Transfer News

MANCHESTER UNITED are one of multiple Premier League clubs interested in Jobe Bellingham, younger brother of Real Madrid star Jude.

Bellingham, 20, followed in his brother’s footsteps when he left newly-promoted Sunderland to join German giants Borussia Dortmund in the summer.

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But now, according to reports from German outlet Bild, the midfielder’s next move could bring him back to the UK.

The highly-rated prospect has struggled to find minutes under manager Niko Kovac after starting in the opening two games of the season.

He has played just 74 minutes in the four league games since those games, and could grow frustrated at the lack of opportunities at the club, having been the main man at Sunderland last season.

These frustrations didn’t take long to boil over, with Jobe’s father Mark Bellingham reportedly storming to the dressing room to confront club officials after the youngster was substituted at half-time in their season opener against St Pauli.

The fallout from the scene saw the families of all players banned from the dressing room at Signal Iduna Park.

And it was not the only distraction affecting the youngster off the field, following news emerging on Monday that Mark and Jobe’s mother Denise Bellingham have appeared to separate after more than twenty years together.

United would pose an interesting option for the Stourbridge native to rekindle his meteoric rise, with their midfield struggles being one of their biggest issues under Ruben Amorim this season.

There is a sense that despite having much left to prove on the biggest stages, Bellingham could make an instant impact at Old Trafford.

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However, if game time is the deal-breaker in Dortmund, then tales such as that of the consistently snubbed teenager Kobbie Mainoo could be a warning sign to steer clear.

Bellingham joined the Germans in summer for a fee of £27million, and it is hard to picture the Red Devils getting him for anything less than that.

Another club interested in the England youth international’s services is reportedly Crystal Palace, who were also interested in him while he was with the Black Cats.

Palace have been excellent this season, sitting four places above United in sixth, despite having European football to contend with.

He could partner Eagles starlet Adam Wharton, or potentially open the door for an exit for the 21-year-old, who United are also interested in.

OLIVER GLASNER, Fabian Hurzeler and Andoni Iraola are among the coaches under consideration to replace Ruben Amorim if he is sacked by Manchester United.

Amorim suffered his 17th Premier League defeat out of 33 games in charge of United against Brentford on Saturday, who have lost three of their six league matches this term.

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Although Amorim retains the club’s backing, United are keeping an eye on potential replacements amid their alarming form.

Club sources insist they do not have a successor to Amorim lined up but accept the speculation around the manager’s role.

Erik ten Hag was dismissed after four defeats from the first nine league fixtures last term, though the United hierarchy is more invested in Amorim, the first managerial appointment under co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

United initially placed an emphasis on Premier League-proven signings in the summer with Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo and could apply that to their next managerial search.

That has had an impact on former England manager Gareth Southgate’s chances – he has not managed in the Premier League since Middlesbrough were relegated in 2009.

Southgate has suggested he may not return to management while his friend and ally, United director Sir Dave Brailsford, is no longer visible at the club after his disastrous attempt to improve performance at Old Trafford.

Glasner guided Crystal Palace to their first piece of silverware in the FA Cup last season and the Eagles are the only unbeaten side in the top flight, having ended Liverpool’s winning run with a 2-1 triumph on Saturday.

Iraola took charge of Bournemouth two years ago and led them to ninth last season.

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Despite the high-profile departures of Dean Huijsen, Ilya Zabarnyi and Milos Kerkez, the Cherries are currently third.

Hurzeler replaced Roberto De Zerbi at Brighton at the start of last season and presided over an eighth-place finish.

The Seagulls beat Chelsea 3-1 on Saturday to rise to tenth.

Glasner, 51, uses the same 3-4-2-1 system that Amorim is wedded to, which could be a deterrent.

The Austrian has European pedigree from his time at Eintracht Frankfurt, whom he led to Europa League glory in 2022.

Palace have so far failed to tie down Glasner on a new contract as his current one expires at the end of the season.

Iraola’s deal also runs out in the summer of 2026, while Hurzeler is tied to Brighton until 2027.

Meanwhile, reports suggest Xavi would be extremely keen on the Old Trafford gig.

