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Arne Slot has held his press conference ahead of Liverpool’s second Premier League game of the season against Newcastle United, revealing he is happy with the current squad.

“As always, if we think we can improve in a certain position and there’s a player available who can really make us better – which you could see with Giovanni Leoni – then this club has always shown that they can bring these players in, but only if things are right,” said the Dutchman.

Slot also implied the return to form of Federico Chiesa will improve his attacking depth: “I see a totally different Federico now than I did for most of last season.”

When asked about his upcoming opposition, he highlighted the threat they pose going forward: “The main thing we have to be ready for is their midfielders, their last forwards, their three forwards. I assume Isak isn’t playing, but they still have Gordon as a nine, Elanga, Barnes, Jacob Murphy.”

Slot also revealed that Liverpool had been dealt a blow that will affect their ability to deal with Newcastle’s attack, as their new right-back, Jeremie Frimpong, has picked up an injury that will see him out of action until after the international break.

Liverpool’s eyes are on Newcastle in more ways than just the Premier League clash however, as they plot another bid for one of the Magpies’ star players.

Liverpool readying new Isak bid

Liverpool are preparing another bid for Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak. The Reds had previously bid £110 million plus add-ons for the Swedish striker, but that deal was rejected. Now, as Newcastle edge closer to signing Yoane Wissa and also line up Wolves star Jorgen Strand Larsen, Liverpool are preparing a new bid for Isak.

Reports from Spain have indicated that the new bid will be worth somewhere in the region of £138 million. The club view this massive fee as worthwhile, however, as they think “his arrival would bridge the gap following the imminent end of the Salah era”.

The bid may come in after the two clubs face each other on Monday, as Newcastle are unlikely to sell their best player to a team right before they play them.

From the player’s perspective, it has now got to the point where he is publicly pushing for the move, as he put out a statement before the PFA awards, where he spoke of Newcastle’s broken promises and the benefits of “change” for both parties.

What happens to Ekitike if Liverpool sign Isak?

Whilst Hugo Ekitike had an impressive season last year in the Bundesliga, he arrived in the Premier League as something of an unknown quantity, and when it looked like Liverpool might sign him and Isak, the latter looked the safest option of the two.

Ekitike quickly put any doubts about him to rest with his first two performances for Liverpool. During the Community Shield and the opening Premier League game, he registered two goals and an assist, showing that he’s easily adapted to English football.

This means Slot may be faced with the best predicament a manager could find themselves in, as he has two impressive strikers both competing for game time. While Isak may want to come straight into the first team, he’s been away from team training at Newcastle for a while, meaning it may take a few weeks to get up to speed.

An answer to Slot’s issue may arrive before it becomes too much of a problem. This is because in less than a month’s time, the Champions League group stage will be starting, meaning Liverpool will often be playing two games a week, and there should be ample minutes for the forwards to share.

Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs is fighting to claim money worth £135,000 as he filed legal action over financial losses. Giggs is set to pocket £14 million after the closure of his firm Ryan Giggs Limited – a company that he started more 30 years ago to manage his earnings related to football. The former Welsh winger has put the company into voluntary liquidation.

• Giggs set to take legal action

  According to , United icon Giggs is all set to file legal action over financial losses worth £135,000. He is already set to earn £14 million after he voluntarily shut down his company, Ryan Giggs Limited. The monetary transaction, however, cannot be completed until the legal process is sorted. The Old Trafford legend has consulted experts and he firmly believes that he is entitled to receive the amount. 

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  Liquidators confirm Giggs' claim

  Liquidators of Ryan Giggs Limited have confirmed to The Sun that the process for the submission of the claim is being reviewed, as they said: "Details in relation to a potential claim have been reviewed and the process for submitting a claim is currently being investigated."

• Giggs' restaurant suffered massive losses

  Earlier this year, Giggs was forced to close down his restaurant, George’s Dining Room and Bar, which was located in Worsley near Manchester. The establishment owed its 22 employees a combined total of £39,986 in wages and the restaurant also accumulated financial liabilities of £495,145.

