Bruno Fernandes guided Manchester United to a 1-0 victory over Southampton at St Mary's as they claimed back-to-back wins for the first time in the Erik ten Hag era and built on Monday's victory over Liverpool.

Fernandes, retaining the captain's armband as both Harry Maguire and Cristiano Ronaldo started on the bench, produced a classy 55th-minute finish to hand United the win.

Joe Aribo went closest to a leveller for Southampton with a close-range header, but United produced one of their most composed defensive performances in recent months to secure a first away league win in eight attempts.

After making a dire start to the new campaign, United have now strung together consecutive league wins for the first time since February, giving lift-off to Ten Hag's tenure.

As part of an even first half, United were denied an opener in stunning fashionwhen Gavin Bazunu, Kyle Walker-Peters and Armel Bella-Kotchap all made astonishing last-ditch blocks, as Anthony Elanga, Fernandes and Christian Eriksen all failed to convert from inside the six-yard box.

Bella-Kotchap should have done better when volleying over on the stretch near the half-hour mark, before the lively Che Adams hit a weak effort straight at David de Gea after running in behind. 

Bazunu turned away a right-footed volley from Scott McTominay four minutes after the break, but he was unable to prevent the Saints from falling behind soon after, as Fernandes side-footed Diogo Dalot's bouncing cross into the bottom-left corner. 

United were indebted to De Gea for maintaining their advantage, with the Spaniard producing a fine reflex save from Aribo's powerful header before Ronaldo was introduced.

Casemiro then made his United debut from the bench as the Red Devils clung on for a valuable win despite Sekou Mara twice going close to a last-gasp leveller.

Mikel Arteta has challenged Emile Smith Rowe to demonstrate hunger and consistency to regain his place in Arsenal's starting line-up.

The playmaker enjoyed a successful 2021-22 season with the Gunners, scoring 10 goals and providing two assists in 33 Premier League appearances.

Bukayo Saka (11 goals, seven assists) was the only Arsenal player to be directly involved in more goals than Smith Rowe, whose impressive performances saw him break into Gareth Southgate's England squad.

However, a combination of injuries and illness has seen the 22-year-old lose his place in Arsenal's team. Indeed, he has only appeared twice from the bench during the Gunners' bright start to the Premier League season.

Speaking ahead of his side's clash with Fulham at the Emirates Stadium, Arteta issued a rallying cry to the youngster.

"He needs to now earn the right to play in the team," Arteta said. "In order to do that, he needs to perform and be consistent.

"He's been injured. He's not had a clean pre-season, he's not there yet.

"Every day for me is the key. What he shows every day and that consistency and that hunger to increase the level."

Thomas Tuchel believes Chelsea must consider N'Golo Kante's poor injury record when they discuss a new contract with the France midfielder.

Kante has been crucial to Premier League, Champions League and Europa League wins since arriving at Chelsea in 2016, earning a reputation as one of the world's finest midfield enforcers.

But the 2018 World Cup winner has been beset by injury woes in recent seasons, and was ruled out for "several weeks" after suffering a hamstring injury ahead of last week's 3-0 defeat at Leeds United.

Kante made at least 34 Premier League starts in each of his first three seasons with Chelsea, but has failed to start more than 24 games in each of his last three full campaigns.

With the 31-year-old having entered the final 12 months of his contract with the club, Tuchel acknowledges his fitness record is a long-term concern.

"You have to consider everything that is on the table and on the table is his potential, on the table is his influence, and his quality," Tuchel said ahead of Saturday's home league clash with Leicester City.

"But also on the table, of course, is his age, his salary and his injury rate. From there you build a whole picture and try to find a solution."

Chelsea have taken four points from their first three games of the Premier League season, and sorely missed Kante's defensive discipline when they were torn apart at Elland Road last time out.

And Tuchel believes the midfielder's lack of availability makes it difficult for Chelsea to maintain a genuine title bid, adding: "This is a key question.

"We try to but it's much more difficult because you see the impact he has, you see the impact in the goals that we concede, the amount of goals we score, the amount of points that we have, the amount of goals he makes.

