Transfer Roundup: Liverpool Teen Loan, Ipswich Land Issa Diop, Besiktas Eye Joe Willock
Amara Nallo, the 19-year-old centre-back at Liverpool, appears ready to join Finnish club HJK Helsinki on loan. Having spent three years at the Merseyside club after leaving West Ham United, Nallo’s time with the Reds has been marked by a couple of red cards, including one on his Champions League debut against PSV Eindhoven in the 2024-25 season.
Nallo also received a dismissal during last year’s EFL Cup clash with Crystal Palace. His only Liverpool first-team outing without a red card came in a 6-0 UEFA Champions League win over Qarabag in January. Despite the departure of Ibrahima Konate, chances for Nallo to break into the starting lineup next season would have been slim.
According to journalist Eetu Ikola, Nallo is now appearing on HJK’s UEFA squad list as they prepare for their UEFA Conference League second qualifying round fixture against Coleraine. It remains unclear whether this loan will include an option or obligation to buy, with Nallo still under contract at Liverpool for two more years.
Issa Diop Joins Ipswich Town from Fulham
Ipswich Town have announced the signing of centre-back Issa Diop from Fulham. The 29-year-old defender arrives at Portman Road on a four-year deal after spending four seasons at Craven Cottage. During that spell, he made 96 appearances and scored three goals but struggled to secure a regular starting spot, particularly behind Calvin Bassey and Joachim Andersen.
Diop featured in only 13 Premier League matches last season, starting eight times. The Morocco international, who played a key role in his country’s run to the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup—scoring a late equalizer against the Netherlands in the round of 32—expressed his enthusiasm about the move.
"I'm excited to take the next step in my career at Ipswich Town. I know how big the club is and have enjoyed all of the conversations I have had before making the move. I know this is the right place for me," Diop said on Ipswich’s official website.
The Tractor Boys reportedly paid about £8.6 million to secure his services.
Besiktas Pursuing Newcastle Midfielder Joe Willock
Newcastle United midfielder Joe Willock faces potential departure amid interest from Turkish side Besiktas. The 26-year-old struggled to nail down a regular role last season due to competition from Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes, and Joelinton. Willock made 39 appearances across all competitions but has just one year left on his contract, with no extension in sight.
Journalist Luke Edwards reports that Besiktas are trying to convince Willock to move to the Turkish Super Lig. Newcastle have already decided not to renew his contract. Talks over a transfer fee are underway; Newcastle paid £25.1 million to bring Willock from Arsenal in 2021 after a successful loan spell.
Willock famously scored in seven consecutive Premier League games during the closing stages of the 2020-21 season. His overall record at Newcastle stands at 19 goals and 11 assists in 182 appearances.
Fulham in Negotiations for Real Madrid’s Gonzalo Garcia
Fulham manager Alvaro Arbeloa is looking to reunite with striker Gonzalo Garcia from Real Madrid, with talks between the clubs reportedly underway. Garcia made a splash in the 2025 Club World Cup, scoring four goals and adding one assist in six matches. However, he struggled for consistent game time in the 2025-26 season due to fierce competition in attack.
The 22-year-old Spaniard scored eight goals and assisted three times across 39 appearances last season. His contract with Real Madrid runs until 2030, following an extension signed last summer.
According to The Athletic, Arbeloa is actively involved in negotiations, but new Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho, though a fan of Garcia, cannot promise him the minutes he desires. As such, the club is not blocking a move.
Real Madrid is expected to seek some form of preferential arrangement from Fulham, possibly a buyback clause, first refusal rights, or a share of any future sale proceeds.