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  Giggs wants to return to football manager

  Giggs is no longer involved on a day-to-day basis with Salford City as he reportedly wants a return to first-team management. The 51-year-old's last role in management was the Wales national team job, with Giggs leading his country to Euro 2020. He stood down from his post in late 2020 after being arrested on suspicion of assault, but a retrial came to nothing in mid-2023.

Tottenham are among a number of teams chasing highly-rated Brazilian teenager Rayan Vitor. The 19-year-old has excelled for Vasco da Gama this season, scoring seven times to boost his reputation. However, Spurs wouldn't be the only Premier League side to show an interest in Rayan, who is also reportedly wanted by rivals Chelsea and Liverpool.

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  Rayan has shined in the Brasileirao

  After making his senior debut in 2023, Rayan has cemented his spot in the Vasco da Gama starting XI and his performances in Brazil have not gone unnoticed. Indeed, in 2022 La Liga giants Barcelona were credited with an interest in the teenage forward.

  And while Vasco are enduring a sub-par season, Rayan is proving a shining light for the Brazilian giants having scored seven goals and laid on an additional assist in the 2025 Brasileirao season.

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• League form has caught the eye of Premier League giants

  Premier League sides are also keeping tabs on Rayan, with Tottenham among those to be monitoring the rising star. The north London side have been reportedly tracking his performances in recent months and checked on him recently when he scored in the 2-0 win over Cruzeiro last week.

  Rayan, who is capped at U17 level, is tipped to receive his first senior call up to the Brazil national team before long, where he'd be expected to play alongside Spurs striker Richarlison. That being said, Spurs aren't the only Premier League team interested in Rayan.

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  Competition rife for Rayan

  Spurs are looking into striker options as they seek to reinforce a frontline that has misfired in recent weeks. Richarlison is the club's top scorer in the league this season with three goals to his name, two of which came in the opening weekend win over Burnley.

  However, Spurs would face ample competition for his services for Vasco entertain the idea of selling their prized asset. Chelsea, Liverpool, Nottingham Forest, Brighton, Spanish giants Barcelona and Russian outfit Zenit St. Petersburg are also believed to be interested in Rayan.

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• Low release clause appeals to suitors

  In addition to Rayan's performances for his club, the 19-year-old is believed to have a £34m ($46m) release clause, which appeals to potential suitors, who feel confident they can negotiate that fee down.

  Vasco, though, will have seen how much Palmeiras sold Estevao to Chelsea for in 2024 and expect a similar fee should they be forced into selling Rayan.

  The club's manager, Fernando Diniz, has already claimed the teenager is a superstar-in-waiting, telling Brazilian media: “A very rare player. At the age of 17, he has that maturity. He's going to help Vasco a lot. He's a special boy."

  He added: “(Rayan) is an extremely different player, one of the few Brazilian football forwards who is complete. It's high, fast, left-handed, kicks well, went on to enter the area and make head goal, it picks up well, closes well. You can play high-end, fake 9, 9, at the other end.

On Monday evening, Liverpool left St. James’ Park with all the goods, but Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United strengthened that tight bond with their devoted fanbase and proved once again their tenacity and will to win.

On face value, one point from the opening two fixtures of the Premier League is frustrating viewing for Magpies fans, but, strikerless and disrupted by the Alexander Isak saga that has shaped Newcastle’s summer transfer window, the squad have showcased remarkable togetherness against Aston Villa and the defending champions.

It seems that the next few days will finally shed light on whether Isak will stay or go, with Yasir Al-Rumayyan in town and leading crunch talks to reach a resolution.

In the event that the rebel Sweden striker does get his wish, Newcastle would require not one but two new number nines, and that might be tricky to achieve at the eleventh hour of his breakneck transfer window.

And, of course, the unsavoury situation has been exacerbated by Anthony Gordon’s red card, picked up against Liverpool on Monday night.

