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Transfer news live: Arsenal target new striker after huge injury blow, Liverpool’s Isak stance, Eze to Spurs update
The latest transfers, gossip and rumours as deadline day begins to pull into view
Arsenal are reportedly in the market for another new striker after a major injury blow to Kai Havertz.
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:
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.”
Mike Jones20 August 2025 14:28
Kai Havertz injury blow forces Arsenal into transfer rethink
Arsenal have suffered a bitter blow with Kai Havertz having picked up a knee injury, causing a rethink of their remaining transfer plans this summer.
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.
Kai Havertz injury blow forces Arsenal into transfer rethink
Havertz has sustained a knee injury, with a spell on the sidelines set to cause a problem for Mikel Arteta
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.
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.
Miguel Delaney20 August 2025 13:08
Leeds close in on Swiss forward Okafor
Leeds are set to confirm the arrival of Swiss international forward Noah Okafor.
The 25-year-old scored seven goals in 54 games for AC Milan.
Lawrence Ostlere20 August 2025 12:46
Kai Havertz out with knee injury
Arsenal’s Kai Havertz faces a spell on the sidelines after picking up a knee injury reports David Ornstein.
The striker missed Arsenal’s open training session on Wednesday morning and is undergoing assessments to determine the extent of the injury.
With the transfer window still open, Arsenal have time to strengthen their attack in the absence of Havertz.
Viktor Gyokeres and Leandro Trossard are the only attackers available as Havertz and Gabriel Jesus are both injured.
Mike Jones20 August 2025 12:36
Thi is perhaps a slightly surprising development – Galatasaray are pushing to sign Manuel Akanji.
Akanji has become an integral part of Manchester City’s defence, intelligent and versatile in what he offers across the back line. But Pep Guardiola is open to the move as he bids to reduce the City squad before the deadline, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Negotiations underway but no agreements in place yet.
Lawrence Ostlere20 August 2025 12:24
Fofana deletes Chelsea references from social media amid transfer speculation
File this one under ‘the way of the modern world’, for better or worse... A lot of people are getting very excited because Wesley Fofana has deleted all references to Chelsea from his Instagram account.
Fofana has struggled at Stamford Bridge since his £75m move from Leicester three years ago mainly due to injuries and was only on the bench for Chelsea’s Premier League opener against Crystal Palace despite the absence of Levi Colwill – with youngster Josh Acheampong and Trevoh Chalobah preferred at centre-back.
He has now sparked further rumours of a departure from the Blues by removing all mention of the club from his Instagram, in a similar move to the one employed by wantaway stars Alexander Isak (Newcastle) and Yoane Wissa (Brentford) this summer.
Luke Baker20 August 2025 12:06
Man United want Sevilla star
Carlos Baleba from Brighton may still be Ruben Amorim’s preferred midfield general at Manchester United but Sevilla’s Lucien Agoume is being lined up as an alternative.
According to Spanish outlet Orgullobiri, Sevilla are asking for around £25m for the former France Under-21 star, which is less than the £35m release clause in his contract.
The 23-year-old joined Sevilla in January 2024 after struggling at Inter Milan and was a regular as they narrowly escaped LaLiga relegation last season before impressing at the European Under-21 Championships this summer.
Other Premier League sides are also said to be interested in Agoume, although Arsenal’s previous interest is likely to have cooled after the signing of Martin Zubimendi.
Luke Baker20 August 2025 11:55
Dibling an option for Palace as Eze replacement
We reported earlier that Crystal Palace have identified Leicester star Bilal El Khannouss as a replacement for Eberechi Eze should he complete his £60m move to Tottenham but the Eagles are also looking at other options.
One of those is Southampton midfielder Tyler Dibling, according to talkSPORT.
Dibling has attracted plenty of Premier League interest since Southampton’s relegation to the Championship, with Everton having three bids turned down earlier in the window.
The 19-year-old would be a more expensive option than El Khannouss, with the Saints valuing him at £45m+, but Palace are long-term admirers after having a bid rejected for him back in January.
Luke Baker20 August 2025 11:40