Newcastle reject opening bid from Liverpool for Isak
Liverpool have seen their opening offer for Alexander Isak turned down by Newcastle.
It is thought a £120m bid was made by the Premier League champions but Newcastle will hold out for more. Their situation is complicated by the fact they would first need to find a replacement for Isak.
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Updated at 08.39 EDT
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Good afternoon everyone. Have I missed anything? Sky Sports News certainly haven’t and have just announced they’ll be off to St James’ Park in a moment, where I’m guessing the intrepid Keith Downie will be standing outside, microphone-in-hand to let us know what he knows about Liverpool’s bid for Alexander Isak in his reassuring Scottish brogue.
Will he be able to reassure Newcastle fans that Liverpool aren’t going to be able to prise the striker away from St James’ Park for anything less than the £150m most Geordies seem to their club should be paid for the Swedish striker? We’ll find out in due course.
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That’s all from me today. Barry Glendenning is here to take you through the rest of the evening’s news. Thank you for all your emails and happy Friday!
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Remember you can track all the latest men’s and women’s transfers with our interactives.
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Wrexham sign Coady from Leicester
Wrexham have confirmed the signing of Conor Coady from Leicester. It was earlier reported that a £2m fee was agreed between the two clubs.
The Liverpool-born defender adds vital experience to the Championship new boys with 485 professional league appearances, 198 coming in the Premier League.
Rangers were also interested in signing the 32-year-old.
I’m over the moon. It’s a special day, I’ll be honest. We’ve all seen what the club has done over the past few years and for me to join is really special and I can’t wait to meet the boys and get started.
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Updated at 11.04 EDT
I have also got more emails on Clive Allen (see 13.29 BST and final entry in 14.23 BST). The forward signed for Arsenal in 1980, becoming the first £1m teenager in English football, played three pre-season matches and was sold to Crystal Palace in a swap deal with Kenny Sansom 62 days later.
Allen told Arsenal he had wanted to stay after hearing the rumours before Palace’s Terry Venables talked Allen around.
According to his 2019 autobiography Up front he was never given a clear cut reason as to what happened though the book does offer some theories:
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The QPR chair Jim Gregory would not sell Allen to his former employee in Venables so player was transferred through Arsenal.
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Palace were broke and could only do business via player trades.
A football mystery … one I doubt will repeat itself with Hugo Ekitike.
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Some more of your thoughts on the Isak to Liverpool saga™.
Justin thinks Liverpool should have other concerns:
Writing is on the wall for Isak. Player power rarely fails in such a scenario and he has made his stance clear. Difficult for Newcastle with the current market and minimal options for a striker. Howe and co should be looking at Mateta for a solid Prem proven striker rather than chasing the likes of Sesko.
I’m sure Slot will manage to give all his new look forward line playing time due to their positional flexibility. Overriding concern for me is the other end of the pitch.
Three centre backs two of which, Gomez and Konate, are frequently injured. The latter has a year left on his deal. The back four was solid last season and now has to reset with new full backs. Consistency and depth is required and we’ve been in desperate need of a new centre back for a while now.
I don’t understand why Quansah was sold. Overtures towards Guehi seem to have gone quiet at the mo. Flashbacks to the injury crisis and dubuous Hendo/ Fabinho centreback partnership the year after we last won the league. Having Endo and Gravenberch as cover isn’t a plausible plan and there is no Nat Phillip’s to save the season should injuries bite!
Peter on the advantages of top clubs:
So much for all the accusations of Newcastle having loads of (Saudi) money. Looks like Liverpool are offering to double his current wages, and we can’t match them.
The positive spin being put on a sale is that it allows strengthening of the squad – in the same way that Liverpool did when they sold Coutinho (as mentioned in the Guardian a few days ago). However, Liverpool also came unstuck when they sold Torres to Chelsea and with the current management this seems the more likely outcome.
We’ve missed out on Trafford and four or five others, and apparently Man City want Liveramento (and I can see his head now being turned).
There have clearly been club (as opposed to team) management issues for a couple of years now, as evidenced by the mess we were in with FFP a year ago, and the current Isak fiasco.
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Everton are pursuing a deal for Tyler Dibling but are well below Southampton’s current valuation.