Anthony Gordon's night of anguish

Gordon apologised after the match: he apologised to the fans, to the club and to Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk. His intentions were pure. But even so, the versatile forward is now banned for three Premier League matches: Leeds United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Bournemouth.

It’s a concern, for Gordon had started Newcastle’s opening fixtures as a stand-in centre-forward, and unless United act with rapidity in the coming days, Saturday’s visit to Elland Road will see William Osula handed his first top-flight start in England.

The 24-year-old Gordon, who won Newcastle’s 2023/24 Player of the Season, struggled to reach the same talismanic heights last year, but he returned to United’s pre-season camp with renewed vim and vigour, and is expected to play a defining role in the term ahead.

However, his passion got the better of him once again, his third red card as a Magpie.

Newcastle need to start getting some points on the board, and to achieve that, they must land themselves an out-and-out striker.

Luckily, PIF have just the player in mind.

Newcastle to bid for Premier League striker

According to The Chronicle’s Lee Ryder, Newcastle are planning to launch another bid for Wolves striker Jørgen Strand Larsen, having already seen a £50m offer knocked back on Monday afternoon. The Toon, for clarification, remains in talks for the Norway international.

Previous reports outline the Old Gold wish to see £65m banked for the striker they signed on a permanent deal this summer, following his successful 2024/25 loan stint at Molineux.

Ryder intimates the 25-year-old Strand Larsen has been earmarked as a replacement for Callum Wilson, who left Newcastle at the end of his contract in June, with a move greenlit by Al-Rumayyan.

In other words, he is not considered Isak’s potential successor, and may yet play alongside the Sweden star this season.

Why Newcastle want Jorgen Strand Larsen

Newcastle have signed several talented players this summer, yet the focal striking berth remains untouched, with Wilson’s exit indeed depleting the ranks.

The England international was sidelined for most of last season through injury, so Strand Larsen would feel like quite the imposing fresh presence, having scored 14 times across his debut campaign in England’s top flight last year.

Following that thought, it’s unlikely that Newcastle would welcome both Strand Larsen and Brentford’s Yoane Wissa, who is desperate to join the Tynesiders and has been the subject of a rejected bid, yet remains at the Gtech, with his employers not looking to sell.

Strand Larsen could be the perfect alternative, potentially even surpassing the DR Congo international. What we know for sure, in any case, is that the Norwegian would mark an upgrade on Gordon, who is a great player but not a striker.

Sofascore record that Gordon has actually missed three big chances across his one-and-a-half matches in the Premier League this season, without scoring a goal.

Ten shots all told prove that Gordon has the hunger to moonlight as a striker, but when you’ve got someone like Strand Larsen who operates with a similarly relentless ball-striking emphasis, it’s clear that Howe would land himself an upgrade, for the Wolves star is equipped to score goals with consistency as the frontman of a side who have demonstrated their creative capacity over these past two matchweeks.

Indeed, data-driven site FBref have recorded that Strand Larsen ranks among the top 1% of Premier League strikers last season for shot accuracy, with 61.1% of his efforts hitting the target.

And anyway, Gordon’s pace and fleet running are best utilised out wide, sure to work in wonderful tandem with a target man like Strand Larsen, who was hailed by pundit Alan Shearer last season for being a “nuisance” of a forward who showcased at times some neat hold-up play and a willingness to use his focal role to promote the overall fluency of his team.

Strand Larsen is a top talent, to be sure, and he’s demonstrated across his debut year in the English game that he has what it takes to thrive as a chief goalscorer for a team battling against the threat of relegation.

Luckily, Newcastle’s sights are set on a different part of the league ladder, but there’s every chance that he could prove to be a wonderful addition for Howe’s side, who could do with a goalscorer such as him to mark an upgrade on Gordon, who has made it clear in recent weeks that he is not a viable solution to the conundrum at number nine.

Huge upgrade on Strand Larsen: Newcastle in talks to sign "special" £50m CF

Yoane Wissa isn’t the only forward Newcastle are trying to sign before the closure of the transfer market.

