Postpublished at 12:02 British Summer Time 16 July
Ben Ramsdale
BBC Sport
"Five days later we appointed Iain Dowie" is such a poetic sentence.
At least Zidane didn't go on to do that much in his managerial career, eh Colin?
Summary
Transfer latest, done deals, analysis and your views
Gossip: Xhaka linked with Sunderland
Gossip: Liverpool approach Newcastle target Ekitike
Liverpool still interested in Newcastle's Isak
Deal for Isak would cost up to £130m - but Magpies say he is not for sale
The signing that got away - click 'Get Involved' at the top of this page to have your say
Postpublished at 12:02 British Summer Time 16 July
get involved Get Involved - 'Five days later we appointed Iain Dowie'published at 12:00 British Summer Time 16 July
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At the final game of the 2007-08 season all the talk at QPR, under ownership of Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone, was of the imminent appointment, as new manager, of Zinedine Zidane. Five days later we appointed Iain Dowie...
Colin
Longstaff set to depart boyhood clubpublished at 11:52 British Summer Time 16 July
Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty ImagesSean Longstaff’s impending move to Leeds would end an 18-year association with boyhood club Newcastle.
The North Shields-born player joined the Magpies aged nine and made his debut for them in 2018, having initially gained experience on loan at Kilmarnock and Blackpool. His form during his first Premier League season meant he briefly became a transfer target for Manchester United but the Red Devils baulked at the reported £50m asking price.
Longstaff has made 214 appearances for Newcastle, scoring 16 goals, including a strike in a memorable Champions League win against Paris St-Germain in 2023.
He was a regular starter in both 2022-23 and 2023-24 but lost his place last term. With Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton firmly established as the midfield three, Longstaff only began eight Premier League matches, none of which came after Christmas.
A move to Elland Road should give the 27-year-old the chance to play more regularly and would also see him follow in the footsteps of uncle Alan Thompson, the former Bolton, Aston Villa and Celtic midfielder, who also had a stint with Leeds towards the end of his career.
get involved Get Involved - 'Liverpool apparently nearly signed Teddy Sheringham and Juninho in the 90s'published at 11:46 British Summer Time 16 July
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Liverpool apparently nearly signed Teddy Sheringham and Juninho in the 90's but the board wouldn't put up the money. Very much a case of what could have been as the team was always a couple of signings away from really competing with Man Utd.
Lee
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 11:41 British Summer Time 16 July
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Still gutted to this day that Manchester United didn't get the Ronaldinho signing over the line in 2003. What a signing he would have been.
Stefan
Had you signed Ronaldinho in 2003, Stefan, you probably wouldn't have been able to get a skinny Portuguese winger from Sporting that summer. So, I'd say everything worked out well in the end.
Gossip: Leeds reach agreement for Longstaffpublished at 11:35 British Summer Time 16 July
Image source, Getty ImagesAccording to the Athletic,, external Leeds United have reached an agreement in principle for Newcastle midfielder Sean Longstaff.
The 27-year-old made 32 appearances across all competitions for the Magpies last season, with his contract set to expire next summer.
Newly-promoted Leeds have already made four signings so far this summer, following the arrival of Jaka Bijol, Lukas Nmecha, Sebastiaan Bornauw and Gabriel Gudmundsson.
Recap - Transfer newspublished at 11:25 British Summer Time 16 July
Just joining us? Don't worry, let's take a recap of what we've covered so far this Wednesday.
- The battle for Ekitike and Isak - what we know so far
- New Nwaneri deal close
- Liverpool reject £58m Bayern Munich offer for Diaz
- Barcelona also showed interest in Diaz
There is plenty more to come and remember you can get in touch with us by clicking 'Get involved' at the top of this page.
We are asking for your 'one that got away' when it comes to football transfers.
Our favourite one so far is Diego Maradona's links to Sheffield and Sunderland.
Postpublished at 11:22 British Summer Time 16 July
Ben Ramsdale
BBC SportOk, we're all Liverpool and Diaz'd out for now.
I'm sure that won't be the last we hear from Arne Slot and the Reds but for now, let's have a quick recap of this morning's best bits before moving on to a few potential transfers that are bubbling around the Premier League.
get involved Can Gakpo replace Diaz?published at 11:14 British Summer Time 16 July
Karan Vinod
BBC Sport JournalistWith Liverpool flooded with offers for Luis Diaz from the likes of Barcelona and more recently and persistently from Bayern Munich, let's have a look at how his natural replacement in Cody Gakpo compares to the Colombian forward.
Note - These stats are derived from Squawka and are per 90 so numbers may differ from other sources.
get involved Get Involved - 'Modric to Newcastle'published at 11:10 British Summer Time 16 July
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Luka Modric to Newcastle, saw the pictures of him at the training ground, then went south to London. The rest is history.
