Transfer news live: Arsenal seal Gyokeres deal, Xhaka’s shock return, Isak to Liverpool update

Transfer news live

• Arsenal agree transfer package worth £63m with Sporting for Viktor Gyokeres
• What is really going on inside the confusing Alexander Isak transfer saga?
• Why Man United could be in pole position for Benjamin Sesko
• Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike set to join Liverpool for £79m
• Bryan Mbeumo finally signs for Manchester United in £71m deal
• Marcus Rashford heading to Barcelona ahead of loan move
• Chelsea in talks with Leipzig midfielder Xavi Simons
• Granit Xhaka closing in on shock return to Premier League with Sunderland

Tottenham in talks for Joao Palhinha?

Joao Palhinha didn’t have the season he had hoped for after leaving Fulham for Bayern Munich - could a move back to London be on the cards for the Portuguese midfielder?

Reports in Germany suggest Thomas Frank is keen, though a mooted fee of £26m may be steep.

Joao Palhinha endured a tricky first season at Bayern Munich (Getty)

Mbeumo a 'perfect fit' for United's plans

Director football Jason Wilcox said: "Bryan's goals and assists record in the Premier League is exceptional, his remarkable consistency has put him amongst the most productive players in England for the last three seasons.

"Bryan's belief in our project and determination to join the club confirmed that he was the perfect fit for Manchester United and the culture that we are developing.

"We are delighted to have secured another one of our primary targets ahead of the pre-season tour. The experience in the US will be the perfect opportunity for Bryan to work with Ruben and his new team-mates as we prepare for an exciting season ahead."

Keylor Navas leaves Messi's former club

Ex-Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas is set to transfer to the UNAM Pumas of the Mexican league after a six-month stint in Argentina with Newell's Old Boys.

The 38-year-old Navas signed a two-year deal last January with Newell's Old Boys, the boyhood club of Lionel Messi, but he received an offer from Pumas two weeks ago.

The Argentinian club on Monday said it will receive $2 million as part of the transfer deal. Pumas is yet to make an official announcement.

Navas missed the first two league matches in Argentina, the first due to sickness sickness and the second because he asked to be left on the bench.

"Commitment, professionalism, and respect for the club's values are non-negotiable," Newell's Old Boys said. "To achieve our goals, it is essential that each member pulls in the same direction, always prioritizing the team over the individual."

Aubameyang exits Al-Qadsiah

Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang left the Saudi club on Thursday, having scored 21 goals in 36 matches in all competitions in his one season at Al-Qadsiah.

(Getty Images)

Hamburg loan Bayern keeper Peretz

Israel goalkeeper Daniel Peretz is joining promoted Hamburger SV from Bayern Munich on loan for next season.

"Daniel has continued to develop at FC Bayern over the past two years, and we are very pleased with him," Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund said Monday. "He has really good skills and an outstanding character. He's always reliable in our goalkeeping team led by Manuel Neuer. Now he'll gain further experience and plenty of Bundesliga minutes at Hamburger SV."

That's not a given, as established goalkeeper Daniel Heuer Fernandes is a club favorite at Hamburg after helping it to promotion last season. The 32-year-old Heuer Fernandes showed he's in fine form with several saves in a friendly game at Austrian team Sturm Graz on Saturday.

The 25-year-old Peretz made seven competitive appearances for Bayern since joining from Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2023, but found it hard to break through with Neuer still preferred as No. 1 and Bayern signing the 21-year-old Jonas Urbig from Cologne in January.

Peretz has also played seven games for Israel.

Gibbs-White absent as Forest begin preseason camp

Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White has not travelled with the squad for their pre-season camp in Portugal due to a personal reason.

PA understands Gibbs-White's absence is not transfer related and it is expected he will join up with the team later in the week.

Forest will spend the next week-and-a-half in Portugal on a training camp and will play friendlies against Premier League side Fulham and Portuguese side Estoril Praia.

The 25-year-old was set for a move to Tottenham after they triggered Gibbs-White's £60million release clause but the transfer stalled earlier this month.