By
Angus Sinclair

Aug 25, 2025

Manchester United’s wage bill has come into huge question over recent seasons, with their spending on players being way above their league standing from 2024/25.

The Red Devils had the second-highest wage bill in the Premier League last season, spending a staggering £180m on wages alone – with only rivals Manchester City spending more.

Ruben Amorim has been tasked with the challenge of reducing such a figure during the summer – something which he managed to partly achieve on deadline day.

The club agreed to send Jadon Sancho on loan to Aston Villa for the entirety of the 2025/26 season – with Unai Emery’s side agreeing to pay 80% of the winger’s £250k-per-week pay packet.

However, the hierarchy would’ve likely spent some of those funds saved had they agreed a deal for one of the numerous targets who were on their radar during the summer transfer window.

United’s move to land Wharton & Baleba this summer

Throughout the transfer window, United targeted a move for a new midfielder for the squad, resulting in a deal being pursued to land Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton.

It was reported that the Red Devils were keen on a deal for the England international, but a switch became unlikely after Amorim’s side were quoted a fee in the region of £100m.

Another option they considered was Brighton & Hove Albion star Carlos Baleba, even entering talks with the player’s representatives over a switch to Old Trafford.

At one stage, it appeared as though the player himself would be open to a switch to join the Red Devils, but like Wharton, he stayed at his current employers after the Seagulls stated he was not for sale.

Whilst the hierarchy were unable to land a new midfielder for Amorim, they still have a player on the books who desperately needs to be sold in the near future.

The United player who earns more than Wharton and Baleba

United do have numerous top-level talents on their books at present, with academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo just one of the options currently at Amorim’s disposal.

However, the Englishman has found minutes hard to come by over the last couple of months, starting none of the Premier League outings – with his only start coming against Grimsby in the Carabao Cup.

As a result, the 20-year-old made his feelings clear before Monday’s deadline – subsequently asking to leave Old Trafford on a temporary basis to gain valuable game time.

He’s fallen behind Manuel Ugarte and Bruno Fernandes in the pecking order, with Brazilian Casemiro another player whom Amorim clearly trusts instead of Mainoo.

The former Real Madrid star joined in a £60m deal back in the summer of 2022, but has rapidly declined over recent times – as he heads towards the back end of his career at the age of 33.

Despite his age, Casemiro has started all three league outings, but has struggled to impress to date, only completing 80% of the passes he’s attempted in England’s top-flight.

However, despite his recent starts in Amorim’s side, his future appears up in the air, with the player only having one deal left on his contract at Old Trafford.

He probably should’ve been offloaded before now, with his performances last campaign failing to catch the eye – leading to Mark Goldbridge dubbing him as “shocking”.

His current £350k-per-week pay packet is way above what he should be earning – with such a figure making him the highest earner in the squad, taking home a staggering £18.2m per season.

The Brazilian currently earns more than Wharton and Baleba, with the pair currently only earning £35k and £12.5k-per-week respectively – highlighting how much the former Madrid talent is overpaid at present.

Given his mammoth earnings, United desperately need to clear the player off the bill, with a real impetus needing to be put on continuing their cost-cutting operation.

There are so many better and cheaper options currently available in European football, which should see Amorim pursue a move for one of the aforementioned talents once again in the near future.

Man Utd struck gold on "electrifying" star worth even more than Baleba

After Manchester United failed to sign Carlos Baleba for £100m+, did the Red Devils snap up a bargain worth even more than the Brighton midfielder?

By
Ben Gray

Sep 2, 2025

Harry Kane has been advised to spend another “two or three years” at Bayern Munich, with Alan Shearer offering transfer advice to the England captain in an ongoing bid to retain his Premier League goals record. Ex-Blackburn and Newcastle frontman Shearer is aware that prolific former Tottenham striker Kane may have one eye on returning to his homeland and adding another entry to the history books.

• How many goals does Kane need to catch Shearer?