"He makes players simply better around him. He gives something that is very unique and don't forget, he also installs confidence that you cannot measure. That's why he is a key player. 

"But for the key players, it is super important to be on the pitch and to have that impact and be in the rhythm.

"You can count the matches that he is missing, but what about the first two, three or four matches where he needs to re-find rhythm? Nobody is counting these matches, so maybe in real life it is even more than just the matches he is missing.

"He comes back for the first match from the bench and maybe a second from the bench, and then the third one still struggling with confidence and rhythm. 

"This is basically the story and, yes, we have huge hopes we can turn things around, but this was a bad start."

Chelsea could finally be set for a transfer breakthrough after reportedly agreeing to meet Leicester City's demands of around £70million for centre-back Wesley Fofana.

Fofana, 21, has been a key target for Chelsea in their bid to replace Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen, who departed for Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona earlier in the transfer window.

While the Blues have already spent £33m to secure 31-year-old Kalidou Koulibaly – who has started all three of their Premier League fixtures this season – Fofana is yet to enter his prime and could provide defensive security for the next decade.

TOP STORY – LEICESTER ACCEPT CHELSEA'S NEWEST BID FOR FOFANA

According to L'Equipe, Chelsea's successful bid for Fofana includes add-ons which could make him the most expensive defender in the history of football, surpassing the £80m Leicester received from Manchester United for Harry Maguire.

Leicester had been publicly declaring Fofana was not for sale, but the situation was accelerated by the defender missing a training session, leading to him being told to train with the Foxes' under-23s.

Fofana is yet to receive his first senior cap for France, but the increased visibility that will come with a move to Stamford Bridge could tee him up for a breakthrough World Cup campaign in Qatar.
 

ROUND-UP

– Ajax star Antony has engaged in a stunning interview with Fabrizio Romano, declaring his time in the Eredivisie has run its course amid strong interest from Manchester United.

– Marca are reporting Cristiano Ronaldo has decided his best option is to return to Sporting CP, where he began his career, despite the need to take a significant pay cut should he leave United.

– According to Calciomercato, Liverpool are considering including Roberto Firmino in their offer to Paris Saint-Germain for 28-year-old midfielder Leandro Paredes.

– Sky Sports claim West Ham have had an offer in the vicinity of £51m accepted by Lyon for their 24-year-old creator Lucas Paqueta.

– Chelsea are set to trigger the £12.6million release clause for Dynamo Moscow's 19-year-old midfielder Arsen Zakharyan, per the Daily Mail.

Antonio Conte admits squad rotation will be crucial as Tottenham prepare for the first of seven matches in the space of 20 days.

Spurs are aiming to build on their positive start to the Premier League season when they travel to Nottingham Forest on Sunday, having collected seven points from their opening three games.

Conte bolstered his squad ahead of the campaign with the likes of Ivan Perisic, Richarlison, Yves Bissouma and Djed Spence all arriving at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

And the Italian knows that strength in depth will be essential for Tottenham, who also face West Ham, Fulham, Manchester City and Leicester City in the Premier League between now and September 17.

The north London side will also play the first two matches of their Champions League campaign, hosting Marseille on September 7 before heading to Portugal to face Sporting CP six days later.

"After every game, I will have to check the situation with all of the players for tiredness and injuries," Conte said. 

"To tell one player that he is going to play in all seven games; it is impossible. 

"I am not a magician! I cannot forecast this, but we go game by game to make the best decisions for the team and for the players.

"It is crazy to think we can put always the same players. In this transfer market, our target was to improve the squad because we know very well we have four competitions, so to have the possibility to make rotations without dropping the level is important."

Captain Harry Maguire will be made to work for his place in the Manchester United XI as just "one of" the team's leaders, according to manager Erik ten Hag.

Maguire has been the United captain since January 2020, having been one of the first names on the teamsheet for much of his time at Old Trafford.

But that is no longer the case after a tough start to the season, failing to impress in defeats to Brighton and Hove Albion and Brentford.

Maguire played alongside new signing Lisandro Martinez in those defeats, with his team-mate also coming in for criticism.

