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Transfer news live: Newcastle bid for Isak replacement after rejecting Liverpool bid, Son makes Tottenham decision
Latest transfer news and rumours as Eddie Howe admits Alexander Isak situation is ‘far from ideal’
Tottenham captain Son Heung-Min is set to leave north London after a decade with the club, announcing the news in an emotional press conference ahead of the pre-season friendly against Newcastle in his native South Korea. “It was the most difficult decision I have made in my career,” he told reporters, but “I need a new environment to push myself.”
Tottenham are in advanced talks with Bayern Muninch to bring Joao Palhinha back to the Premier League and give the side a midfield boost while Arsenal are aiming to bolster their forward line by signing Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze. Palace want a fee in excess of £60m which is the amount of Eze’s release clause but the Gunners are running out of time to trigger it.
Newcastle United have rejected Liverpool‘s first bid for Alexander Isak as the summer’s biggest transfer saga takes another turn, with manager Eddie Howe saying the situation is “far from ideal”, while Richard Jolly reports that the Reds have decided against making another offer after their £110m bid was rejected. Though Newcastle are trying to tie Isak to a new contract that includes a release clause, he is believed to still be keen on the move.
Meanwhile, Manchester United are hopeful of securing a No.9 and are talking with RB Leipzig over a move for Benjamin Sesko. On the sales front, Jadon Sancho could be set to return to Borussia Dortmund and United are in talks with Chelsea and Aston Villa over Alejandro Garnacho.
All the latest updates, rumours and done deals will be covered in the blog below:
James Milner to wear number 20 at Brighton in memory of Diogo Jota
James Milner will wear the number 20 shirt at Brighton this season in memory of the late Diogo Jota, describing his former Liverpool team-mate as a “great friend”.
The Portuguese forward died aged 28 last month in a car crash, alongside his brother Andre Silva, just weeks after helping Liverpool clinch Premier League title glory.
Liverpool have retired the number 20 jersey worn by Jota in his five seasons at Anfield, three of them alongside Milner before the veteran England midfielder moved to Brighton in the summer of 2023.
“Once I heard Carlos was looking to change his number and 20 was available, I wanted to do it as a mark of respect and pay tribute to Diogo Jota,” Milner said on Brighton’s X channel.
James Milner will wear number 20 at Brighton in memory of Diogo Jota
The Portuguese forward died aged 28 last month in a car crash
Flo Clifford2 August 2025 11:30
Tottenham secure loan move for Bayern Munich midfielder Joao Palhinha
The Guardian reports that Tottenham have agreed to sign Joao Palhinha on loan from Bayern Munich, with an option to make the move permanent for £27m.
The paper also reports that the north London side will pay a loan fee of £4.3m and cover the Portuguese’s wages in their entirety.
Palhinha joined Bayern from Fulham last summer in a deal worth up to £47.4million, but endured a difficult debut campaign in Germany.
The Portugal midfielder struggled with injury problems and only made six starts in the Bundesliga when fit under Bayern boss Vincent Kompany, which has opened the door for a temporary move back to London with Tottenham.
Flo Clifford2 August 2025 11:10
Newcastle make bid for Benjamin Sesko
Sky Sports News reports that Newcastle have made an offer for RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.
It reports the offer is €75m (£65.5m) plus €5m (£4.3m) in add-ons.
The highly-rated Slovenian is also being pursued by Manchester United.
Flo Clifford2 August 2025 11:00
Luis Diaz reveals Florian Wirtz’s role in decision to leave Liverpool for Bayern Munich
Luis Diaz has opened up on the role Florian Wirtz had in his decision to leave Liverpool, a career move he admits he is “glad” to make.
The Colombian winger bid farewell after three-and-a-half seasons on Merseyside, signing for German champions Bayern Munich for a fee of £65.5m.
Liverpool had rejected a first offer of £58.5m before accepting an improved bid after Bayern maintained their interest and the former Porto player wanted to go.
His departure comes in the midst of a summer spending spree at Anfield, which has seen club-record signing Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike already come through the door as attacking reinforcements.
Diaz reveals Wirtz’s role in decision to leave Liverpool for Bayern Munich
Diaz wanted to leave Liverpool with Wirtz’s £116m arrival bringing further competition to the Reds attack
Flo Clifford2 August 2025 10:50
Liverpool make surprise decision over Alexander Isak pursuit after Newcastle bid rejected
Liverpool have decided against making a second bid for Alexander Isak after seeing a £110m offer rejected by Newcastle United.
