Premier League

Ciaran Kelly
Football reporter

It is looking increasingly difficult with each passing day.

In truth, trying to replace Callum Wilson has been challenging enough for Newcastle United this summer – let alone signing an additional striker capable of filling Alexander Isak's sizeable boots.

Newcastle have seen top targets like Hugo Ekitike, Benjamin Sesko and Joao Pedro move elsewhere while the club have had offers rejected for Wolves star Jorgen Strand Larsen and Brentford forward Yoane Wissa.

Eddie Howe has always maintained it is about signing the "right" player – when it comes to age, fee, wages and character - but clubs are understandably reluctant to lose key figures so late in the window with little time left to find a replacement.

No wonder Newcastle stated last week that they did not foresee the conditions of Isak's sale being met.

Time will tell if the situation changes, but time is running out.

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Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

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Wolves are keen on Genk striker Tolu Arokodare as they look to add to their strikeforce.

The Nigeria international has other interest but Wolves have held tentative talks with Genk for the 24-year-old.

Arokodare scored 21 times for Genk last season, the joint-top scorer, as they finished third in the Jupiler League.

Wolves have moved on from their pursuit of Getafe's Christantus Uche after failing to complete a deal while are still determined to keep Norway striker Jorgen Strand Larsen.

Newcastle have had two bids of £50m and £55m rejected by Wolves this week.

Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter

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Serie A's emerging power Como 1907 are weighing up a move for Brighton defender Igor Julio.

The 27-year-old is on the Italian club's shortlist to strengthen their backline but no official offer has been lodged.

But the move could prove attractive with Como well-funded by US investors and now managed by legendary midfielder Cesc Fabregas.

Sources say the Brazilian centre-back would need convincing to return to Italian football having joined Brighton from Fiorentina for £14.5m in 2023.

Yet, Igor has also struggled to establish himself on the south coast and made only 16 appearances last season under manager Fabian Hurzeler due to a mixture of injury and being left on the bench.

Igor started in the 6-0 win at Oxford United in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening and it remains to be seen whether Brighton would welcome any offers.

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We asked for your views on Newcastle's bids for Jorgen Strand Larsen. The Magpies have made two approaches but on BBC Radio Newcastle's Total Sport, one fan questioned if the move was a "panic buy".

Here are some of your comments:

Gareth: £60m is way too much. Why not take a punt on Hojlund or Vlahovic? Half the price and their age is about the same. Could be one to sell on and make more profit on.

Sue: I agree with Anas it would seem like a panic buy.

Les: This would be the ultimate panic buy! He's a goodish player but not a £60m player - £35m or £40m maybe. We don't have much time but need to consider other options. Osula needs to be given more of a chance.

Val: I think we should go for him. He only came on as a sub against West Ham but still scored two goals. We have to think about where we will be if we don't get anyone - and he doesn't have to be a forever signing but we need him now!

Pat: As a Wolves fan, it would be a disaster. I know he wants to leave, but surely the timing isn't right. Back off Newcastle.

Peter: To be honest I think a broom tied to a roller skate would be a decent buy at the moment. We just need players in and are running out of time. Meet the price tag Wolves want and get him in asap.

Russell: If we paid £35/40m I'd say good business but £60m is definitely a panic buy and would show how desperate we actually are. For £60m I'd rather have Wissa.

Rich: Why aren't we signing Jamie Vardy for free on a one-year contract?

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

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Aston Villa's proposals to expand the North Stand at Villa Park have been approved.

Birmingham City Council's planning committee gave the expansion plans the green light on Thursday.

The project would take the capacity to around 50,000 and is due to be finished in the second half of 2027.

The plans include adapting and modernising the existing North Stand, rather than demolishing it, meaning the club will not lose any capacity while the work is ongoing.

Around 6,000 seats will be added to the stand - increasing it to over 12,000.

West Midlands mayor Richard Parker has also committed to updating Witton Station, with the club hoping to see more higher-capacity trains to cater for about 10,000 fans on a matchday.

The redevelopment of the stand and area was viewed as essential with Villa Park due to be a host venue for Euro 2028, without the work the club would have needed to consider pulling out.

The council has estimated the tournament would generate around £190m for Birmingham and the West Midlands.

