Carlos Baleba set for Manchester United move as summer transfer market heats up
Carlos Baleba’s long chase for a Manchester United move is finally paying off. The Cameroon international has passed his medical, signed a five-year deal and is now just waiting for the final paperwork to clear before pulling on a United shirt.
United have agreed a £65million fee with Brighton, plus a further £5m in add-ons, for the 20-year-old midfielder. The deal has been in the works for over a year, with United tracking Baleba closely and the player pushing hard to make it to Old Trafford. An official announcement could land as early as Monday.
Woltemade pushing for Bundesliga return
Nick Woltemade’s time at Newcastle may be cut brutally short. Just a year after arriving in a club-record £65m move, the towering German forward is already eyeing the exit.
The 24-year-old is understood to be pressing for a move back to Germany, with Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig both circling. A return to the Bundesliga would mark a stunning turnaround for a player Newcastle had earmarked as a long-term focal point of their attack.
Palace line up Bowen as Sarr successor
Crystal Palace are ready to test West Ham’s resolve. They are prepared to spend £50m to bring Jarrod Bowen back to the Premier League, according to SunSport.
Bowen, now West Ham captain, publicly committed himself to the Hammers at the start of the window despite relegation. Palace are undeterred. With Ismaila Sarr closing in on a move to Galatasaray, the Eagles have identified the England winger as the man to replace him and inject instant top-flight quality into their attack.
Newcastle slap record fee on Hall
Newcastle have placed a huge valuation on Lewis Hall as interest intensifies. TeamTalk report the Magpies want more than £68m for the 21-year-old left-back, a figure that would make him the most expensive defender in history.
Manchester United are the leading club linked with Hall, but that price could force them to look elsewhere. Alejandro Balde and David Raum are now prominent alternatives, while Jorge Salinas, Antonee Robinson and Adrien Truffert are also on United’s radar.
Nkunku heading back to Leipzig
Christopher Nkunku is on the verge of a familiar destination. RB Leipzig have reached a verbal agreement with AC Milan to take the 28-year-old on loan with an option to buy.
Only the final details remain, with journalist Florian Plettenberg reporting the deal should be completed in the next couple of days. Nkunku left Leipzig for Chelsea in 2023 but never found rhythm at Stamford Bridge and has struggled again in Italy. Now he is set to return to the club where he enjoyed the most prolific spell of his career.
Chelsea’s winger carousel spins again
Chelsea’s wide options remain in constant motion. Mykhaylo Mudryk’s future is increasingly uncertain despite his recent return from an 18-month absence following a doping ban.
The Ukrainian has reportedly been offered to Tottenham, while Leeds United, Strasbourg and Coventry City are also interested. Chelsea have already bolstered their wings with Geovany Quenda and Morgan Rogers earlier this window, and Pedro Neto is another who could depart, with Al Hilal now joining Manchester City in tracking him.
If Neto goes, Chelsea are weighing Juventus winger Francisco Conceicao as a possible replacement, keeping the Stamford Bridge winger merry-go-round in full swing.
United prospect Devaney heads to Hibs
Manchester United youngster Jacob Devaney is heading north. The midfielder will join Hibernian on a season-long loan, with an option to buy included.
Devaney, 20, has yet to make his senior debut for United and spent last season on loan at St Mirren. He now gets another crack at regular first-team football in Scotland as he tries to force his way into United’s long-term plans.
Real Madrid hit Zubimendi wall
Real Madrid’s hunt for a defensive midfielder has taken another hit. After missing out on Rodri, who joined Barcelona, Los Blancos turned to Martin Zubimendi as a serious option.
That move now looks unlikely. Reports in Spain claim Mikel Arteta has shut the door on selling the 27-year-old, despite Zubimendi slipping down the pecking order late in Arsenal’s title-winning season. Arsenal appear determined to keep him, leaving Real back at square one in a crucial area of the pitch.
Spurs and City agree Marmoush deal
Tottenham’s striker search has taken a major step forward. Fabrizio Romano has confirmed a verbal agreement between Spurs and Manchester City for Omar Marmoush, complete with his trademark “here we go”.
Marmoush will initially move on loan, with an obligation to buy if certain conditions are met. The total package is expected to reach around £50m. The Egypt international is due in London on Monday to complete his medical.
Spurs are also confident of wrapping up a separate deal worth around £63m for the 27-year-old, offering a contract until 2031. Marmoush wants the move and is pushing to get to north London quickly, a development that could push Richarlison towards the exit after falling out of Roberto De Zerbi’s plans.
Hull’s busy weekend: Ali-Cho in, Jakirovic rewarded
Hull City’s weekend just keeps improving. The Tigers have signed Mohamed Ali-Cho from OGC Nice for a reported £13m plus add-ons tied to Premier League survival.
The 22-year-old French winger arrives off the back of 5 goals and 4 assists in Ligue 1 last season and will undergo his medical in Hull. Earlier in the summer he had been linked with a £17m move, but Hull have now landed him on slightly reduced terms.
