Premier League Giants Race for £68m Eze as Deadline Looms

Premier League's biggest clubs pushing hard to complete big-money deals

Targets: Eberechi Eze, Benjamin Sesko and Alexander Isak

London Standard

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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, are 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 £135. Newcastle want Benjamin Sesko has 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 open to joining on loan from Bayern Munich. Follow the latest transfer news, gossip and rumours live below!

Live updates

48 seconds ago

Manchester City are considering sending Vitor Reis, their new centre-back, on loan.

The Brazilian arrived at City to great fanfare back in January, but has struggled for game time since his move.

Now, Sky Sports report that he could move to Girona, City’s sister club. on a temporary deal to get more regular minutes.

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20 minutes ago

Manchester United are interested in a eye-catching move for Gianluigi Donnarumma.

The goalkeeper, arguably the best in the world, is in the final year of his contract with Paris Saint-Germain and have rejected multiple offers of an extension.

The main stumbling block in contract talks is reportedly due to PSG wanting Donnarumma to take a pay cut, which he is refusing to do.

As such, PSG are closing in on a deal for Lille’s Lucas Chevalier as his replacement, and United are keen to take advantage.

Sky Sports report that United want to replace Andre Onana but Donnarumma is in no rush to make a decision and could even stay and compete with Chevalier.

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32 minutes ago

PSG are closing in on the signing of Bournemouth’s Ilya Zabarnyi.

Fabrizio Romano reports that the central defender, who has agreed personal terms with the French giants, is near a switch to Ligue 1

Tottenham were also linked with the Ukrainian, who is valued at around £60million, but final negotiations are ongoing between PSG and Bournemouth.

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43 minutes ago

Young Chelsea star Kendry Paez has joined Strasbourg on a season-long loan.

The young Ecuador star completed his move to Stamford Bridge from Independiente del Valle this summer after turning 18 in May.

Chelsea believe a loan spell with sister club Strasbourg in Ligue 1 is best for the next stage of his development, and joins 19-year-old goalkeeper Mike Penders as one of two Chelsea loanees at Strasbourg.

The French club have also made two permanent signings from Chelsea this summer. Mathias Amougou made the move for a £12.5million fee earlier this month, while Ishe Samuels-Smith joined for £6.5m on Wednesday.

Read more here!

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54 minutes ago

Another former Premier League midfielder who could be on his way back to these isles is Douglas Luiz.

Both West Ham and Everton are interested in a move for the former Aston Villa midfielder, who is surplus to requirements at Juventus a year after moving.

Reports this morning claim any move is likely to materialise before the end of the window, and a loan deal is preferred over a permanent switch.

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1 hour ago

Tottenham are closing in on the loan signing of Joao Palhinha.

Sky Germany report that a season-long loan switch has been agreed, which includes a buy option of around £26million (£30m).

Spurs will cover the player's full salary, which is reportedly around £160,000 a week.

The player is set to undergo a medical in the next few days to become Thomas Frank's fifth summer signing.

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1 hour ago

Manchester United and Newcastle are set for a bidding war for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko.

The two Premier League sides both missed out on their top striking targets this summer - Liam Delap and Hugo Ekitike - and have now turned to the Slovenian.

Fabrizio Romano reports that United have communicated their intention to bid to Leipzig, while Newcastle are ready to match that.

The Sun add, though, that United had hoped to include a Rasmus Hojlund in a deal to bring down the cost. It remains to be seen if Leipzig are interested.

London Standard

1 hour ago

Chelsea want to sign both Xavi Simons and Alejandro Garnacho.

The Blues are in the market for another wide man after the departures of Noni Madueke and Jadon Sancho, as well as the suspension of Mykhailo Mudryk, and they have made Simons, the RB Leipzig forward, a priority.

Manchester United’s Garnacho wants to make the move to Stamford Bridge but no such approach has been made by Enzo Maresca’s side yet.

The Sun reports that Chelsea have hit somewhat of a stumbling block during talks over a deal for Simons, as Leipzig are not interested in any players offered in part-exchange.

The Telegraph add that Chelsea have done background checks on Garnacho’s attitude, amid concerns over his temperament, which have come back clear.

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1 hour ago

Alexander Isak is working by himself at Real Sociedad’s training ground.

The Newcastle striker has opted to use his former club’s facilities as he recovers from a minor thigh injury, and he is using his own staff according to Sky Sports.

If Isak is to get his wish and leaves Newcastle, Real Sociedad will get 10% of any fee above €70m.

The i Paper report that Newcastle are aware of Isak’s movements, and insist they will not sell the striker without having secured two replacement.

They are keen on Benjamin Sesko and have interest in Yoane Wissa.

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1 hour ago

Arsenal have not opened talks with Crystal Palace over a move for Eberechi Eze, whose release clause expires today.

The Gunners are keen on the Eagles star, who has a release clause of around £68m that expires two weeks before the new season begins. Which is today.

The clause reportedly states that a buying club must pay a chunk of the fee up front, said to be around £30-35m.

However, Arsenal are not said to be concerned by the deadline as they believe a deal could be struck on a more favourable structure and, potentially, below the release clause.

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