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"Embarrassing", "awful" and " one of the worst performances and results that the club has suffered in a cup competition for a long time".

That was the damning verdict of Leeds's insipid Carabao Cup exit at troubled Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday from the Don't Go To Bed Just Yet panel.

Daniel Farke's team followed up their 5-0 defeat at Arsenal with a 1-1 draw and subsequent defeat on penalties at the Championship side who fielded a youthful team, with an average age of 21, including four 20-year-olds and five teenagers.

"It has to be up there with one of the worst performances and results that the club has suffered in a cup competition for a long time," BBC Radio Leeds' Jonny Buchan said.

"The gulf in perceived class was players with a value of £106m starting the game versus not even the first choice youth team at Sheffield Wednesday because many of them have been sold. It is a huge, huge upset."

"It is right up there with some of Leeds' most embarrassing defeats," added BBC Radio Leeds reporter Adam Pope.

"The only player on that Wednesday team anyone has probably ever heard of was Jamal Lowe. The rest were pretty much teenagers. They made 10 changes, played mainly kids, scored a worldie, and went through on penalties.

"They only had eight players on the bench. The club is in disarray. Hillsborough is a mess. Everything is wrong about that club at the moment.

"Leeds rock up with debutants trying to prove something - some big-name players.

"You look at the stats and they have all the possession, all the play, but you cannot take any positives out of that game because ultimately they failed to beat a weak academy side. It was like a training game.

"There is just nothting to commend it. It was embarassing. There is not getting around it - it was awful."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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David Moyes has hinted defensive reinforcements may be on their way into Everton before Monday's transfer deadline.

The Scot used key figures including James Tarkowski and Michael Keane in Tuesday's Carabao Cup win over Mansfield Town.

Injuries to Jarrad Branthwaite, Nathan Patterson, Seamus Coleman and Vitaly Mykolenko have limited Moyes' options, though the latter two featured at Hill Disckinson Stadium.

Moyes said: "We wanted to try and give as many players (as possible) a game. I've not got any defenders. I'm very limited to what I can choose defensive-wise.

"It already has changed a lot of my plans because, obviously, we're without Jarrad and we have been without Myko for, certainly, the first couple of games.

"We had this at the end of last season as well, we've had it all through the summer. It's not as if we've necessarily got it better.

"We've got people back, but others are injured. We've just got to make sure that we're not short again if we can help it - and certainly we were short for the first two games in the Premier League."

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

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Aston Villa midfielder Samuel Iling Jr is expected to leave on loan before Monday's transfer deadline.

The England Under-21 international, who won Euro 2025 with the Young Lions in the summer, has been given the green light for a temporary move.

Iling Jr is yet to make a senior appearance for Villa since joining from Juventus last summer and was an unused substitute in the opening day 0-0 draw with Newcastle.

He spent time at Bologna - playing against Villa in the Champions League - and Middlesbrough last season.

The 21-year-old started his career at Chelsea before moving to Juve in 2020, where he played 45 times, scoring twice, and won the Italian Cup in 2024.

Mike Taylor
BBC Radio WM reporter

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Interesting contributions to the debate over financial restrictions, in so far as they affect clubs in Aston Villa's specific circumstances, continue to roll in - a sure sign that the football so far has not been engaging.

Alan Shearer and Micah Richards used Match of the Day to weigh in on Villa's behalf. Shearer had a point when he suggested the current rules were not designed for clubs with owners like Villa's, although we might note that Villa have not always had owners held in such high regard.

But as fan writer David Michael observed in a bracing piece on this page on Tuesday, simply pointing at the rulebook will not quite do as an explanation for Villa's slow start.

The net spend on transfer fees since Unai Emery's arrival may be low, but it isn't true to say new players have not arrived. That calculation does not include Villa's notably high wage bill, for example, or the loans for high-profile players like Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio. Alas, many of the signings made in that time have so far had relatively little effect on the team.

In each of the first two games, the majority of Villa's starting line-up have been at the club for longer than Emery. Given they are mostly the same players to have achieved so much under him, that reflects very well indeed on the manager and his staff, and how much they have improved the players in their charge.