However, there is not believed to have been any interest from the Red Devils as yet.

Amorim insists he’s right man

Amorim signed a two-and-a-half year contract with United when he was appointed as Ten Hag’s replacement last November but the club finished 15th last season, their worst top-flight finish since the team was relegated in 1974.

United have invested £256.82million in six signings on Amorim’s watch but the team have plunged to 14th following Saturday’s loss.

Sunderland travel to Old Trafford next week before the October internationals and United resume their schedule against Liverpool at Anfield on October 19.

United are winless in their last ten at Anfield and have not won there since January 2016.

Asked if he can turn it around at United, Amorim replied: “I’m always confident as I know what to do.

“When you lose, you go back to the same place and you fight again for one win that can help you to create the momentum.”

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RUBEN AMORIM has told wantaway Kobbie Mainoo: “You have to do better.”

Midfielder Mainoo, 20, was keen to quit Manchester United before the transfer deadline because boss Amorim is not giving him enough game time.

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Italian champs Napoli were interested but the Red Devils were unwilling to sanction a loan exit for the England star.

Amorim ignored Mainoo while the window was still open but had a heart-to-heart during the international break — telling him he is not the finished product and could do more.

The Portuguese coach, whose side face Manchester City in today’s Manchester derby at the Etihad, said: “Like a lot of guys, he wants to play more. 

“I didn’t have a conversation with him before the window closed but I did this week. 

“I didn’t want him thinking I was having the conversation just to hold on to him. Some people think he is there but I think he can do so much better. 

“For some guys it’s enough, for him it’s not enough. Maybe it’s not fair but I think I’m helping Kobbie Mainoo.

“I have the same feeling that you have. That he’s a top, top player. But he can be so much better. So I’m focused on that.

“He’s not used to fighting for his place, maybe. He is uncomfortable but he is a very good kid — and he is fighting.”

Mainoo looked set for superstardom when he scored for his boyhood club in their FA Cup final win over City and then started for England in  the Euro 2024 final, despite defeat to Spain.

Amorim added: “I know he started the final of the European Championship in a team that has a lot of talented players.

“Phil Foden played that game. Cole Palmer was on the bench. He was playing. But sometimes I have  a different way of seeing the game.”

The ex-Sporting Lisbon boss explained where he thinks Mainoo can improve.

The United boss added: “He needs to have the technical ability that he has but he  needs more pace. 

“He needs to play at different speeds. Sometimes he’s slower and sometimes he’s faster. He can improve on that.

“And then he has to beat Bruno Fernandes. He has to beat Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte. They are good players also. I need to choose.”

Amorim pointed to fellow Portuguese Vitinha, Paris Saint-Germain’s midfield general, as a player who once struggled but is now thriving.

He said: “Sometimes it’s about the opinion of a coach. I remember Vitinha was not playing for Wolves. Nowadays, Vitinha is maybe the best midfielder in the world.”

Man Utd’s transfer deals

IN

• Bryan Mbeumo – from Brentford – £71m
• Matheus Cunha – from Wolves – £62.5m
• Diego Leon – from Cerro Porteno – £7m
• Benjamin Sesko – from RB Leipzig – £74m
• Senne Lammens – from Royal Antwerp – £18m

TOTAL – £232.5m

OUT

• Alejandro Garnacho – to Chelsea – £40m
• Marcus Rashford – to Barcelona – Loan
• Victor Lindelof – released
• Christian Eriksen – released
• Toby Collyer – to West Brom – Loan

TOTAL – £40m

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CLUB football is back for the Premier League this weekend after the international break.

After the last round of fixtures, a chaotic transfer deadline day followed as clubs splashed out £375million on new talent to take the overall spending for the window to over £3BILLION.

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And with that wave of new arrivals, including emergency loans, the conclusions of blockbuster sagas and shrewd deals, there will be several new faces for fans to watch.

SunSport has taken a look at stars who could make their debuts this weekend, including two club-record signings.

Kicking off the team in goal is new Manchester City star Gianluigi Donnarumma, who arrived on deadline day from Paris Saint-Germain for £26million.