A number of Premier League clubs have tracked Dibling’s progress and Everton have seen an initial approach in the region of £27m rejected by the Championship club.
The Toffees are reportedly ready to make another move for the England Under-21s international but Saints want in excess of £40m for the academy graduate. Everton’s well-documented bid could spark moves from other clubs.
Dibling has previously been linked to Tottenham, RB Leipzig and Chelsea, where he previously spent a short spell in the academy. West Ham, Aston Villa and Fulham are others reportedly interested in a player who is understood to have admirers at Manchester United. PA Media
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RB Leipzig will use the fee Liverpool paid for Hugo Ekitike as a benchmark for their valuation of Benjamin Sesko this summer according to reports in Germany.
Ekitike moved to the Premier League champions in a £79m deal.
Manchester United and Newcastle are both interested in the Slovenian striker.
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Everyone is still on a Euro 2025 high after England’s historic triumph. But it’s never too early to look towards the future. Up next: World Cup 2027. Who will replace Lucy Bronze at right-back? Who are the Lionesses’ biggest challengers? Tom Garry has the answers.
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London City Lionesses announce the signing of Elena Linari. The defender has made 115 appearances for the Italian national team.
In Italy, Linari has picked up the Serie A title on five occasions (twice with Brescia, once with Fiorentina and twice with Roma) and won the Coppa Italia six times (twice with Brescia, Fiorentina and Roma).
She was the only Italian to be named in Uefa’s team of Euro 2025.
Elena Linari impressed at Euro 2025. Photograph: Domenico Cippitelli/IPA Sport/ipa-agency.net/ShutterstockShare
Real Madrid are facing a conundrum on who to keep as backup to Kylian Mbappé according to reports in Spain. The club want to keep either Endrick or Gonzalo García – not both.
Endrick does not want to go out on loan but the 19-year-old struggled in his first season at the Bernabéu last term, starting just three league matches.
García also wants to stay this season after he finished as top scorer at the Club World Cup with four goals and one assist.
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I posed some questions (13:04 BST) and you have some answers!
Michael on Newcastle’s strategy this window:
There is a lot of questions to be asked about Newcastle’s nonexistent transfer business. Basically we’ve tried to eat at the top table, but no one wants to give us any food, no matter what we offer for it.
Not helped by the fact that the top echelon have either resigned, left due to illness or got poached. We basically don’t have the PSR resources or turnover to match the top 4 or 5 clubs on that front in the EPL. That’s the brutal truth.
So Isak going isn’t the worst thing in the world so long as we get two or three in return at around the £60/70m mark. I think the manager et al. have known he would go for weeks now and hopefully have been preparing for this.
I think now the ball has been lobbed into court, there will be a bit of grandstanding and Isak will go for ~ £135m including these now commonplace “add-ons”.
He’s great when he plays well, but does seem to be made of glass sometimes and then takes 4 to 5 games to get back into contention. But he gave us our first trophy in a lifetime for which he should be eternally thanked and we all move on.
For those unaware Newcastle are operating without an official sporting director. Paul Mitchell left the club mutual consent at the end of June 2025 after less than a year in the post.
Ben on Isak’s relationship with the supporters:
As a Newcastle fan, it’s disappointing that it’s come to this, and Isak has definitely gone about it badly in a way that will probably sour his relationship with a significant portion of the fanbase, who have shown him so much adulation since he arrived. He was well on his way to legend status, if not there already after scoring the eventual winning goal against (ironically) Liverpool in the cup final only a few months ago. He could have tried to get his move while still going on the club’s tour even if he hadn’t played under the guise of injury, but this level of petulance is disappointing when he’s previously been a model pro.
For what it’s worth I don’t think there’s much point keeping him against his will especially if there’s a record fee being put on the table, provided of course we could actually get a replacement in as our striker options if Isak goes comprise of 21-year-old William Osula. That said, with how things have gone in this window so far I’m not sure I trust our hierarchy to replace him, nor to be able to invest the rest of the funds raised by his sale in strengthening the rest of the squad.
This was meant to be the summer we could finally spend after three windows of nothing, not to mention needing to avoid the issues we had with our thin squad last time we were in the Champions League, so to have only signed Elanga so far is bordering on negligent!