What it says about Villa's recruitment is more complicated. Clearly there have been enormous successes, with Morgan Rogers and Youri Tielemans top of the list. But many new players have stayed on the fringes, or been shipped back out after scarcely being seen at all.

This analysis may become outdated very quickly. It is entirely possible players like Ian Maatsen and Donyell Malen could become regular and effective starters before long.

Monchi, the key man in Villa's recruitment, has an outstanding reputation from his work at Sevilla. Emery indicated recently that expected departures have taken longer than planned, and Villa have the means and skills to move fast in the final days.

And, of course, players who have performed so well, so often for Emery could soon click back in to gear.

There have been only two games. A good performance at home against Crystal Palace on Sunday would have a useful calming effect in advance of a two-week pause.

But the stumbling start makes this an unusually tense moment in Villa's recent history.

Listen to full commentary of Aston Villa v Crystal Palace at 19:00 on Sunday on BBC Radio WM (all frequencies except online)

And tune into The West Midlands Football Phone-In from 18:00 on weeknights

Explore Aston Villa content on BBC Sounds

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We asked for your views on whether Bruno Fernandes is playing out of position at Manchester United as his role was a discussion point on the latest episode of The Devils' Advocate.

Here are some of your comments:

Pete: United should have taken the money and sold him. He was the stand-out player in a poor team, but he is not a good enough standard for what they're trying to build. Bring Mainoo back into the side and buy someone to play alongside him.

Roger: Bruno Fernandes is definitely playing out of position. He should be playing further up the pitch behind the front three instead of Mason Mount and Mainoo should play where Bruno is playing now with either Ugarte or a new signing. That way we'd have stability in midfield and creativity, and Bruno in a more attacking position scoring or creating chances for goals.

Rahul: I think Bruno is a quality player. He is experienced enough to play in any position the manager wants him to. This thing about playing in only one position is overrated and seems only to apply to United.

Jon: Bruno being the captain is one of the main problems at United. Yes he is quite clearly the most talented player at the club but his attitude is abysmal - constantly moaning and throwing his hands up. Shouldn't have ever been given the armband in the first place.

Listen to The Devils' Advocate

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

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There was always going to be collateral damage from Alexander Isak's stance at Newcastle and Wolves are feeling that now.

As the striker tries to force a move to Liverpool the Magpies are still scrambling in the last few days of the transfer window.

They have been interested in Porto's Samu Aghehowa but have so far balked at the £60m pricetag for a 21-year-old who scored 27 times last season.

A move for Brentford's Yoane Wissa is yet to come off, with the Bees rejecting two bids - the last being £40m for last season's 19-goal forward.

Like the Bees, Wolves have shown resistance in the face of big money after two bids for Jorgen Strand Larsen and they do not want to sell the 25-year-old.

There is little time in the window to replace the Norway international, especially when Wolves are still looking at bringing in other strikers to support Strand Larsen.

He is their most potent weapon and survival is naturally worth more than the current transfer bids, losing him would put Wolves' top flight status in jeopardy.

A return of 14 goals in 30 Premier League starts during a debut season in England on loan from Celta Vigo helped them survive after Vitor Pereira's December arrival.

Yet Newcastle's desperation could see them throw good money after bad, Strand Larsen is a good player but - having joined permanently from Celta £23m this summer - is he £60m+ good?

The question is when do the Magpies decide it is too much or do circumstances dictate they need him whatever the cost?

Matthew Hobbs
BBC Sport journalist

It was a messy night for West Ham in the West Midlands as they fell to a third successive defeat of the new season. The Hammers have conceded 11 goals so far in 2025-26 and Jarrod Bowen's apology following a confrontation with supporters is the latest sign of a club struggling on and off the pitch.

The overriding concern for West Ham fans is that the warning signs have been there for some time. Since Graham Potter took over on 14 January, the Hammers would be bottom of a Premier League table featuring only the ever-present clubs.

Since the start of March, they have won just two of 13 Premier League matches (D4, L7). They have also faced the most shots on target in the top flight this season (12).

The Hammers have also dropped 15 points from winning positions under Potter – the most of any Premier League team during his tenure. Meanwhile, two defeats - and eight goals conceded - constitutes their worst start to a league season since 1954.

