Chelsea agree deal to sign Alejandro Garnacho, Manchester United winger Antony set to rejoin Real Betis - Paper Round

The future of Alejandro Garnacho looks set to finally be decided after Chelsea agreed a deal with Manchester United to sign the winger for £40 million. However, The Red Devils will have to wait to get Antony permanently off their books as the Brazilian looks set to rejoin Real Betis on loan. Meanwhile, the door may finally be opening for Alexander Isak to leave Newcastle.

Garnacho set to join Chelsea

Alejandro Garnacho will join Chelsea after the Blues reached an agreement with Manchester United, according to widespread reports.

Ruben Amorim's side are hoping to offload a number of players before the transfer window closes on Monday and Garnacho was always likely to leave, having trained away from the senior team since the start of the summer.

Transfers

MLS announces investigation into tampering as Casemiro joins Inter Miami

23/07/2026 at 14:26

Garnacho scored 26 goals in 144 appearances for United.

The Guardian writes: "Manchester United have agreed to sell Alejandro Garnacho to Chelsea for £40m plus a 10% sell-on fee.

"It is understood Chelsea offered an initial £25m before the final fixed fee was agreed.

"It will be United’s highest-value player sale for five years and the club’s fourth-highest-value sale ever. Only Cristiano Ronaldo, Romelu Lukaku and Angel Di María have left United for a higher price. Due to the ­winger’s wish to leave, United view the deal as a positive step."

Watch: The sensational Garnacho bicycle kick which won Puskas Award

Video credit: TNT Sports

Antony to rejoin Betis on loan

Antony is set to rejoin Real Betis from Manchester United – but only on a loan deal.

The Red Devils hoped they could offload the Brazilian on a permanent basis after he starred in La Liga last term.

But Ruben Amorim’s side will have to wait until 2026 to see any return on the £86m they splashed on the winger in September 2022.

The Sun write: "Man United flop Antony is on the verge of a stunning return to Real Betis – but the Red Devils won’t be cashing in for another year.

"SunSport can exclusively reveal that Antony, 25, is heading back to Spain after his loan spell at Betis last season.

"United were hoping to sell the Brazilian winger permanently.

• UEFA Champions League league phase draw
• Slot relishing Liverpool clash with Real Madrid

"But they are now in advanced talks with Betis over a second loan deal.

"The Conference League finalists are set to pay £3m to take Antony back to LaLiga.

"However, the former Ajax star won’t be returning to Old Trafford in 2026. That’s because Betis are expected to buy him for £33m.

"United always insisted on a full obligation clause in any deal, rejecting a straight loan earlier this summer despite pushback from Betis."

Antony fires free-kick past De Gea as Betis strike first in Italy

Video credit: TNT Sports

Isak 'could be left in limbo'

Newcastle are closing in on the signing of Stuttgart striker Nick Woltemade, opening the door for Alexander Isak to leave the North East.

Liverpool target Isak is desperate for a move away from Newcastle, recently releasing a statement on social media indicating that "the relationship can't continue".

The development that Eddie Howe's side are on the brink of breaking their club record to sign Woltemade in a deal worth £65m could finally signal the end of the Isak saga.

The Mirror notes: "Newcastle are set to break their transfer record after agreeing a £65million fee with Stuttgart to sign Nick Woltemade. The deal could prove to be a major turning point in the saga involving Alexander Isak, who's been exiled amid his wish to join Liverpool.

"Bayern reportedly made three bids for Woltemade, each of which were rejected by Stuttgart. Newcastle have now swooped in and appear to have successfully concluded their long search for a striker.

"Woltemade's arrival may have a direct impact on Isak's future, with the Magpies having turned down a £110m bid from Liverpool earlier this month. Although Newcastle had always been targeting a forward to replace second-choice Callum Wilson, who left upon the expiry of his contract in June, the club-record fee suggests that Eddie Howe believes Woltemade can step into Isak's shoes."

'Alex would’ve made a difference' - Howe rues Isak absence in Liverpool defeat

Video credit: SNTV

Kante could return to France

Former Chelsea and Leicester midfielder N’Golo Kante could return to France.

A report in the Mail suggests the tenacious midfielder, now playing for Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad, has been offered a move to Paris FC and AS Monaco.

The 34-year-old, who previously played for Boulogne and Caen, won back-to-back league titles with Leicester and Chelsea in 2015/16 and 2016/17 respectively.

The article reads: "Former Chelsea star N'Golo Kante could make a shocking return to Europe before next week's transfer deadline, according to reports.

"Kante has been offered to Ligue 1's Paris FC and AS Monaco this week, according to French outlet L'Equipe.

"Both sides are said to be open to a move for the France international, which would see him return to Ligue 1 a decade after he left Caen.

"Al-Ittihad are thought to be looking to offload players in an attempt to free up space in their squad for additions of their own."

N'Golo Kante of Chelsea poses with the Premier League Trophy after the Premier League match between Chelsea and Sunderland.

Image credit: Getty Images

- - -

Stream the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and more on TNT Sports and discovery+

Transfers

London City Lionesses announce signing of two-time Ballon d'Or winner Putellas

08/07/2026 at 17:29

Transfers

Palestra hails Alonso among ‘the best managers in the world’ as he joins Chelsea from Atalanta

01/07/2026 at 14:31