Transfer news live: Arsenal’s Sesko stumbling block, Everton poach Man United director, Chelsea lead Gittens race

According to Sky Sports, Premier League clubs have already surpassed £600m in spending at this early point in the transfer window.

The special mini-window that run due to the Club World Cup saw plenty of early spending, with Manchester City alone spending around £100m with the signings of Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Ait-Nouri.

Of course, that overall expenditure will only increase with the imminent arrivals of players such as Florian Wirtz.

But the title race should be more captivating than last term after the Reds ran away with it in the end.

This time, Manchester City, Arsenal and perhaps Chelsea, Newcastle and more will fancy their chances at keeping pace with Arne Slot’s side.

Here we take a look at six defining weekends of the season and why they matter to the outcome of the title race:

An important development in the Championship now, as Sheffield Wednesday have been handed a a three-window fee restriction by the EFL.

It means the club will not be able to pay any fees for players for three transfer windows. Instead, they will only be able to sign free agents.

The decision from the EFL comes after the club “exceeded 30 days of late payments between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025”, reports Sky.

Arsenal have reportedly “agreed personal terms” with their prime No 9 target Benjamin Sesko, according to Sport Bild via sportwitness, but there remains a major stumbling block in the shape of his huge price tag.

Sky Sports Germany reports that Leipzig are holding out for €80-100m (£68-86m), and Arsenal are reluctant to go that high. Even so, several reports have said the Gunners are preparing a first solid bid for the striker.

It is clearly a delicate operation, with Viktor Gyokeres waiting on hold to see how the situation progresses.

Having ended their trophy drought with Carabao Cup success last season, Newcastle United now have work to do in the transfer market.

With a return to the Champions League, the Magpies need to strengthen their squad to compete at the highest level.

Boss Eddie Howe has made it known that he is looking to work fast this summer, seemingly not wanting to repeat the sort of saga that saw Marc Guehi remain at Crystal Palace despite strong interest.

The Saudi-backed club have been without any major recruits over the past two seasons due to PSR rules, but could make a plunge in the summer market with a string of options already linked to the North East giants.

Here’s everything you need to know about Newcastle United’s summer transfer plans:

Sky Sports reports that Jadon Sancho is under consideration at Napoli, though the winger would need to take a significant pay cut if he were to join the Italian champions.

Napoli “will formally approach Man Utd if they believe a move is realistic”, and they have reportedly been in touch with Sancho’s representatives over personal terms.

United are said to prefer a permanent sale to any other type of deal, and it is thought their valuation is around £25m.

BBC Sport reports that Celta Vigo attacker Fer Lopez is “due to have a medical at Wolves” ahead of a £19m move to Molineux.

The 21-year-old only made his senior debut in October 2024 but scored four goals in 20 appearances last season, and is able to play in a range of roles across the forward line.

Bournemouth have a new left-back as a replacement for the seemingly-departing Milos Kerkez as they’ve brought in Adrien Truffert from Rennes.

The 23-year-old has joined on a five-year-deal with reports suggesting a €13.5m fixed fee, €3.5m add-ons and a 10 per cent sell-on clause to Rennes.

The 21-year-old Kerkez was hugely impressive for the Cherries this term and looks set to join Liverpool in a deal worth around £45m, although his departure had been contingent on Bournemouth confirming the Truffert deal.

Man United, Liverpool and Chelsea handed ultimatum over Ekitike

Man United could be in for the £85m-rated Hugo Ekitke from Eintracht Frankfurt and they have now entered talks with the club about signing him.

There has been no formal bid yet, according to Sky Sports, but United are exploring the conditions of a deal and personal terms are not expected to be a problem.

Ruben Amorim’s side are in the market for a striker regardless of what happens with the Rasmus Hojlund situation – with Serie A sides in for him but the Dane keen to fight for his place at Old Trafford.

Chelsea and Liverpool also want Ekitke, but Frankfurt insist the asking price is €100m, if it’s not met, then the 22-year-old will stay in Germany, reports Sport Bild.

The biggest news of the morning as the 2025/26 Premier League fixture list was released…

Yes, they all play each other twice, but when you want your club to get off to a flying start, a friendly looking fixture list certainly helps.

Arsenal can certainly lay claim to the most difficult start, with away trips to Manchester United and Liverpool in their first five fixtures, amid home ties against newly promoted Leeds, last season’s relevation Nottingham Forest and Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.

But perhaps Man United’s is even tougher, with top-four finishers Arsenal, City and Chelsea all in their first five games, alongside an away trip to Fulham and a home game against newcomers Burnley.