Alexander Isak with his signature celebration after scoring against Liverpool at Wembley a few months ago. Photograph: Andrew Couldridge/Action Images/Reuters
And Kimos:
Re Mathijs’s post (13:29 BST): Clive Allen moved from QPR to Arsenal in 1980 and then on to Crystal Palace without playing a competitive game. I would seriously doubt that is what Liverpool have in mind with regard to Ekitike and Isak.
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Updated at 09.27 EDT
Sunderland have announced the signing of the 22-year-old goalkeeper Robin Roefs, subject to international clearance. Roefs arrives from the Dutch side NEC Nijmegen for an undisclosed fee and signs a five-year contract for the Black Cats.
Prior to arriving on Wearside, Roefs enjoyed a breakout season in the Eredivisie last season keeping 10 clean sheets in 32 appearances, the second-most in the division.
It feels really good to have signed for Sunderland. Joining such a big club with a rich history is a proud moment for me, and I’m excited for the challenge ahead in the Premier League. Last season was my first real experience as a senior goalkeeper, and I was happy with how it went, especially with the stats at the end of the campaign.
He will be the 16th Dutch goalkeeper to play in the Premier League.
Edwin Van Der Sar was a big name in our country and also in England.
Last year, you had Bart Verbruggen who has done a really good job at Brighton for his age. He’s the No 1 goalkeeper for the Netherlands too.
The Premier League’s newest Dutch keeper. Photograph: Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC/Getty ImagesShare
Tottenham have been informed that Heung-min Son and Los Angeles FC are in ongoing negotiations, according to reports. Son’s move to the MLS has been widely reported this summer.
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Updated at 08.56 EDT
West Ham have signed Yu Endo on a two-year contract. The full-back’s arrival from the Japanese top-flight side Urawa Reds brings an end to her 15-year association with the club, having progressed through their youth ranks to become a mainstay in the side, featuring in every league game during her last two seasons.
Endo won eight trophies in five years with her former side, including back-to-back league and AFC Women’s Champions League titles.
Endo’s arrival to the WSL ups the Japanese international count in the league to 13. John Duerden wrote how British men’s clubs are turning to markets in Asia – especially Japan – to sign players and clearly that trend is in the women’s game too.
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Mathijs writes in:
Could Liverpool legally offer Ekitike in a swap deal for Isak with Newcastle? Or is there a rule that any new signing has to have played a certain number of games for their new club before they can be sold/swapped?
I am not sure there is a specific rule especially since we have seen players leave clubs without registering a single minute but it would feel like a huge waste of time and quite insulting to Ekitike if Liverpool were to sell him weeks after they signed him. The club officially announced his squad number today and the player has said Slot has a vision for him. It is clear, in an ideal world, Liverpool see both Isak and Ekitike as part of their plans.
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Aberdeen have sold Pape Habib Gueye to the Turkish Super Lig side Kasimpasa for what they described as “a significant undisclosed fee”.
The 25-year-old Senegal striker moved to Pittodrie in August 2023 from Belgian club KV Kortrijk. After going out on loan to Norwegian outfit Kristiansund Ballklubb in the second half of his first season at Aberdeen, Gueye returned to the Granite City last summer and scored 12 goals last term before coming on in the second half of the cup final triumph over Celtic in May.
“We wish Pape all the very best with his transfer to Turkey, and we thank him for his contributions during his time at Aberdeen, notably his positive impact in the Scottish Cup final,” said manager Jimmy Thelin.
“We’re pleased with our recruitment so far this summer and the work remains ongoing to bring in further reinforcements and improvements ahead of the window closing. We are still shaping the squad.
“We thank Pape for his efforts and wish him all the best with the next chapter in his career.” PA Media
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Is there any way Newcastle can persuade Isak to give them one more season? It was reported on Friday the club suggested penning new deal with a get-out clause for next summer but the player was not interested.
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Forest make offer for Southampton’s Fernandes
Will Unwin
Nottingham Forest have made an initial bid for the Southampton midfielder Mateus Fernandes.