Forest are considering legal action against Tottenham over an alleged illegal approach for Gibbs-White, who returned to pre-season training last Monday and has since trained again with the club.

He also started Forest's 0-0 friendly draw with Chesterfield on Saturday at the SMH Group Stadium and played the first half.

Chelsea in talks with Xavi Simons

Chelsea are interested in Xavi Simons, the Leipzig midfielder, who is also interested in joining the Blues, according to multiple reports.

Chelsea are hopeful of reaching a verbal agreement with the player before speaking to the club.

Simons is already an outstanding performer for club and country aged only 22. He can play in a number of positions across the middle of the pitch and his ability to pick a key pass is elite.

Chelsea are set to open talks with the Bundesliga club this week, but one stumbling block, writes the Telegraph, is that Chelsea feel they need to offload players before they can sign another midfielder.

ALEMANIA BUNDESLIGA (AP)

Mbeumo: 'I'm joining my dream club'

"As soon as I knew there was a chance to join Manchester United, I had to take the opportunity to sign for the club of my dreams; the team whose shirt I wore growing up," the Cameroon international said.

"My mentality is to always be better than I was yesterday. I know that I have the spirit and character to reach another level here, learning from Ruben Amorim and playing alongside world-class players.

"Everybody told me about the environment that is being created here and how exciting the plans are for the future. This is a massive club, with an incredible stadium and amazing fans, we are all really determined to challenge for the biggest trophies."

Arsenal schedule medical for Gyokeres pre-season tour

Viktor Gyokeres will fly to Singapore for a medical, sources tell The Independent’s chief football writer Miguel Delaney.

Arsenal look set to add a new striker alongside centre-back Cristhian Mosquera, who has already completed his medical, with both able to boost a squad on their Asian tour and begin the quest to finally land that Premier League title after going so close in recent years.

The pair will not be able to feature in the friendly with AC Milan on Wednesday, but they could make their debuts against Newcastle on Sunday.

Liverpool ready to battle Italian giants for Leoni?

Liverpool face a battle to sign Giovanni Leoni after the Parma player’s agent met with Inter Milan, according to Calciomercato.com.

Juventus, Milan, and Liverpool are competing for the player’s signature, adds the report.

Leoni’s former manager, Christian Chivu, is now in charge at Inter, handing them an advantage in the race.

Italian media reports state the asking price is €40m (£34.7m) but a smaller fee could be enough to land the highly rated centre-back.

Sunderland ready to beat Inter and Milan to Xhaka

Sunderland are pushing ahead with plans to sign Granit Xhaka from Bayern Leverkusen.

Reports state an agreement is in place with the Swiss midfielder, The Athletic’s David Ornstein insists the former Arsenal man has informed the German club that he intends to only join the Black Cats.

Milan have already signed Luka Modric and Samuele Ricci to bolster their midfield, but Inter and Juventus were also linked with Xhaka but may now be forced to look elsewhere.

Sunderland are close to striking a deal to bring Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Granit Xhaka to the Stadium of Light (Adam Davy/PA) (PA Archive)

The problem with Chelsea's masterplan

Senior football reporter Richard Jolly writes:

“It could be deemed the most successful transfer policy in the global game. Cole Palmer, the flagship coup of Chelsea’s recruitment in the new era, scored twice in the Club World Cup final and was named player of the tournament.

The other goal in the demolition of Paris Saint-Germain went to Joao Pedro: 11 days into his Chelsea career, the Brazilian had already scored twice in the semi-final. The Golden Glove was awarded to the much-maligned Robert Sanchez, the unlikely scourge of PSG’s feared forward line. Of 15 players used in the final, three were academy graduates and the other 12 all bought under the new regime.”

Cristhian Mosquera due to join Arsenal tour to complete move

The Gunners are moving closer to a deal with the Valencia Defender who has been given permission to join up with the team in Singapore.

The 21 year-old Spaniard has already agreed personal terms with the club and will be a new competitor to current defenders William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.

Being able to play both centre back and right back, he fills the gap of Takehiro Tomiyasu who mutually agreed a termination of his contract.

