Carlos Baleba set for Manchester United transfer as market heats up
Carlos Baleba’s move to Manchester United is finally happening. The Cameroon midfielder has passed his medical, signed a five-year deal and is now just waiting on paperwork before he’s unveiled as Erik ten Hag’s latest signing.
United have agreed a £65million fee with Brighton, with a further £5m in add-ons. The formal announcement could land as early as Monday. It ends a chase that has stretched over a year, with Baleba pushing hard for the move and United refusing to let the trail go cold.
Woltemade already eyeing Bundesliga return
While one big-money signing is about to land, another could be on the move again. Nick Woltemade is said to be pushing for a return to Germany, only a year after Newcastle smashed their transfer record to bring him in for £65m.
The 24-year-old forward has attracted interest from Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig. A switch back to the Bundesliga would be a stunning U-turn for a player expected to spearhead Newcastle’s attack for years.
Palace plot audacious Bowen swoop
Crystal Palace are ready to test West Ham’s resolve over their captain. The Eagles are prepared to put £50m on the table to lure Jarrod Bowen back into the Premier League spotlight, according to SunSport.
West Ham went down last season, and Bowen publicly pledged himself to the Hammers at the start of the window. That loyalty has not scared Palace off. They see the England winger as the ideal replacement for Ismaila Sarr, who has agreed terms with Galatasaray and looks increasingly likely to leave.
Newcastle slap world-record tag on Hall
Newcastle have put a huge price on Lewis Hall’s head. TeamTalk report the Magpies want more than £68m for the 21-year-old left-back – a figure that would make him the most expensive defender in history.
Manchester United have been heavily linked, but that valuation may force them to look elsewhere. Alejandro Balde and David Raum are now emerging as leading options, with Jorge Salinas, Antonee Robinson and Adrien Truffert also on United’s radar.
Nkunku heading back to Leipzig
Christopher Nkunku is closing in on a return to RB Leipzig. The German club have reached a verbal agreement with AC Milan for a loan with an option to buy, with only the final details left to iron out.
Florian Plettenberg reports the 28-year-old will complete the move in the next couple of days, ending a brief and stuttering spell in Italy. Nkunku left Leipzig for Chelsea in 2023 but never found rhythm at Stamford Bridge before heading to Milan. Now he looks set to go back to the club where he played his best football.
Chelsea’s winger puzzle gets even messier
Chelsea’s wide options are turning into a revolving door. Mykhaylo Mudryk, freshly back after an 18-month doping ban was dropped, has reportedly been offered to Tottenham.
Leeds United, Strasbourg and Coventry City are also interested in the Ukrainian, giving Chelsea several escape routes if they decide to cut ties. The London club already added Geovany Quenda and Morgan Rogers earlier in the window, and Pedro Neto is another winger who could leave, with Al Hilal now in the frame after previous links to Manchester City.
If Neto does go, Chelsea are looking at Juventus winger Francisco Conceicao as a possible replacement.
United youngster Devaney heads to Hibs
Jacob Devaney is on the move in search of minutes. The Manchester United midfielder will spend the season on loan at Hibernian, with the Scottish side confirming the deal includes an option to buy.
Devaney, 20, is yet to make a senior appearance for United and spent last season at St Mirren. He now gets another crack at regular first-team football north of the border.
Real Madrid blocked in Zubimendi chase
Real Madrid’s hunt for a new holding midfielder has hit another wall. Rodri slipped away to Barcelona earlier in the window, and now Martin Zubimendi looks out of reach as well.
Reports claim Mikel Arteta has shut down any prospect of selling the 27-year-old, even though Zubimendi fell down the pecking order late in Arsenal’s title-winning season. Arsenal are determined to keep him, leaving Madrid still searching for their next anchor.
Marmoush to Spurs: ‘Here we go’
Tottenham’s striker search has taken a decisive step. Fabrizio Romano has delivered his trademark “here we go” on a deal for Omar Marmoush between Spurs and Manchester City.
Marmoush will initially move on loan, with an obligation to buy if certain conditions are met, in a package expected to total around £50m. The Egypt international is due in London on Monday for his medical.
Hull land Ali-Cho and tie down Jakirovic
Hull City have struck in the market and in the dugout. The Tigers have agreed a £13m deal, plus add-ons linked to Premier League survival, for Mohamed Ali-Cho from OGC Nice.
The 22-year-old winger arrives off a Ligue 1 campaign with 5 goals and 4 assists and will undergo his medical in Hull. Earlier in the summer he had been linked with a £17m switch, but Hull have landed him for less.
On the touchline, head coach Sergej Jakirovic has been rewarded with a significant pay rise and a new three-year contract after an impressive opening fixture against Manchester United.
Hull owner Acun Ilicali said: “We agreed on all terms, and we are renewing the contract. For us, this conversation was no more than five minutes. I’m not joking.”
Willock agrees terms with Besiktas
Joe Willock’s time at Newcastle looks to be winding down. Besiktas have sent a €20m proposal to the Premier League club and are waiting for a response.
Willock has agreed a contract in principle that would keep him in Turkey until 2030. The final decision now rests with Newcastle.