  Shearer remains top of the charts when it comes to the all-time Premier League list, with the target being found on 260 occasions across his distinguished career. Kane did, however, climb into second spot before bidding farewell to north London in 2023. There are 47 efforts separating two of the deadliest forwards to ever grace the English top-flight.

  Kane would require at least a couple of seasons in which to close that gap if professional steps were to be retraced to the Premier League. It has been suggested that there are clauses in his contract that can be triggered in the summer of 2026. He could be open to a move by then, having broken his trophy duck with Bayern when becoming a Bundesliga title winner in 2024-25.

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  Shearer talks Kane's future & importance to England

  Shearer has jokingly urged Kane to remain in Germany for a few more years, amid talk of La Liga giants Barcelona also expressing interest in his services, with one iconic England captain hoping that another does not prioritise individual achievements.

  Shearer told of potentially being chased down by Kane: “It doesn't affect me at all about the record. It's a bit of fun I guess but knowing Harry, I know he'll want my record, but I don't know what his situation is and whether he'll stay in Germany or not but yeah, keep him over there for another two or three years!”

  Kane has plundered 103 goals for Bayern through 106 appearances. He is Spurs’ all-time leading marksman, with 280 efforts there, and has taken his historic tally for England to 74 across 109 caps. He is skipper of his country and a man that the Three Lions will be looking to for inspiration at the 2026 World Cup.

  Shearer added on that bid for global glory: “Harry Kane is crucial to England because we're strong in all positions but are quite light at centre-forward. We've got [Ollie] Watkins as well, but he hasn't started the season great. Harry is crucial, there's no doubt.

  “He may not be running around as much as he did five or six years ago and you may have to compensate for that, but you know that, if you're going to play him, you need runners that are going to go past him. He's one of the best, if not the best goalscorer in the world. His record in Germany and for England is phenomenal. Without doubt, he's key to England.”

• Kane still does not get the recognition that he deserves

  Another former England star, Chris Waddle, is also hoping that Kane can reach next summer’s World Cup in peak form and physical condition. The 32-year-old is nursing an ankle problem at present.

  Waddle told when asked if Kane can lead a bid for the most prestigious of international honours: “I hope so. He’s a great player, and sometimes he doesn’t get the recognition he deserves for how magnificent he has been. People might think his numbers are just because he’s with Bayern, but he scored much the same for Spurs. They were a good side, but not the greatest. Harry’s been great for Bayern, just brilliant. I can see why Tottenham want to bring him back in the summer. If he was coming back, I’d take him.

  “I think he might have got a knock recently, and I know that he always wants to play and score, but we shouldn’t risk him against Wales. I think everything has to be focused on the World Cup and the big games in the season ahead. I know he’ll want to play because he’s chasing records, but for now we can let him sit it out.

  “I think at the turn of the year, that’s when Kane can start being the focal point for England again, but we have to be careful with him. England have to be so cautious with him. They have to keep him fit.”

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  Next up for Kane: Injury issue heading into England fixtures

  England are set to face neighbours Wales in a friendly date at Wembley on Thursday. They will be without Kane for that contest, due to injury, with a decision then needing to be made by Thomas Tuchel on whether his talismanic No.9 sees any game time in a World Cup qualifying clash with Latvia next Tuesday.

Under-fire Forest manager Ange Postecoglou launched into a passionate defence of his managerial career and believes he will never be accepted in England, despite his track-record of winning trophies. Postecoglou goes into Saturday's clash with Chelsea knowing another defeat could cost him his job, just weeks after taking over from the sacked Nuno Espirito Santo.