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The competition may have changed on Tuesday, but defensive frailties were once again exposed by conceding twice in the final eight minutes. They shipped three goals to a Wolves side who had started this campaign by failing to score in two defeats.

Potter himself has called for unity following the Molineux setback, but with a record of just five wins in 22 games since replacing Julen Lopetegui at London Stadium, time may already be running out to turn his side's long-standing issues around.

Next up is a trip to Nottingham Forest on Sunday - and West Ham have not scored a Premier League goal at the City Ground since 1996.

• Find and follow your Premier League club on BBC Sport

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

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Jorgen Strand Larsen pounced twice in two minutes to earn Wolves their first win of the season, with manager Vitor Pereira saying afterwards he wants the forward to remain at the club.

"If it's my decision, of course (he stays)," he said. "He is a very important player. He is a player with character. I imagine his mind at this moment, listening to a lot of things, reading.

"He goes to help the team and in the last minutes I asked him to go back and help as a centre-back. He is a team player. He is a top player.

"Until now, Jorgen is our player. He is a very important player for us and we will see what happens. Football is football and every player has a price, even Messi or Cristiano. I understand football but for me it's very important for us. We will see what happens."

Pereira added that Strand Larsen has shown no indication of wanting to leave.

"I know a lot of players in my career, in this situation, and they have asked me not to play," he said. "But he wants to play every time. He wants to help the team.

"You must be ready for everything but I want to keep the best players and this kind of player with us."

Shamoon Hafez
Football reporter

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Manchester City have four senior goalkeepers on their books, with summer signing James Trafford starting the two Premier League games so far.

The 22-year-old was unconvincing in Saturday's 2-0 home defeat by Tottenham, with Ederson watching from the substitutes' bench.

Like Manuel Akanji, the Brazil international has been of heavy interest to Galatasaray, but no deal has yet been agreed between the two clubs.

Ederson would need to leave if City were to sign Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris St-Germain, but club sources have denied personal terms have been agreed with the Italy number one.

There is an expectation that Stefan Ortega will leave the club by Monday's deadline, but is it understood the German is not close to an exit at this stage.

Meanwhile, could midfielder Ilkay Gundogan - who was left out of the Spurs game for tactical reasons - be another who departs? City are likely to explore any offers that may come in for the 34-year-old.

Manager Pep Guardiola has said Savinho is out injured at the moment, and it is not known whether Spurs and City officials had discussions over the winger on Saturday, having held talks earlier in the transfer window.

What is known is that City do not want to sell the Brazilian, and it would need a significant offer to consider doing so.

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Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

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Wolves have no desire to sell Jorgen Strand Larsen after rejecting Newcastle United's £50m bid.

The limited time they have to sign a replacement, with the transfer window closing on Monday, and the current prices are factors in their thinking.

Newcastle is an attractive option but the striker has remained professional and could start in the EFL Cup against West Ham at Molineux on Tuesday.

It is in contrast to Alexander Isak's position at St James' Park, with the forward not playing and trying to force a move to Liverpool, leaving Newcastle desperately trying to sign a replacement.

Strand Larsen only made his move to Molineux from Celta Vigo permanent for £23m this summer after scoring 14 goals in 30 Premier League starts on loan last season.

Wolves have lost their opening two games without scoring and are looking to sign another striker.

Getafe's Christantus Uche is a target and the forward played in a 2-1 La Liga win at Sevilla on Monday.

Watch BBC Senior football correspondent Sami Mokbel discuss the potential outgoings from Manchester United in the remaining week of the summer transfer window.

"They've done a lot of business bringing players in but getting players out is proving very difficult," he told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.

"That will be the priority for Manchester United between now and Monday - trying to recalibrate the finances. But, its easier said than done."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer and listen on BBC Sounds

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Former Liverpool goalkeeper David James says "it's good that they are winning" but added the Reds "look a bit vulnerable at times".

Liverpool have begun their title defence with two wins and sit third in the table after thrilling victories over Bournemouth and Newcastle.

James told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast: "Arne [Slot] has got some thinking and sorting out to do because a few things cropped up in the three games - if you include the [Community Shield] game against Crystal Palace.

"Aerially you would think Liverpool were going to be dominant with Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate in there, but they look a little bit vulnerable at times. It's good that they are winning but there is still room for Arne to do some work."