Richarlison attracting Turkish and Premier League interest
Richarlison’s future at Tottenham is under serious scrutiny. With Marmoush, Savinho and Coady Gakpo all potential arrivals, Spurs are open to letting the Brazilian go.
Trabzonspor are exploring what it would take to tempt him to Turkey and whether the 29-year-old would accept the move. Everton have also registered interest in bringing their former forward back, two years after selling him for £50m.
Liverpool locked in talks for PSG duo
Liverpool’s negotiations with Paris Saint-Germain are dragging on. The club have been in discussions for weeks over Ibrahim Mbaye and Bradley Barcola but remain apart on price.
PSG are holding out for around €170m for Barcola, a figure Liverpool are unwilling to meet. The French champions may soften their stance after confirming the signing of Mika Godts from Ajax.
Liverpool want clarity soon, as they intend to complete those deals before sanctioning Gakpo’s proposed move to Tottenham.
Emery coy as Watkins saga rumbles on
Questions over Ollie Watkins refuse to go away. Aston Villa boss Unai Emery was asked about the striker’s absence from the squad and responded with a light-hearted answer that only fuelled speculation.
Al Hilal have had multiple bids rejected, the latest around €45m, but Watkins has informed the Villa board he wants to leave this summer. If Villa can secure a replacement or receive a significantly improved offer, the door could open.
Spurs confident of sealing Marmoush – and moving on Richarlison
Tottenham’s belief in landing Marmoush is growing by the day. They have offered the striker a contract until 2031 and are convinced a £63m package will be enough to get the deal done with Manchester City.
Marmoush is keen on the switch and eager to move to north London quickly. His arrival would likely spell the end for Richarlison under Roberto De Zerbi, with the Brazilian already slipping out of the manager’s plans.
Hull eye Essugo loan
Hull’s recruitment drive is not done yet. The club are considering a loan move for Dario Essugo as they look to add depth in midfield for a survival push.
Chelsea are open to letting the 21-year-old leave on loan, and several Premier League sides are interested. Strasbourg have also been linked with the youngster.
Chelsea shut door on Bynoe-Gittens exit
Roma have been rebuffed in their attempt to sign Jamie Bynoe-Gittens. talkSPORT report that the Italian club proposed a loan with an option to buy, but Chelsea have rejected the approach.
The Blues are unwilling to negotiate any departure for the winger this summer. They see him as part of their plans and want him in the squad for the season.
Palace name their price for Sarr
Crystal Palace have laid out their demands for Ismaila Sarr. The Senegal forward was dropped against Everton after agreeing terms with Galatasaray, and Palace have now set a €60m asking price.
They signed Sarr for €14m from Marseille in 2024, and he has repaid that faith with 33 goals in two seasons. Galatasaray know exactly what it will take to get him.
Jackson wants Atleti – but Chelsea prefer Villa
Nicolas Jackson has made his preference clear. The Chelsea striker has reportedly given Atletico Madrid the green light and views them as his ideal destination.
He has drawn plenty of interest this summer, particularly from Aston Villa, who face losing Watkins. Chelsea, though, would rather sell to Villa and are waiting for a firm proposal from the Premier League club.
Jackson wants a return to La Liga, where he previously impressed with Villarreal – who just happen to be facing Atletico Madrid this afternoon.
Kane calm over Bayern future
Harry Kane is in no rush over his Bayern Munich contract. With just a year left on his deal, the 33-year-old insists he is relaxed about talks.
“We’ll talk this week and next. We’ll just have an open discussion,” Kane said. “We are not in a hurry or panicking. My full focus is on Bayern Munich and the upcoming season. The talks will happen behind the scenes.”
Only days earlier he made it clear he has no plans to return to the Premier League. “When I first left, for sure it was something that I thought I’d definitely be coming back. That itch isn’t there as much anymore. I am extremely happy here in Munich,” he told Harry Winter.
Nkunku’s Leipzig reunion edges closer
Christopher Nkunku has been told he is surplus to requirements by Ruben Amorim at AC Milan, and his next step is now set.
The French attacker has an agreement in place for a sensational return to RB Leipzig, the club that sold him to Chelsea for £50m in 2023.
He is poised to rejoin on an initial loan with an option to buy. At 28, Nkunku is desperate to reignite his career in the Bundesliga.
Mudryk weighs up Premier League stay
Mykhaylo Mudryk is back on the market and back in demand. Cleared to resume his career after his long-term doping ban was dropped, the Chelsea winger is expected to leave before the window shuts.
He would prefer to stay in the Premier League to regain sharpness, with Leeds and Spurs interested if Tottenham’s move for Gakpo collapses. Chelsea, though, lean towards sending him on loan to sister club Strasbourg rather than strengthening a domestic rival. Mudryk remains under contract at Stamford Bridge until 2031.
Watkins pushes for Al Hilal move
Ollie Watkins has made his stance clear. The Aston Villa striker wants his move to Al Hilal completed before the deadline.
The Saudi Pro League side have already seen four bids rejected, the latest around £45m. If Villa receive a substantial offer or line up the right replacement, they could finally open formal discussions.
TALKSports’ Ben Jacobs reports Watkins has told the Villa board he wants to leave Birmingham and join Al Hilal. The clock is ticking – for Watkins, for Villa, and for a market that refuses to slow down.
