Transfer news LIVE: Arsenal learn Eze twist; Isak bid rejected; Sesko decision – London Evening Standard

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Transfer news LIVE!
The new Premier League season is just two weeks away and the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United are all working hard on completing deals before the big kick-off. The Gunners finally have their much-needed striker, and £64million man Viktor Gyokeres made his debut in Thursday’s pre-season defeat to Tottenham. Next on the hitlist is Eberechi Eze, but the Crystal Palace star’s £68m release clause expires today, so Arsenal have some work to do.
Liverpool, meanwhile, have been working on a first formal offer for Alexander Isak, who is desperate to leave Newcastle. A second British-record-beating deal is in the offing, and this one could cost upwards of £135m. On Thursday, the Reds saw their first official bid for the Swede knocked back by the Magpies. Newcastle want Benjamin Sesko as his replacement, though Man United are doing all they can to snap up the RB Leipzig striker.
Chelsea are closing in on the double signing of Jorrel Hato and Xavi Simons, and retain an interest in Alejandro Garnacho. The spending does not stop. Tottenham are also closing on the signing of a new midfielder with Joao Palhinha closing in on a loan move from Bayern Munich. Follow the latest transfer news, gossip and rumours live below!
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David Ornstein has reported that Liverpool have seen their first official bid for Alexander Isak rejected by Newcastle.
The Reds had initially made an informal approach to the Magpies for the Swedish striker, resulting in a formal bid that has been turned down.
Isak wants to move to Anfield, as talks continue, with his Newcastle team-mates and the club trying to convince him to stay put.
Fabrizio Romano adds that the bid was worth £120million plus add-ons.
Fabrizio Romano reports that Chelsea are still keen on signing Alejandro Garnacho.
The Blues are interested in the Manchester United winger and could move for the Argentine later in the window after they have secured the services of Jorell Hato from Ajax and Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig,
Chelsea are currently, according to Romano, trying to get Simons’ price down, with the Dutchman having two years left on his deal in Germany.
Brentford have hatched a plan to facilitate a move for Omari Hutchinson.
The Bees are targeting the Ipswich winger as a replacement for Bryan Mbeumo, and have already seen a bid rejected by the Championship side.
However, they are prepared to wait for the right time before launching a second.
Read the full story here.
Manchester United have been given a boost in their pursuit of Benjamin Sesko.
Ben Jacobs reports that the Red Devils are the frontrunners for the Slovenian, with Newcastle also in the race for the RB Leipzig striker.
Jacobs claims that Sesko is ‘eager’ to join United, even though they cannot offer him European football, and Newcastle can.
Enzo Maresca reportedly wants 15 players to leave Stamford Bridge this summer.
Nico Schira reports that the Italian has compiled a list of names that he wants gone before the transfer window slams shut.
They are:
New Chelsea arrival Mamadou Sarr has been shipped out on loan to sister club Strasbourg.
The centre-back joined the Blues from the French side this summer, but has immediately been loaned back to the Ligue 1 club.
Arsenal were dealt a shock 1-0 defeat by Spurs in Hong Kong yesterday, where Viktor Gyokeres made his debut from the bench.
Noni Madueke will join his new team-mates on their return from Asia.
But how can the defeat be spun into a positive, and what opportunities does it present for their new arrivals?
Simon Collings has all the answers here…
Alexander Isak is prepared to unilaterally terminate his contract with Newcastle in order to sign for Liverpool.
According to The Mirror, such is the Swede’s deperation to leave St James’ Park for Anfield, he is considering what has been described as a “nuclear” option to force the move.
Isak is currently training alone in Spain with a personal trainer to keep his fitness up for the Premier League champions.
Liverpool want to sign Isak but, as yet, no formal bid has been submitted.
Sunderland have announced the signing of goalkeeper Robin Roefs from NEC Nijmegen.
The deal is reportedly worth around £11million, including add-ons.
Roefs is expected to be first-choice goalkeeper.
The 22-year-old becomes Sunderland’s eighth summer signing following the arrivals of Reinildo Mandava, Chemsdine Talbi, Noah Sadiki, Enzo Le Fee, Habib Diarra, Simon Adingra and Granit Xhaka.
More on Tottenham’s move for Joao Palhinha as the Bayern midfielder is set to undergo a medical today.
Dom Smith reports that Spurs have agreed a deal with the German giants to sign the midfielder on loan with an option to buy.
Palhinha, who had interest from elsewhere, made his intention to join Spurs clear once he heard of their interest in him.
Spurs will cover Palhinha’s full wages and have an option to make the move more permanent next season, reportedly for £26million (€30m).
Palhinha joined Bayern for an initial £43.2m fee last summer, representing a club-record player sale for Fulham.
Read more here!
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