New £18m Manchester United star Senne Lammens could have been selected just as easily, but they can let their goalkeeping do the talking during the Manchester Derby on Sunday.

Arsenal’s Piero Hincapie – signed on loan from Bayer Leverkusen with a £45m option to buy – put in a great display for Ecuador against Argentina and will partner £13m Bournemouth signing Veljko Milosavljevic and West Ham loanee Igor Julio in defence.

There are three more loanees to consider going forward: Tottenham’s Randal Kolo Muani, Nottingham Forest‘s Oleksandr Zinchenko and Aston Villa‘s Jadon Sancho, who all arrived in the twilight hours of the summer window.

Harvey Elliott followed Sancho to the struggling Villans from Liverpool on an initial loan with a £35m obligation to buy next summer.

The front three is where the majority of the star power and cost come into play.

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Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m sale from Man Utd to Chelsea, was not a deadline day switch but was only announced after the Blues’ most recent game at Stamford Bridge – meaning he will be in line for his debut this weekend.

Newcastle star Nick Woltemade is the club’s record signing at £69m.

The 23-year-old German looked impressive during the Under-21 Euros this summer, while he scored 17 for Stuttgart last season.

But he – alongside fellow new Toon ace Yoane Wissa – will have big boots to fill following Alexander Isak‘s record-breaking £130m departure to Liverpool.

Isak’s saga dragged on all summer and was on and off and then on and off again, before possibly the move of the summer was finally put to bed on deadline day.

Elsewhere, there are the likes of Kevin, Fulham‘s own £35m record-breaking arrival from Shakhtar Donetsk, Jaydee Canvot at Crystal Palace and Brian Brobbey at Sunderland who could also make first appearances for their new clubs at the weekend.

OLIVER GLASNER has won his battle with Steve Parish over captain Marc Guehi.

The most successful manager in Crystal Palace history slammed his foot down and demanded that he did not lose his skipper this late in the window.

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Glasner made it abundantly clear in public that he wanted Guehi to stay following the win over Aston Villa.

Within the club some feared he could even walk if the defender was sold.

Off the back of the FA Cup win in May and the victory over Liverpool in the Community Shield, this is the prime time for Glasner to throw his weight around.

Not that Palace did not try to land a fee for Guehi, who could now leave for nothing in a year’s time.

From January he will be able to reach a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs, with Real Madrid and Barcelona interested.

Liverpool agreed a £35million deal with the Eagles for the England man and the 25-year-old even completed his medical in London.

The Premier League champions had submitted a deal sheet to give them more time to get the move over the line, but within the hour the deal was dead.

Palace had attempted to sign replacements, including Brighton’s Igor Julio. The defender’s deal was progressing before West Ham swooped and signed the Brazilian.

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The two clubs were in talks at the beginning of August and even then remained apart over the fee.

Guehi spoke to media after scoring against Aston Villa in a 3-0 win on Sunday.

Asked how he has dealt with the speculation, he said: “I can’t say I like the limelight too much.

“A lot of cameras in my face all the time and constantly talking about me. I’m glad I’ve got a good club, good teammates around me.

“When you focus on what’s important, the football, it makes it a lot easier. Glad my family could be there to help me, and the staff, and everyone at Palace, so, yeah it’s good.”

It is a positive end to the summer for Glasner, but there are now huge questions over his relationship with chairman Parish.

Parish has often spoken of how the fiery Austrian has driven the club to new levels, but the former Eintracht Frankfurt boss has not hidden his feelings all summer.

After a slow transfer window a year ago was followed by a desperate start to the season, there were promises things would be different this time around.

But it has taken the Eagles until the final week to act on big signings, once Eberechi Eze had moved to Arsenal.

Glasner hit out at their “passive” summer and suggested he would not entertain talks over a new deal if the window was not to his liking.

Like Guehi, he is out of contract at the end of the season.

Palace did complete a deadline day deal for teenage defender Jaydee Canvot, while Odsonne Edouard joined Lens in a permanent deal.

