Real Madrid join Wirtz fight - Thursday's gossip

Liverpool face competition for Bayer Leverkusen winger Florian Wirtz from Real Madrid, Arsenal told fee for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, while Manchester United and Chelsea's pursuit of Ipswich forward Liam Delap intensifies.

Real Madrid are pushing to sign Bayer Leverkusen winger Florian Wirtz now his former boss Xabi Alonso has been unveiled as new manager of Los Blancos, despite the 22-year-old Germany international being strongly tipped to join Liverpool. (AS - in Spanish)

Newcastle are ready to make their first moves in a crucial summer, with bids for Crystal Palace and England defender Marc Guehi, 24, and Brentford's 25-year-old Cameroon forward Bryan Mbeumo. (Telegraph - subscription required)

Brentford have approached Liverpool over signing their £20m-rated Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, 26. (Liverpool Echo)

The move for Kelleher comes as Brentford prepare to let 31-year-old Dutch goalkeeper Mark Flekken join Bayer Leverkusen. (Independent)

Bayern Munich are interested in Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo, 26, with the Bundesliga club one of three teams the Netherlands international would be willing to join. (Florian Plettenberg)

Bournemouth full-back Milos Kerkez has already agreed to join Liverpool and there no concerns over personal terms for the 21-year-old Hungary international. (Fabrizio Romano)

The agent of Manchester United's out-of-favour striker Marcus Rashford met with Barcelona sporting director Deco, with the 27-year-old England international desperate to join the La Liga champions. (Sport - in Spanish)

Arsenal have targeted 29-year-old Germany winger Leroy Sane, who is out of contract at Bayern Munich this summer. (Times - subscription required)

Newcastle are one of the clubs working on a deal for Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap, 22, who also has offers from Chelsea, Manchester United and Everton. (ipaper - subscription required)

Arsenal have been told by RB Leipzig they must pay £92.5m to sign 21-year-old Slovenia striker Benjamin Sesko, who also interests Manchester United.

England midfielder Jordan Henderson, 34, could leave Dutch club Ajax and make a stunning return to hometown club Sunderland this summer. (Mirror)

Italian champions Napoli are set to pull off a free transfer double swoop with Belgium midfielder Kevin de Bruyne, 33, and 25-year-old Canada striker Jonathan David to join the Serie A club when their contracts expire at Manchester City and Lille respectively. (Corriere dello Sport - in Italian)

Roma are on the verge of appointing Gian Piero Gasperini as their new coach after the Italian left Atalanta following nine years in charge. (Gazzetta dello Sport - in Italian)