game of the Premier League season on 15 August.
  6. With over one month left of the summer transfer window, they could improve even further.
  7. But even if they don’t – is this a squad worthy of retaining the title?
  11. Oh wait, panic over. From the man himself on Manchester United’s social media channels…
  12. Bryan Em-Boom-O
  15. Joe Rindl
  16. BBC Sport
  17. That’s the problem, Christian, we can’t ask him because then he’ll know we don’t know. And that’ll look rude.
  18. Like when you forget someone’s name at a party and have to wait until somebody else says it.
  21. get involved
  22. Joe, its not the spelling of Mbeumo that’s hard, it’s the pronunciation. In recent weeks I’ve heard it as Em-boomo, Em-Bwemmo, and Em-Bermo. Can someone please ask the man himself and clear this up?
  25. Alex Keble
  26. Football tactics writer
  27. Hugo Ekitike scored 15 goals and provided eight assists in 31 Bundesliga games last season, totalling the fifth-most goal involvements in the division. He was also involved in the fifth-most ‘attacking sequences’ in the Bundesliga.
  28. That can be interpreted as showing the quality of Ekitike’s all-round game, whether holding up the ball, running into channels, or bursting in behind.
  29. In that respect – in most respects, in fact – he is very similar to Alexander Isak, albeit with considerably more flair to his game and a penchant for taking players on in the dribble.
  30. He is particularly adept at setting up team-mates, too, creating more chances from open play (44) in 2024-25 than any other Bundesliga forward.
  31. Image source, Opta
  32. The only slight concern is that Ekitike is a little raw in front of goal. He took 117 shots in the Bundesliga last season, more than anyone else, but converted a disappointing 12.8%, leading to an xG under-performance of 6.6 goals – a bigger gap than any other player in Europe’s ‘Big Five’ leagues.
  33. But that just means Ekitike needs a little tuning up.
  34. It’s worth nothing that when Isak was the same age, playing for Real Sociedad in 2021-22, he scored just six goals in 32 league games, under-performed his xG by 3.8, and converted just 8.2% of his shots.
  35. Image source, Opta
  38. get involved
  39. What we are forgetting regarding Chelsea, we have had incoming £100M from selling players and another near £100M from the CWC and also look at how the injuries derailed us last season – do need to sell a few more though
  42. Joe Rindl
  43. BBC Sport
  44. So I was speaking to football finance expert Kieran Maguire the other day and he said one of the big things that goes under the radar is just how good Chelsea are at selling.
  45. Few do it better.
  48. get involved
  49. As a Chelsea fan it’s getting really boring reading the same “Chelsea have 1million players” narrative. Yes the squad is bloated from business at the start of this new ownership, but it’s clear there’s going to be a lot of outgoings this summer.
  52. Alex Keble
  53. Football tactics writer
  54. Arne Slot’s summer reshuffle was already the most significant by a reigning Premier League champion in the competition’s history.
  55. Florian Wirtz’s arrival points to a reconstruction of the Liverpool midfield. Deals for Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez mark the end of the celebrated full-back pairing of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson. But the arrival of Hugo Ekitike is the final flourish that makes it practically a full-scale revolution.
  56. This is not Jurgen Klopp’s team any more.
  57. And yet, as the Bundesliga stars file in, it curiously looks as though Slot is taking Liverpool on a journey back towards his predecessor’s ideas.
  58. It’s telling that Ekitike is arriving in the same summer as another Bundesliga star, Germany international Wirtz, forming a new-look attack built on piercing forward movement and an inclination to weave through the thirds as quickly as possible.
  59. The two should combine superbly. Both are sharp one-touch passers between the lines, both love to crash the box, and both were sculpted in fast-transitioning Bundesliga teams.
  60. That is a clear step change for Slot and, to an extent, a surprising turn back towards the ‘heavy metal’ days of Klopp.
  61. Image source, Getty Images
  64. Joe Rindl
  65. BBC Sport
  66. There’s two more Liverpool ones, Harry. Ex-Reds Sheyi Ojo and Ozan Kabak.
  67. Also, for you budding sports journalists out there, Hugo Ekitike becomes a lot easier to spell when you remember he’s a palindrome.