They also submitted a deal sheet to sign Manor Solomon on loan from Tottenham.

Bilal El Khannouss, a Palace target this summer, joined Stuttgart on loan from Leicester City.

View from SunSport’s Ken Lawrence

MARC GUEHI may be on standby to have a medical in London before his long signing-posted move to Liverpool.

Arne Slot’s mega-spending club are confident they will get their man having spent the whole summer pursuing the Crystal Palace captain.

But his arrival does not automatically mean that Joe Gomez, a £14M target of AC Milan, will be leaving.

For Liverpool continue to be deeply concerned that Ibrahima Konate will follow Trent Alexander-Arnold and leave for Real Madrid at the end of the season.

The centre back, after a difficult start to the season, played well alongside skipper Virgil van Dijk in Sunday’s 1 – 0 win over Arsenal.

But the fear within Anfield is that he already sees himself as a team mate of Alexander-Arnold by next summer.

And Guehi’s expected arrival, almost certainly as VVD’s regular partner would only further unsettle  the Frenchman, 26.

Slot needs plenty of dependable back – up cover for the centre of his rearguard and Gomez, while susceptible to injury, provided exactly that after replacing thigh-injury victim Konate against the Gunners.

Liverpool do, of course have a new Italian stallion in Giovanni Leoni, bought from Parma for £24M.

There are high hopes for him down the line and last week received his first call – up to the senior national team.

But at the age of 18 he is still seen as one for the future and won’t be pushed so Gomez could well remain as the got – to guy for Slot.

CHELSEA are desperately trying to find Raheem Sterling a new home on transfer deadline day.

The winger has fallen down the pecking order at Chelsea and spent last season out on loan at Arsenal.

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Sterling, 30, could be set to move again within the Prem on deadline day.

Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Fulham see the former Manchester City and Liverpool star as an option.

He has reported that the Cottagers have revived talks for Sterling as one of three attackers they are interested in.

Fulham’s top target is Shakhtar Donetsk star Kevin.

They are believed to have agreed a fee of £34.6million for the Brazilian wonderkid.

However, Romano has suggested that there is no agreement with the player as of yet.

AC Milan’s Samuel Chukwueze is also a potential option.

Sterling had been left in limbo by Chelsea as he has one more year left on his contract at Stamford Bridge.

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The Blues have left it very late in the window to try and find a solution for the former England international.

He made the move to the Gunners on deadline day last summer but Chelsea still had to pay a large chunk of his wages.

Napoli are among the other clubs to have been linked with a move for Sterling.

Any club that does agree a deal for Sterling will be hoping to land a similar package to Arsenal last term.

Sterling is yet to play this season with Blues boss Enzo Maresca favouring the likes of Jamie Gittens, Pedro Neto and Estevao.

Fulham manager Marco Silva will be desperate to get bodies over the line today as he has not been happy with the club’s lack of activity.

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The West London side has only added back-up French goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte to their squad this summer.

Silva will be hoping to welcome at least Kevin and Chukwueze as Fulham close in on those deals.

Just last week, he insisted that Fulham needs to add to the squad.

He said: “We have to (sign players). This is the situation.

“I’m answering this way to you, and it’s not to put any more type of pressure at all.

“It’s because we don’t have other solutions.”

Elsewhere, Manchester United have agreed a deal to sign Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp.

Chelsea have also resumed Nicolas Jackson’s deal to join Bayern Munich.

Chelsea’s transfer deals

IN

• Joao Pedro – from Brighton – £60m
• Jamie Gittens – from Dortmund – £52m
• Jorell Hato – from Ajax – £37m
• Liam Delap – from Ipswich – £30m
• Estevao – from Palmeiras – £54m
• Dario Essugo – from Sporting Lisbon – £18.5m
• Kendry Paez – from Independiente – £17.25m
• Mamadou Sarr – from Strasbourg – £12m
• Alejandro Garnacho – from Man Utd – £40m

