FILE: ‘Relationship with Newcastle can’t continue’ – wantaway striker IsakYour support helps us to tell the story
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Alexander Isak changed the tone of his transfer saga late on Tuesday night with an explosive statement, accusing 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.
Arne Slot’s side have the funds to buy again, with the boost of a £25m sale of Ben Doak to Bournemouth. While 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:
DONE DEAL! Bailey leaves Villa
Leon Bailey has left Aston Villa for a season-long loan with Roma.
Villa confirmed that attacker Bailey has moved to the Serie A side, who have an option to permanently sign him for£19m.
The 28-year-old joined Villa for £25m from Bayer Leverkusen back in 2021 and scored 22 goals for the club in 144 appearances. His best season was 2023-24 when he netted 14 times in 52 games in all competitions.
Luke Baker20 August 2025 11:11
The Fifa rule that hands Isak transfer leverage over Newcastle
But there is a little-known Fifa rule on transfers which could play into Isak’s hands and provide him some leverage in the dispute.
Lawrence Ostlere20 August 2025 10:56
Leverkusen hijack Dortmund’s Echeverri deal
An interesting saga in the Bundesliga, where Dortmund appeared to have sewn up a loan deal for Manchester City wonderkid Claudio Echeverri, only for Leverkusen to step in at the last moment and whisk him away.
Echeverri was signed by City two years ago but returned to boyhood club River Plate on loan and continued to thrive in Argentina, by all accounts.
He has made a few appearances for City – in the FA Cup final, the Premier League and the Club World Cup, scoring in the latter, but Pep Guardiola now wants the 19-year-old to earn some game time elsewhere, and there are few better places than the Bundesliga to learn your trade.
Lawrence Ostlere20 August 2025 10:41
El Khannouss a key part of Eze’s Spurs transfer
A key domino in this summer’s transfer window is Bilal El Khannouss. The 21-year-old won a bunch of young player awards in Belgium before moving to Leicester City, and did well last season in the Premier League despite the club’s relegation.
Now Crystal Palace have identified El Khannouss as a replacement for Eberechi Eze, and they have “made contact” with Leicester, reports the Athletic. If the Moroccan midfielder moves, that would pave the way for Eberechi Eze to depart Selhurst Park for Tottenham in a deal worth around £60m.
Bilal El Khannouss is wanted by Crystal Palace (Getty Images)
Lawrence Ostlere20 August 2025 10:27
Leipzig contact Chelsea over Nkunku
More on Christopher Nkunku, whose potential move to Bayern Munich has stalled, as mentioned below, per the Guardian.
Well, the Athletic reports that RB Leipzig have started talks with Chelsea over bringing Nkunku back to the club where he spent four seasons before moving to Stamford Bridge.
The deal is “not close yet” but Nkunku is prepared to join Leipzig.
Lawrence Ostlere20 August 2025 10:12
Aston Villa are looking into the possibility of signing Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson, according to the Telegraph, but only if the Blues’ £60m price tag drops significantly before deadline day.
Villa do not have as much PSR headroom as some of their Premier League rivals, having missed out on qualification for the Champions League this season, although the sale of Jacob Ramsey to Newcastle has eased some of that pressure.
The club can spend but it sounds like Chelsea will need to soften their stance on Jackson if he is to move on.
Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson is a target for Villa (Rafal Oleksiewicz/PA) (PA Wire)
Lawrence Ostlere20 August 2025 09:47
West Ham and Wolves compete for Barcelona starlet
Should West Ham get Alvarez off the books, then a deal for Barcelona’s Marc Casado could materialise, reports Marca.
Wolves are also keen on the Spain midfielder, though the 21-year-old is reluctant to leave the Camp Nou.
The Premier League duo will negotiate with the Catalan giants in a bid to bring the defensive midfielder to England and offer regular first team football.
Jack Rathborn20 August 2025 09:32
West Ham set to sanction Alvarez loan deal
West Ham could sanction a move for Mexican midfielder Edson Alvarez to Fenerbahce on loan.
The Hammers could then free up some wages and strengthen before the deadline.
Talksport reports the 27-year-old could leave before the deadline with Graham Potter desperately searching for improvements after a rocky start to the season.
Jack Rathborn20 August 2025 09:21
Cristian Romero ends transfer speculation by signing new Tottenham contract
Tottenham captain Cristian Romero has ended uncertainty over his future by signing a new long-term contract at the club.
Romero had entered the final two years of his previous deal, but has put pen to paper on new terms running until 2029. This news will be a major boost to new Tottenham boss Thomas Frank, who fielded several questions on the topic of Romero’s commitment in Friday’s press conference – days after he named him captain.
Jack Rathborn20 August 2025 09:10
Rodrigo Muniz set to stay at Fulham
Brazil forward Rodrigo Muniz is set to stay at Fulham with his move to Atalanta now off.
The Cottagers knocked back an offer of £35m for the 24-year-old, who scored the equaliser against Brighton to earn a point during the opening weekend of the Premier League season.
But the Serie A club are unlikely to return with an improved offer, reports Fabrizio Romano.
Jack Rathborn20 August 2025 09:00