Carlos Baleba set for Manchester United transfer as market heats up
Carlos Baleba’s long chase for a Manchester United move is finally reaching the finish line.
The Cameroon international has passed his medical, signed a five-year deal and is now just waiting on the final paperwork before being unveiled as a United player. The agreement with Brighton stands at £65million plus a further £5m in add-ons, a major outlay for a midfielder the club have tracked for more than a year.
United have courted Baleba relentlessly and the 20-year-old has been pushing hard for the move. Barring late drama, the announcement could drop as early as Monday.
Woltemade already eyeing Bundesliga return
While Baleba heads in, one big-money signing could already be heading for the exit elsewhere.
Nick Woltemade’s time at Newcastle may be cut short, with the towering German forward keen on a return to the Bundesliga just a year after arriving in a £65m deal. At 24, he is said to be pushing for a move away from the North East.
Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig are both circling. A switch back to Germany would be a sharp U-turn for Newcastle, who smashed their transfer record to land him last summer.
Palace plot £50m move for Bowen
Crystal Palace are ready to test West Ham’s resolve over their captain.
The Eagles are prepared to put £50m on the table to bring Jarrod Bowen back to the Premier League, according to SunSport, despite the winger pledging his loyalty to the Hammers earlier in the window after their relegation.
Palace view Bowen as the ideal replacement for Ismaila Sarr. With Sarr in talks over a move to Galatasaray, the door could soon open for a dramatic Bowen return to the top flight.
Newcastle slap world-record price on Hall
Newcastle have put a staggering valuation on Lewis Hall as interest in the left-back intensifies.
TeamTalk report the Magpies want more than £68m for the 21-year-old, a fee that would make him the most expensive defender in history. Manchester United are the club most heavily linked, but such a price could force them to look elsewhere.
Alejandro Balde and David Raum have emerged as leading alternatives, while Jorge Salinas, Antonee Robinson and Adrien Truffert are also on United’s radar.
Nkunku set for Leipzig homecoming
Christopher Nkunku is on the brink of a return to familiar ground.
RB Leipzig have reached a verbal agreement with AC Milan to take the 28-year-old on loan with an option to buy. Only the final details remain, with reports from Florian Plettenberg suggesting the move will be completed within days.
Nkunku left Leipzig for Chelsea in 2023 but never found consistent rhythm at Stamford Bridge before moving to Milan. Now, he is poised to go back to the club where he produced the best football of his career.
Chelsea’s winger carousel spins again
At Chelsea, the winger situation refuses to settle.
Mykhaylo Mudryk’s future is back in doubt. Fresh from returning after an 18‑month absence following a doping ban, the Ukrainian has reportedly been offered to Tottenham. Leeds United, Strasbourg and Coventry City are also interested, giving Chelsea a range of options if they choose to move him on.
They have already bolstered their wide areas with Geovany Quenda and Morgan Rogers. Pedro Neto is another name in the frame to leave, having previously been linked with Manchester City and now Al Hilal. Should Neto depart, Juventus winger Francisco Conceicao is being lined up as a possible replacement.
United youngster Devaney heads to Hibs
One Manchester United prospect is heading north for game time.
Midfielder Jacob Devaney has joined Hibernian on a season-long loan, with the Scottish club confirming an option to buy in the deal. The 20-year-old is yet to make his senior debut for United and spent last season at St Mirren.
He now gets another crack at regular first-team football in Scotland as he tries to force his way into United’s long-term plans.
Real Madrid hit Zubimendi wall
Real Madrid’s search for a new defensive midfielder has taken another hit.
With Rodri opting for Barcelona earlier in the window, Los Blancos turned their attention to Martin Zubimendi. That door now looks close to shut.
Reports in Spain claim Mikel Arteta has ruled out selling the 27-year-old, even though Zubimendi slipped down the pecking order late in Arsenal’s title-winning campaign. Arsenal appear determined to keep him, leaving Real back at square one in a key position.
Spurs and City agree Marmoush deal
Tottenham’s striker hunt has taken a decisive step.
Fabrizio Romano has delivered his trademark “here we go” on a move for Omar Marmoush, with Spurs and Manchester City reaching a verbal agreement. Marmoush will join initially on loan with an obligation to buy if certain conditions are met, in a deal expected to total around £50m.
The Egypt international is due in London on Monday to complete his medical.
Hull land Ali-Cho and tie down Jakirovic
Hull City’s weekend just keeps improving.
The Tigers have struck a deal with OGC Nice for winger Mohamed Ali-Cho, paying a reported £13m plus add-ons linked to Premier League survival. The Frenchman hit 5 goals and 4 assists in Ligue 1 last season and will now head to Hull for his medical. Earlier in the summer, he had been linked with a £17m move, making this look smart business.
Off the pitch, head coach Sergej Jakirovic has been rewarded with a new three-year contract and a significant pay rise after an encouraging opening fixture against Manchester United. 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 edges towards Besiktas
Joe Willock could be the next big departure from Newcastle.
Besiktas have submitted a €20m proposal and are waiting for a response from the Premier League club. Willock has already agreed personal terms in principle on a contract running to 2030.
The move now rests with Newcastle, who must decide whether to cash in.
