Inside The 'Football Gossip' - 10th August 2025
THIS IS A FREE Post for subscribers and non-subscribers alike that assesses the latest transfer rumours published on the BBC’s popular ‘Football Gossip’ column on Sunday, 10th August 2025. We offer you full context for all 17 of the rumours listed.
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This Substack is currently written by one journalist - David Tully
David has been writing about football for over 15 years. He is the founder and former editor of Live4Liverpool.com but he has also written articles for over 20 other websites.
In the last 7 years, he has written about 13500+ transfer stories across the Premier League and the Scottish Premiership. Over that time, he has gained unparalleled experience into which sources are reliable and which are not.
To give you the best insight into what’s real and what's not when it comes to transfers, we will categorise the rumours into:
Green - These rumours should be TRUSTED.
Amber - These rumours come from sources with a MIXED track record.
Red - These rumours come from QUESTIONABLE sources.
Green (✓)
✓ Chelsea are in talks with RB Leipzig about a potential swap deal involving Xavi Simons and Christopher Nkunku
This information has already been corroborated by Fabrizio Romano. In addition to Nkunku, it is believed that Tyrique George has also been mentioned as a potential makeweight. The winger is keen on leaving Stamford Bridge to get more first-team football.
✓ Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson favours a move to Newcastle
This story is from a trusted journalist, and this has also been corroborated by another source that has reliable information on Jackson’s future.
✓ Newcastle will wait to resolve Alexander Isak’s future before pursuing Jackson
This source is trusted, but many have assumed that the Magpies want to sign a replacement for Isak before selling him. This suggests the opposite. Isak continues to train away from the first team amid interest from Liverpool and manager Eddie Howe has confirmed he won’t play against Aston Villa on Saturday.
✓ AC Milan want to sign Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund on loan with an option to buy but the Red Devils prefer a permanent deal
This information comes from two trusted journalists, and the likes of Romano have also verified Milan’s interest. However, there are some differences between the two sources. Romano thinks United will accept a loan if a club is willing to pay a €6m loan fee, as well as the player’s salary.
✓ Manchester United are hoping to accelerate the sales of Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho and Antony
This is not really insider knowledge! After spending £200m+ this summer, funds need to be recouped if the Red Devils are to make more signings before the transfer window shuts. Brighton’s Carlos Baleba is a top target, but he could cost an eye-watering £100m.
✓ Ex-West Ham striker Michail Antonio has been speaking to clubs in England and abroad
This news comes directly from the horse’s mouth. Antonio was being interviewed on radio.
✓ Enzo Fernandez will not leave Chelsea for Real Madrid this summer
Speculation from aVERY UNRELIABLE Spanish source suggested that Real have tabled a €150m bid for the Argentinian international, and this has been completely refuted by Romano, who is usually very reliable.
✓ Al-Nassr have reached an agreement with Bayern Munich’s Kingsley Coman over a move to the Middle East
This is sourced from a German tabloid, but this has also been confirmed by numerous other reliable journalists.
Amber (?)
? Manchester City winger Jack Grealish has agreed to join Everton on loan
This doesn’t come from a particularly reliable source. Although the Toffees are making a concerted effort to secure Grealish’s services, and local reports indicate the player is open to a move, there is no guarantee that this loan switch will go ahead yet.
? PSG striker Randal Kolo Muani would prefer to join Juventus rather than Newcastle
While it is true that Muani wants to join Juve, Newcastle’s interest in the Frenchman has already been refuted by Romano and trusted local reporter Keith Downie, who has emphatically said the Magpies are“not interested”.
? Sunderland have made an enquiry for Juventus defender Lloyd Kelly
Juve are believed to be open to offloading the defender despite only signing him on a permanent basis from Newcastle this summer. However, this source is very inconsistent in terms of accuracy, so please take it with a large pinch of salt.
? Nottingham Forest have made a bid for Monaco midfielder Soungoutou Magassa
This is sourced from a French newspaper that does have inside information on transfers related to Ligue One clubs, but they can be pretty ‘hit and miss’ when it comes to reliability.
? Liverpool defender Kostas Tsimikas is edging closer to leaving Anfield
This journalist is reliable when it comes to the Reds. However, this is pretty speculative reporting based on the fact that the left-back was left out of the matchday squad for the Community Shield.
? Marseille forward Jonathan Rowe is attracting interest from Besiktas, Fenerbahce, Atalanta and Rennes
This is from the same newspaper as the Magassa story. There may be truth to these reports, but at the moment, no bids have been made for Rowe.
? Former Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure has signed for Saudi Arabian club Neom
Although it does look like the Malian international will make the switch to the Middle East, it hasn’t been officially announced yet!
Red (⨉)
⨉ Liverpool are interested in Brentford’s Yoane Wissa as a potential alternative to Alexander Isak
This is not a reliable source for transfer stories, so please keep that in mind.
⨉ Manchester United are considering signing Dominic Calvert-Lewin as a backup option for Benjamin Sesko.
Please treat this story with caution. It is believed that Calvert-Lewin was offered to United and other clubs earlier in the summer, but they have not pursued the move. Even if Rasmus Hojlund leaves, the likes of Joshua Zirkzee, Matheus Cunha and Chido Obi can still provide cover up front.
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