Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United are among the clubs striking major deals as the summer transfer window nears its final month.Liverpool have signed Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt in a £79m deal having beaten off interest from Newcastle to secure his signature.

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe says the settling of Alexander Isak's future at St James' Park "has to be right for Newcastle". The 25-year-old striker is considering his future at the club amid interest from Premier League champions Liverpool.

Following Callum Wilson’s exit and the failure to sign Joao Pedro or Hugo Ekitike, Newcastle have been left alarmingly short up top. Remove Isak and they appear toothless, which is unnerving given his durability will be tested across 2025-26 with the additional demands of Champions League football.

Dan Burn did not hold back. Speaking while on international tour duty, the Newcastle defender laid bare how crucial Alexander Isak is to Eddie Howe’s project. With Liverpool circling and speculation reaching fever pitch, Burn captured the mood inside the camp: one of apprehension and unease, shared by a recent report by GOAL.COM.

Isak was left out of the squad for the Magpies pre-season friendly against Celtic with manager Eddie Howe admitting he wanted to remove him from ‘scrutiny’ due to the speculation he may leave the club.