The club have also moved to secure head coach Sergej Jakirovic. After an encouraging opening fixture against Manchester United, Hull have handed him a new three-year deal and a significant pay rise. Owner Acun Ilicali said: “We agreed on all terms, and we are renewing the contract. For us, this conversation was no more than five minutes. I’m not joking.”
Hull are not done either. They are considering a loan move for Chelsea midfielder Dario Essugo as they look to add depth for the survival fight. Several Premier League clubs and Strasbourg are also interested, according to talkSPORT.
Willock close to Besiktas switch
Joe Willock looks set to leave Newcastle. Besiktas have tabled a €20m proposal and are waiting for a response from the Premier League club.
Willock has agreed personal terms in principle on a contract running until 2030. Now the move rests on Newcastle’s decision.
Richarlison draws interest from Turkey and Merseyside
With Marmoush, Savinho and Gakpo potentially arriving, Tottenham are prepared to let Richarlison go. Trabzonspor are exploring what it would take to lure the Brazilian away from north London and whether he would accept the move.
Everton have also registered interest in bringing the 29-year-old back, two years after selling him for £50m. His future now hinges on Spurs’ incoming business.
Liverpool locked in talks over PSG duo
Liverpool’s negotiations with Paris Saint-Germain are dragging into a second month. The Reds are trying to find an agreement for Ibrahim Mbaye and Bradley Barcola, but PSG are holding out for higher fees.
PSG are believed to want around €170m for Barcola, although that stance may soften after the signing of Mika Godts from Ajax. Liverpool want both deals tied up before allowing Coady Gakpo to complete a move to Tottenham.
Emery coy as Watkins pushes for exit
Ollie Watkins’ future at Aston Villa is under intense scrutiny. Unai Emery was quizzed about the striker’s absence from the squad and responded with a light-hearted answer that only fuelled speculation.
Al Hilal have already seen a €45m bid rejected, but Watkins has asked the board to let him leave this summer. If Villa can secure a suitable replacement or receive a substantially improved offer, they are expected to open the door to talks.
Watkins, for his part, has made his stance clear. TALKSports’ Ben Jacobs reports the England international has told the Villa board he wants to leave Birmingham and join Al Hilal before the deadline.
Chelsea shut door on Bynoe-Gittens exit
Roma have been rebuffed in their move for Jamie Bynoe-Gittens. talkSPORT report the Italian club proposed a loan with an option to buy, but Chelsea have rejected the approach.
The Blues do not intend to negotiate any exit for the winger this summer. They see him as part of their plans and want him in the squad for the coming season.
Palace name their price for Sarr
Crystal Palace have taken a firm stance on Ismaila Sarr. After leaving him out against Everton following his agreement of personal terms with Galatasaray, the club have now set their asking price.
The Turkish side must pay €60m for the 28-year-old if they want a deal. Palace signed Sarr from Marseille in 2024 for €14m, and he has rewarded them with 33 goals over two seasons. They will not let him go cheaply.
Jackson favours Atleti as Chelsea push Villa sale
Nicolas Jackson has made his preference known. The Chelsea striker has reportedly given his approval to Atletico Madrid, naming them as his ideal destination.
He has attracted several proposals this summer, notably from Aston Villa, who are bracing themselves for Watkins’ potential departure. Chelsea, though, would rather sell to Villa and are waiting for a concrete offer from the Premier League club.
Jackson wants a return to La Liga, where he previously enjoyed his time at Villarreal. Fate now pits his past and possible future together as Atletico face Villarreal this afternoon.
Kane calm over Bayern contract
Harry Kane is in no rush over his Bayern Munich future. With just a year left on his contract, the 33-year-old has made it clear he wants to stay in Germany.
“We’ll talk this week and next. We’ll just have an open discussion. We are not in a hurry or panicking. My full focus is on Bayern Munich and the upcoming season. The talks will happen behind the scenes,” Kane said.
Only days ago, he ruled out a Premier League return. Speaking to Harry Winter, he admitted that when he first left England he expected to come back, but “that itch isn’t there as much anymore”. “I am extremely happy here in Munich,” he added.
Mudryk weighs options as Chelsea push Strasbourg
Mykhaylo Mudryk is expected to leave Chelsea before the window closes. Cleared to resume his career after doping charges were dropped earlier this month, the 25-year-old wants to stay in the Premier League to regain sharpness.
Leeds and Tottenham are interested, with Spurs viewing him as an option if their move for Gakpo collapses. Chelsea, however, would prefer to send him on loan to sister club Strasbourg rather than strengthen a domestic rival. Mudryk remains under contract at Stamford Bridge until 2031.
The market is moving fast. Baleba to United, Marmoush to Spurs, Nkunku back to Leipzig, Sarr, Watkins, Richarlison and Jackson all agitating for change. With the clock ticking down on the window, which club blinks first?
