Arsenal have dramatically stolen Eberechi Eze from Tottenham’s grasp and are set to sign the England international after he bid farewell to Crystal Palace last night.
The Gunners moved quickly after the news that Kai Havertz damaged his knee in their win over Manchester United, and look set to complete a transfer worth £60m and £7.5m in add-ons – pretty much exactly Eze’s release clause, which expired for this window last Thursday. Spurs are now in a late scramble for a new attacker as the deadline looms.
Alexander Isak’s explosive statement this week accused Newcastle United of “broken promises” and “lost trust”, with Liverpool still strongly linked with a move for the Swedish striker. The Reds’ offer of £110m fell short of Newcastle’s valuation and the North East club issued a statement of their own saying conditions for a sale were unlikely to be met before the transfer window deadline.
Elsewhere, Manchester United continue to endure frustration with their goalkeeper situation, and have reportedly turned their attention to signing Senne Lammens from Belgian side Antwerp, although Manchester City have also been linked with the 23-year-old. Striker Rasmus Hojlund could be on his way to Napoli.
Follow all the latest transfer news, gossip, rumours and done deals in The Independent’s live blog below:
Pep Guardiola confirms Rodri’s return against Tottenham
Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Rodri will return for Manchester City against Tottenham on Saturday.
The Ballon d’Or winner has been sidelined for almost 11 months with a knee injury but is available this weekend.
“Rodri and Phil [Foden], the last game they were out for just the reason of lack of training and rhythm,” Guardiola said.
“They could not play 90 minutes against Wolves, but they were ready and they are ready for tomorrow.
“I just want consistency with Rodri, that’s all,” Guardiola added. “I don’t have any doubt about his potential, quality. He is still the best player in the world.
“In a few months, they will elect a new one, but he still is.”
FPL tips before gameweek two deadline: Viktor Gyokeres and more
The Premier League is in full swing and so too is the fantasy football season, as FPL managers look to make a fast start to the new campaign.
Tijjani Reijnders was the talk of the FPL town after his sensational debut for Manchester City, scoring one goal and making an assist in a promising link-up with Erling Haaland.
But, besides Reijnders, who else caught the eye and who should we be buying before the gameweek two deadline? Here are The Independent’s five top picks this week:
Chelsea full-back Renato Veiga joins Villarreal
Portugal international Renato Veiga has left Chelsea and joined Villarreal, in a deal worth up to a reported €30m.
The full-back, signed from FC Basel in 2024, made 18 appearances for Chelsea before joining Juventus on loan in January.
Could Mikel Arteta confirm Eberechi Eze this afternoon?
We have a slew of Premier League press conferences this afternoon, with Mikel Arteta and Thomas Frank speaking at 1:30pm and Ruben Amorim slightly earlier at 1:15pm.
Expect updates on Eberechi Eze, Morgan Rogers, Rasmus Hojlund and Manchester United’s bid to sign a new goalkeeper.
Kasey McAteer heads to Ipswich
Ipswich have completed the signing of winger Kasey McAteer from Leicester.
Republic of Ireland international McAteer, 23, moves to Portman Road on a four-year contract for a reported fee of £12m.
“It is a very attractive project which is being built here and I want to add myself to that,” McAteer said on the Ipswich club website.
“The aim is to get promoted again and that is what we will push for every day.”
Eze recalls emotional reaction to being released by Arsenal as a youngster
Eberechi Eze’s move to Arsenal from Crystal Palace looks set to be completed in the next few days but this won’t be the first time the England international has had a spell at the north London club.
Eze has made no secret of being a boyhood Arsenal fan and joined the club’s academy at the age of eight.
However, he was released when he was just 13 and has previously admitted, in an exclusive interview with The Independent, just how much that hurt.
Man Utd ‘in active talks’ over signing goalkeeper Senne Lammens
Manchester United continue to be frustrated with their goalkeeper situation, with Andre Onana having failed to convince so far and Altay Bayindir making another high-profile error in last weekend’s opening defeat to Arsenal.
The club continue to be linked with Antwerp’s 23-year-old goalkeeper Senne Lammens, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that personal terms have been agreed while the clubs remain in talks.
Manchester City, interestingly, have also been linked with a move as doubts persist over Ederson’s future.
How Eberechi Eze will fit into Arsenal’s new-look team
Eberechi Eze and Arsenal, a marriage made in N7. He is exactly the player they need, a dribbler with creative spark who can break down the most stubborn defences; they are the club he most desires, able to fulfil his ambition to challenge for the Premier League and Champions League, and the only one club who can soothe the scars of his youth.
But how could he fit into Mikel Arteta’s team?
Jorgen Strand Larsen emerges as Newcastle option
Newcastle are having difficulty trying to sign Yoane Wissa from Brentford and have now been linked with a move for Wolves striker and Norway international Jorgen Strand Larsen, who is valued at £60m.
Newcastle want to a striker regardless of whether Alexander Isak leaves and will only consider letting last season’s top scorer depart if they sign at least two replacements.
Nathan Ake heading to Everton?
Everton are interested in signing Manchester City defender Nathan Ake, according to the Daily Mail.
Pep Guardiola has boosted his defence with the signing of left back Rayan Ait-Nouri and with John Stones returning from injury.
Ake now faces competition for his place from Stones, Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji and Josko Gvardiol, so may be surplus to requirements.