Liverpool are positioning themselves to reignite their pursuit of Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak immediately after the two sides meet on Monday. Following an initial £110m attempt that was turned down, the Premier League champions are prepared to return to the negotiating table with an improved offer should Newcastle provide the necessary encouragement to reopen discussions. While emotional ties bind the forward to St James’ Park, commercial realities may dictate business if Liverpool present a suitable figure. Meanwhile, Anfield officials have already secured defender Jacquet from Rennes in a £60m winter deal, with the player set for pre-season training next month after recovering from a shoulder injury. These maneuvers come at a pivotal juncture for the club, as Trent Alexander-Arnold prepares to leave Liverpool on a free transfer.
Across London, Tottenham Hotspur are embarking on an aggressive recruitment drive as they attempt to land premier talent before the transfer window closes. Spurs are ready to submit a £60m proposal for Manchester City winger Savinho, who has expressed a keen desire to complete the move. Negotiations now hinge on whether the structure of Tottenham’s bid satisfies City. However, Spurs haven’t found equal encouragement in Italy, where Como swiftly rejected a €70m offer for 20-year-old midfielder Nico Paz. The highly rated Paz prefers to remain with Como while keeping his sights on an eventual return to former club Real Madrid.
Manchester United’s primary focus centers on a massive midfield overhaul under their new manager, with the club targeting at least two and potentially three central additions. They’ve already agreed a deal for Atalanta’s Ederson, with an official announcement anticipated in the coming weeks, while United are pushing ahead in advanced talks to finalize terms for Fernandes. To clear space for a potential third recruit, Manuel Ugarte is set to depart Old Trafford after a dismal two-year stay in Manchester that both player and club are eager to end. While Kobbie Mainoo remains a mainstay for United, finding his ideal partner is vital to realizing former midfielder Michael Carrick’s vision for the role. United have added Barcelona’s Marc Casado to their shortlist, having enquired about Bournemouth’s 22-year-old Alex Scott—whose current club is pushing a contract renewal with a potential £75m release clause to block an £80m valuation—after they didn’t want to meet Nottingham Forest’s steep £125m demands for Elliot Anderson, who prefers Manchester City.
Beyond the central engine room, United are preparing to challenge Newcastle United for Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo. Valued at £60m, the flexible attacker has registered 18 goals and six assists in 35 appearances this season, operating across either flank or through the center. With Mbeumo turning 26 in August after six years in west London, his tactical versatility makes him a tailored fit for Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-3 system. United also continue to monitor Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, whom they attempted to sign last summer, alongside Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton. Former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer offered a critical perspective on United’s past market moves, slamming the decision to sell Scott McTominay as something that is beyond him.
Elsewhere across the European landscape, Real Madrid are weighing their options following Marc Cucurella’s £51.7m agreement to move to the Bernabeu last week. Real Madrid are lining up a prospective move for Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez, though Chelsea value the Argentina international at £120m and remain under no pressure to sell, having received no formal approach yet. In Spain, Real Madrid are considering a loan exit for 18-year-old midfielder Franco Mastantuono; after joining from River Plate last summer for over €60m, a challenging debut campaign saw him omitted from Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina World Cup squad. Meanwhile, Galatasaray remain keen on Frankfurt midfielder Can Uzun but are seeking an agreement lower than his €60m price tag, and discussions regarding Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid future remain shelved until May 25.
