Transfer news LIVE: Arsenal 'to sign' Gyokeres; Isak requests move – London Evening Standard

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Transfer news LIVE!
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United are all pressing ahead with their summer transfer spending ahead of the new Premier League season. The Gunners are finally closing in on the signing of Viktor Gyokeres after a key a breakthrough in their talks with Sporting, with the striker expected to receive permission to undergo a medical before the end of the week.
Liverpool have taken their summer spending past £250million with the signing of Hugo Ekitike, but new reports claim they still want Alexander Isak, who has informed Newcastle of his desire to leave. Chelsea are in advanced talks to sign RB Leipzig midfielder Xavi Simons and Ajax defender Jorrel Hato, with significant progress being made in talks on a double deal.
Manchester United are weighing up a move for Emiliano Martinez as well as shifting their focus towards signing a centre-forward, as they bid to land a striker before the new Premier League season starts. Nicolas Jackson and Ollie Watkins are among their targets. Tottenham remain hopeful of a deal for Morgan Gibbs-White. Follow the latest transfer news, gossip and rumours live below!
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Sporting have agreed deal to sign Luis Javier Suarez from Almería.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Sporting will pay a £21.7million (€25million) fee, while the Spanish side have negotiated a 10% sell-on clause.
All of which means the Gyokeres to Arsenal transfer is edging closer as the striker has been earmarked as a replacement for the Swede.
Newcastle are set to rival Manchester United for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko this summer.
Newcastle’s preparations for the new season have been rocked with Alexander Isak informing the club of his desire to explore a move away amid links to Premier League champions Liverpool.
The fact the Sweden international has three years left on his contract at St James’ Park does leave Newcastle in a strong negotiating position.
However, it has been reported that an offer of around £150million would be difficult to resist.
Therefore if Isak was to depart, Sesko has been earmarked as a direct replacement.
Full story here!
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has delivered his verdict on Hugo Ekitike.
The Frenchman has joined up with the Reds in Hong Kong following his summer transfer from Eintracht Frankurt and has been told what to expect from the Dutchman.
Speaking to the Anfield Wrap, van Dijk said: “It’s good to have him here.
“I said to him, ‘The hard work starts now.’ He has to work his socks off and be important for us whenever he can. That’s the main thing.”
Fulham are set to complete the signing of Montpellier goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte, writes Sam Tabuteau.
The 34-year-old comes in to provide competition for Bernd Leno, with current understudy Steven Benda undergoing a medical ahead of a loan move to Millwall.
Montpellier captain Lecomte played 30 games for the Ligue 1 side last season and will become Fulham’s first signing of the summer.
Lecomte, who is in his second spell at the club, was unable to prevent Montpellier from relegation to Ligue 2 last term and now heads to the Premier League.
Benda, meanwhile, moves to Millwall in search of regular first-team minutes after providing cover for the ever-reliable Leno over the last two years.
Manchester United have been told that Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins is not for sale.
The England international has been linked with a move to Old Trafford this summer as Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim aims to complete an overhaul of his attack.
Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo are already on board and United’s next plan of action is to bring in a centre-forward.
However, it is unlikely that Watkins will be making the move as Villa insist he is not for sale despite valuing the 29-year-old at £60million.
Here is a big update for Arsenal fans.
Eberechi Eze has told friends that he’s going to join Arsenal this summer, according to TBR Football.
They claim the Gunners have now held discussions with Crystal Palace and the England international about a move.
It has been previously reported that the Eagles will not accept a penny less than Eze’s release clause which is said to be £67.5million.
Ajax appear to have paved the way for defender Jorrel Hato to join Chelsea this summer.
Hato has long been linked with a move to the Premier League having previously been on the radar of Arsenal and Liverpool, if reports are to be believed.
However, he is now in talks to sign for Chelsea. This was confirmed by the defender’s agent, Humphry Nijman on Wednesday.
In a potential transfer twist, Hato has not been named in the Ajax matchday squad for tonight’s pre-season friendly against Celtic.
READ MORE HERE!
New York Jets co-owner Woody Johnson has completed the purchase of Eagle Football Holdings’ 43% stake in Crystal Palace, writes Sam Tabuteau.
The announcement brings to an end controversial former co-owner John Textor’s four year association with the club.
Textor is co-owner of Eagle Football Holdings, who owned stakes in both Lyon and Palace as part of a multi club ownership model.
More on that here!
James McAtee has rejected a move abroad, according to Sky Sports.
The midfielder is free to leave Manchester City this summer following the arrival of Rayan Cherki and has his admirers in Germany as well as Italy.
Eintracht Frankfurt, Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen have all been credited with an interest in McAtee but it’s understood his preference is to remain in England.
This could open the door for Nottingham Forest to swoop in.
The matter of Rodrygo’s future is certainly one to keep an eye on this summer.
Having been consistently overlooked by Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso at the Club World Cup, the Brazilian is being tipped to seek a new adventure.
Bayern Munich and PSG are among the teams linked with Rodrygo, though reports claim he would prefer a move to the Premier League. This puts Liverpool, Arsenal and even Tottenham on alert.
That said, it has previously been suggested that Los Blancos will demand £77million (€90million) for the winger.
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