TOTAL – £320.75m

OUT

• Christopher Nkunku – to AC Milan – £38m
• Noni Madueke – to Arsenal – £52m
• Joao Felix – to Al-Nassr – £43.7m
• Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – to Everton – £30m
• Renato Veiga – to Villarreal – £26m
• Djordje Petrovic – to Bournemouth – £25m
• Lesley Ugochukwu – to Burnley – £23m
• Carney Chukwuemeka – to Dortmund £24m
• Armando Broja – to Burnley – £15m
• Bashir Humphreys – to Burnley – £10m
• Mathis Amougou – to Strasbourg – £12.5m
• Kepa Arrizabalaga – to Arsenal – £5m
• Marcus Bettinelli – to Man City – £2m

TOTAL – £306.2m

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His move had been cancelled after the injury to Liam Delap on Saturday.

SunSport understands that Chelsea are now open to selling the striker again.

They have encouraged Bayern Munich to push ahead and complete the move.

However, Newcastle are also interested in trying to sign Jackson.

And Bournemouth have completed the signing of Alex Jimenez from AC Milan.

The full-back has joined the Cherries on an initial loan deal from the Italian side.

They will have the option to make the move permanent for £16.5m.

Tottenham have also agreed a loan deal to sign striker Randal Kolo Muani from Juventus.

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MANCHESTER UNITED are set for a make-or-break deadline day after failing to sell any players this window.

But Ruben Amorim’s side is running out of time with the window shutting at 7pm tonight.

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Goalkeeper

United are keeping potential deals with Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez and Royal Antwerp’s Senne Lammens warm before deciding which one to go for.

Both players want to join Amorim’s side and were left out of their respective squads over the weekend. United aren’t in line to sign both goalkeepers.

£17million-rated Lammens, 23, is a project for the future, while World Cup winner Martinez can surely put things up between the sticks immediately.

SunSport understands Lammens is happy with the personal terms now on offer after talks stalled last week, and the Belgian wants to move to Old Trafford.

However, the Red Devils still need to agree a fee with Royal Antwerp, who are believed to be seeking £20 million.

Martinez, 32, would cost significantly more at around £40million and would demand higher wages in line with his current Villa Park deal, which still has five years left.

Antony

United winger Antony is expected to travel to Spain for a medical with Real Betis, where he enjoyed a revitalising six month loan last season.

He will take a significant pay cut to leave and will join Betis for £21.7m, with the deal made up of an initial £19m payment plus £3.4million in adds.

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It stalled on Friday night due to a £4-5million loyalty bonus that the player felt he was due from Old Trafford chiefs.

Jadon Sancho

Jadon Sancho could follow in Marcus Rashford’s footsteps by joining Aston Villa on loan with hours left in the window.

Villa Park chiefs have made contact with Sancho’s camp over personal terms but there is no agreement yet on either.

Sancho has one year left on his United deal.

Sancho, 25, seems the most likely Bomb Squad member to stay at the moment due to his outrageous £350,000-per-week wages.

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Midfielders

Injuries to Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount have hit Kobbie Mainoo‘s slim chances of being allowed to leave United today.

The Red Devils were not willing to let him leave on loan anyway.

But the first half injury blows against Burnley have only hardened their resolve.

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Tyrell Malacia

United are waiting for a suitable loan offer from LaLiga side Elche for left-back Tyrell Malacia, but it looks set to happen today.

Malacia enjoyed a loan spell at PSV last season where he won the Dutch league.

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Harry Amass

Sheffield Wednesday are in talks with United over a move for left-back Harry Amass.

United will consider a straight season-long loan as Amass, 18, is still seen as one for the future.

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NEWCASTLE finally named their price for wantaway striker Alexander Isak.

And they are willing to sell him on deadline day even if they don’t land another replacement.

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Newcastle have been determined throughout the summer to keep hold of the star forward.

They rejected a £110million plus add-ons opening offer from the Reds all the way back at the beginning of August.

That prompted Isak to go on strike, tell bosses he will never play for Newcastle again and miss every match so far this season – as well as launching a scathing social media statement.

He blasted: “I’ve kept quiet for a long time while others have spoken. That silence has allowed people to push their own version of events, even though they know it doesn’t reflect what was really said and agreed behind closed doors.

