Soham Mukherjee

Newcastle United are on the verge of securing the signature of AC Milan defender Malick Thiaw, with the towering centre-back expected to undergo his medical on Monday before penning a deal that will take him to Tyneside. The Magpies have agreed an initial payment of €35million (£30.3m / $40.8m), with a further €5m (£4.3m / $5.8m) in potential performance-related bonuses close to being finalised.

Virgil van Dijk was furious as Wembley’s air of solemnity was broken on Sunday as a small group of Crystal Palace supporters disrupted a minute’s silence for Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, ahead of the Community Shield. The two brothers tragically lost their lives in a car accident in Spain last month, and both sets of players had gathered at the centre circle to honour their memory.

Marcus Rashford left Raphinha stunned as he missed the chance tap into an open goal during a friendly against Como. The 27-year-old forward, who arrived at the Nou Camp on loan from Manchester United this summer with an option for a permanent deal, was handed a golden chance to pad the scoreline. Instead, he somehow contrived to miss an empty net in front of a stunned crowd.

Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson is reportedly ready to call time on his Stamford Bridge stay as he has set his sights on a move to Newcastle United. But the transfer is hanging by a thread, tied to the future of Newcastle’s star man Alexander Isak, who is being hunted by Liverpool in one of the window’s fiercest transfer battles.

Manchester United’s Under-21s were forced to abandon their National League Cup tie at Tamworth following a frightening head injury to rising star Sekou Kone. The Group A fixture, held at the Lamb Ground on Wednesday evening, came to an abrupt halt after the 19-year-old Mali international was hurt while defending a corner.

Manchester City have wasted no time in filling the famous No.10 shirt, handing it to French prodigy Rayan Cherki in the wake of Jack Grealish’s departure to Everton. The 21-year-old arrived from Lyon just before the FIFA Club World Cup in a deal worth €36 million (£30.5m), with further add-ons potentially inflating the fee.

Thomas Frank’s Tottenham reign was within touching distance of its first piece of silverware, only for Paris Saint-Germain to rip it away in the final moments and twist the knife on penalties. The North Londoners were cruising with an 80-minute stranglehold over their star-laden French rivals in the Super Cup final, but a late implosion saw dreams turn to dust.

Arne Slot has confirmed that Liverpool have agreed on a deal with Parma for defender Giovanni Leoni ahead of Liverpool's Premier League opener against Bournemouth. The Reds will fork out £26 million ($35m) for the Italian teenage sensation as the Dutch manager is eager to throw him straight into first-team action.

Real Madrid have reportedly sent shockwaves through Anfield after opening direct lines with Ibrahima Konate over a blockbuster move to the Bernabeu. The 26-year-old has become one of the Premier League’s most dependable centre-backs at Merseyside, but his future now hangs in the balance. Madrid’s interest comes at a critical moment as his contract with the Reds runs out at the end of this season, leaving the club at risk of losing him for nothing.

Arsenal icon Tony Adams has sparked a major leadership debate at the Emirates, insisting Mikel Arteta must strip Martin Odegaard of the captaincy if the club are serious about ending their long wait for a Premier League title. The former Gunners skipper, who lifted four league trophies during his decorated career, believes the armband should be handed to Declan Rice, a player he sees as the embodiment of a champion.

Leeds United are reportedly weighing up a late-window push for AC Milan forward Noah Okafor as they look to supercharge their attacking options. While no official offer has yet been tabled and direct negotiations between the clubs have not taken place, the 25-year-old Swiss international is firmly on the recruitment radar at Elland Road, as reported by The Athletic.

Marseille boss Roberto De Zerbi warned an in-demand Mason Greenwood that while leaving the French giants might be simple, finding a club that offers the same platform and passion could prove far harder. The English striker’s electric debut season in Ligue 1 has turned heads across Europe, but De Zerbi is making it clear, Marseille isn’t prepared to let its crown jewel walk out the door without a fight.

Jack Wilshere has reportedly turned down an opportunity to return to Arsenal in favour of chasing his ambition of pursuing senior football management. The former England international had been one of the names in contention for the club’s vacant Under-21 head coach position, but after careful thought, he has opted to remove himself from the running.

Richarlison launched a passionate defence of Tottenham team-mate Mathys Tel after the French forward was targeted with racial abuse following their UEFA Super Cup defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. The club also put out a strongly-worded statement expressing their "disgust" at the incident.

Newcastle United are set to go back in for Yoane Wissa after Brentford agreed a £37 million ($50m) fee to sign Dango Ouattara from Bournemouth. The Cherries forward has given the green light for a switch to the Gtech Community Stadium, with final formalities expected within days. Ouattara’s arrival effectively ends Brentford’s resistance to selling the DR Congo striker.

Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly turned down the chance to bring Manchester United’s controversial winger Alejandro Garnacho to north London. Both clubs carried out extensive “due diligence” on the Argentine before deciding to pursue other attacking targets. The verdict was clear: despite Garnacho’s raw ability, the baggage that comes with him outweighed the potential upside.

Former Arsenal and England defender Lee Dixon believes Eberechi Eze "could push Arsenal over the line" in their Premier League title bid but has warned the Gunners that he might be more inclined to join their derby rivals Tottenham Hotspur. In fact, Tottenham’s push has been accelerated by the crushing news that James Maddison will miss most of the season after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Manchester United’s transfer hopes have taken a brutal hit after Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler declared himself "very, very, very confident" that Carlos Baleba will remain at the Amex for the season. The 21-year-old midfield dynamo is a prime target for United, but their opening player-plus-cash proposal has already been thrown back in their face.