  68. Bryan Mbeumo is the tricky one. E before the U if he plays for Man U.
  71. get involved
  72. Super late to the party, but did we ever get anymore palindromic footballer names? ‘Cause however long later, I’ve just thought of two; Eze and Esse.
  75. Alex Keble
  76. Football tactics writer
  77. Along with Florian Wirtz and the two new full-backs, Hugo Ekitike points to a different Liverpool set-up.
  78. In 2024-25, some 47 of Liverpool’s 86 goals (55%) were scored or assisted by Mohamed Salah, who ran the right wing almost on his own as Trent Alexander-Arnold drifted inside.
  79. By contrast, Jeremie Frimpong is a very attacking, very wide right-back. That should take some of the pressure off Salah, but it might also see the Egyptian move infield to support the new creator-in-chief Wirtz, Liverpool’s first proper number 10 in years.
  80. Adding weight to that theory is Ekitike’s history of playing in a strike partnership. He was arguably at his best in a 3-5-2 alongside Marmoush at Frankfurt, with whom he regularly swapped positions in a fluid forward line.
  81. He was also more often than not playing in a two at Reims, where he made his name. Could Slot be planning something similar with Ekitike and Salah?
  82. In a 4-2-3-1, Frimpong’s aggressive wing play on the right could free Salah to drift inside and operate as something like a split striker alongside Ekitike, with Wirtz and a number eight sitting just behind.
  83. He is the real deal: the centre-forward of the calibre and tactical dexterity pretty much every ‘Big Six’ club has been looking for.
  84. Whether Slot continues with Guardiola-like patience or swings back towards Klopp-like verticality, Liverpool’s chances of retaining the Premier League title just improved.
  87. Joe Rindl
  88. BBC Sport
  89. “Won’t somebody please think of Panini!”
  90. Other football sticker books/ trading cards are available. I was raised on Shoot Out.
  93. get involved
  94. The people I feel sorry for are those producing the Premier League sticker album, how are they supposed to know which Chelsea players to put in! Or maybe they’ll give Chelsea an extra 2 pages this year.
  97. Image source, Reuters
  98. Eintracht Frankfurt sporting director Markus Krosche speaking about Hugo Ekitike’s move to Liverpool: “Hugo has developed tremendously in his one and a half years with us and has been a true asset to our team and the entire club both on and off the pitch.
  99. “We are delighted that he can now take the next step – a step he has earned through his performances with us.”
  102. Image source, Reuters
  103. Liverpool got their new man – and they got the deal done quick.
  104. Here’s a look at how it all unravelled:
  • Newcastle United had a £70m bid rejected by Eintracht Frankfurt for Hugo Ekitike, 23, on 14 July.
  • Three days later, on 17 July, Liverpool entered talks to sign the forward.
  • With the Reds’ bid expected to surpass that of the Magpies, Newcastle cooled their interest.
  • On 21 July, just four days after they entered talks, the Premier League champions agreed a fee for Ekitike worth up to £79m with £69m guaranteed and £10m in add-ons.
  • The 23-year-old passed his Liverpool medical on 23 July and agreed personal terms.
  • Ekitike will fly out to join Liverpool’s pre-season tour of Asia later this week.
  3. Joe Rindl
  4. BBC Sport
  5. Thanks all. Including Deivid Washington, who’s on loan at Santos until December, Chelsea have 10, yep TEN, forwards.
  6. I reckon you could count seven of those 10 as wingers, plus Joao Pedro who can also do a job out wide.
  9. get involved
  10. How can you tell the day has a Y in it. Because Chelsea are buying a couple more players.
  11. I think Chelsea are going to have a squad of 1m players soon. They have so many wide forwards it’s unreal.
  14. get involved
  15. “The Netherlands international, 22, is understood to be open to a move to Stamford Bridge, as the Blues look to add more creativity and attacking flair.” Said without irony?

Page 6

  2. get involved
  3. Joe Rindl
  4. BBC Sport
  5. Always look forward to these live-text shifts, mainly because of your brilliantly funny takes.
  6. You know the drill by now. Get in touch with us by clicking the Get Involved button at the top of this page.
  7. We’ll start serious, but I’m sure things will descend into “Which former Arsenal bench-warmers live in your head rent-free” like yesterday in no time at all.
