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Transfer news live: Arsenal and Spurs battle for Leverkusen defender, Man Utd want Lammens, Isak to Liverpool update
The latest transfers, gossip and rumours as deadline day begins to pull into view
Tottenham are sounding out attacking alternatives to Eberechi Eze after rivals Arsenal dramatically swooped to beat Thomas Frank’s side to his signature.
Arsenal confirmed a transfer worth £60m and £7.5m in add-ons – pretty much exactly Eze’s release clause - and the boyhood Gunners fan was unveiled at the Emirates before the Premier League match against Leeds. It leaves Spurs in a late scramble for a new attacker as the deadline looms, with Man City’s Savinho topping their list. However, The Independent understands both clubs are still very far apart when it comes to agreeing a price for the Brazilian.
Alexander Isak’s explosive statement this week accused Newcastle of “broken promises” and “lost trust”, with Liverpool still strongly linked with a move for the Swedish striker. The Reds’ offer of £110m fell short of Newcastle’s valuation and Eddie Howe described Isak’s statement as a “sad moment”, but the Magpies boss insists he won’t be left striker-short by the end of the window.
Elsewhere, Manchester United may be tasked with fending of more interest from Saudi Arabia for captain Bruno Fernandes, with Al-Ittihad targeting the midfielder. They continue to be hampered with goalkeeping struggles, but it is their city rivals that could strengthen in that department, with Manchester City agreeing personal terms with PSG stopper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Follow all the latest transfer news, gossip, rumours and done deals in The Independent’s live blog below
Tottenham attack new transfer targets before deadline after Eberechi Eze blow
Tottenham Hotspur are trying to get Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche and one other attacker in, after the club was left scrambling to find a solution since being gazumped by Arsenal for Crystal Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze.
The club are shocked at how the transfer played out, and there is considerable supporter unrest, especially since James Maddison succumbed to injury. Spurs have now lost out on two major transfers late into negotiations, after Morgan Gibbs-White decided to stay at Nottingham Forest.
There are still several targets available, albeit with Spurs having lost their leverage now that every club knows they need to do business.
Tottenham attack new transfer targets before deadline after Eberechi Eze blow
Spurs are diving back into the transfer market after being beaten to their top priority by Arsenal
Chris Wilson25 August 2025 12:02
Napoli still want Hojlund
Napoli remain in talks with Man Utd over a deal to sign striker Rasmus Hojlund, according to Sky.
Discussions are said to be positive, with the Italian side exploring a loan with an obligation to buy. It is thought Hojlund is very open to the move, preferring a permanent element attached to any deal while also being tempted by the chance to play Champions League football.
It is currently unknown exactly how much the buy option would be, though United were said to want around £40m earlier in the window.
Chris Wilson25 August 2025 11:44
Arsenal hand Max Dowman, 15, Premier League debut against Leeds
Arsenal have handed 15-year-old academy star Max Dowman his Premier League debut.
Dowman was included among the substitutes ahead of Arsenal’s home match against Leeds United after rising through the club’s academy and came on for Noni Madueke in the 64th minute at the Emirates Stadium.
At 15 years and 235 days, Dowman becomes just the third player to appear in a Premier League game before turning 16 years old after team-mate Ethan Nwaneri (15y, 181d) and Jeremy Monga (15y, 271d), who made his debut for Leicester last season.
The youngster looked incredibly lively in his debut and could have had a goal when he cut inside from the right wing and fired a shot just over the bar. He then won a penalty in injury time as he burst into the box, which Viktor Gyokeres converted to put the finishing touches on a 5-0 triumph.
Arsenal hand 15-year-old Premier League debut against Leeds
Born in 2009, Dowman was named on the bench against Leeds and came on for the final half an hour
Chris Wilson25 August 2025 11:28
Porto in for Kiwior
Porto are expected to bid once more for Jakub Kiwior, despite Arsenal rejecting an opening offer in July.
According to Fabrizio Romano, “if Oleksandr Zinchenko and Kiwior do leave before the deadline, Arsenal could add one more player”, likely to be a defender.
The Gunners are asking for around £26m for the Poland international.
Chris Wilson25 August 2025 11:14
Arsenal also in for Hincapie!
We could be set for another battle between the north London rivals here!
David Ornstein now reports that Arsenal are also working on a deal for Hincapie, with the Ecuadorian apparently prioritising the Gunners over any other club.
There are “efforts ongoing to make [the] fee more realistic than [the] €60m clause”, adds Ornstein.
Chris Wilson25 August 2025 10:55
Spurs make approach for Leverkusen defender
Tottenham have made an approach for Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapié, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The deal would be an initial loan with an obligation to buy for around €60m, which is the same value as the Ecuadorian’s release clause.
Chris Wilson25 August 2025 10:50
Man United transfer news: Lucien Agoume, Carlos Baleba, Senne Lammens and more
Manchester United are in the midst of a crucial summer as Ruben Amorim finally re-shapes his squad and tries to transform his failing team into contenders at the top end of the table.
It shouldn’t be forgotten that Amorim initially rebuffed United’s approachfollowing the sacking of Erik ten Hag, and perhaps he was wise to try and delay the move, because what followed was a disastrous campaign culminating in the 1-0 loss to Tottenham in the Europa League final.
Now Amorim has had a full preseason to prepare his side and a summer transfer window to mould his squad before a season without European football, and he must take full advantage.
The release of the Premier League fixtures showed a difficult start for United, with games against Manchester City and Chelsea to come after their opening loss to Arsenal, and while the performance was encouraging against the Gunners, the manager’s future could be called into question early should his side struggle in the coming weeks.
United got some early business done with the signing of Matheus Cunha from Wolves in a £62.5m deal before completing a move for Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo, and though co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe had made clear that the money pot is not deep, the club also signed a £70m deal for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko.
Offloading high-wage players such as Jadon Sancho and Alejandro Garnacho is key to funding the rest of the window, with a lack of movement potentially leading to the club missing out on the next step: midfield and goalkeeper signings.
Here’s everything you need to know about Manchester United’s summer transfer plans.
Man United transfer news: Agoume, Baleba, Lammens and more
Manchester United have already secured Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo in what has been a busy summer at Old Trafford
Chris Wilson25 August 2025 10:39
Milan targeting striker after Boniface fails medical
AC Milan target Victor Boniface has “failed his medical tests” at the Italian club and will return to Bayer Leverkusen, reports Fabrizio Romano.
The Nigerian striker has returned to Germany “despite [a] verbal agreement for [a] €5m loan fee and €24m buy clause”.
Chris Wilson25 August 2025 10:23
Spurs see €70m bid rejected
Tottenham have seen a €70m bid for Como’s Nico Paz turned down by the Italian club, according to Fabrizio Romano.
“Real have €10m buy back clause in 2026 but will compensate Como in future,” adds the Italian, with Madrid wanting the youngster to stay in Italy for one more season.
Chris Wilson25 August 2025 10:09
Man United in talks over highly-rated goalkeeper as Andre Onana decision made
Manchester United are in talks with Antwerp about a £17.3m move for the Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens.
Andre Onana is expected to remain at Old Trafford but Ruben Amorim is advancing in his attempts to add more competition for places.
And Lammens, a Belgium Under-21 international, could become United’s fifth summer signing after forwards Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko and wing-back Diego Leon.
Man United in talks over highly-rated goalkeeper as Andre Onana decision made
United have tracked the progress of Senne Lammens but Andre Onana is expected to remain at the club even if the Belgian arrives
Chris Wilson25 August 2025 09:54