The Portuguese under-21 international was a shining light in a desperate Premier League season for the Saints after signing from Sporting a year ago. Fernandes made 36 league appearances for Saints in their relegation campaign but his performances attracted interest from rivals. West Ham are also believed to be keen on the 21-year-old who cost Southampton £15m.
Forest are eager to add a central midfielder, recently bidding for Manchester City’s James McAtee but saw an offer worth up to £25m turned down.
Southampton have already received a bid for Tyler Dibling for Everton, rejecting an opening offer in the region of £27m. The winger was the subject of interest from the Bundesliga at the start of the window but nothing came of it. Everton are understood to be plotting to make an improved bid for the teenager, who is valued at around £40m.
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Sterling shift as always, Will. Hello all. That bid, though expected, is huge news. Will be interesting to see how all parties – Newcastle, Liverpool and Isak – react.
I want to hear your thoughts. Will Newcastle let him leave if Liverpool come in with an improved bid? Can Arne Slot keep everyone in his forward line happy if Isak walks through the doors? Should questions be asked about Newcastle’s business this window? Send me an email.
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What a an hour that was. Yara is back to pick up the pieces. Enjoy your weekend.
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It is understandable that Newcastle do not want to sell Isak, especially as their only other senior striker is Will Osula.
There is one slight issue, however, mainly in the form that Isak is currently training alone in Spain. Will he return to the fold once the club’s tour to Asia concludes and be ready to go for the start of the season?
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In the meantime … why not try your hand at our quiz of the week?
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That should liven up the rest of the afternoon, while you tuck in your sandwiches. Something to discuss at the water cooler.
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Newcastle reject opening bid from Liverpool for Isak
Liverpool have seen their opening offer for Alexander Isak turned down by Newcastle.
It is thought a £120m bid was made by the Premier League champions but Newcastle will hold out for more. Their situation is complicated by the fact they would first need to find a replacement for Isak.
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Updated at 08.39 EDT
Can Morecambe be saved? Josh Halliday has been speaking to fans about the grave situation they find themselves in.
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“Great windows for Liverpool and Arsenal so far and they both finished above Man City last season,” writes Phil Grey. “I’m guessing this will be the first season a Pep club won’t start the season as favourites to win the league (and the other domestic trophies) since his first season as a manager at Barcelona in 2008.”
I think Liverpool start as favourites. City have done plenty of business over the past seven months and you always back Guardiola to have something up his sleeve. City will be an interesting watch either way.
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The absolutely prolific Ben Fisher has been down to Newport for a chat with their new gaffer David Hughes about his first EFL job. Also a lovely mention of the new away kit, which is a stunner.
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More than £22m in Covid-related loans from the Scottish government to football clubs remained outstanding at the end of the last financial year, it has been revealed following a Guardian freedom of information request on the eve of a new Scottish Premiership season.
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I think the most interesting League One game of the weekend will take place at Edgeley Park, where Stockport are hosting Bolton. The Hatters have enjoyed another successful summer in the market, even if they have lost Isaac Olaofe, although the money recouped on him shows they are smart operators in the market. Nathan Lowe looks a smart signing on loan, while Joseph Olowu is an excellent centre-back.
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Two power hours on the trot from Yara and I. It is high-intensity stuff, going in short bursts like Jofra Archer, causing chaos and danger in equal measure.
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Will Unwin is back to bring you the latest for the next hour. Hopefully I lived up to expectations.
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Brentford have not dropped their interest in Ipswich’s Omari Hutchinson, according to reports. Last month the west London club’s £35m bid was rejected. The fee matched the winger’s relegation release clause but did not include enough cash up front. The relegation clause has since expired. Brentford’s club-record fee spent was the £30m the spent on Igor Thiago from Club Brugge last year.
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Some early lunchtime listening, perhaps? In our latest episode of Football Weekly Extra Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Sanny Rudravajhala and George Elek to preview the return of league football this weekend.
Plus after almost two years since Football Weekly’s last live show, they are making a return for one night only to Troxy in east London on 11 September. All the information and tickets (both in-person and for the livestream) can be found here.
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Rhian Brewster becomes Derby’s eighth signing of the summer, the 25-year-old joining the club on a two-year contract after leaving Sheffield United.
