Newcastle are seemingly on the verge of ending their long search for a striker, potentially freeing up Alexander Isak to leave St James’ Park.
Chelsea, meanwhile, are poised to end Alejandro Garnacho’s misery at Manchester United, while Real Madrid defender Trent Alexander-Arnold is set for a swift reunion with his Liverpool team-mates.
Newcastle close in on Woltemade
Nick #Woltemade granted permission to speak with another club
VfB receive offer from European club for immediate transfer.
📰 https://t.co/cjnnDVd6rZ#VfB pic.twitter.com/6vQ88yAZCo
— VfB Stuttgart_int (@VfB_int) August 28, 2025
Newcastle’s summer-long pursuit of a striker could be set to end amid reports they are close to signing Nick Woltemade from Stuttgart, possibly paving the way for Alexander Isak’s exit from Tyneside.
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Isak is effectively on strike in a bid to force through a switch to Liverpool and with Callum Wilson joining West Ham, Newcastle have started their Premier League campaign without a recognised striker.
Joao Pedro, Hugo Ekitike and Benjamin Sesko have all rebuffed the Magpies in the last couple of months but multiple outlets are claiming the club have agreed a club record £65million fee to sign Woltemade, eclipsing the £63m they paid for Isak from Real Sociedad three years ago.
Stuttgart confirmed on their website on Thursday evening they have received an offer from an unnamed European club for Germany striker Woltemade, who has been released “from training and match duties in order to hold talks with the interested party regarding a potential move”.
Garnacho poised for Chelsea move
Alejandro Garnacho was a member of Manchester United’s so-called ‘bomb squad’ of unwanted players
Alejandro Garnacho was a member of Manchester United’s so-called ‘bomb squad’ of unwanted players(Adam Davy/PA)
Chelsea have agreed a fee with Manchester United for the signing of Argentina winger Alejandro Garnacho.
The PA news agency understands Chelsea will pay a £40million fixed fee for the 21-year-old, with United retaining a 10 per cent sell-on fee clause.
The deal will represent United’s fourth-largest sale after the transfers of Cristiano Ronaldo, Romelu Lukaku and Angel Di Maria, and is the largest fee received for a graduate from the club’s academy.
Garnacho will follow Marcus Rashford to become the second member of United’s so-called ‘bomb squad’ of unwanted players to secure a move away from Old Trafford, with Antony, Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia still working away from Ruben Amorim’s first-team squad.
Alexander-Arnold set for Anfield return
Our #UCL league phase opponents are confirmed ✅ pic.twitter.com/jQulzkzeUs
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 28, 2025
Trent Alexander-Arnold could face a frosty reception at Anfield after the Champions League draw threw up a fascinating reunion.
Alexander-Arnold is set to return to boyhood club Liverpool after he left earlier this summer, initially agreeing a free transfer before Real Madrid paid a fee of £8.5million to accelerate the move ahead of the Club World Cup.
Many Liverpool fans were left upset that the 26-year-old allowed his contract to run down, and he was booed by some during his final few appearances for the club with which he won two Premier League titles, the Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup among other honours.
The England international has had a difficult start to life in Spain as he battles Dani Carvajal for a place in the side coached by former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso.
Grimsby hope to be thrust into global spotlight after Man Utd win
Jason Stockwood was at Grimsby’s FA Cup quarter-final against Brighton in 2023, but rated the win over Manchester United as his favourite moment supporting the club
Jason Stockwood was at Grimsby’s FA Cup quarter-final against Brighton in 2023, but rated the win over Manchester United as his favourite moment supporting the club(Andrew Matthews/PA)
Grimsby vice-chair and co-owner Jason Stockwood wants the world to “sit up and pay attention” to the club and the region after their Carabao Cup success against Manchester United.
The Mariners triumphed 12-11 in a penalty shoot-out at Blundell Park to book a third-round spot, having led 2-0 before the Premier League side fought back to level terms.
Stockwood told the PA news agency: “That’s probably the top memory of my life as a Grimsby Town supporter, not just our tenure as owners.
“We want the world to sit up and pay attention. Last night was just a wonderful marker for us to put us in the spotlight globally.”
What’s on today
It's squad announcement week!
Thomas Tuchel will name his latest #ThreeLions players on Friday 👀 pic.twitter.com/UhgmVJAbj1
— England (@England) August 25, 2025
Thomas Tuchel will name his England squad ahead of their World Cup qualifying double header against Andorra at Villa Park on September 6 and Serbia in Belgrade three days later.
Leicester welcome Birmingham in the Sky Bet Championship, with both sides looking to continue their fine starts to the season.