• Clock ticking for Postecoglou

  Postecoglou only took the helm at the City Ground last month and is currently winless after seven games, the worst start by a Forest manager in over a century, which has led to speculation about his job. This follows his departure from Tottenham where he won the Europa League in May, but was dismissed shortly after following Spurs’ 17th-place finish in the league – the club’s worst Premier League placing. But Ange sees it a different way and believes people’s minds are already made up on him, despite landing another piece of major silverware. He said: "I guess from my perspective, I just don't fit. Not (talking about) here. Just in general. If you look at it through the prism of: I'm a failed manager who is lucky to get this job – I know you're smirking at me and that's what's being said and I can find the print where that's being said – then of course it looks like this manager is under pressure. There is an alternative story. I came to the Premier League two years ago, I took over Tottenham – 'Spursy Tottenham'. I was told by the chairman at the time: 'This club has to win a trophy. We've tried to bring winners in, Jose (Mourinho) and Antonio (Conte) and it hasn't worked, we need something different.' I was slightly offended by that as I see myself as a winner."

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  Did final focus hamper league progress?

  The Aussie boss has pointed to the many mitigating factors last season which worked against him and, ultimately, led to Spurs finishing in lowly 17th place. A clearly frustrated Postecoglou said: "If I have to explain why we finished 17th, it doesn't have to be too in-depth. Just look at the last five or six different team sheets in the league last year to see who I prioritised, who was on the bench and who I was playing. The last game against Brighton, the players were out for two days partying – which I sanctioned because I felt they deserved to. So we finished 17th, if people think that's a reflection of me and my coaching, then people are looking at it through the prism of: I just don't fit. So we get to the current space where there's a different story to tell that maybe I'm maybe not a failed manager who was lucky to get this job – but maybe I'm a manager where if given time, the story always ends the same. At all my previous clubs it ends the same: me with a trophy."

• Postecoglou is feeling the heat at Forest

  Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis will have a decision to make if he watches his side lose another game, but Postecoglou is doing his best to stay positive, despite the mounting issues. He said: "The flip side is I'm really still excited about the opportunity here. That's how I'm embracing it. I have a group of young players who are willing to change, that's the first thing. I'm heading down that road. The rest of it? I'm not going to waste my time or my energy worrying about that. Whether it's internal or external I couldn't care less. At the end of the day, I will do what I think is the right thing to do to bring success to this football club and that's what I'm focused on. Of course there's pressure. There's pressure anyway. So if we win on the weekend, the pressure is there. There's always pressure. There's a difference between pressure and saying that somebody should lose their job after five weeks. I mean, I only just found an apartment to move into, which may be a bad decision on my behalf. I should have stayed in temporary digs. That's how early it is. So there's a difference."

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  Is Ange relishing facing Chelsea?

  There’s no respite for Postecoglou, as Forest host Chelsea this weekend, a team he lost to four times while manager of Tottenham. The Forest boss said: “It's always important to win the next game irrespective of what's happened previously. It's no different tomorrow. We're facing a very good opponent but we're here at home which is good and looking forward to the challenge of it. A good couple of weeks training with the guys who were with us here. We had a few on international duty but they came back in good condition and ready to play."

Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville has weighed in on the performances of one Arsenal player who’s looked transformed so far this season.

Mikel Arteta’s side are finally back in action this weekend now that the often-dreaded international break is done and dusted, with the Premier League title hopefuls set to take on Ange Postecoglou’s Nottingham Forest in Saturday’s early kick off.

Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus will all miss the clash with long-term injuries, but Christian Norgaard and Ben White could return to the fold after they were both spotted in first-team training this week.

Meanwhile, Arteta has been boosted by the imminent return of star defender William Saliba, with the Spaniard confirming that he is actually in contention to play against Forest despite being forced off against Liverpool with an ankle problem.

Nothing but three points will do for Arsenal after their pre-international break defeat at Anfield, and it supporters will be keen to see how winger Noni Madueke continues his fine start to life at the Emirates Stadium.

Signing from Chelsea this summer in a deal potentially rising to £52 million, the England winger has hit the ground running at both club and international level – scoring his first Three Lions goal after an excellent solo run in their 5-0 win over Serbia.

Madueke was arguably Arsenal’s best player against Liverpool too, with the player’s private individual coach, Isaksson-Hurst, saying Arteta has a “very direct” and “very dangerous” asset at his disposal.

