Inside The 'Football Gossip' - 24th August 2025
THIS IS A FREE Post for subscribers and non-subscribers alike that analyses the latest rumours published on the BBC’s popular ‘Football Gossip’ column on Sunday, 24th August 2025. We offer you full context for all 13 of the rumours listed.
a soccer stadium filled with lots of people
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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 (✓)
✓ Manchester City winger Savinho remains top of Tottenham’s wanted list
The two journalists cited for this story are not always reliable, but other trusted sources have reported that Spurs are lining up another bid for the Brazilian international worth in excess of £60m.
✓ Manchester City have agreed personal terms with Paris Saint-Germain keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma
Fabrizio Romano is the source of this information, so it is likely to be true. The Italian journalist has not been as reliable as past transfer windows, but this deal appears to be on the cards. PSG were initially demanding €50m (£43.3m) for the goalkeeper despite the fact he has less than a year left on his contract, but it seems they have now lowered their valuation. Ederson would still need to leave the Etihad for this move to go ahead.
✓ Newcastle are bracing themselves for another bid from Liverpool for Alexander Isak after Monday night’s fixture between the two teams.
This source usually gets things right when it comes to the Magpies. There is a feeling that the offer will still be below the £150m asking price set by the club.
✓ Royal Antwerp keeper Senne Lammens missed the club’s game against KV Mechelen as he closes in on a £17m move to Manchester City
This journalist does have inside sources at the Red Devils and Romano has also verified that talks are at an advanced stage. There is a good chance that the Belgian will seal a switch to Old Trafford over the next week. After Andre Onana was left on the bench for the second successive game, the Cameroon international’s days at United appear to be numbered.
✓ West Ham head coach Graham Potter is safe from the sack for now
The gossip column have not cited the original source for this story. The information actually comes from the*Daily Mail*’s Dominic King, who is very reliable. Potter will be in charge for the Carabao Cup tie against Wolves and the Premier League fixture versus Nottingham Forest.
✓ Leeds winger Largie Ramazani could join Valencia on loan
This publication does not publish information which is not verified by multiple sources. The Belgian did not make the matchday squad for the 5-0 defeat to Arsenal.
✓ Arsenal are set to sign Shamrock Rovers midfielder Shamrock Rovers
Again, the gossip column have not credited the original source. The first to break this story was theIrish Independent several weeks ago and it has subsequently been verified by The Athletic’s David Ornstein and Romano.
Amber (?)
? Tottenham have made a €50m (£43.3m) offer for attacking midfielder Nico Paz but Como want €70m (£60.7m)
This Italian TV network is rather ‘hit and miss’ when it comes to accuracy. No source close to Spurs has so far confirmed any bids for Paz, although there is believed to be interest in the Argentinian international. Savinho remains the priority.
? Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool are all interested in Real Madrid forward Rodrygo
This Madrid-based publication does have inside information on Real but news that the Premier League trio are keen on the Brazilian is not new. Out of the three, City are believed to be the likeliest to make an offer if Savinho is sold, but Rodrygo has still not given any indication to potential suitors that he wants to leave the Bernabeu. The fact that he started against Oviedo on Sunday reduces the chances of him moving clubs before the transfer window closes.
? Tottenham and Aston Villa are interested in signing West Ham attacking midfielder Lucas Paqueta
This reporter is not always accurate with his information. Villa and Spurs are both looking for replacements for James Maddison and Jacob Ramsey, respectively, but West Ham will demand upwards of £60m for Paqueta. Neither the Villans nor Thomas Frank’s side are likely to have funds to spend that much on the Brazilian.
? Chelsea will press ahead with moves for Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho and RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons if they can sell some unwanted players
This journalist is one of the British Sports TV network’s least reliable reporters. This is not new information, and it remains to be seen if the Blues will buy both players before the transfer window shuts.
Red (⨉)
⨉ Monaco will accept a bid of £47.5m for Tottenham target Maghnes Akliouche
While this journalist does have decent sources for lower league clubs, his track record for more high-profile transfers is very poor. We would recommend ignoring this story.