“The reality is that promises were made and the club has known my position for a long time.

“To now act as if these issues are only emerging is misleading.

“When promises are broken and trust is lost, the relationship can’t continue.

“That’s where things are for me right now – and why change is in the best interests of everyone, not just myself.”

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Toon chiefs’ stance was that the Swedish international, 25, is not for sale – although a £150m figure would reportedly have been enough to convince the Saudi owners to part with him.

The club hit back: “We are disappointed to have been alerted to a social media post by Alexander Isak.

“We are clear in response that Alex remains under contract and that no commitment has ever been made by a club official that Alex can leave Newcastle United this summer.

“Alex remains part of our family and will be welcomed back when he is ready to rejoin his team-mates.”

However, there has been a sudden change of heart with less than 24 hours to go until the transfer window closes at 7pm on Monday.

That comes after Public Investment Fund members and club co-owner Jamie Reuben visited the player at his home earlier this week.

It is now understood Newcastle would accept £130m for Isak.

And that could tempt Liverpool to go back in with an improved offer on deadline day.

If they don’t, the Magpies still hold hope of getting Isak to agree to a new contract with a release clause kicking in next summer.

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Isak to Liverpool transfer saga timeline

• JANUARY: First links to Liverpool emerge

• FEBRUARY: £150million record fee mooted

• MARCH: Isak denies Newcastle contract talk

• APRIL: Eddie Howe hails Isak as “very professional.”

• MAY: Howe insists Isak will not be sold
• Last match in Newcastle shirt

• JUNE: Transfer links to Liverpool heat up

• JULY: Flies with Newcastle for Austria training camp
• Left out of Celtic friendly
• Liverpool hijack Toon’s Hugo Ekitike deal after making Isak enquiry
• Doesn’t travel for pre-season tour of Singapore and South Korea, citing injury

• AUGUST: Training by himself at Newcastle
• Liverpool have £110m bid rejected
• Isak stops training and goes on strike
• Moves out of his apartment
• Releases angry statement blasting ‘trust has been lost’
• Newcastle respond by insisting he won’t be sold unless it benefits club

However, a further boost for the champions – who have also signed Toon target Hugo Ekitike this summer – is that The Telegraph claim Newcastle are set to accept a £130m bid even if they are unable to sign another striker.

The Toon spent a club-record £69m on giant forward Nick Woltemade.

But their chances of bringing in another – namely Wolves star Jorgen Strand Larsen or Brentford’s wantaway Yoane Wissa – appear to be fizzling out.

SunSport also revealed Roma and Ukraine striker Artem Dovbyk could be the subject of a £30m bid on the final day of the transfer window.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe admitted after Saturday’s goalless draw at Leeds that he still “does not know” what will happen with Isak.

Howe said: “I don’t know. I’m not party to any talks going on.”

When pressed on whether Isak would be allowed to play for the club again if a move did not materialise, the manager added: “Yes, from my side I’ve said it all along. While he’s still contracted to us that has to be the way.”

In Isak’s absence, Newcastle have started the season with two 0-0 draws either side of the dramatic 3-2 defeat to Liverpool.

Their Champions League campaign begins when they host Barcelona on September 18 before facing the likes of Benfica, Bayer Leverkusen and PSG in the league phase.

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CHELSEA are interested in signing Sporting Lisbon striker Conrad Harder, according to reports.

The Blues could re-enter the transfer market for a forward following the injury suffered by Liam Delap against Fulham on Saturday.

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Enzo Maresca’s side were on the brink of loaning Nicolas Jackson to Bayern Munich, having deemed the 24-year-old to be surplus to requirements.

Jackson was allowed to travel to Germany for a medical yesterday, only for Chelsea to pull the plug on the deal upon Delap’s injury.

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NICK WOLTEMADE has become Newcastle’s new record signing – as Alexander Isak’s dream move to Liverpool edges closer.

The Magpies have forked out £69m to Stuttgart for the giant 6ft 6in German international, 23, to end their summer-long pursuit of a new frontman.