  10. Sami Mokbel and Nizaar Kinsella
  11. Two to watch today?
  12. Chelsea have opened talks with Ajax over a move for centre-back Jorrel Hato while pushing ahead with interest in RB Leipzig forward Xavi Simons.
  13. Hato, 19, has emerged as one of Europe’s most promising young defenders after an impressive campaign in the Eredivisie, making 31 appearances.
  14. BBC Sport understands that Chelsea are in direct communication with both Ajax and Hato’s camp to explore the possibility of a summer transfer. Talks are understood to be in the early stages, with no agreement yet in place.
  15. Meanwhile, Chelsea are discussing personal terms with Simons.
  16. The Netherlands international, 22, is understood to be open to a move to Stamford Bridge, as the Blues look to add more creativity and attacking flair.
  17. RB Leipzig are aware of Chelsea’s approach, though no agreement has yet been reached.
  18. Image source, Getty Images
  21. Elizabeth Botcherby
  22. BBC Sport
  23. Last night Marcus Rashford joined Barcelona on an initial 12-month loan from Manchester United, with the Catalan giants having the option of signing the England international on a permanent basis for £30.3m (35m euros) in 2026.
  24. Rashford hasn’t played for Manchester United, his boyhood club, since last December after being dropped by manager Ruben Amorin, and spent the second half of the 2024-25 season on loan at Aston Villa.
  25. In July, it was confirmed that he was one of five players to tell the club that he wanted to leave.
  26. Image source, Getty Images
  29. Tom Mallows
  30. BBC Sport
  31. Liverpool completed the signing of Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike for an initial £69m, subject to international clearance last night.
  32. The 23-year-old Frenchman also passed a medical and agreed personal terms.
  33. Ekitike will fly out to join Liverpool’s pre-season tour of Asia later this week.
  34. Frankfurt accepted a deal worth £79m, with £69m guaranteed and £10m in add-ons, earlier this week.
  35. His arrival pushes Liverpool’s spending past £250m this summer.
  36. They signed Florian Wirtz for a potential British record £116m, while defenders Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong have arrived for a combined £70m.
  37. Image source, Getty Images
  40. Joe Rindl
  41. BBC Sport
  42. Two huge stories broke last night.
  43. One, Liverpool confirmed the signing of Hugo Ekitike from Eitracht Frankfurt for big money.
  44. And two, Barcelona announced that Marcus Rashford had joined them on loan from Manchester United.
  45. So I reckon we should spend most of this morning reacting to both of those moves, plus Chelsea are after even more players, can you believe it?
  46. Yep, you probably can. Anyway, Xavi Simmons and Jorrel Hato are being linked to Stamford Bridge.
  47. Image source, Getty Images
  49. Initial fee with add-ons in brackets
  50. Arsenal
  • Kepa Arrizabalaga – from Chelsea – £5m
  • Martin Zubimendi – from Real Sociedad – £60m
  • Christian Norgaard – from Brentford – £10m (£5m)
  • Noni Madueke – from Chelsea – £48.5m
  1. Aston Villa
  • Yasin Ozcan – from Kasimpasa – £5.9m (£6.7m)
  • Zepiqueno Redmond – from Feyenoord – Free
  • Marco Bizot – from Brest – Undisclosed
  1. Bournemouth
  • Adrien Truffert – from Rennes – £11.4m (£14.4m)
  • Djordje Petrovic – from Chelsea – £25m
  1. Brentford
  • Michael Kayode – from Fiorentina – £14.8m
  • Caoimhin Kelleher – from Liverpool – £12.5m (£18m)
  • Romelle Donovan – from Birmingham City – £3m