Mosquera has made 90 appearances for Valencia and was a regular last season, playing the full match in 37 of the club's 38 La Liga games.

In Singapore Arsenal will take on AC Milan on Wednesday, before facing in Tottenham in Hong Kong on Sunday before returning to London.

The Spaniard will join Arsenal this week for their Asian tour (Getty Images)

Breakthrough! Arsenal set to seal Gyokeres

Arsenal have made a major breakthrough in their negotiations for Viktor Gyokeres, finally agreeing a fee with Sporting CP, who fought hard for what they considered a fair price.

Arsenal have agreed to a package worth up to £63m for the Swedish forward. Their long search for a No9 is nearly over.

Eddie Howe confident Alexander Isak will stay at Newcastle

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe excused Alexander Isak from travelling to their friendly with Celtic to shield him from transfer speculation but is confident the striker will remain at St James’s Park.

“Alex has trained this week and is fine but we didn’t want to take the risk with him. Alex was with us all the way through Austria but, with all the speculation and things that are going on, I decided to send him home.

“It’s purely the last thing Alex wants, if he’s not playing, to be sat in the stand. Being under that scrutiny, I don’t think that’s fair to the player.

“It’s difficult for me to give 100 per cent clarity on any player. I’d never sit here and do that because it’s football and you never know what could happen.

“All I can say is that Alex is happy at Newcastle. He loves the players that he plays with, the staff, the team.”

Alexander Isak has been a big hit on Tyneside since his £63million switch from Real Sociedad (Owen Humphreys/PA) (PA Wire)

Wrexham seal Bolton captain Thomason

Wrexham have completed the signing of former Bolton captain George Thomason on a three-year deal.

The 24-year-old Thomason made 169 appearances for the Trotters after signing from non-league Longridge Town in 2020.

Thomason told Wrexham's official website: "I'm buzzing to be here, and I can't wait to be a part of the journey that the club has been on.

"It's a really exciting time to be a part of the football club and it's going to be a really exciting season."

Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson added: "We're delighted to welcome George to the club. We're looking forward to getting him in training with the lads later this week, and fully integrating him into the group."

Parris exits Brighton

Experienced forward Nikita Parris has left Brighton following the end of her contract.

The England international, 31, joined Albion from Manchester United on deadline day last September and made 28 appearances in all competitions for the club, scoring 12 goals.

Brighton ended the season in fifth place in the Women's Super League, and head coach Dario Vidosic said: "Nikita has played a vital role in helping us achieve our highest-ever WSL finish.

"Her professionalism, both on and off the pitch, has been outstanding, and her experience has been hugely influential within the squad - especially in guiding some of our younger players.

"Her goals and tactical awareness have offered consistency and leadership in the final third. We're truly grateful to have had the opportunity to work with her last season and wish her nothing but the best in the next stage of her career."

Xhaka pushing for move to Sunderland

Is Granit Xhaka returning to the Premier League?

So says Sky Sports Germany:

Roma agree basic loan terms over Ferguson

Roma and Brighton have come to an agreement over a move for striker Evan Ferguson.

The two clubs have agreed the basic terms of a loan move for Ferguson who will land in Italy tonight to sign for the Serie A side.

Evan Ferguson is heading to Serie A (Mike Egerton/PA Wire)

Liverpool and Wales star Joey Jones dies aged 70

Some sad football news today:

Solano back in coaching

Newcastle United legend Nolberto Solano has been appointed as head coach of Pakistan's senior and under-23 teams.

Solano will take over from Stephen Constantine and his first major assignment will be the AFC Under-23 qualifiers in September where Pakistan is grouped with Cambodia, Iraq and Oman.

He will also be in charge for the remainder of Pakistan's 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifying campaign, including a double-header against Afghanistan in October.

Solano's appointment is the first major signing by the newly-elected Pakistan Football Federation with Mohsen Gilani as its president.

"Under President Mohsen Gilani's leadership, PFF proudly welcomes Nolberto Solano as Head Coach of Pakistan U23 with a pathway to the senior team!," the PFF wrote on X while welcoming the former Peru winger.

"A true legend with EPL, World Cup & Copa America pedigree it's a new era for Pakistan football."