The Reds have conceded four goals in their opening two Premier League games of a season for the first time since 2016-17.

Against Newcastle, they let in two goals while their opponents have been down to 10 men in a league match for the first time since December 2001 when they faced Arsenal.

Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi has been linked with a move to Anfield before the transfer deadline, with his current contract at Selhurst Park expiring at the end of this season.

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Matt Hobbs
BBC Sport journalist

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Are Tyler Dibling and Everton the perfect match?

Such was his impact for Southampton during the first half of his debut Premier League season, he was hailed as a generational talent and linked with a £100m move to top-six clubs.

Fast forward seven months and the 19-year-old has been the subject of multiple rejected bids, before finally being signed by Everton for significantly less.

So are the Toffees getting a bargain for a young player with a high ceiling, or was Dibling overhyped in the early stages of a campaign which produced just two Premier League goals and no assists?

First, the teenage talent only has two years left on his current contract, meaning the astronomical price tag mentioned in January has subsequently reduced.

Dibling, who made his Premier League debut under former Saints boss Russell Martin in August last year, also suffered from a drop-off in form in the second half of 2024-25.

This can be partly attributed to the sacking of Martin in December and the subsequent shift to a more defensive approach under Ivan Juric and then Simon Rusk - a style of play simply not suited to Dibling's attacking instincts.

But there is no doubt he is a signing based predominantly on potential. Martin, himself, admitted the England Under-21 international "needs the right kind of style and environment to thrive".

• Not an Everton fan? Find your Premier League club here

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Anthony Gordon has posted an apology on his Instagram, external story following his red card in Newcastle's 3-2 home defeat by Liverpool on Monday.

The England forward was dismissed in first-half stoppage time after an on-pitch VAR review for a late lunge on Reds defender Virgil van Dijk.

He will now be suspended for the Magpies' next three matches.

Gordon also apologised directly to Van Dijk, who had clear stud marks visible down his calf as a result of the challenge.

The message read: "I want to sincerely apologise to my team-mates and the fans. My intentions were pure. I was just trying to create energy in the game and I mistimed the tackle.

"I also want to apologise to Virgil. I would never intend to tackle somebody like this on purpose. We spoke after and he knows that.

"More importantly, I'm so proud of the time I spent on the pitch and how we played. The atmosphere from you all is what makes St James' Park so special.

"I love everything we stand for as a club and no more than right now. I'll be back and better, the same as every other setback I've ever faced. See you soon."

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Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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No-one could accuse Manchester United defender Patrick Dorgu of setting conservative targets for the club.

Asked for United's targets as he spoke before Sunday's 1-1 draw at Fulham, Dorgu's message was clear: "One hundred percent we are aiming to win the Premier League. We are Manchester United, so that's always going to be our goal."

It could be argued United's chances of winning the title were not reduced by the result at Craven Cottage as they had no realistic chance of being champions anyway.

Yet Dorgu's comments underline the aspirations at Old Trafford remain the same, even though it is over a decade now since United last won the Premier League – and they have not even challenged for the title since.

The stated aim this season – privately and publicly – is to secure a return to European competition.

And while one point from two games is not an ideal start, there is a genuine sense of optimism, helped partly by the £50m training ground revamp.

"The facilities help," said Dorgu. "I think new signings have helped as well.

"They bring a lot of good energy and quality into the group.

"Everyone has a point to prove this season. We need to get back to Europe, so we need to stick together, be happy and positive and try to do what the coach asks."

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Where the goals will come from has been a concern over the summer at Wolves - and the subject of several questions to come in via our 'Ask about Wolves' form.

They scored 63 last season but lost just over half - 32 - before this campaign, with Matheus Cunha (17), Goncalo Guedes (five), Rayan Ait-Nouri (five), Pablo Sarabia (three), Tommy Doyle (one) and Mario Lemina (one) all leaving.

Christantus Uche, Getafe's young striker, is expected to arrive at Molineux to provide some back-up, but more is likely to be needed.

Jorgen Strand Larsen is a good option and his 14 goals in 30 league starts last season was a good return in a debut season. However, he needs help.

Vitor Pereira wanted at least three more players before the season. Wolves have added right-back Jackson Tchatchoua from Verona, while Uche is expected to be the second.

