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Transfer news live: Arsenal book Eze medical, Newcastle’s Wissa bid rejected, Chelsea to sign Enciso, Isak latest
The latest transfers, gossip and rumours as deadline day begins to pull into view
Arsenal have dramatically stolen Eberechi Eze from Tottenham’s grasp after acting decisively following a major injury blow to Kai Havertz. The Gunners moved quickly after the news that Havertz damaged his knee in their win over Manchester United, and look set to complete a transfer worth £60m and £7.5m in add-ons – pretty much exactly Eze’s release clause, which expired for this window last Thursday. Spurs are now searching for a new attacker as the deadline looms with Manchester City winger Savinho remaining a target.
Alexander Isak’s explosive statement this week 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 short of Newcastle’s valuation and the North East club issued a statement of their own saying conditions for a sale were unlikely to be met before the transfer window deadline. Newcastle have missed out on a raft of strikers and their latest bid, offering £40m to Brentford for Yoane Wissa, has also been rejected.
Elsewhere, Manchester United continue to endure frustration with their goalkeeper situation, and could yet rival Manchester City for Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, while striker Rasmus Hojlund could be on his way to Napoli. Chelsea are closing in on Brighton winger Julio Enciso and are still working on a deal for United’s Alejandro Garnacho, Leeds are set to announce AC Milan’s Noah Okafor, and Nottingham Forest are close to completing a deal for Douglas Luiz from Juventus.
Follow all the latest transfer news, gossip, rumours and done deals in The Independent’s live blog below:
Why Alexander Isak may have closed his own window on dream move to Liverpool
It was only minutes after the PFA team of the year departed the stage at Manchester Opera House on Tuesday, with just 10 players rather than 11, that Alexander Isak decided to make his presence felt in a different way.
You could sense the ripple around the room as people began to animatedly tell each other of the Swede’s social statement, the first time that he has publicly spoken on this summer’s dominant saga.
More than a few players raised their eyebrows. Everyone was taking it in.
Why Alexander Isak may have closed his own window on dream move to Liverpool
Alexander Isak is desperate to move to Liverpool but as the transfer deadline nears, the balance of power is shifting
Miguel Delaney21 August 2025 09:25
Newcastle hint at Alexander Isak decision in response to striker’s bombshell statement
Newcastle United have rejected Alexander Isak’s claim that he was told he could leave this summer and hinted at no future deal for an exit materialising in the closing stages of the transfer window.
The saga turned ugly earlier this week with the Swedish striker accusing the club of “broken promises” and maintaining that “trust is lost” between the parties.
Now the Magpies have hit back.
Newcastle hint at Alexander Isak decision in response to striker’s statement
The striker made claims over ‘broken promises’ on Tuesday night with the transfer saga turning ugly in the closing stages of the window
Richard Jolly21 August 2025 09:10
How Arsenal silently hijacked Spurs’ Eberechi Eze transfer well before anyone knew
Just hours before Arsenal clinched a deal for Eberechi Eze, somewhat cruelly, Tottenham Hotspur finally put in the offer they felt would be acceptable to Crystal Palace. There had been a verbal agreement. Spurs just never got a proper answer.
After days of difficult and painstaking negotiations between Daniel Levy and Steve Parish, Arsenal had appeared to steal in within a matter of mere hours. That has already seen this move cast as the mother of all transfer hijackings, especially with how it is another North London derby victory.
Except, The Independent can now reveal it wasn’t really a hijacking at all.
Read Miguel Delaney’s exclusive on how the late-night Eze drama really went down:
How Arsenal silently hijacked Spurs’ Eberechi Eze deal well before anyone knew
Exclusive: It seemed the Gunners swooped past their North London rivals on Wednesday, but they made their move much earlier than that
Luke Baker21 August 2025 08:58
Eze medical booked for Friday
So, to the next stage of the Eze transfer to Arsenal – his medical. That’s reportedly been booked for Friday, after Crystal Palace’s Conference League match this evening.
Eze was set to play in that clash against Fredrikstad when rumours were swirling about his future but we’ll have to wait and see if that’s still the case.
The initial sense is that he will still pay but can Arsenal stop that happening ahead of this evening?
Luke Baker21 August 2025 08:43
Man City still interested in Rodrygo
Savinho to Spurs, Rodrygo to City? This would be an interesting exchange, should it happen...
Lawrence Ostlere21 August 2025 08:36
Chelsea set to sign Enciso from Brighton
Chelsea are closing in on signing Brighton’s Julio Enciso.
The Athletic reports that Enciso is about to join Chelsea but will initially go on loan to sister club Strasbourg.
Agreements have been made with both club and player for his transfer.
Lawrence Ostlere21 August 2025 08:22
Napoli open talks to sign Hojlund
Napoli have begun talks with Manchester United to sign Rasmus Hojlund.
The striker would prefer to stay at United, Fabrizio Romano reports, but has accepted that he may have to leave after Benjamin Sesko joined the club.
Hojluns is pushing for any loan move to include an obligation to buy, so he can be assured of a long-term switch.
Lawrence Ostlere21 August 2025 08:02
Brentford reject Newcastle's £40m Wissa bid
Brentford have rejected a £40m bid from Newcastle for striker Yoane Wissa.
Wissa is determined to make the switch to St James’ Park, according to the Athletic. but Brentford would prefer to keep the goalscorer after selling his partner in crime last season, Bryan Mbeumo, to Manchester United.
Newcastle will have to come back with more than their £35m + £5m add-ons offer to prise him away.
Lawrence Ostlere21 August 2025 07:48
Arsenal swoop to sign Eze from under Spurs' noses
We start with the stunning news that Arsenal have hijacked Tottenham’s move to sign Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace.
Eze had seemed increasingly likely to join Spurs over recent days, as chair Daniel Levy negotiated with his counterpart Steve Parish over the finer details of the deal. Eze had indicated that he was keen to join Tottenham and Palace had been searching for a replacement.
But that picture changed yesterday after Arsenal discovered the extent of Kai Havertz’s injury, pushing the Gunners into action. They are not only prepared to match Tottenham’s offer of around £60m, but are also prepared to make faster payments that appeal to Palace as they try to find their search for a new attacker.
Here’s Miguel Delaney with all the latest:
Arsenal reignite interest in Eberechi Eze after Kai Havertz injury setback
The Gunners look to hijack Tottenham’s attempts to sign the Crystal Palace winger in desire to strengthen their forward line
Lawrence Ostlere21 August 2025 07:40
Good morning!
Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of transfer news, rumours and gossip.
Throughout the day we’ll have all the latest updates, and completed deals.
Let’s get into it...
Mike Jones21 August 2025 07:30