Neville has also been very impressed with Madueke, as he explained on an episode of the Stick to Football podcast.

Gary Neville heaps praise on Noni Madueke at Arsenal

The former Man United defender said that Madueke has looked completely transformed since joining Arsenal, telling his fellow podcast guests that the ex-PSV Eindhoven forward has carried himself completely differently when compared to his Stamford Bridge days.

The 23-year-old is still yet to grab his first goal or assist under Arteta, but Forest’s trip to north London represents a prime opportunity to do so as the visitors begin to find their feet under a brand-new manager.

Newcastle United are now firmly out the other side of a whirlwind summer transfer window.

The main obvious talking point towards the end of the hectic window that clouded over every Toon conversation was Alexander Isak’s future, with the superstar Swede eventually moving on to Premier League rivals Liverpool in a staggering £125m deal on deadline day, after a well-known refusal to line up for the Magpies again.

Eddie Howe’s men thankfully bounced back from this expected departure by adding two new strikers to their camp late on, with the hope that both Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade can immediately hit the ground running, having cost a pretty penny to bring them both in.

What Wissa & Woltemade can offer Newcastle

Replacing a striker of Isak’s unbelievable quality was always going to be a tricky task.

However, Howe and Co. will pray that throwing both Wissa and Woltemade into the mix will make their former star-man’s absence feel less obvious, with Wissa especially well-versed in what it takes to succeed in the demanding Premier League.

Indeed, the 29-year-old – who cost an excessive £55m to bring in – already has 45 Premier League strikes next to his name when lining up for Brentford, with the Congolese attacker no doubt chomping at the bit to score goals by the bucket load at his new employers, after missing Newcastle’s weekend clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers owing to injury.

New £69m recruit Woltemade might well have to lead from the front, therefore, if Wissa is stricken with injury, with more pressure on the former Stuttgart man’s shoulders, arguably, considering he has never stepped foot onto English soil in his career to date.

He certainly knows where the goal is, though, when assessing his red-hot Bundesliga numbers from last season, with 13 strikes coming his way from just 28 starts.

It will just be whether Woltemade can immediately leap into the Premier League in style, with his bumper price tag upping the pressure levels on his shoulders. He has, of course, lessened that strain immediately when heading home a debut effort against Wolverhampton Wanderers last time out.

The worry will still be that Howe’s side might well have overpaid for both these attackers in their desperation to fill their Isak-shaped hole, with this consistent first-team star at St James’ Park coming in with a heftier valuation, despite all the fanfare surrounding Newcastle’s two new major purchases.

The "monster" worth more than Wissa & Woltemade

Newcastle have spent big all summer long away from the additions of Wissa and Woltemade, with Anthony Elanga costing an inflated £55m to further bolster the Magpies’ new-look attack.

According to Football Transfers, however, Isak’s fellow compatriot is already worth a slightly lesser £51m, with both Wissa and Woltemade also falling victim to reduced values when using the same site.

Staggeringly, the ex-Bees forward’s value has already dropped all the way down to a meagre £22m when weighed up next to Elanga’s value, with that amount more in line with Newcastle’s original valuation of the 29-year-old, which stood at £30m, before Brentford drove a harder bargain.

Moreover, Newcastle could well have splashed more cash than they needed to with Woltemade as well, with the lethal ex-Stuttgart man worth just £32m, a far cry away from his high £69m valuation.

Amazingly, when judging all these new values, Newcastle fan favourite Joelinton even has a bigger transfer worth next to his name, which is arguably a testament to how vital the Brazilian has been to Howe’s cause over the past few seasons, even when many fresh faces have arrived through the door.

When first joining the Magpies ranks, many might have worried that the former Hoffenheim man was going to be known as an extortionate waste of cash, having struggled to initially settle after a whopping £40m was forked out to win his services.

