Barcelona have signed German winger Karim Adeyemi from Borussia Dortmund on a deal until 2031, while Newcastle are set to make Aladji Bamba their fourth summer signing.
Adeyemi joins Barcelona
The La Liga club will pay around €22m (£19m) plus add-ons for the Germany international, and the package includes a sell-on clause. "FC Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund have reached an agreement for the transfer of forward Karim Adeyemi, who has signed a contract with the Catalans until 2031," Barcelona said in a statement.
Adeyemi joined Dortmund in 2022 from Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg and made 146 appearances for the Bundesliga club, scoring 36 goals in all competitions. The 24-year-old will reunite with Hansi Flick, who handed him his senior debut for the Germany national team during the coach's two-year spell in charge. Adeyemi becomes Barcelona's second attack-minded signing of the transfer window after the arrival of Anthony Gordon.
Newcastle close on Bamba
Gordon's former club, Newcastle, are set to make Aladji Bamba their fourth summer signing. The 20-year-old Monaco midfielder flew to Tyneside on Thursday ahead of a £34m move from the Ligue 1 side. Providing all proceeds to plan, Bamba will be the fourth player Eddie Howe has signed aged 20 or under during this close season. The France Under-20 midfielder – who made 25 senior appearances for Monaco last season – will join the former Reims goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen (aged 20), the former Hoffenheim winger Bazoumana Touré (20) and the former Ajax midfielder Sean Steur (18).
Newcastle's new transfer policy is to sign players aged 24 or under costing – broadly – between £20m and £40m and possessing high resale potential. The idea is to help ensure a club that has recently negotiated a three-year settlement agreement with Uefa after breaching European spending rules remains on the right side of football's squad investment regulations.
Tributes to Kevin Keegan
Newcastle and Liverpool are in discussions over a tribute to Kevin Keegan before the clubs meet for their opening fixture of the new Premier League season at St James' Park on 23 August. Keegan rose to prominence at Liverpool, later becoming a folk hero on the pitch and as manager on Tyneside. The former England striker's death at the age of 75 was announced on Monday, and Newcastle have confirmed that both clubs are talking about a shared tribute.
"The opening Premier League match of 2026-27 sees Newcastle United hosting Liverpool – where Kevin made 323 appearances between 1971 and 1977," a statement on the club website said. "To ensure his memory is marked fittingly before the game, the club is in communication with Liverpool and will work closely with supporter groups ... and the Premier League, to shape tributes." Newcastle will hold a minute's silence before their friendly at Gateshead on Saturday, while during their trip to Bristol City, Keegan's image will be shown on the stadium's screens in the seventh minute, a reference to the shirt number he wore during his distinguished career. In addition, the club will consult Keegan's family "at the appropriate time" as they consider options for a permanent memorial.
Bamba seen as Tonali replacement
Given that he prefers to operate as a No 6, Bamba is seen as a replacement for the Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali who swapped Newcastle for Tottenham in an initial £92.5m deal. Howe still hopes to keep Bruno Guimarães in the face of interest from Arsenal. Mikel Arteta is keen to add the Brazil midfielder to his squad and Newcastle's captain is believed keen on moving to north London. Arsenal though have yet to make a formal offer for Guimarães and Newcastle maintain a player who turns 29 later this year is not for sale. They seem unlikely to come to the negotiating table for an offer less than around £75m.