Uche is just 22 and therefore still developing, so it would be wrong to expect him to score 20 goals. He only got four for Getafe in 2024-25.

Uche did net in the 2-0 win at Celta Vigo last week, but he is not at the level to fill Cunha's boots.

Wolves are not going to spend the type of money which is going to land them a proven Premier League scorer, so they need to come up with alternatives.

Have you got a question about Wolves? If so, get in touch here

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Ciaran Kelly
Football reporter

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What a time this is for Hugo Ekitike to be making his first visit to St James' Park after Liverpool won the race, ahead of Newcastle United, to sign the French forward last month.

Ekitike is a player Magpies boss Eddie Howe knows well and, without blinking, he can reel off a concise scouting report: really good movement, intelligent, good in the air, scores goals off both feet. That was the lowdown. That was why Newcastle wanted him.

"There's no doubt I really like Hugo and have done for a number of years," Howe said. "He was someone we tracked for a long time."

That is an understatement.

In fact, Newcastle attempted to sign Ekitike on three separate occasions over a three-and-a-half-year period.

The Magpies made their first move in January 2022 when Ekitike was not exactly a household name.

But the 23-year-old always had immense potential.

Few know that better than former Brighton manager Oscar Garcia, who worked with Ekitike at Reims at the time.

"You do not find many strikers like him at that age," Garcia recently told Sky Sports.

"He is tall, fast, mobile, very good one against one, holds the ball and scores goals. He can fit with teams that play more on the counter-attack, but also with teams with more possession because he has the skill for both styles.

"Hugo knows which aspects he can improve on, but he also needs help to develop his potential to reach the level that all the people who know him believe he can reach."

Newcastle were not alone among Premier League clubs in recognising those qualities, however.

Liverpool had also been tracking Ekitike for some time after the striker rediscovered his spark at Eintracht Frankfurt following a frustrating spell at Paris St-Germain.

Newcastle may have made the opening offer to Eintracht last month, but Ekitike had his sights set on a £69m move to Anfield after previously speaking to Reds boss Arne Slot.

It proved a significant moment in the transfer window. In more ways than one.

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Ciaran Kelly
Football reporter

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There can be little doubt that Liverpool's signing of Hugo Ekitike had a knock-on effect on the Alexander Isak saga.

If Newcastle had signed Ekitike, the club would have had a potential successor already in the building and time left to bring in an additional striker to replace Callum Wilson, who left last month.

However, having also subsequently missed out on Benjamin Sesko, who joined Manchester United, Newcastle are facing a race against the clock to recruit even one centre-forward before the close of business on 1 September – let alone two.

No wonder the club do not foresee the "conditions" of Isak's sale being met in the final throes of the window.

And that is before mentioning the prospect of Liverpool making an improved bid for Isak that actually gives Newcastle a decision to make, when the Magpies have held firm to date.

Arne Slot, understandably, would not be drawn on the possibility of the Anfield club returning to the table for Isak.

But the Liverpool manager appreciates what lies in wait at St James' Park - regardless of the backdrop to the game.

Newcastle's victory over Liverpool in last season's Carabao Cup final underlines the size of the visitors' task on Tyneside.

"It's nothing to do with anything that's in the media," Slot said. "If you go to Newcastle, you know what to expect.

"We played them three times last season and their intensity levels were twice above ours. In the away game [a 3-3 draw in December], especially the first 60 minutes, they were so intense. They fully deserved the lead, and in the League Cup final they were more intense than us.

"So I don't think they need anything to add if they play at St James' Park."

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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It will be fascinating to see how the next week plays out for Manchester United.

Of the 'bomb squad', most expect Alejandro Garnacho to end up at Chelsea and Antony to secure a return to Real Betis - but negotiations for both will not be straightforward.

Tyrell Malacia has been attracting interest from Serie A, while there is a suspicion Roma might come back in for Jadon Sancho.

Napoli are expected to make a renewed attempt to bring in Rasmus Hojlund, who was again left out of Ruben Amorim's squad for the Premier League draw at Fulham.

And then we have Senne Lammens, who United are negotiating with Royal Antwerp over but with uncertainty remaining over whether the deal will happen or who, if anyone, will leave if it does.