However, Martinez stood out against Liverpool on Monday as he kept his place at Maguire's expense, with Raphael Varane brought in.

Ten Hag appears to determined to keep faith with Martinez, and for now Varane is ahead of Maguire in the pecking order, too.

"I think it doesn't mean when you are captain you are established to play always, especially when you also have Varane in your squad," Ten Hag explained.

"We have a leader group and Harry is one of them. Bruno [Fernandes] is one of them.

"Bruno did quite well as captain [against Liverpool]. He led by example and he brings so much energy to the team in and out of possession."

Maguire will get his opportunities, though, with United involved in four competitions in a season that will be disrupted by the World Cup break.

"We have options," Ten Hag said "Varane, his stature is immense, and in pre-season we took a decision to build him physically, so he had a bit of a slow start.

"His profile, his stature and what he won already in the past shows he can really contribute to his team. For the team, there is competition, and we need that. We have to cover so many games.

"Victor Lindelof did really well in pre-season, so I am happy that he will be back in the squad, so we will have another option.

"We have competition internally, and that's good. That is what top teams need."

Liverpool will try to sign a new midfielder before the end of the transfer window after Jurgen Klopp admitted he was initially wrong about their needs.

The Reds' poor start to the Premier League season – which has seen them amass just two points from three games – has been exacerbated by injury woes.

Monday's 2-1 defeat to a Manchester United side who were previously in crisis was seen as something of a wake-up call, with Liverpool's starting midfield trio of James Milner, Harvey Elliott and Jordan Henderson failing to impress.

Klopp was without Thiago Alcantara, Curtis Jones, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, while Fabinho was only fit enough to feature from the bench.

Thiago and Jones are expected to be back in contention soon, but clearly something has changed in Klopp's mind as the German had previously been insistent about Liverpool not needing midfield reinforcements.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Klopp said: "There's really nothing to say about it because we are looking for it, and if it is the right player, we need him; if it is not the right player, we don't need him."

Asked if his U-turn was down to the poor start to the season and injuries, he replied: "That changed. I know we have had this discussion now since it all started; I am the one who said we don't need a midfielder, and now we go looking for a midfielder – you [the media] were all right and I was wrong.

"So, again, Curtis comes back, Thiago is not too far off, Diogo [Jota] not too far off, Joel [Matip] comes back. That all eases the situation slightly.

"It would be great if nobody gets on the [injury] list on the other side. But yeah, a really intense time coming up, we know all that. It's just we cannot change, or we will not change, for that now the way we deal with the situation, so there is nothing really for me to say to you in this moment. So, let's see."

Among the midfielders tentatively linked with Liverpool recently have been Borussia Dortmund talent Jude Bellingham and Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong.

Neither appear straightforward targets, but Klopp reiterated he does not want to just sign any player.

"I don't know, we will see," Klopp said when asked if they can get someone in before Thursday's transfer deadline.

"It needs to be the right player, but we are working, and we will see if something will happen or not. As you can imagine, we are actually working constantly on these kind of things, and there are reasons why it is sometimes not happening – sometimes too expensive, sometimes not the right player – but then the situation changes.

"One thing stays important, and it's that it needs to be the right player. If we do something, it'll be that we are 100 per cent convinced about it, and if we are not convinced, then we don't do it."

Neal Maupay has joined Everton on a three-year contract with the option for a further 12 months after leaving Brighton and Hove Albion in a reported £15million deal.

Maupay spent three seasons at Brighton, having signed from Brentford for £20m in 2019.

The forward scored 10 goals in his first season in the Premier League but struggled to build on that campaign, netting eight apiece in his next two.

Maupay started 84 league games in three years for a Brighton side who became renowned for their lack of a prolific goalscorer, with the Frenchman prominent among their profligate forwards.

A departure in this transfer window had long looked likely, with Danny Welbeck starting the season up front for the Seagulls, who also have Deniz Undav back from a loan stint at Union Saint-Gilloise.

Fulham appeared to be at the front of the queue for Maupay, but he reportedly had a late change of heart and headed instead for struggling Everton.