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Now they will ramp up efforts to bring in either Wolves star Jorgen Strand Larsen or Brentford’s wantaway Yoane Wissa before Monday’s deadline day as on-strike Isak sweats on his future.

Woltemade, Eddie Howe’s fifth recruit this summer and who will wear the No27 shirt, said: “I’m really happy to be at this amazing club. From the first contact, I felt like the club really wanted me and had big plans for me.

“It’s a big step in my life to leave Germany but everybody has welcomed me so well and it already feels like family.

“I have a really good feeling from speaking to the head coach that this is the right place for me to find my best level.

“I know the stadium from watching games on television – it looks amazing and I know the atmosphere is crazy. I’m really excited to play and start scoring goals here.”

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe added: “We’re delighted to get Nick’s signing over the line so quickly. He fits the profile for exactly what we have been looking to add to our attacking options.

“He’s strong in a lot of areas – he has great technical ability and has proven himself to be a real threat in one of Europe’s top leagues – but he’s also still at an age where he has plenty of room to develop and grow here.

“Nick is a great character too and we’re really pleased to welcome him to the group.”

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Woltemade, who has penned a contract until 2031, is not believed to have been registered in time to face Leeds today but could make his debut against Wolves in a fortnight.

The two-time capped German international was top scorer at this summer’s U21 Euros with six goals but suffered defeat in the final to England – who had new team-mate Tino Livramento in their line-up.

He makes the big-money move to the North East after just one season with Stuttgart, having joined them from Werder Bremen on a free transfer just 12 months ago.

He scored 17 goals in all competitions last term, including a crucial goal in the DFB-Pokal final – which Stuttgart went on to win.

Woltemade could watch Toon in action at Elland Road today before linking up with the Germany squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Slovakia and Northern Ireland.

Meanwhile, we revealed Liverpool are expected to make a record bid for Isak in the coming days after club chiefs sanctioned a £130m bid for the 25-year-old.

Newcastle have already rejected one offer worth £110m and are refusing to sell unless they get a replacement 

Isak, who is refusing to play for Newcastle and training alone, reiterated his desire to leave this week to Toon’s Saudi chiefs.

Now he will be praying that Howe can get Wissa or Strand Larsen over the line to finally secure his departure.

MANCHESTER UNITED have agreed a deal to sell Alejandro Garnacho to Chelsea.

The Red Devils have sanctioned an exit for the wantaway winger worth £40million.

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Garnacho, 21, will join the Blues on a reported seven-year contract after waiting for a move to materialise all summer.

The Argentine had been pushing for an exit after falling down the pecking order under boss Ruben Amorim.

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CHELSEA outcast Christopher Nkunku is set to fly to Italy tonight to tie up a £38m move to AC Milan.

Nkunku seemed poised to join Bayern Munich on loan as the Blues struggled to find clubs willing to pay the asking price for the France international.

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But things moved fast when Milan turned their previous interest into a concrete bid.

And Nkunku’s impending move should accelerate Chelsea’s pursuit of Alejandro Garnacho and Xavi Simons.

It is understood that Milan will pay a guaranteed sum of between £33m and £34m for Nkunku, with the rest of the total fee relying on performance.

That would represent a break even for the Blues on the Frenchman, who was signed for £56m two years ago and so is currently worth about £35m on the club’s books.

Nevertheless the Nkunku transfer would be another coup for Chelsea’s recruitment team, perhaps the biggest in a summer that has already seen them agree incoming and outgoing deals worth HALF A BILLION pounds.

In fact, the £38m for Nkunku would put the Blues into profit – albeit temporarily before they decide whether to meet RB Leipzig’s £60m asking price for Simons and the £50m Manchester United say they want for Garnacho.

The Frenchman arrived from Leipzig with a big reputation but was seriously injured in pre-season.

His Chelsea career never got going, although he did contribute five goals in the Conference League campaign that ended with the Blues lifting the trophy last season.

Nkunku, unlike other players who were out of Enzo Maresca’s first-team plans, did also travel to the USA for the Club World Cup and scored once in six appearances.

But he and Nicolas Jackson were left out of the Chelsea squad for the first two Premier League matches of the season as the club tried to offload them.

