Manchester United and Newcastle Target Neco Williams Amid Arsenal's Tzolis Move

The window has not yet caught fire, but the big clubs are already jostling for position. Full-backs, playmakers, wonderkids and free agents: this is the phase where phone calls matter more than training sessions.

United and Newcastle test Forest’s resolve over Neco Williams

At Nottingham Forest, the priority is suddenly very clear: keep Neco Williams.

Manchester United and Newcastle United have both registered concrete interest in the 25-year-old, according to the BBC, after a season in which he quietly became one of the Premier League’s most reliable full-backs. Williams featured in 37 of Forest’s 38 league matches, switching flanks when required and giving his side balance on either side of the defence.

That sort of durability and versatility is gold in a long season, and the market has reacted. Forest’s response is to try to move quickly, pushing to tie the Wales international to an improved contract at The City Ground in an effort to fend off the two heavyweights.

United’s need is obvious: a back line in transition and a squad crying out for energy in wide defensive areas. Newcastle, with European ambitions and a high-intensity style, see exactly the same thing. Forest, for the moment, hold the cards. How long that lasts depends on the size of the bids and Williams’ own ambitions.

Arsenal line up Christos Tzolis as Trossard contingency

In north London, Arsenal are working on a different problem: what happens if Leandro Trossard leaves?

The Gunners are pushing ahead with a move for Club Brugge attacking midfielder Christos Tzolis, with The Sun reporting talks over a deal worth around £35 million. The 24-year-old is viewed as a potential replacement should Trossard complete a move to Besiktas, and Arsenal have moved quickly to put themselves in position.

Tzolis is no stranger to English football. His previous spell with Norwich City in 2021-22 was brief and largely forgettable, but his development since then has been significant. Now, he is seen as a more rounded attacking threat, capable of operating across the frontline and between the lines.

Crucially for Arsenal, a deal for Tzolis is not expected to derail their pursuit of Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers. The Villa attacker remains one of their top priorities, underlining Mikel Arteta’s determination to refresh and deepen his attacking options in one sweep.

United turn to Manu Koné as midfield reshuffle gathers pace

At Old Trafford, the rebuild stretches far beyond full-back. The midfield, long a puzzle, is being redrawn.

TEAMtalk report that Manchester United are lining up a move for AS Roma midfielder Manu Koné, with the 25-year-old emerging as a key option for Michael Carrick’s squad. United are said to see him as a better stylistic fit than Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga, a notable endorsement given Camavinga’s status in the game.

The price will not be gentle. An offer in the region of £50 million is expected to be required to prise Koné away, and the queue is forming. Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City have all been contacted by the player’s representatives, opening the door to a multi-club battle if United hesitate.

For a club trying to reassert itself at the top of the Premier League, this is the kind of decision that shapes a season: commit early to a chosen profile, or risk being dragged into a bidding war.

Europe’s elite chase free agent Elijah Upson

While the top end of the market inflates, one of the most intriguing stories comes from a player available for nothing.

Elijah Upson, 18-year-old centre-back and son of former Premier League defender Matthew Upson, has left Tottenham Hotspur after turning down a professional contract, ending an 11-year association with the club. Now, according to the Daily Mail, some of Europe’s biggest names are circling.

Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Manchester City are all among the clubs keen on the teenager, who has already visited Arsenal’s training ground. Everton, Borussia Dortmund and Monaco have also registered interest, but Upson is expected to take his time before deciding his next move.

For the youngster, this is a rare position of power. For the clubs, it is a chance to secure a long-term defensive project without a transfer fee, a scenario that always sharpens attention.

Liverpool and Arsenal in high-stakes pursuit of Ayyoub Bouaddi

At Lille, the numbers tell you everything about how highly Ayyoub Bouaddi is rated.

Liverpool and Arsenal remain in talks with the Ligue 1 club over a deal for the 18-year-old Morocco international, with Football Insider reporting that any agreement is likely to demand a fee close to £100 million. Both English sides are understood to be willing to include a one-season loan-back clause, allowing Bouaddi to continue his development in France before crossing the Channel.

Liverpool view him as a potential successor to Curtis Jones, who is being monitored by Inter Milan. Arsenal, always alert to elite young midfielders, are not prepared to let such a talent pass without a fight. Manchester City and other top clubs are also keeping a close eye on the situation, ready to move if negotiations stall.

For an 18-year-old to command that kind of valuation says everything about the modern market—and about Bouaddi’s ceiling.

Done deals: City move quickly, Campbell heads to Germany

Amid the swirl of rumours, a couple of moves have already been sealed.

Manchester City have brought back Northern Ireland goalkeeper Pierce Charles, who came through their academy before joining Sheffield Wednesday in 2021. City have signed the 20-year-old and immediately sent him on loan to Queens Park Rangers, a clear plan to give him senior minutes while retaining long-term control of his development.

In Germany, American forward Cole Campbell has left Borussia Dortmund to join Bundesliga newcomers Elversberg. The 20-year-old, born in Houston, has signed a four-year contract through June 2030, a significant commitment from a club looking to establish itself at the top level with smart, long-range planning.

Around Europe: Modric, David, Romero and more on the move?

Beyond the Premier League’s headline chases, the market is humming with subplots.

• At Juventus, striker Jonathan David intends to stay despite not featuring in the club’s plans for next season, according to Gazzetta dello Sport. A standoff is brewing.
• Luka Modric, now a free agent, is close to signing a one-year deal to return to AC Milan, report Corriere dello Sport, in what would be one of the window’s most eye-catching late-career moves.
• Manchester United are in advanced talks with goalkeeper Karl Darlow after his departure from Leeds United, with The Sun suggesting the deal could be confirmed on Friday.
• Wrexham, still intent on climbing the pyramid with ambition, are interested in Everton goalkeeper Mark Travers, say Football Insider.
• Curtis Jones is open to a move to Inter Milan, but Liverpool are holding firm on a €40 million valuation, report Gazzetta dello Sport.
• Cristian Romero is drawing attention from LaLiga and Serie A clubs, with the Tottenham defender previously linked to Atlético Madrid, according to Fabrizio Romano.
• Newcastle are closing in on Freiburg and Switzerland attacking midfielder Johan Manzambi, having agreed personal terms ahead of a £49 million deal, report Sky Sports.
• Borussia Dortmund see FC Köln winger Said El-Mala as a possible replacement for Barcelona-linked Karim Adeyemi, though they want to drive down the €50 million asking price, say reports from Florian Plettenberg.
• AC Milan are looking at Strasbourg right-back Guela Doue, according to Nicolo Schira.
• Tottenham are exploring the possibility of reuniting with Paris Saint-Germain striker Randal Kolo Muani, report Tuttosport.
• Crystal Palace and Fulham have joined Leeds United in the race for Southampton midfielder Shea Charles, according to Ben Jacobs.
• Sassuolo defender Tarik Muharemovic is on the radar of two Premier League clubs, with a €40 million fee required, report Nicolo Schira.
• Aston Villa could challenge Leeds for Parma and Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, say TEAMtalk.

The rumours are stacking up, the numbers are rising, and the phone lines are rarely quiet. The question now is simple: which of these early manoeuvres will define the season, and which will be forgotten as the market’s real battles begin?