Nobby Solano is back (Reuters)

Ekitike follows Wirtz and Frimpong from Bundesliga

Sporting director Richard Hughes and some medical staff did not travel with the Reds to Hong Kong on Sunday in order to complete the signing.

Newcastle and Manchester United had been interested in Ekitike, who is set continue Liverpool's summer spending spree.

Florian Wirtz arrived from Bayer Leverkusen in an initial £100m deal that could rise to £116m, while Jeremie Frimpong also joined from them in a £29.5m switch and Milos Kerkez left Bournemouth for £40m.

Giorgi Mamardashvili has also linked up with Liverpool after agreeing a deal with Valencia last August, along with fellow goalkeepers Armin Pecsi and Freddie Woodman.

Ekitike latest as Liverpool transfer nears

Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike has flown to London to complete his big-money move to Liverpool.

Arne Slot's Premier League champions reached a deal with the German club on Monday to sign the 23-year-old for a guaranteed £69million plus a potential £10m in add-ons.

Frankfurt granted Ekitike permission to travel to England to complete the deal and the frontman is understood to have headed to the capital rather than Merseyside to complete the deal.

The striker is due to undergo his medical and sign a six-year deal before heading to Asia to join his new Liverpool team-mates on their pre-season tour.

Hugo Ekitike is on his way to join Liverpool (Getty)

Marcus Rashford heading to Barcelona

Marcus Rashford is seemingly on the move to La Liga both figuratively and literally.

Rashford posted a photo of himself on a private plane with the caption: ‘Downtime’ as rumours abound over an exit from Manchester United.

The forward has interest from Barcelona and looks set to complete a year-long loan move with the Spanish giants who will have an option to buy included in the contract.

Barcelona have allegedly agreed to cover all of Rashford’s £375,000 per week wages and, though United prefer a permanent move, they have agreed to this deal.

Liverpool reach £79m agreement to sign Hugo Ekitike from Frankfurt

The fee could rise to £79m if add-ons are triggered and the French forward is set to become their fourth summer signing.

Ekitike will travel to Merseyside for a medical and will sign a six-year deal, with personal terms not expected to be a problem.

Liverpool hope the 23-year-old will be able to fly to Asia to link up with his new teammates on their pre-season tour. Sporting director Richard Hughes has remained behind in England to complete the deal, along with some of Liverpool’s medical staff.

Liverpool entered into advanced talks with Frankfurt last week after making an inquiry with Newcastle for Alexander Isak, who United do not want to sell.

Hugo Ekitike is leaving Eintracht Frankfurt for Liverpool (Getty Images)

Man United sign Mbeumo from Brentford

Manchester United have completed the long-awaited signing of Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo for a fee rising to £71million.

Nearly seven weeks after seeing their first offer rebuffed, the Red Devils finally have their man and the 25-year-old has signed a deal until 2030 with the option of a further year.

Mbeumo leaves Brentford for an initial £65m fee that could rise by a further £6m should certain add-on clauses related to team and player be achieved.

Bryan Mbeumo has finally completed his move to Manchester United (Bradley Collyer/PA) (PA Wire)

Man United looking to 'hijack' Gyokeres transfer?

Are Manchester United looking to hijack Arsenal’s move for Viktor Gyokeres? So says Portuguese outlet Record.

Arsenal are known to be close to completing a transfer for the Swedish striker, but they are still ironing out the details of add-ons with Sporting CP.

And while Arsenal delay, United have supposedly been eyeing the door left ajar, proposing a bid with around £70m. But that may all be for nothing because Gyokeres prefers Arsenal, and has already verbally agreed personal terms at the Emirates.

Viktor Gyokeres is searching for a move away from Sporting (Zed Jameson/PA). (PA Archive)

Inside the Isak transfer saga

Newcastle United may be insistent that Alexander Isak is not for sale, and Eddie Howe may be cautiously asserting his confidence that the Swede will “be here at the start of the season”, but there is a lot more uncertainty within the club. Many are worried. A feeling is growing that Isak’s head has been turned, with that accentuated by the club’s frustrations in the transfer market. The 25-year-old is coming into his prime, and just qualifying for the Champions League is no longer enough.