  • Antoni Milambo – from Feyenoord – Undisclosed
  • Jordan Henderson – from Ajax – Free
  1. Brighton
  • Charalampos Kostoulas – from Olympiakos – £29.8m (£31.5m)
  • Diego Coppola – from Hellas Verona – £8.5m
  • Olivier Boscagli – from PSV Eindhoven – Free
  • Maxim de Cuyper – from Club Brugge – Undisclosed
  1. Burnley
  • Bashir Humphreys – from Chelsea – £12m (£14.7m)
  • Marcus Edwards – from Sporting – £8.5m
  • Jaidon Anthony – from Bournemouth – £7.5m
  • Zian Flemming – from Millwall – £7m
  • Max Weiss – from Karlsruher – £4.3m
  • Quilindschy Hartman – from Feyenoord – Undisclosed
  • Axel Tuanzebe – from Ipswich – Free
  • Loum Tchaouna – from Lazio – Undisclosed
  • Kyle Walker – from Manchester City – £5m
  • Jacob Bruun Larsen – from Stuttgart – Undisclosed
  1. Chelsea
  • Liam Delap – from Ipswich – £30m
  • Estevao Willian – from Palmeiras – £29m (£48.5m)
  • Dario Essugo – from Sporting – £18.5
  • Mamadou Sarr – from Strasbourg – £12m
  • Kendry Paez – from Independiente del Valle – £8.3m (£16.6m)
  • Joao Pedro – from Brighton – £60m
  • Jamie Gittens – from Borussia Dortmund – £48.5m
  1. Crystal Palace
  • Walter Benitez – from PSV Eindhoven – Free
  • Borna Sosa – from Ajax – Undisclosed
  1. Everton
  • Charly Alcaraz – from Flamengo – £12.6m (£15.2m)
  • Thierno Barry – from Villarreal – £27m
  • Mark Travers – from Bournemouth – Undisclosed
  1. Leeds
  • Jaka Bijol – from Udinese – £15m
  • Lukas Nmecha – from Wolfsburg – Free
  • Sebastiaan Bornauw – from Wolfsburg – £5.1m
  • Gabriel Gudmundsson – from Lille – £10m
  • Sean Longstaff – from Newcastle – £12m
  • Anton Stach – from Hoffenheim – £17m
  1. Liverpool
  • Florian Wirtz – from Bayer Leverkusen – £100m (£116m)
  • Jeremie Frimpong – from Bayer Leverkusen – £29.5m
  • Armin Pecsi – from Puskas Akademia – £1.5m
  • Milos Kerkez – from Bournemouth – £40m
  • Hugo Ekitike -from Eintracht Frankfurt £69m (£79m)
  1. Manchester City
  • Tijjani Reijnders – from AC Milan – £46.3m (£60m)
  • Rayan Ait-Nouri – from Wolves – £31m (£36.3m)
  • Rayan Cherki – from Lyon – £30.5m (£35.6m)
  • Marcus Bettinelli – from Chelsea – Nominal
  • Sverre Nypan – from Rosenborg – £12.5m
  1. Manchester United
  • Matheus Cunha – from Wolves – £62.5m
  • Diego Leon – from Cerro Porteno – Undisclosed
  • Bryan Mbeumo – from Brentford – £65m (£6m)
  1. Newcastle
  • Antonio Cordero – from Malaga – Free
  • Anthony Elanga – from Nottingham Forest – £55m
  1. Nottingham Forest
  • Igor Jesus – from Botafogo – £10m
  • Jair Cunha – from Botafago – Undisclosed
  1. Sunderland
  • Enzo le Fee – from Roma – £19.3m
  • Habib Diarra – from Strasbourg – £30m
  • Noah Sadiki – from Royale Union Saint-Gilloise – Reported £15m
  • Reinildo Mandava – from Atletico Madrid – Free
  • Chemsdine Talbi – from Club Brugge – Reported £18m (£2.5m)
  • Simon Adingra – from Brighton – £21m
  1. Tottenham
  • Kevin Danso – Lens – £20.9m
  • Mathys Tel – from Bayern Munich – £29.8m (£34.1m)
  • Kota Takai – from Kawasaki Frontale – £5m
  • Mohammed Kudus – from West Ham – £55m
  1. West Ham
  • Jean-Clair Todibo – from Nice – £36.3m
  • El Hadji Malick Diouf – from Slavia Prague – £19m
  • Kyle Walker-Peters – from Southampton – Free
  1. Wolves
  • Fer Lopez – from Celta Vigo – £19.6m (£21.3m)
  • Jorgen Strand Larsen – from Celta Vigo – £23m
  3. Joe Rindl
  4. BBC Sport
  5. You lucky people! We’re fully focused on transfers today so get yourself comfy and embrace the Gossip!
  6. Image source, Getty Images

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