Transfer news LIVE: Arsenal's Gyokeres wait over; Liverpool plot record Isak bid – London Evening Standard

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Transfer news LIVE!
A summer window which has already seen one record-breaking deal is gearing up for another as Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United all continue to splash the cash ahead of the new Premier League season. Alexander Isak has told Newcastle he wants to leave, and Liverpool are his most likely destination – but he will cost far more than the British record £116million already spent on Florian Wirtz this summer. Benjamin Sesko could replace Isak.
Talking of striker, Arsenal finally have their main target in Viktor Gyokeres after negotiations over his £64million fee were finally settled with Sporting. Gyokeres will undergo his medical today before signing a five-year contract. He has been given Thierry Henry’s iconic No14 shirt number. The Gunners are then expected to launch a bid for Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze. Also in north London, Tottenham are still hoping to sign Morgan Gibbs-White, and also hold interest in Joao Palhinha.
Chelsea are in advanced talks to sign young Dutch stars Xavi Simons and Jorrel Hato in a huge £105m double deal amid confidence an agreement for the RB Leipzig and Ajax stars will be reached, but Morgan Rogers is their dream signing. Manchester United have ruled themselves out of signing Isak, but do have interest in Sesko, Nicolas Jackson and Ollie Watkins. Follow the latest transfer news, gossip and rumours live below!
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Sky Germany’s RB Leipzig reporter Philipp Hinze has delivered an update on Chelsea’s attempts to sign Xavi Simons.
Hinze said: “Chelsea and Leipzig are in direct contact. Talks are ongoing. Negotiations with the player’s side are very constructive.
“However, Leipzig’s demands are clear: they are still asking for a total package of around £60million (€70 million), including add-ons. They do not want to let Xavi go for less. They have a clear stance.
“However, they are also aware that Xavi wants to leave — this is known internally and has been clearly discussed.”
Aston Villa have no plans to sell Ollie Watkins this summer.
Manchester United have interest in the England forward, as they look to finally make progress in their attempts to sign a striker.
However, The Telegraph report that United have been told by Villa that Watkins is not for sale and that they will not listen to any offers.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has issued an update on Alexander Isak’s future after the striker asked to leave amid interest from Liverpool.
“Of course there are things going on behind the scenes. Conversations that happen between Alex and myself, and Alex and the club will stay private.
“Whatever happens has to be for the best of the club.
He added: “There are no contract talks taking place. That will be for a later date potentially. I certainly hope he stays. It’s football, who knows what the future may bring.”
Chelsea have had a bid for Ajax defender Jorrel Hato rejected.
The Blues are pushing to sign the 19-year-old as part of a £104m double swoop for him and RB Leipzig star Xavi Simons.
However, ESPN Netherlands report that Ajax have turned down an offer from Chelsea for Hato.
It is claimed that a counter-offer has been sent back to the Blues.
Ajax want to keep hold of Hato, but are aware of his desire to leave the club.
Viktor Gyokeres has landed in London as he completes his final steps to becoming an Arsenal player.
The Sporting striker is set for a medical today, and his agency posted a video of the Swede on a private jet on Instagram on Friday.
Gyokeres’s £64m move to Arsenal is finally set to be completed. He will wear the No14 shirt.
Alexander Isak has been offered a staggering £600,000 per week salary to play for Al-Hilal next season.
The Saudi Pro League side are in the market for a new striker and are interested in the Swede, who wants to leave Newcastle this summer.
The Guardian report that the centre-forward has seen a huge, tax-free pay packet tabled, but he is not currently interested in a move to the Middle East.
Emerson has been left out of West Ham’s pre-season squad.
The Italian left-back is out with a back injury, according to BBC Sport, although he has been told he can leave the east London club.
Chelsea’s ‘dream’ signing this summer would be Morgan Rogers, according to the Daily Telegraph.
The Blues would love to sign the Aston Villa winger, but would only be able to do so if the Villans were forced to sell because of their PSR restrictions.
Arsenal want to move swiftly to sign Eberechi Eze.
The Independent report that the Gunners are lining up the Crystal Palace midfielder as their next target after they land Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting.
The Swede is expected to finalise his move to north London this weekend, and after that, Arsenal will turn their attentions to Eze.
There is Saudi Arabian interest in Joao Felix.
Chelsea want to sell the Portugal attacker despite only signing permanently last summer, and he has previously been linked with a sensational return to former club Benfica.
However, he now has admirers in Saudi, with Public Investment Fund clubs approaching the Blues about Felix’s availability.
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