The Toffees have been without Dominic Calvert-Lewin due to injury at the start of this season, while Richarlison left for Tottenham and Anthony Gordon has also been linked with a move to Chelsea.

Maupay is therefore likely to come straight into the team, although he was not registered in time to debut against Brentford on Saturday.

"Everton is a great club with unbelievable fans and I am so, so happy to be here," he said. "It feels amazing.

"It was an easy choice for me when I started to talk with the club. I knew straight away I wanted to play for Everton and help the club to succeed. I'm excited and it's a new challenge for me.

"I will do everything I can for Everton. That's what the fans want – they want players that are ready to give their best and ready to fight

"When I step on the pitch, I will run, I will tackle, I will try to make assists and score goals. Whatever the team needs, I will do it, because I want to be successful and I want my team to win."

Manchester United target Antony has begged Ajax to sell him following reports they rejected a £76million (€90m) offer from the Premier League club.

Brazil international Antony was a key player under new United boss Erik ten Hag during his time in Amsterdam and has been continuously linked with a move to Old Trafford since April.

Ten Hag has not been shy about his desire to bolster United's attack, and Antony has seemingly been near the top of his list for a while.

The links with United cooled after the Red Devils signed Lisandro Martinez from Ajax, with that financial boost appearing to strengthen the Amsterdam club's negotiating position.

But in the wake of United losing their first two games of the Premier League season, reports of further bids have surfaced and on Friday there was widespread speculation suggesting Ajax rejected a huge £76m offer for Antony.

The shock of seeing such an amount turned down has forced Antony to go public with his frustration.

He told Fabrizio Romano: "Since February of this year, my agents came to Amsterdam to inform Ajax of my desire to leave the club to face a new challenge and that some interested clubs would arrive and with them certainly a great offer.

"In June of this year, I interrupted my vacation and came personally to inform the managers of Ajax, including the new coach, about my wish to leave and that they should consider this possibility, because when I started in Amsterdam it was a project for two seasons.

"During the window months, meetings continued and I also received a proposal from Ajax for contract renewal. I made it clear once again: I want to leave the club.

"Today, in a meeting with the club, I expressed my old interest in leaving the club, only this time with a considerable offer on the table. Others had already arrived. Ajax always refused and hindered by exit with the argument that they only have five days to replace me.

"I'm not asking Ajax to release me, I'm asking Ajax to sell me with the highest bid ever for a player in the Eredivisie. I've been insisting on this theme since February so that the club could rebuild the team with peace of mind.

"I was very happy in Amsterdam, I won titles at Ajax, made friends and built part of my career, but now I reinforce that I am ready and full of motivation to follow my story and my dreams.

"People need to listen to me and understand that my motivation moves me towards happiness. I need this to continue performing at a high level. Ajax will always be in my heart.

"I hope Ajax fans understand me because the future for a football player is a totally uncertain thing and the opportunities can be unique.

"My message is one of gratitude for Ajax, club and fans."

It made sense for Newcastle United to first focus on their defence as they approached the transfer market armed with the millions of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.

The Magpies had shipped 80 Premier League goals in 2021 – a competition record for a calendar year – and entered the new year in the relegation zone.

Three defenders arrived in Newcastle's first transfer window under new ownership, with loan star Matt Targett signing again at the end of the season on a permanent deal.

Goalkeeper Nick Pope followed as Eddie Howe prepared for his first full season in charge, and so too did highly rated centre-back Sven Botman.

Over the past two windows, in Pope, Kieran Trippier, Botman, Dan Burn and Targett, the Magpies have signed an entire new back five – and it has paid off.

Entering the weekend, only Liverpool (15) and Manchester City (17) have conceded fewer goals than Newcastle (23) in 2022 among ever-present Premier League sides.

Howe's men ended last season a commendable 11th and are in the top six after three weeks of the new campaign, with their form since January tied for fourth.

However, the three teams to have earned more points in 2022 have scored considerably more goals than Newcastle (30) – Liverpool (48), City (57) and Tottenham (54).