What is really going on inside the confusing Alexander Isak transfer saga?

What is really going on inside the confusing Alexander Isak transfer saga?

Newcastle United may be insistent that Alexander Isak is not for sale, and Eddie Howe may be cautiously asserting his confidence that the Swede will “be here at the start of the season”, but there is a lot more uncertainty within the club. Many are worried. A feeling is growing that Isak’s head has been turned, with that accentuated by the club’s frustrations in the transfer market. The 25-year-old is coming into his prime, and just qualifying for the Champions League is no longer enough.

Arteta on transfer window

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta on whether it has been a stressful summer: "Exciting.

“You see the club ownership and ambition we have, the alignment we have everybody, in the board and with everybody connected with Andrea [Berta - Sporting Director].

"There is an excitement about the new season. Super positive about it."

Chelsea and Arsenal battle for Simons

Xavi Simons has made his thoughts clear that he wants to leave RB Leipzig this summer.

Sky Sports say that there is some interest in the midfielder from Premier League clubs and that the player would be open to the move.

Arsenal and Chelsea were the two clubs named but both have been busy scouting out other targets this summer.

Bayern Munich are also said to be interested in Simons but won’t make any moves until later in the transfer window.

Simons’ fee could cost anywhere between €50-65m.

Chelsea refusing Chukwuemeka loan?

Fabrizio Romano says that Chelsea are in talks with Borussia Dortmund over a move for Carney Chukwuemeka.

The German side prefer a loan move for the midfielder but Chelsea want to sell.

The Blues are reportedly sticking to their stance or a permanent transfer or no move at all.

One to keep an eye on.

Bamford not in Farke's plans for Leeds

Patrick Bamford looks like he’ll need to find a new club after Leeds boss Daniel Farke told the striker he is not in his plans for the new season.

"In the second day of pre-season, I got him into my office and told him he is not in my plans for the upcoming season," said Farke.

"I had a really open and honest conversation with Patrick, which was important," he added.

"He knows how much I rate him as a player and I would have preferred a fit Patrick Bamford for the last two seasons."

Manchester City sell midfielder as Pep Guardiola’s clearout continues

Manchester City have sold midfielder Maximo Perrone to Como in a deal that could make them up to €15m (£13m) as Pep Guardiola continues to trim his squad.

City also have a buyback clause for the 22-year-old midfielder and a 30 percent sell-on clause for when he leaves the Italian club.

The fee they will receive for Perrone in effect offsets the transfer fee they paid for Sverre Nypan, the 18-year-old Norwegian midfielder who completed his £12.5m move to the Etihad Stadium on Thursday.

Perrone impressed Como manager Cesc Fabregas while on loan there last season, helping the promoted club finish 10th in Serie A.

The Argentinian, who was bought from Velez Sarsfield in January 2023, only made two senior appearances for City, both as a substitute, amounting to 25 minutes on the pitch.

Howe on Sean Longstaff's transfer

Sean Longstaff completed a move to Leeds United at the end of last week and the former Newcastle midfielder will be missed by manager Eddie Howe.

“Sean was someone I never wanted to lose from the squad,” Howe said. “But as we know and I’ve said many times, finances, PSR etc, long-term planning meant that sometimes these decisions have to be taken.

“So he’s a big miss from our squad. Sean was very, very popular in the dressing room, very popular on the pitch. He did a great job. He tactically understood everything that we needed him to do.

“He’s been an incredible servant to Newcastle. But we have to move on now without him.”

Mikel Arteta offers cryptic update on Arsenal’s pursuit of Viktor Gyokeres

Mikel Arteta has offered a cryptic update on Arsenal’s pursuit of Viktor Gyokeres as the club get into the swing of pre-season.

The Gunners continue to be linked with a move for the Sporting Lisbon striker who scored 54 goals in all competitions last season.

Arteta's side suffered last season from a lack of options in attack with injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz meaning midfielder Mikel Merino was pressed into service as emergency for part of the campaign.