Liverpool, Newcastle Battle for Hugo Ekitike as Summer Transfer Race Intensifies

Liverpool are expected to compete with Newcastle United in the race to sign French striker Hugo Ekitike, 23, from Eintracht Frankfurt, after being informed that Swedish forward Alexander Isak, 25, will not be leaving his club during this transfer window. (Sky Sports)

The Magpies suspect that Liverpool’s leaked £120 million bid was intended to unsettle Isak. (Telegraph – subscription required)

Besides Ekitike, Liverpool are also pursuing four alternative strikers if they fail to land Isak – these include Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, 29, Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, 26, Brentford’s Yoane Wissa, 28, and Real Madrid’s Rodrygo, 24. (Mail+ – subscription required)

Napoli have informed Liverpool that their potential deal for Uruguayan striker Darwin Nunez, 26, could collapse. (Fabrizio Romano)

Colombian winger Luis Diaz, 28, has reportedly expressed his desire to leave Liverpool after the club rejected a £58.6 million offer from Bayern Munich. (Athletic – subscription required)

Leeds United have reached a preliminary agreement to sign Newcastle’s English midfielder Sean Longstaff, 27. (Athletic – subscription required)

Tottenham are battling Inter Milan to sign Belgian defender Koni de Winter, 23. (i Paper)

Bournemouth have submitted a £59 million bid for Ukrainian defender Illia Zabarnyi, 22, who is also a target for Paris Saint-Germain. (Independent)

Chelsea are preparing for a summer overhaul, with Portuguese forward Joao Felix, 25, in talks for a return to Benfica, and French striker Christopher Nkunku, 27, also expected to leave. (Standard)

Manchester United have officially submitted a bid to sign Juventus’ Brazilian midfielder Douglas Luiz, with Everton also tracking the 27-year-old. (Football Insider)

Liverpool’s French defender Ibrahima Konate, 26, has rejected an offer to join a Saudi Pro League club. (Mirror)

The Reds have set a £43.5 million asking price for Konate for any club interested in signing him this summer. (AS – in Spanish)

West Ham are pursuing Sassuolo and Italy striker Andrea Pinamonti, 26, with London rivals Brentford also making enquiries about the player. (Standard)

Leeds United are interested in signing Spanish striker Gonzalo Garcia, 21, on loan from Real Madrid. (TBR Football)

BBC