Speaking in April of the key to Newcastle improving further in 2022-23, Howe said: "Ultimately, we need to score more goals – that's very clear.

"From open play, set plays – whatever it is – we need more goals, and we'd love someone to be right at the top of the goalscoring charts. If you do, it gives you a much better chance of being successful consistently."

Since those comments, Callum Wilson – out from the end of 2021 – has returned and netted four goals in six matches, one every 112 minutes on average.

But Wilson's latest strike against City on Sunday was followed by yet another injury, hampering his chances of being Howe's man at the top of the scoring charts.

When Wilson was injured heading into the January window, Newcastle responded by signing Chris Wood from Burnley for £25million. This time, they have moved for Alexander Isak, a £59m (€70m) record buy from Real Sociedad.

The Magpies were already in the market for a forward, but Howe himself acknowledged on Friday they would not have struck quite such an ambitious deal if not for Wilson's setback.

Through combinations of form and fitness, neither Wilson (eight), Wood (five) nor Isak (six) reached double-figures in the league last season, yet they have each netted at least 30 since the start of the 2019-20 season – Isak's first at La Real.

In Wilson (30), Wood (31) and Isak (33), Newcastle have three of the 69 forwards – as classified by Opta – to reach that mark in Europe's top five leagues over that period.

Barcelona (Robert Lewandowski, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Memphis Depay), Inter (Romelu Lukaku, Lautaro Martinez, Edin Dzeko), Paris Saint-Germain (Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, Neymar), RB Leipzig (Andre Silva, Timo Werner, Christopher Nkunku) and Tottenham (Harry Kane, Son Heung-min, Richarlison) are the only other clubs to presently own three of these players.

For the first time in a long time, Newcastle have real depth in attack.

Crucially, with Wilson and Wood both 30, 22-year-old Isak can grow with this side, too; just three of those other 68 forwards are still 22 or younger (Erling Haaland, Dusan Vlahovic, Jonathan David).

This young age might excuse a poor 2021-22 campaign, in which Isak underperformed his expected goals tally of 11.2 and saw his shot conversion rate slump to 8.2 per cent, netting every 359 minutes.

Newcastle are backing the forward to return to his levels of 2019-20 (nine goals, 7.5 xG, 20.5 per cent shot conversion, 166 mins per goal) and 2020-21 (17 goals, 16.8 xG, 21.0 shot conversion, 139 mins per goal).

And despite the size of the fee involved in this transfer, Isak might actually find himself under less pressure on Tyneside, where Wilson will remain the main man when fit.

The England forward is expected back in a fortnight, and Howe has already spoken of using the two as a pair; in Newcastle's 4-3-3 formation, Isak – who ranked eighth among LaLiga strikers for carries (212), seventh for carry distance (2,683 metres) and joint-sixth for carries with a shot (22) – could be utilised out wide.

For now at least, Isak is not the headline act, feeling the weight of Newcastle's season on his shoulders – in complete contrast to the situation Joelinton, the club's previous record signing, found when arriving in 2019 as a struggling side's sole centre-forward.

This time, Newcastle have bought from a position of strength, and Isak's career on Tyneside should be all the better for it.

Antonio Conte has "no problem" with Son Heung-min's form as he backed the Tottenham forward to hit the goal trail following a barren start to the season.

While Tottenham have begun the new Premier League campaign well, taking seven points from their first three outings, Son has struggled to replicate his fine form from last season.

Son shared the Premier League's Golden Boot with Liverpool's Mohamed Salah after scoring 23 goals last term but is yet to find the net in 2022-23.

Speaking ahead of Sunday's trip to promoted Nottingham Forest, however, Conte praised the attitude of the South Korea international and insisted the goals will come. 

"You know very well we're talking about a really, really important player for me and for the club," he said.

"For sure, I think Sonny in the last three games had chances to score but there's a moment where you're a bit lucky or a bit unlucky. 

"I think [there is] no problem with Sonny's performance. His attitude and commitment are always up very high. I'm happy with his performance and I don't see any problems with him.

"For sure, you know very well when you're a striker you like to score, and when you score and win you're happy. 