The striker was a regular for the Blades in the 2024-25 season, with 42 appearances in all competitions. They finished third in the table and reached the playoff final at Wembley.
Rhian Brewster: “The project sounded really, really good and it’s something that I want to be a part of.” 👊
— Derby County (@dcfcofficial) August 1, 2025
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Sven Ulreich, the Bayern Munich goalkeeper, has posted on his social media that his six-year-old son Len died a few weeks ago after a serious illness.
The player thanked family, friends and Bayern for “their discretion and great support over the past few months” before asking the public to respect his family’s privacy during this time.
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The Guardian understands Leicester are hoping to complete the signing of the American midfielder Celeste Boureille. The 31-year-old left the French side Montpellier earlier this summer and has been a key target for the WSL side.
More on that exclusive from Tom Garry as it comes.
Excl. Leicester City are hoping to complete the signing of the American midfielder Celeste Boureille, the Guardian understands. The former Portland Thorns and AC Milan player left the French side Montpellier earlier this summer and has been a key target for the #BarclaysWSL side
— Tom Garry (@TomJGarry) August 1, 2025Share
Updated at 06.42 EDT
A different type of transfer news: Liverpool unveil their new home shirt after switch from Nike to Adidas. Some clubs and kit sponsors just seem to make sense this. Liverpool and Adidas just screams of nostalgia. The club wore kits by the German apparel brand from 1985 to 1996, and again from 2006 to 2012.
The unveiling launch video brings back those legends of yesteryear alongside the current crop of men’s and women’s players.
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Updated at 06.20 EDT
An update on João Palhinha: Tottenham have agreed to sign the midfielder on a season’s loan from Bayern Munich, with the deal for the Portugal international including an option to make his move permanent for £27m.
It is understood that Spurs will pay a loan fee of £4.3m and will also cover the whole of Palhinha’s wages, with the 30-year-old expected to complete his medical in the coming days.
Palhinha has three years remaining on his current contract but is believed to have been keen to return to the Premier League after enjoying two successful seasons in west London. He only made six starts in the Bundesliga under manager Vincent Kompany.
Ed Aarons with the latest.
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Thanks Will, will try my best. Some loan news for you. Chelsea’s Mamadou Sarr has joined RC Strasbourg on a season-long loan. The defender joined the London outfit from the Ligue 1 side in June and was included in their squad for the Club World Cup.
𝖂𝖊𝖑𝖈𝖔𝖒𝖊 𝕸𝖆𝖒𝖆𝖉𝖔𝖚!
The Club is pleased to welcome back Mamadou Sarr, who joins Racing on loan for the 2025/26 season! pic.twitter.com/fZCSM39BIN
— Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace English (@RCSA_English) August 1, 2025
He joins two other Chelsea players – Mike Penders and Kendry Paez – on loan at the Ligue 1 side.
Manchester United have also sent Ethan Wheatley on loan at Northampton Town.
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I think we can all accept I’ve done an incredible for the opening 90 minutes of this blog. Can Yara El-Shaboury maintain this standard for the next hour? That’s for you to decide.
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It is not just the players primed for the new campaign after a brutal pre-season. Ben Fisher went to see the referees get put through their paces in Alicante. It’s good work if you can get it.
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Looking ahead to tonight’s season opener … I am interested to see how Lasse Nordås gets on at Luton. I joined a sinking ship in January, made more difficult arriving from Norway during their pre-season. Now he has had chance to acclimatise, he could be very important to Luton’s chancers of bouncing straight back.
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What a relief for Lucas Paqueta that he can fully focus on playing football again and what must have been a difficult couple of years.
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Never a quiet day at Old Trafford.
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Black Cats complete deal for Roefs
Sunderland have signed the highly-rated Dutch goalkeeper Robin Roefs from NEC Nijmegen. The 22-year-old has signed a five-year deal at the Stadium of Light, becoming the club’s eighth signing of a busy summer.
“It feels really good to have signed for Sunderland,” Roefs said. “Joining such a big Club with a rich history is a proud moment for me, and I’m excited for the challenge ahead in the Premier League. Last season was my first real experience as a senior goalkeeper, and I was happy with how it went, especially with the stats at the end of the campaign. To be part of this journey at a Club like Sunderland is really special, and I’m looking forward to the campaign ahead.”