The Premier League champions believe the swiftness and clarity of Newcastle’s response means it would be futile to up their club record offer for the striker.
Liverpool, who had made an inquiry for the 25-year-old last month, stepped up their interest in the Newcastle top scorer as they looked to take their summer spending up towards £400m.
But the Carabao Cup winners had long maintained their top scorer was not for sale and they immediately rebuffed turned Liverpool’s bid down.
Liverpool make surprise decision over Alexander Isak pursuit
The Reds admire the 25-year-old, but it is now unclear if they will revisit the situation after Newcastle knocked back a club record offer for the Sweden striker
Richard Jolly2 August 2025 10:34
Tottenham captain Son Heung Min to leave club for ‘fresh challenge’
Tottenham captain Son Heung Min has revealed he will leave the club this summer.
Son has spent the last decade at Spurs and achieved his goal of silverware in May when he helped the Premier League team to Europa League success with a 1-0 victory over Manchester United.
It ended a 17-year trophy drought for the club.
South Korea captain Son explained his decision to target a "fresh challenge" during a press conference in his home country ahead of Tottenham's pre-season friendly with Newcastle on Sunday.
Tottenham captain Son Heung Min to leave club for ‘fresh challenge’
Son had been at Spurs for a decade and led them to Europa League glory last season to end a long trophy drought
Flo Clifford2 August 2025 10:12
Liverpool make surprise decision over Alexander Isak pursuit after Newcastle bid rejected
Liverpool have decided against making a second bid for Alexander Isakafter seeing a £110m offer rejected by Newcastle United.
The Premier League champions believe the swiftness and clarity of Newcastle’s response means it would be futile to up their club record offer for the striker.
Liverpool, who had made an inquiry for the 25-year-old last month, stepped up their interest in the Newcastle top scorer as they looked to take their summer spending up towards £400m.
Liverpool make surprise decision over Alexander Isak pursuit
The Reds admire the 25-year-old, but it is now unclear if they will revisit the situation after Newcastle knocked back a club record offer for the Sweden striker
Chris Wilson2 August 2025 07:12
Newcastle reject formal bid from Liverpool for Alexander Isak
Newcastle have rejected an offer from Liverpool for striker Alexander Isak.
The Sweden international has told the Carabao Cup winners he wants to explore the possibility of a move away from St James’ Park and Liverpool, who had made an inquiry about the 25-year-old last month, and followed it up with a formal bid.
Isak would be expected to command a price of over £100m and more than the club record sum Liverpool have paid for Florian Wirtz this summer.
Newcastle had long maintained that Isak was not for sale, but Liverpool are testing that position and manager Eddie Howe has admitted his top scorer’s future could be out of his hands.
Newcastle reject formal bid from Liverpool for Alexander Isak
Liverpool made an inquiry about the 25-year-old last month and have now followed it up with a formal offer
Chris Wilson2 August 2025 07:00
Why Benjamin Sesko is now Man United’s top transfer target
Manchester United have made Benjamin Sesko their top striking target and have made contact with RB Leipzig about him.
United had narrowed down their search for a No 9 to the Slovenian and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins before deciding to prioritise a move for the 22-year-old.
Sesko is also of interest to Newcastle, who are looking for a centre-forward after missing out on a host of targets and with doubts about the future of Alexander Isak.
Why Benjamin Sesko is now Man United’s top transfer target
United are in contact with RB Leipzig after deciding to prioritise a move for the striker above Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins
Chris Wilson2 August 2025 06:30
Underwhelming Viktor Gyokeres debut shows why Arsenal need him so much
A debut defeat and an outing that was underwhelming but left the sense he was underused may matter little. When it comes to competitive games, Viktor Gyokeres’s Arsenal bow will come at Old Trafford against Manchester United on 17 August. But as he donned their No 14 shirt for the first time in a game, Arsenal at least showed the need for Gyokeres, the forward who scored 97 goals in 102 games for Sporting CP.
The first north London derby staged outside the United Kingdom yielded a 1-0 loss to Tottenham, with Arsenal registering a lone shot on target, which Kai Havertz directed at Guglielmo Vicario. Gyokeres was limited to the last 20 minutes, including stoppage time, as Arsenal were largely toothless. The argument that they needed a specialist goalscorer is scarcely new, but perhaps it was underlined when they spent an initial £55m to acquire one.
Underwhelming Viktor Gyokeres debut shows why Arsenal need him so much
Gyokeres was limited to 20 minutes on a debut that saw Arsenal lose to Tottenham in Hong Kong
Chris Wilson2 August 2025 06:00