Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds commentator

Leeds United are close to signing free agent striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

As reported by The Athletic, Leeds have reached an agreement in principle with the 28-year-old, who left Everton earlier this summer when his contract expired.

The England international will undergo a medical at Thorp Arch imminently.

Sam Drury
BBC Sport

One of the great transfer window moments, Jonny.

But based on everything that's been reported, Alexander Isak seems to have made it perfectly clear what he wants without having to drive to Anfield.

Shy of coming out and saying his heroes growing up were Kevin Phillips and Robbie Fowler, I struggle to think what more he can do to persuade Newcastle to sell him to Liverpool...

The longer this saga goes on, the more times passes since we last saw Alexander Isak kick a ball.

So here's a reminder of why Liverpool are reportedly prepared to pay a British record fee for the Sweden striker...

Newcastle striker Alexander Isak is doubling down on his efforts to force a move to Liverpool before the transfer window closes.

The Magpies rejected a £110m bid from Liverpool for Isak on 1 August, with the Reds subsequently claiming that they were prepared to walk away from a deal.

The Premier League champions appear to have shifted their focus to Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi, but Isak isn't giving up - according to the Mirror and the Daily Express, the 25-year-old has vowed never to play for Newcastle again.

Image source, Daily Express

Image source, Mirror

Image source, Getty Images

Alexander Isak is still determined to leave Newcastle United and join Liverpool this summer.

The Athletic reported on Tuesday, external the striker, 25, was "adamant he will never represent Newcastle again".

BBC Sport has not been able to verify this, but it is understood it is still the Swede's "determined" ambition to join the Premier League champions before the deadline closes on 1 September.

The Magpies rejected a £110m bid from Liverpool for Isak on 1 August, with the Reds subsequently claiming that they were prepared to walk away from a deal.

We're on Newcastle and we all knew it was coming at some point.

That's right, it's time for IsakWatch...

From your classic training away from the team and skipping the pre-season tour to a fun, new addition to the genre: being banned from the club's family BBQ, this transfer saga has had it all.

So let's get the latest...

Jordan Butler
BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Malick Thiaw’s arrival on Tyneside should help alleviate some of the negativity surrounding Newcastle and their frustrating summer transfer window.

Reports suggest that Thiaw had been high up on head coach Eddie Howe’s list of targets for some time and it is easy to see why. He is a modern defensive hybrid and possesses a rare combination of physical and technical attributes.

The 6ft 4in Germany international is strong in the air but has a top speed that allows him to operate in Newcastle’s preferred high line. He is also tactically flexible and can be deployed as a right-sided or left-sided centre-back, while he operated in the middle of a back three in 2022-23.

Technically he is proficient and Thiaw can produce line-breaking passes and diagonal switches of play – in 2024-25 he ranked inside the top 10 for long passes completed by defenders with an average of 3.5 per game in the Italian top flight. Despite that he seldom gives the ball away and in Serie A last season only two defenders had a better passing accuracy than his 93.6%.

Acquiring a youthful defender was a clear priority in this window with Dan Burn, Jamaal Lascelles and Fabian Schar all over 30 and Sven Botman struggling with injuries.

Thiaw has just turned 24 and while he’s unlikely to replace the 33-year-old Schar immediately he is viewed as a long-term successor. He is the ideal age to develop under Howe’s tutelage and has years to hone his already impressive game.

Image source, Getty Images

"I'm really excited to join this massive club. I can't wait to start training and to get to know my new team-mates and all the staff," said Malick Thiaw after completing a £34.6m move from AC Milan.

"The gaffer showed me his vision and what he wants to do with me as a player and the club itself, which is really exciting.

"I think Newcastle speaks for itself. It's a great club, a big club with passionate fans who I can't wait to see at St James' Park."

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle have had a tricky summer in the transfer market, but on Tuesday they completed the signing of Germany defender Malick Thiaw from AC Milan.

The Magpies paid a reported £34.6m fee - including add-ons - for the 24-year-old, who becomes the club's third signing of the summer following the arrivals of winger Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest and goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale from Southampton.

Bringing in a new centre-back was a priority for Newcastle this summer as manager Howe looks to increase competition and lower the average age of an experienced squad.

It has been a frustrating summer for Newcastle in terms of bringing players in.

But it looks encouraging as far as Jacob Ramsey is concerned and, if that deal does go through, it will have been a productive week for Eddie Howe's side...

Sami Mokbel
BBC Sport Senior football correspondent

If Newcastle reach an agreement with Aston Villa and the ex-England U21s midfielder Jacob Ramsey decides he wants to leave, he will enter into talks with the Magpies over personal terms.

Ramsey has also courted serious interest from West Ham this summer, but if he does leave Villa Park then Newcastle is believed to be his preferred destination.

He has scored 17 goals in 167 appearances for Villa since earning his senior debut in 2019 and was a regular for Unai Emery's side last season.

Newcastle have made two permanent signings this summer with winger Anthony Elanga arriving from Nottingham Forest and defender Malick Thiaw joining from AC Milan, while goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has also linked up with the Magpies on loan from Southampton.

Sami Mokbel
BBC Sport Senior football correspondent

Image source, Gett

Newcastle are in advanced negotiations with Aston Villa over a move for midfielder Jacob Ramsey, who will hold key talks with the Midlands club in the next 24 hours.

The two clubs are in negotiations over a deal for Ramsey to move to St James' Park before the transfer deadline, with an agreement described as close.

The 24-year-old will hold talks with Villa before making a decision on his future, with Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe keen to secure his signature.

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest are considering their next move for Ipswich winger Omari Hutchinson.

The Tractor Boys have rejected a £35m offer from Forest for the former Chelsea youngster with the City Ground side now assessing their options.

Forest, who open their Premier League season at home to Brentford on Sunday, have already brought in winger Dan Ndoye from Bologna to replace Anthony Elanga after he joined Newcastle.

Brentford also had an bid worth £35m rejected for England Under-21 wideman Hutchinson, who won the European Championship in the summer with the Young Lions and scored in their final win over Germany.

It matched Hutchinson's release clause but because of the payment structure, with the money spread over time, Ipswich could turn it down and the clause has now expired.

Image source, Getty Images

Bafode Diakite joined Lille in 2022 having won promotion to Ligue 1 with Toulouse as a full-back, but he quickly transformed into one of the league's most reliable centre-backs.

In his second season in north east France he played in a Conference League quarter-final, before helping Lille reach the same stage of the Champions League last season.

The defender made 85 appearances for Lille in Ligue 1, and played 10 times in the Champions League last season.

He has an eye for goal too - his 13 goals in all competitions in three seasons at Lille made him the highest scoring defender in France during that period.