Robin Roefs played for Netherlands at the European Under-21 Championships this summer. Photograph: Petr David Josek/APShare
When you watch a lot of League One and League Two it is easy to forget quite how sensationally good all these players are. At one point every one of the them was the best somewhere – school, youth, academy, wherever. It is a weird situation where they are living the dream – being paid to play football – but constantly having to acknowledge they are not the best at this.
Max Rushden on the joys of transfers as a lower league fan, as they desperately every new face is the saviour they never knew.
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Need more hot transfer gossip? Get stuck into today’s Rumour Mill.
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A further transfer nibble from me …
Luton’s Lamine Fanne is wanted around Europe. Turkish side Konyaspor have already made contact with the Hatters about the Senegalese midfielder, who only moved to Kenilworth Road in January. Istanbul Basaksehir, Empoli and Copenhagen are also interested in the 21-year-old.
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Leyton Orient should confirm the loan signing of Manchester United’s Jack Moorhouse today. The player was at the club yesterday finalising the deal ahead of a season working with Richie Wellens. Orient had a cracking record with last season’s loan signings, so United will be hoping they can work their magic with the highly-talented Moorhouse.
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What happens when two superstars collide? Ben Fisher and Tom Brady in one article is about as good as it gets in the world of sport. Oh and Wayne Rooney gets further mention. A big day for him at Guardian HQ.
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Dominic Booth went down to Moss Rose to have a chat with John Rooney about his brother, not being Robbie Savage and the joys of the National League North. I was always quite excited to read that Franny Jeffers is the assistant manager.
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It looks like friend of Football Weekly Conor Coady is on his way to Wrexham from Leicester after the two clubs, reportedly, agreed a £2m fee for the former England centre-back. The Welsh club have enjoyed a good summer of mixing potential and experience in their transfer dealings.
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Rangers sign Spurs teenager Moore on loan
Mikey Moore spoke of his love for Rangers after joining the Ibrox club from Tottenham on a season-long loan.
The highly-rated attacker, who turns 18 later this month, came through the ranks at Spurs and made his senior debut against Manchester City a little over 12 months ago, thus becoming the youngest Tottenham player to feature in the Premier League at the age of 16 years and 277 days.
Moore, who has played for England youth sides up to Under-19 level, told the Ibrox club’s official website: “I’m excited to get going.
“As soon as I heard Rangers were interested and wanted me to come, it was a massive opportunity for me. I’m excited to be here and hopefully I can show the fans and everyone what I can do. I’ve always loved Rangers as a club. My family have always loved them.
“I think with the new boss and the way that we play, it’s a great place to be at the minute. It was a pretty easy decision for me to come here.” PA Media
Mikey Moore has moved to Rangers from Tottenham. Photograph: Nigel French/PAShare
We have a couple of transfer stories knocking around from last night.
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Where is Alexander Isak? He has wandered off to San Sebastian to enjoy a bit of solo training, some pintxos and hopefully the odd glass of Txakoli. I appreciate he might want to leave but it is always fascinating how these players go about it.
Arne Slot says Liverpool are always keen on signing top quality players and there aren’y many – if any – better strikers than Isak around. It also helps that he really wants to move to Anfield.
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We might as well start in the traditional way with our League One and Two previews for the upcoming season.
The really good news is that I wrote them, so you can email in to tell me what utter nonsense I am spouting. I think, technically, I am still Harrogate Town’s fourth choice goalkeeper, so I know what I am on about.
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Football is … back?
In the monied leagues, the focus is on Alexander Isak’s future. The Swedish striker is currently training alone at Real Sociedad as he looks to force a move away from Newcastle, with Liverpool his desired destination.
Down the pyramid the action is on the pitch. Obviously football at no point stopped thanks to the Club World Cup, Women’s European Championship, European qualifiers, constant transfer rumours swirling and the general lack of anything else in our empty lives.
League One gets us going with Luton v AFC Wimbledon later, which would have been a Premier League v League Two clash a couple of years ago. It shows that football can still be quite fun and unpredictable.
We welcome all your comments, predictions and insight heading into this glorious time when the Football League is given centre stage.
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