As SunSport revealed, the Blues’ activity in this transfer window will enable them to meet both Premier League financial rules and the terms of their Uefa punishment.

By balancing the big-money arrivals of players like Joao Pedro and Jamie Gittens with successful sales of Noni Madueke and now Nkunku, they have revamped Maresca’s squad without putting themselves in danger of further penalties.

Eddie Howe explains why Newcastle are in a lose-lose situation with Isak

EDDIE HOWE says Newcastle are in a lose-lose situation regarding Alexander Isak – but admitted there’s “two sides to every story” amid the star’s ongoing strike.

The wantaway Swede, 25, finally went public on his desire to leave this week with his bombshell “broken promises” statement.

Newcastle hit back at the those claims from the striker, who still refuses to play as he tries to force a move to Liverpool, and denied any promises had been made that he could go.

Liverpool, who head to St. James’ Park on Monday, are preparing a new £130m British record bid that Toon insist will be turned down.

And Howe faces the prospect of eventually losing a world-class star or keeping a player who doesn’t want to be there.

He said: “The club has to act in the best interests of Newcastle and we will do that in every situation.

“It is a lose-lose situation to a degree for us because I don’t think we can come out of this winning in any situation. That is why I have said all summer it is a difficult situation for the club to manage.

“We love Alex in the sense in what has done for this football club since he has been here, what he has contributed, what he has given, how professional he’s been and this has just been an unfortunate few months that looks like it is coming to an end. And it will come to an end pretty quickly and then we can focus on the football again.”

Howe says Isak’s relationship with the Toon Army can still be repaired as he refused to stick the boot into the forward – who has become public enemy No1 with fans.

He said: “I believe it can. I believe the supporters will always react off how a player plays and gives the team.

“This has been an unfortunate situation but there are always two sides to every story.

“There’s always more than even I will know, because there are conversations and things that have taken place far away from me and my knowledge of it.

“I’ve been focusing on the team and pre-season, so I’ve become totally detached from the situation to a degree so I think my job now is to support Alex, care for him at this moment in time and see where we are in a week’s time.”

Howe, who hopes to bolster his forward line by bringing in Yoane Wissa, revealed he hasn’t spoken to the £150m-rated hotshot this week.

He claims the whole fall-out is nothing personal and continued to stress how much he wants Isak to return and fire the club to more glory after last season’s Carabao Cup success.

He said: “When I see him we speak as normal. There are no issues between us.

“It’s difficult on both sides. It’s far from ideal for both parties, that’s Alex and us. But when we see each other we’re fine.

“He’s training later on detached from the group. We will, I’m sure, catch up at some stage and hopefully speak soon.

“He’s contracted to us. He’s our player. My wish is he would be playing on Monday night but he won’t be, which is regrettable. But 100 per cent I want to see him back in a Newcastle shirt.

“There’s no doubt how the players will feel. They will feel the same way I do.

“Alex is an outstanding player and a very, very good person, a good character, a good lad. He wants to succeed in his career.

“This has been a really difficult situation for him and for the players to see us without him.

“The players have handled it really well. If Alex decided to come back and play for us the players would welcome him back.”

Howe, who claimed he “didn’t know” if Isak had been fined for refusing to face Aston Villa, also says he has no idea if the situation can be resolved before the September 1 transfer deadline.

But he says the club are still determined to keep the rebel but warned Isak would only pull on a Black and White shirt again if he was “totally committed”.

Howe added: “I’m not a fortune-teller, unfortunately. I’d love to be, but I’ve got no way of knowing what will happen in the next few days in terms of trying to get some finality on the situation, so I’m in the same boat as everybody else, really.

“The club has had a very strong stance regarding Alex’s situation all summer. Obviously there has been a lot of conversations between the club and his representatives that I’ve not been a part of, but for me, nothing has changed throughout the summer.

“If Alex is to play for Newcastle again, he has to be totally committed. I don’t think it works any other way. But that question is for another day. When any player puts on the shirt and steps onto the pitch, he has to give his all for the team.”