"But at the same time, we always have to put the club winning before the interests of every single player. 

"But it's not a problem. I repeat, he's an important player, last season he scored 23 goals... No problem. I'm sure when he goes to score, he will gain the right confidence."

Meanwhile, Spurs have made seven senior signings during a busy transfer window, including the likes of Richarlison, Yves Bissouma and Ivan Perisic, and Conte suggested there could be more to come, particularly if players depart.

"If there are players that go out, we need players to come in," he added.

"The club know very well the importance for me to have a squad, to have a couple of players in every role."

Conte's desire to add depth to his squad is partly motivated by their participation in the Champions League, where they will face Eintracht Frankfurt, Sporting CP and Marseille in Group D.

Spurs last took part in European football's premier club competition in 2019-20, but Conte believes they have every chance of progressing from an evenly matched group. 

"You know very well we're talking about the most important and most difficult competition in Europe, maybe in the world," Conte said.

"You find the best teams in the world in this competition. Our group, I see balance. I see balance in our group.

"For sure our target is to try to go to the next round, this has to be clear. I think we gained the possibility to play this important competition and we want to enjoy, to play good football and possibly to go far."

Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel will serve a one-game touchline ban against Leicester City on Saturday, the Football Association (FA) has confirmed.

Tuchel received the ban after he clashed with Tottenham head coach Antonio Conte following a feisty 2-2 draw between the London rivals at Stamford Bridge on August 14.

The two had already rowed mid-game before Tuchel pulled Conte towards him during the post-match handshake, causing a melee that resulted in both coaches being shown a red card by referee Anthony Taylor.

Both were subsequently fined, but Conte avoided a touchline ban after the FA deemed Tuchel had initiated the altercation.

Tuchel appealed his ban, which allowed him to be on the touchline for last weekend's 3-0 defeat at Leeds United, but the FA has confirmed his appeal failed, meaning the German will be absent on Saturday.

In a statement, the FA stated: "Thomas Tuchel will be banned from the touchline for Chelsea's Premier League match against Leicester City.

"The manager admitted that his behaviour after the final whistle of the Premier League game against Tottenham on Sunday 14 August 2022 was improper.

"An independent Regulatory Commission subsequently ordered for him to be fined £35,000 and suspended from the touchline for one fixture during a hearing.

"Thomas Tuchel appealed against these sanctions, but this has been dismissed by an Appeal Board today [Friday]."

Thomas Tuchel accepts Chelsea could be left empty-handed in a late bid to bolster their squad before the transfer window closes.

The Blues are thought to be still targeting moves for Leicester City defender Wesley Fofana and Everton forward Anthony Gordon, as new owner Todd Boehly chases reinforcements.

A host of other players have been linked with Chelsea and ultimately not arrived during recent months, and head coach Tuchel is taking nothing as read.

Asked how many players Chelsea might hope to bring in before the window shuts on September 1, Tuchel said: "We have some ideas, but maybe nobody comes in.

"It's not a long window anymore, so it closes soon and the focus is on the things we can influence.

"No matter what we want, there are always several parties involved who have to agree."

Signing both Fofana and Gordon would be expected to cost Chelsea considerably more than £100million.

Fofana will not be involved on Saturday when Leicester visit Chelsea in the Premier League, with the Foxes leaving him out of their plans while uncertainty lingers about the Frenchman's future.

Tuchel is also unlikely to be particularly visible on matchday, as he is poised to serve a touchline ban. Barring a late reprieve, Tuchel will watch from the stands after being hit with a one-match ban for his spat with Tottenham's Antonio Conte following the recent 2-2 draw in the London derby.

The Chelsea boss remains aggrieved that Conte was not hit with the same punishment, despite a Football Association explanation of the punishments casting Tuchel as the instigator.

Both men were sent off after a set-to at the final whistle, and a still-smarting Tuchel said on Friday: "I can understand that I get a ban and I get a fine, but what I don't understand is the other coach does not get the same punishment."

Tuchel was presented with a list of issues on his plate, including having to pick Chelsea back up after last week's 3-0 defeat at Leeds United.

