Transfer news live: Man Utd battle Newcastle for Sesko, Liverpool’s Isak bid, Son to leave Spurs

Manchester United have upped their interest in RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko but need assurances from the player that he wants to move to Old Trafford.

That is because Newcastle have bid for Sesko, though their offer was turned down, and United are unsure whether the 22-year-old prefers a transfer to Tyneside.

As such United are in a transfer battle with Newcastle as talks between all three clubs are taking place.

Fabrizio Romano says: “We are entering into really important stages. Manchester United made clear to RB Leipzig on Saturday night that they will send a bid for Sesko if the player opens the door. They feel he is still deciding; he hasn’t decided to go to Newcastle. Manchester United made new contact with Leipzig.”

Liverpool’s first bid for Newcastle striker Alexander Isak was for £110m and landed on Friday with the North East side rejecting it promptly.

However, Fabrizio Romano believes Liverpool have changed their mind again and are preparing to make a second bid for Isak depending on what Newcastle do in the market.

Newcastle are exploring moves for Benjamin Sesko and Goncalo Ramos while Al-Hilal hold an interest in Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez which could be a boon to help fund a move for Isak.

It ended a 17-year trophy drought for the club.

Welcome to The Independent’s transfer news blog where we’ll keep you updated and informed on the latest transfer rumours and done deals from the Premier League and more.

Forward Ademola Lookman said on Sunday he had put in a formal transfer request at Atalanta after facing poor treatment at the Italian club.

England-born Nigeria international Lookman was Atalanta’s second-highest scorer in Serie A last season, netting 15 goals. Italian media reports have linked the former Everton, Fulham and Leicester City player with a move to Inter Milan.

Atalanta did not immediately respond to an email requesting comment.

Lookman, who joined Atalanta in 2022 on a four-year contract, wrote in a letter shared on social media that he had agreed with the club ownership that he would be allowed to move if there was a fair offer.

“Despite now receiving an offer in alignment to what I believe had been discussed sadly the club are blocking the opportunity for reasons I do not understand,” he wrote.

“After many months of broken promises and what I feel has been poor treatment towards me as both a human being and as a professional footballer, sadly I feel I have no choice but to speak out… I can confirm I have now handed in a formal transfer request.”

Sheffield Wednesday captain Barry Bannan has signed a new contract with the troubled Championship club.

The 35-year-old midfielder, whose previous deal had expired, has committed to the Owls just two days after players and staff at Hillsborough had not received their wages on time for the third successive month.

The club has not disclosed the details of Bannan’s new deal.

The Scot said he had received interest from other clubs and that his daughter’s reaction to the prospect of ending his decade-long stay with the Owls had helped shape his decision.

Bannan said: “This club is a big part of me and my family, who are with me here today as I’m signing.

“They will always stand by me with whatever decision I make and I’ve decided to stay.

“With the season getting closer, this last week has been tough because there was interest from elsewhere and I had a lot to think about.

“We had a lot of conversations as a family and when I told my daughter Elsie that I might be leaving she started crying.

“Then last night when I told her I was staying she started crying again. I asked her why and she said they are just happy tears.”

Of under pressure forward Rasmus Hojlund, who has been the subject of interest in the transfer market, Ruben Amorim recently said: “The important thing is that people focus on the goals and we suffer a lot because of the lack of goals. But I think not just the goals, but the way he (Hojlund) connects the play.

“Every time we have to kick the ball, we are kicking the ball when we are more pressed. The ability for him to hold the defender and to connect in the support is helping us a lot to play better. And we are playing better because he is playing better.

“I am really happy with Rasmus. I don’t know what is going to happen until the end of the market. The important thing is that the strikers that are here are working really well, are improving, are helping the team and that is the most important thing.”

Newcastle have submitted an offer for RB Leipzig, according to reports, and Manchester United are prepared to wait and see what Benjamin Sesko wants.

If Sesko wants to go to Old Trafford, and gives the green light, United will then submit an offer, writes Fabrizio Romano. They are not prepared to enter talks with the club only to be snubbed by the player further down the line.

Liverpool retain an interest in Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi, though they do not agree with Palace’s valuation for the defender.

The England international is out of contract next summer but Palace currently value him at £40m.

West Ham have signed Callum Wilson on a one-year contract following his release by Newcastle.

The 33-year-old former Bournemouth striker scored 49 goals in 130 appearances in five years for the Magpies.

Wilson said: “I’m excited to be joining a massive football club like West Ham.”