Now, however, the South American “monster” – as he was once labelled by journalist Liam Kennedy – is a guaranteed starter when fit, with his value not wavering too far away from the millions originally spent on his services back in 2019.

Joelinton’s valuation now comes in at a slightly lesser £35m, which isn’t as dramatic a dip as Wissa and Woltemade have immediately experienced, with the 29-year-old keen to add even more goals and assists to his Toon back catalogue to help Howe and Co. surge up the early Premier League standings.

Having missed some games already this season through his own injury difficulties, the St. James’ Park faithful will be keen to see Joelinton back in the starting XI moving forward, knowing his added presence could see Newcastle kick on, as much as both Wissa and Woltemade can also be difference-makers.

Newcastle can get Woltemade hitting Isak levels by unleashing "unsung hero"

Newcastle United take on Wolves at St. James’ Park as they look to get their season up and running.

By
Angus Sinclair

Sep 13, 2025

Manchester United are reportedly confident that deals can be done that will allow them to press ahead with plans to construct a new 100,000-seater stadium. The Red Devils are intending to move out of their current Old Trafford base, but remain on an iconic site as a lavish new ground is built. There are a number of hurdles to clear before that dream becomes a reality.

• 'Wembley of the north'

  The Premier League giants revealed in March 2025 that blueprints have been drawn up for what co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants to see become ‘Wembley of the North’. It has been suggested that the exciting venture, which reportedly comes with a £2 billion ($2.7bn) price tag, could be completed by 2030.

  That may sound a little ambitious, given all of the red tape that needs to be cleared before ground can be broken, but United are making positive progress. One key component of the scheme will be acquiring more land that surrounds the original ‘Theatre of Dreams’. The Red Devils own plenty of that, but not enough to green light their project.

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  Burnham's intervention

  The rail yard that surrounds Old Trafford belongs to Freightliner, and that must be acquired in order to clear space for a stunning stadium that has already seen plans tinkered with slightly. United have been given hope by local government that the purchases they need to complete can be offered a helping hand.

  Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, has previously admitted that compulsory purchase powers could be employed if United’s negotiations with Freightliner reach an impasse. It has been claimed that Freightliner value their site at £350m ($470m), although Burnham has said: “I think everyone should file that one away.”

• Design work paused

  According to the minutes from United’s latest fans’ forum, which have been picked up by , discussions between the club and Freightliner are heading in a positive direction. A spokesperson for the Red Devils has said: “While Manchester United owns a significant portion of land around Old Trafford, it is not all in a single, continuous block. To accommodate the scale of the proposed new stadium – including a canopy – and to avoid disruption to the existing stadium during construction, we are working to secure additional land. We've been engaged in constructive discussions with neighbouring landholders and are optimistic about reaching mutually agreeable terms in the coming months.”

  They added on a project that remains fluid for now: “Early design work has been intentionally paused until we have greater clarity on land assembly and fan requirements. As with other aspects of the project, we encourage fans to treat speculative media reports with caution. We remain excited by the vision set out by Foster + Partners for a new stadium at the heart of a wider regeneration of the Old Trafford area.

  “We always said this was a conceptual design, with more detailed architectural work to follow. While we remain keen to advance as quickly as possible, the timetable is subject to progress on land assembly and financing, which depends on key stakeholders working together.”

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  What comes next?

  United will require further assistance from local and national government in order to deliver on their ultimate target, with there no way that they can finance the project alone. They have been working closely with Trafford Council, as the new stadium will offer benefits to the local community far beyond the matchday experience.

  The Red Devils are hoping that the redevelopment of their legendary base will have been completed in time to host games at the 2035 Women’s World Cup – with the potential there for the final of that tournament to head north away from Wembley.

  They will also be looking for their men’s team to have taken significant strides forward by the time that a stunning venue throws open its doors, with Ruben Amorim under pressure to deliver at present as inconsistency continues to plague an expensively-assembled squad that finds itself without European competition in 2025-26. United will be back in Premier League action on Sunday when taking in a trip to old adversaries Liverpool.