He suggested his job "sounds horrible" at the moment but said it with a smile and is optimistic Chelsea will soon be showing their best form.

All the same, he observed that his team are "in transition" and "need to improve".

It amounts to something close to a personality crisis at the moment, with Tuchel saying: "I'm not 100 per cent sure where we are, how we are, who we are."

He added: "It's not only about shouting for players. The squad was strong enough to win a match at Leeds, and by far too strong to lose 3-0."

The insipid performance has been reviewed, and Tuchel said: "We absolutely dislike to lose and as painful as it is to analyse these things and look at it again, it's necessary and we always get a response.

"These things, we don't like them, but they're maybe sometimes, in a process like this, necessary to sharpen your vision and have a clear view on things."

Newcastle United have completed the signing of Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad for a club-record fee reported to be £60million (€71.1m).

The 22-year-old, capped 37 times by Sweden, moves to the Premier League side on a five-year deal, bringing an end to three successful years with the LaLiga outfit.

Signed from Borussia Dortmund, Isak scored 33 goals in 105 league appearances for La Real, the last of which came in a 4-2 defeat to Barcelona on August 21.

"I'm delighted to have it done. It was a big, big decision for me but it is a decision I am really happy with," he told the club website.

"It is a great, historical club that I think anyone would like to play for, with amazing fans. They were a big part of why I came here - and also the club's project, which is one that I really believe in.

"You always want to go into a team and know how they play. I think Newcastle play very attractive football and I want to be a part of that."

Isak becomes Newcastle's fourth signing of the transfer window, following the acquisitions of Sven Botman, Matt Targett and Nick Pope.

They had been in the market for a striker since the end of last season, having previously been linked with Everton's Dominic Calvert-Lewin as well as Isak.

Eddie Howe's need for a forward might have been expedited, however, by an injury to Callum Wilson, who has sustained a hamstring problem.

Newcastle are unbeaten in the early rounds of the 2022-23 Premier League season, drawing with Manchester City and Brighton and Hove Albion after starting the campaign with a win against Nottingham Forest.

Pep Guardiola is adamant Bernardo Silva will stay at Manchester City beyond the end of transfer window, as he revealed the club are yet to receive a formal offer for the versatile midfielder.

Silva had been strongly linked with a move to LaLiga giants Barcelona after stating that City "know what I want" earlier this month.

However, recent reports suggested Paris Saint-Germain had made a £59million (€69.7m) bid for the 28-year-old, who scored the equaliser in City's 3-3 draw at Newcastle United last Sunday.

Silva impressed as he scored 13 goals and added seven assists in 50 appearances for City last season, and Guardiola did little to play down talk of a move when he revealed the midfielder "likes Barcelona very much" this week.

But speaking ahead of Saturday's fixture against Crystal Palace, Guardiola offered his clearest declaration yet on Silva's future, insisting: "He will stay here, absolutely.

"We didn't have any phone calls from any club regarding Bernardo Silva. That's why he will stay."

Asked whether any late move for Silva would leave City in a difficult position as they attempted to source a replacement, Guardiola said: "Yeah, but I tell you, he will stay." 

City have added Erling Haaland, Kalvin Phillips, Sergio Gomez and Stefan Ortega to their squad since winning their fourth Premier League title in five years in May, while Julian Alvarez has arrived from River Plate, and Guardiola is more than happy with their business.

"I am always satisfied," he declared. "Now I start my seventh year [at the club]. I am always satisfied with the squad I have. I have no complaints."

Meanwhile, marquee signing Haaland, who has found the net three times in his first three Premier League outings, is set to return to former club Borussia Dortmund after City were drawn to face the Bundesliga outfit in the Champions League group stages.

City will also face Sevilla and Copenhagen when their continental campaign kicks off, and Guardiola says he is yet to discuss the trip to Dortmund with Haaland, adding: "I didn't speak with him, but I guess he will be happy to go back where he was so important. 

"The draw is the draw, it is what it is. We don't have much time, but we have time to start to know them more deeply, and hopefully we can go through."