Richarlison attracting interest as Spurs reshape attack
Tottenham’s attacking shake-up could spell the end for Richarlison.
With potential arrivals of Marmoush, Savinho and Coady Gakpo, Spurs are prepared to let the Brazilian leave. Trabzonspor are exploring what it would take to lure him away and whether he would accept the move.
Everton have also registered interest in bringing the 29-year-old back, two years after selling him for £50m.
Liverpool locked in talks with PSG
Liverpool remain deep in negotiations with Paris Saint-Germain over two ambitious moves.
The Reds have spent the last month trying to strike deals for Ibrahim Mbaye and Bradley Barcola. PSG are holding out for higher fees, with Barcola valued at around €170m. That figure could yet soften after the French champions confirmed the signing of Mika Godts from Ajax.
Liverpool want clarity before they sanction Gakpo’s proposed move to Spurs. Until then, the dominoes stay upright.
Emery coy as Watkins pushes for exit
At Aston Villa, the Ollie Watkins saga rumbles on.
Unai Emery offered a light-hearted response when quizzed about the striker’s absence from the squad, but the situation is serious enough. Al Hilal have seen multiple bids rejected, the latest around €45m, and Watkins has asked the board to let him go this summer.
If Villa can secure a replacement or receive a substantially improved offer, the door could open. For now, tension lingers.
Spurs confident on Marmoush as Richarlison waits
Inside Tottenham, confidence is growing that Marmoush will arrive regardless of the City agreement’s structure.
Spurs are ready to hand the striker a deal until 2031 and believe a package worth £63m will be enough to seal it. Marmoush is keen and wants the move to North London completed quickly.
His arrival would push Richarlison further towards the exit after falling out of Roberto De Zerbi’s plans.
Hull eye Essugo loan
Hull are not done yet.
They are weighing up a loan move for Chelsea midfielder Dario Essugo as they continue to strengthen in a bid to stay up. Chelsea are open to a temporary deal for the 21-year-old, and several Premier League clubs are also lining up.
Strasbourg, Chelsea’s sister club, are unsurprisingly linked as well, according to talkSPORT.
Chelsea block Roma move for Bynoe-Gittens
Roma have been knocked back in their attempt to raid Chelsea’s wide ranks.
The Italian side proposed a loan with an option to buy for Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, but Chelsea have rejected the approach. The club have no intention of letting the attacker leave this summer.
They see him as part of their plans and will not entertain any exit talks.
Palace name their price for Sarr
Crystal Palace have set a clear stance over Ismaila Sarr.
The Senegal forward was dropped for the clash with Everton after agreeing terms with Galatasaray, and Palace have now fixed their asking price at €60m. The Turkish club will have to meet that figure to get a deal done.
Palace signed Sarr from Marseille in 2024 for €14m. He has since delivered 33 goals across two seasons, and the Eagles intend to be paid accordingly.
Jackson wants Atleti – but Chelsea eye Villa
Nicolas Jackson has made his preference known.
The Chelsea striker has reportedly given his approval to Atletico Madrid, identifying them as his ideal destination. He has attracted several offers, with Aston Villa among the most serious suitors as they brace for the possible loss of Watkins.
Chelsea, though, would rather sell to Villa and are hoping for a formal proposal from the Premier League side. Jackson, under contract until 2031, wants a return to La Liga after his earlier spell with Villarreal, who face Atletico later today.
Kane calm over Bayern contract talks
Harry Kane is in no rush over his Bayern Munich future.
With just a year left on his current deal, the 33-year-old insists he is keen to stay in Germany. “We’ll talk this week and next. We’ll just have an open discussion. 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,” he said.
Only days ago, he ruled out a Premier League return. “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.
For now, Bayern remains home.
Nkunku’s Leipzig reunion gathers pace
Christopher Nkunku’s future has accelerated quickly since Ruben Amorim deemed him surplus to requirements at AC Milan.
The French attacker has reached an agreement with RB Leipzig for a sensational return on an initial loan with an option to buy. After leaving Leipzig for Chelsea in a £50m deal in 2023 and struggling for rhythm in England and Italy, he is eager to reignite his career in the Bundesliga.
A familiar stadium, a familiar system, and a second chance.
Mudryk weighs options as Chelsea push Strasbourg
Mykhaylo Mudryk is another Chelsea forward at a crossroads.
Cleared to resume his career after doping charges were dropped earlier this month, the Ukrainian is expected to leave before the window shuts. He prefers to stay in the Premier League to regain sharpness, with Leeds and Spurs among those interested, particularly if Spurs miss out on Gakpo.
Chelsea, though, favour a loan to Strasbourg over strengthening a domestic rival. Mudryk remains under contract at Stamford Bridge until 2031, so there is no rush from their side.
Watkins repeats desire to join Al Hilal
The message from Ollie Watkins is consistent and clear.
The Aston Villa striker has told the club he wants to leave Birmingham for Al Hilal before the deadline. The Saudi side have made four bids, the latest around £45m, all rejected so far.
If Villa land a suitable replacement or receive a bid that forces their hand, the deal could yet happen. Until then, one of the Premier League’s most reliable forwards waits, and wonders how long his club can hold the line.
