𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Newcastle will have to quickly move on to new striker targets after Benjamin Sesko elected to join Man Utd instead of them.

The Magpies have reportedly earmarked both Ollie Watkins and Nicolas Jackson as targets, though Chelsea are valuing their man at around £80m according to reports.

Watkins would be available for closer to £60m, while other names linked to Eddie Howe’s side include Yoane Wissa, who was the subject of a £30m bid earlier in the window.

Liverpool’s first bid for Newcastle striker Alexander Isak was for £110m and landed on Friday with the North East side rejecting it promptly.

However, Fabrizio Romano believes Liverpool have changed their mind again and are preparing to make a second bid for Isak depending on what Newcastle do in the market.

Newcastle are exploring moves for Benjamin Sesko and Goncalo Ramos while Al-Hilal hold an interest in Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez which could be a boon to help fund a move for Isak.

RB Leipzig are exploring a deal for Liverpool forward Harvey Elliott, reports the Athletic.

Elliott is seen as a potential replacement for Chelsea-bound Xavi Simons, with talks between the two clubs at an early stage.

The Reds value Elliott at around £50m, and have no real need or great desire to sell the England U21 international at present.

Manchester United are expecting formal offers for Alejandro Garnacho later in the window, reports Sky.

Garnacho is a known target for Chelsea, who reportedly value him at around £30m.

Ruben Amorim said over the weekend that “it’s clear Garnacho wants a different thing with a different leadership”, and it is likely that the Blues attempt to sign both Garnacho and Xavi Simons before the end of the window.

Tin foil hat, pinch of salt, open mind time.

Arsenal are rumoured to have rejected an approach from Real Madrid to swap defender William Saliba for out-of-favour Rodrygo.

The Madrid forward is on the market this summer with plenty of clubs, Arsenal and Liverpool included, being linked to signing him.

A report from Spanish outlet Defensa Central, as relayed by FourFourTwo, claims that Real have put forward a scenario in which Rodrygo signs for Arsenal and Saliba travels the other way.

It is plausible, but more so is Arsenal’s refusal to go along with it as Saliba is a crucial part of their defensive line alongside Gabriel.

The Gunners have also strengthened their forward line this summer and are less in need of Rodrygo’s services.

Chalk this one down to highly unlikely to happen.

Arsenal could make their first formal bid for Ebere Eze later this month as they wait for the proposed transfer of Fabio Vieira to Stuttgart.

The Gunners have targeted Eze all summer but rumours persist that Crystal Palace will insist that Arsenal pay the England international’s full release clause, which is around £68m.

The clause is set to expire around 16 August, though Palace could decide to remain firm in their valuation of the player.

Saudi Pro League side, Al Hilal, are closing in on a deal for Darwin Nunez after securing a verbal agreement with Liverpool, reports Fabrizio Romano.

The Italian says that the “club to club agreement is done”, with the Saudi club in talks with the Liverpool striker over personal terms.

Should this move get over the line it would open up funds for the Reds to pursue Alexander Isak further and up their initial bid of £110m and get closer to Newcastle’s valuation of £150m.

Lots of moving parts but a boost for Liverpool in their pursuit of Isak.

Manchester United are working quickly with the new season approaching fast.

On Thursday 7 August they agreed a £74m deal with RB Leipzig to sign 22-year-old forward Benjamin Sesko.

It was expected that the striker would fly to Manchester on Thursday evening and will undergo a medical on Friday ahead of his move to Old Trafford.

Sesko has signed a five-year contract and as part of the deal United will play a friendly against Leipzig, which is still to be arranged.

Sesko scored 21 goals in all competitions for Leipzig last season and has 39 goals in 87 appearances since joining the Bundesliga team.

Meanwhile, United’s move for Sesko will take their summer spending over £190m having also signed Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Diego Leon.

Welcome to The Independent’s transfer news blog where we’ll have all the latest rumours and done deals.

The big news is that Benjamin Sesko is heading to the Premier League and will undergo a medical at Manchester United.

The Old Trafford hierarchy are trying to find innovative solutions to multiple transfer issues this summer, as Ruben Amorim wants to continue his overhaul of the squad while moving players on. United’s PSR pressures are nevertheless well known, meaning they are investigating deals where players go both ways. The club also want an athletic number-six and a goalkeeper, with the potential order of signings dependent on opportunities and sales.