𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

While Newcastle are rumoured to be holding an interest in Hugo Ekitike, it was Liverpool who were originally linked with the Frenchman a month ago and The Athletic reports that the Premier League champions are still keeping tabs on him.

Arne Slot’s side want to sign a top striker and though their dream target is Alexander Isak, the difficulty in doing that deal means they may need to look elsewhere.

Newcastle are working on a deal with around €75m to sign Ekitike, and though they maintain that they would be signing him to play alongside Isak, that move could open the door for the Swedish striker’s exit.

Plenty to keep an eye on at St James’ Park and Anfield then.

Arsenal are still interested in Ebere Eze, with Mikel Arteta keen on the Palace playmaker. The club are set to approach Palace over a deal soon.

The 27-year-old has a £68million release clause, though Arsenal are expected to try and negotiate a deal at a lower price point.

Eze, who scored eight goals and got eight assists for the Eagles in the Premier League last season, is not believed to be deterred by Arsenal’s move for Noni Madueke.

According to reports in France, Liverpool have made contact with Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, with the club holding talks with the striker’s representatives in Paris.

The suggested fee for the 28-year-old is between the £43m-£52m mark.

Arsenal have agreed a £63.5m fee with Sporting for the transfer of Viktor Gyokeres, according to The Athletic.

They say that £54.9m of that fee will be paid up front, with the remaining £8.6m made up of future add-ons.

Gyokeres’ agent waived their fee in order to force the move through after a long-running dispute with Sporting.

Personal details had previously been agreed between the striker and Arsenal with Gyokeres set to sign a five-year contract. Expect movement on this transfer in the next couple of days.

Hello and welcome to The Independent’s live transfer news blog.

This blog will bring you all the latest transfer news and rumours from around the world’s top leagues, as fans wait for updates on the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke, Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike and Bryan Mbeumo.

We’ll have all the latest updates right here.