Andy
get involved Get Involved - 'Shearer to Man Utd is the one that got away'published at 11:04 British Summer Time 16 July
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Shearer to Man Utd is the one that got away... twice! But to be fair, we didn't manage too badly without him and at least that gave everyone else a chance or it would have been complete and utter domination at home and in Europe!
Matt, Preston
Diaz's numbers with Liverpoolpublished at 10:56 British Summer Time 16 July
Luis Diaz is coming off his best statistical season with the Merseyside club as he played a pivotal role in helping Liverpool clinch their Premier League title.
In addition to these figures, Diaz scored four goals across Champions League and the Carabao Cup as Liverpool reached the final of the latter.
Note - These stats are derived from Squawka so numbers may differ from other sources.
Why Bayern want Luis Diazpublished at 10:49 British Summer Time 16 July
Noel Sliney
BBC SportIt’s easy to see why Bayern Munich are interested in Luis Diaz, and why Liverpool are reportedly in no mood to sell. The Colombian enjoyed his most prolific season for a single club as Liverpool won the league title in 2024-25, scoring 17 goals across all competitions. Unsurprisingly, Diaz’s shot conversion rate of 18.3% comfortably ranks as his best in a Premier League season.
Many of his other attributes stood out statistically, with Diaz hovering just outside the top 10 in the Premier League for most combined goals and assists (18), shots on target (30), chances created (56) and dribbles completed (52). His defensive attributes and renowned work-rate are also evidenced by the fact he won possession in the final third on 22 occasions, more than any other Liverpool player relative to their time spent on the pitch.
Postpublished at 10:46 British Summer Time 16 July
Ben Ramsdale
BBC SportCan't lie I've had to google these ones but you're both on the money.
We genuinely could have had Diego Maradona wandering around Tyne & Wear or Yorkshire after putting 10 past Notts County on a Tuesday evening. Gutted.
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 10:40 British Summer Time 16 July
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One that got away - has to be Sheffield United missing out on Diego Maradona in 1978, signing Alex Sabella instead!
Andrew, Newcastle
Perhaps one of the biggest what ifs: In 1977 Sunderland were interested in a then-unknown 17 year old by the name of Diego Maradona. Due to the political situation in Argentina, he wouldn't get his move to Europe for another five years
Simon, North Yorkshire
Barcelona also showed interest in Diazpublished at 10:33 British Summer Time 16 July
Dan Roan
BBC sports editor
Image source, Getty ImagesEarlier in the summer, Spanish giants Barcelona also showed a keen interest in Liverpool winger Luis Diaz. However, there approached was rebuffed by the Merseyside club.
Club sources told BBC Sport that Colombia international Diaz, one of Liverpool's key players in winning the Premier League title last season, is not for sale.
The 28-year-old joined Liverpool from Porto in January 2022 and has a contract with the club until 2027.
Speculation about Diaz's future increased after he and his girlfriend both wrote lengthy posts on social media to Liverpool fans that could be interpreted as farewell messages.
get involved Get Involved - 'Imagine Silva linking up with the likes of Torres and Gerrard'published at 10:28 British Summer Time 16 July
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David Silva to Liverpool? I remember when Benitez first arrived at Anfield, Liverpool were naturally linked with a lot of the Valencia side he had left. Imagine Silva linking up with the likes of Torres and Gerrard. Would have loved it.
Rob, South Wales
get involved Get Involved - 'Messi, Zlatan, Yaya, Ronaldo, David Villa to name a few'published at 10:22 British Summer Time 16 July
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So many what if's as an Arsenal fan - Messi, Zlatan, Yaya, Ronaldo, David Villa to name a few. Mind you we didn't do too badly with the ones we did sign. Now need Berta to get Gyokeres over the line this week to avoid another what if.
Chris
Liverpool rejected Bayern earlier in the summer as wellpublished at 10:17 British Summer Time 16 July
Sami Mokbel
BBC Sport Senior football correspondentThis wasn't Bayern Munich's first attempt at prizing Luis Diaz away from Liverpool. The Merseyside club rejected a formal approach from the German giants two weeks ago as well.
Bayern director of sport Max Eberl has been informed that the Premier League club have no intention of selling Diaz and will not enter into discussions for the attacker.
Liverpool are adamant that Diaz is not for sale at any price this summer, given his key contribution to the team since his arrival from Porto in 2022.
Liverpool reject £58m Bayern Munich offer for Diazpublished at 10:12 British Summer Time 16 July
Sami Mokbel
BBC Sport Senior football correspondent
Image source, Getty ImagesLiverpool have rejected a £58.6m opening offer from Bayern Munich for forward Luis Diaz.
The German club approached Liverpool earlier this month but were told Diaz was not for sale.
That position was reinforced on Tuesday as Liverpool turned down the Bundesliga side's first bid for the 28-year-old Colombia international.
Liverpool value Diaz, whose contract expires in the summer of 2027, in excess of £87m as a key member of Arne Slot's squad.
He scored 22 goals for club and country last season, with 13 of those in the Premier League as Liverpool won the title by 10 points.