The China Mail - Isak poised for Liverpool switch as transfer window shuts

The Sweden striker is understood to have arrived at Liverpool's training ground to put pen to paper on his blockbuster move as the protracted saga neared its end.

Although the Premier League window shut at 1800 GMT, there were a number of big deals yet to be confirmed as clubs scrambled to strengthen their squads.

Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was set for a move to Manchester City after being told he was surplus to requirements at Paris Saint-Germain.

Manchester United were understood to have agreed a deal to sign Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp for an initial 21 million euros (£18 million, $24.6 million) as they seek to address their goalkeeping problems.

But most eyes were on the expected finalisation of Isak's move to Liverpool.

The 25-year-old made clear his desire to leave Newcastle even though he has three years remaining on his contract.

The Anfield club had a £110 million offer for the forward rejected last month and since then he has not trained with or played for Newcastle.

Isak is set to become Liverpool's eighth first-team arrival of the summer window, and his purchase marks the second time that they have broken their own transfer record following the capture of Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen for an initial fee of £100 million.

But Arne Slot's side, who beat Arsenal 1-0 on Sunday to maintain their perfect Premier League record this season, look to have missed out on England defender Marc Guehi after Crystal Palace vetoed his sale at the last minute.

Once the Isak deal is completed, Liverpool's remarkable summer spending will pass the £400 million mark, although there have also been significant departures including Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Newcastle last week signed German international striker Nick Woltemade for a club-record fee reported to be worth up to £69 million.

That paved the way for the potential departure of Isak, who scored 27 goals for Eddie Howe's team in all competitions last season.

The Magpies have also reportedly agreed a deal to sign Yoane Wissa, who on Sunday urged Brentford to "keep their word" and allow him to leave.

The DR Congo forward, who scored 19 Premier League goals last season, would give Saudi-owned Newcastle extra firepower as they prepare for their Champions League campaign.

- Donnarumma to City? -

Donnarumma, who won the Champions League with PSG in May, is poised for a move to City, with Pep Guardiola's side understood to have agreed a fee of around 35 million euros.

Ederson, City's long-serving Brazilian keeper, is set to join Turkish side Fenerbahce, with Donnarumma expected to be Guardiola's first choice stopper and James Trafford, signed from Burnley in the close season, relegated to the role of understudy.

Manchester United had been linked with Aston Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez after costly mistakes from Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir at the start of the season.

But the 20-time Premier League champions appear to have opted for the potential of Lammens over the experience of the World Cup-winning Martinez.

United sold Brazil winger Antony to Real Betis, while Jadon Sancho was set to leave Old Trafford in a loan move to Villa.

Sancho has flopped since his £73 million arrival from Borussia Dortmund in 2021 and spent last season on loan at Chelsea, where he was inconsistent.

Villa signed former United defender Victor Lindelof on a free transfer and were aiming to tie up a loan deal for Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott.

Chelsea landed Brighton winger Facundo Buonanotte on a season-long loan and Tottenham agreed a loan deal for PSG's France striker Randal Kolo Muani.

Arsenal took Ecuador defender Piero Hincapie on loan from Bayer Leverkusen for the rest of the campaign and allowed centre-back Jakub Kiwior to join Porto for the same period.

Fulham signed AC Milan and Nigeria winger Samuel Chukwueze on loan for the season.

J.Thompson--ThChM