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Arsenal are reportedly in the market for another new striker after a major injury blow to Kai Havertz. Early names to pop up in the rumour mill are Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson and Ademola Lookman of Atalanta as they look to bolster a frontline containing recent acquisition Viktor Gyokeres.
The transfer market is hotting up with one forward in the centre of the market, Alexander Isak, changing the tone of his saga late on Tuesday night with an explosive statement. He accused Newcastle United of “broken promises” and “lost trust” with Liverpool still strongly linked with a move for the Swedish striker.
The Reds’ offer of £110m fell well short of Newcastle’s valuation with the deadline for the transfer window now fast approaching, but the player has three more years on his contract, retaining some leverage for Eddie Howe’s side.
The Premier League champions are still linked with Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, too, with the England defender a year away from becoming a free agent, though the FA Cup holders have stood firm on a valuation, despite the difficult situation.
Eberechi Eze’s potential move to Tottenham Hotspur also dominates the closing stretch of the window, though the deal is edging closer with Palace negotiating a suitable payment structure in a deal worth more than £55m.
Manchester United continue to endure frustration with their goalkeeper situation, and could rival Manchester City for Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Follow all the latest transfer news, gossip, rumours and done deals in The Independent’s live blog below:
Rasmus Hojlund seems like he could be on his way out of Old Trafford after he was omitted from their matchday squad against Arsenal last Sunday.
The striker has had plenty of suitors this summer with AC Milan, Fulham and now Napoli interested in him.
United reportedly want around £40m for Hojlund but are open to loan deals under the right conditions. Napoli are pursuing the latter due to Romelu Lukaku being out for the next three months.
Now that Benjamin Sesko has arrived at Old Trafford Hojlund may struggle for gametime and a loan may be the best solution for him.
Rasmus Hojlund plans to stay and fight for United (Adam Davy/PA) (PA Wire)
Mike Jones20 August 2025 16:26
Arsenal have been linked with a few attacking wingers this summer and have already brought in Noni Madueke.
They were invested in Eberechi Eze for a while though he seems more likely to join Tottenham.
Now they are rumoured to be looking at Real Madrid’s Rodrgyo who was also of interest to Manchester City. However, City’s decision to keep Savinho (who was targeted by Spurs) and Pep Guardiola’s desire to reduce his squad means Arsenal may be in prime position to secure him.
Rodrygo has reportedly been told he can leave this summer and Spanish outlet Cadena SER say Madrid’s asking price set is £76.8m (€90m).
Mike Jones20 August 2025 16:05
Arsenal target Chelsea forward as cover for Havertz?
Arsenal are considering a move for another Chelsea player, with Nicolas Jackson emerging as a target following reports that Kai Havertz is set for a long spell on the sidelines.
Team Talk reports that Jackson, who is valued at £60m by the Blues, could provide cover for the German and competition for new signing Viktor Gyokeres, with the report adding that Newcastle are also keen on the Senegalese striker.
The 24-year-old has fallen out of favour at Stamford Bridge and is now behind Joao Pedro and Liam Delap in the pecking order.
And Enzo Maresca confirmed last week that Jackson can leave the club: “He is training with us [the first-team squad], but he is not going to be involved. You know the situation already. The window transfer is open. He can leave, and we’ll see.”
Nicolas Jackson could leave Chelsea this summer after the arrivals of Delap and Pedro (Getty Images)
Jack Rathborn20 August 2025 15:46
Will Man Utd make a move for Donnarumma?
It is a transfer that probably needs to happen for Manchester United.
Altay Bayindir’s error against Arsenal on Sunday cost a revamped and renewed United side a point against Arsenal at Old Trafford and PSG’s exiled goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma would improve them immensely.
Donnarumma was again left out of PSG’s squad, this time against Nantes in Ligue 1, after also being omitted from the Super Cup victory over Tottenham.
The Italian has been linked with both Manchester clubs with City perhaps slightly ahead of United in the rumour mill.
Need is more pressing for the team in red though as City have excellent goalkeepers at their disposal in James Trafford, Stefan Ortega and Ederson.
The latter is said to be potentially moving to Galatasaray which will be a factor in their pursuit of Donnarumma.
Gianluigi Donnarumma is being eyed by Premier League clubs (PA Wire)
Mike Jones20 August 2025 15:29
Liverpool set deadline in pursuit of Alexander Isak
The saga that has rolled on for most of the summer concerns Alexander Isak, Newcastle and Liverpool.
The Premier League champions submitted a £110m bid for Newcastle’s main forward but that was rejected out of hand and the Reds moved to sign Hugo Ekitike.
They have remained interested in Isak but the weekend’s results prove that Newcastle need his services more than Liverpool do.
The latest in this move is that Liverpool have made Isak their priority for the closing weeks of the window but want the deal done sooner than later.
They’ve set a deadline of next week to get an agreement done with Newcastle otherwise they will move on to other targets.
Alexander Isak wants to leave Newcastle (Gareth Fuller/PA) (PA Wire)
Mike Jones20 August 2025 15:08
Spurs and Palace close to agreement over Eze
Tottenham and Crystal Palace are very close to an agreement for winger Eberechi Eze.
The clubs have been in negotiations and are nearing an understanding over a deal for the 27-year-old.
Eberechi Eze could move to Tottenham (John Walton/PA) (PA Wire)
Mike Jones20 August 2025 14:47
Gary Neville on Manchester United’s ‘glaring issue’
The former Manchester United captain and Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville has picked out a ‘glaring issue’ that the club need to solve during the transfer window.
He said: “There is a glaring issue for United that can’t be ignored, and that is that they need to find a goalkeeper, they have to. I am absolutely unequivocal on that.
“It’s really unsettling when you don’t have a dominant No1 who is dominant in the air, who makes a lot of saves in one on one and saves you points when your defenders make mistakes.
“They might have to magic up some more money in the next week or two or do something on loan.”
Gary Neville says Manchester United need to sign a goalkeeper (PA Wire)
Mike Jones20 August 2025 14:28
Kai Havertz injury blow forces Arsenal into transfer rethink
According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, Havertz is set for a spell on the sidelines after suffering the issue and is now undergoing assessments to determine the extent of the injury. Given these are still at an early stage, the prognosis and how long he will be out for is still unclear.
Mike Jones20 August 2025 14:08
Douglas Luiz closing in on Forest move
Douglas Luiz is on his way to Nottingham Forest.
The Brazilian made 27 appearances for Juventus last season, after switching from Aston Villa, but struggled to hold down a place in the starting XI.
And his time at Forest appears to be over, says Fabrizio Romano.
Douglas Luiz is set to leave Juventus (Getty Images)
Lawrence Ostlere20 August 2025 13:28
Fulham forward set to extend contract
Rodrigo Muniz is set to sign a new contract at Fulham, reports Miguel Delaney.
The Brazilian striker, who scored the late equaliser at Brighton last weekend to earn the Cottagers a point, was linked with a move to Atalanta.
But Muniz, after Fulham knocked back a £35m bid for the 23-year-old, is now set to remain at Craven Cottage for the foreseeable future.
Fulham’s Rodrigo Muniz reacts after the match against Brighton (Action Images/Reuters)
Miguel Delaney20 August 2025 13:08