Sami Mokbel
BBC Sport Senior football correspondent

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As we reported earlier, West Ham have rejected a £50m offer from Tottenham for Mohammed Kudus.

The Ghana international is open to a move away from London Stadium and is prioritising a switch to a Champions League side.

Spurs fit that bill after qualifying for the competition by winning the Europa League.

Talks are ongoing, with West Ham open to letting the 24-year-old attacking player leave.

Kudus, who joined West Ham in a £38m deal from Ajax in 2023, has an £85m release clause but Tottenham are looking to sign him for less than that.

At least six top clubs have enquired about Kudus in recent weeks.

Chelsea did hold talks regarding a move for him, but it is understood a move to Stamford Bridge is unlikely.

Well-placed sources have told BBC Sport that Kudus is prioritising a move to Spurs this summer.

Let's take a look at another potential transfer between two Premier League clubs...

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The summer break is drawing to a close for some clubs, as the first groups of players return to pre-season training.

Here starts around a month of preparation and hard work with hopes of success that, for some, may never fully materialise.

The new season is approaching - and for some teams, it starts today.

Manchester United and Nottingham Forest are among those back on Monday, marking the quiet, relentless restart of the football calendar.

Some clubs return today, some later in the week and it's expected that players who were on international duty last month will return a little later, too.

Alex Howell
BBC football news reporter

Arsenal have started their preparations for the new season with some players taking part in an optional training camp in Marbella.

Mikel Arteta spoke towards the end of last season about how the players 'demanded' the training camp and that it is "impossible" for a squad to deal with the physical demands of a long season straight from their holidays.

The Gunners have made the trip to Spain before and players did similar last summer.

The rest of the Arsenal squad are due to meet at the London Colney training ground this week for the official start of pre-season training.

Arsenal have already completed the singings of Martin Zubimendi and Kepa Arrizabalaga and are expected to complete the signing of Christian Norgaard from Brentford next.

Arsenal have also been searching for a striker and are in talks to sign Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres.

The club are going on a pre-season tour to Asia this summer and have their first pre-season friendly against AC Milan in Singapore on July 23.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

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Nolberto, London: With all the noise around Arsenal finally getting a striker, does it mean the buck now stops with Arteta, and will a new manager be the next 'missing piece' in the jigsaw if they go backwards this season?

Hi, Nolberto. I think the buck always stops with the manager and it now looks like Arteta will be getting the striker he should have signed 12 months ago in Viktor Gyokores.

I’ve said it before, Arteta simply has to win a trophy this season because the clock is ticking on “process” and “progress”. It is time for actual success.

Craig Nelson
BBC Sport reporter

We will bring you some more on Callum Wilson and his departure from Newcastle shortly, but let's return to your questions for BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty...

Callum Wilson's most productive season at Newcastle came in the 2022-23 campaign, when he scored 18 goals in 36 appearances across all competitions.

In that same season, Alexander Isak was signed by Newcastle, initially forming a lethal partnership with Wilson, with the Sweden striker adding 10 goals in 27 appearances for the Magpies that campaign.

But with Wilson continuing to miss matches through injury, Isak would go on to become Newcastle's first-choice forward.

Wilson's scoring record at Newcastle:

• 24-25 - 1 goal in 22 appearances
• 23-24 - 10 goals in 26 appearances
• 22-23 - 18 goals in 36 appearances
• 21-22 - 8 goals in 18 appearances
• 20-21 - 12 goals in 28 appearances

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Callum Wilson endured a frustrating end to his five-year stay at Newcastle because of a succession of injuries.

His only goal for Newcastle last season was the second in a 3-2 win at Birmingham City in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

But the England striker did earn a first winner's medal with the club in the final of another competition - the EFL Cup - at Wembley in March.

Wilson came on as an 81st-minute substitute as the Magpies ended a 70-year wait for a domestic trophy with a memorable 2-1 win over Liverpool.

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Newcastle United

And Newcastle United forward Callum Wilson released this statement, announcing his departure from the club:

"To all you Magpies...

"It's time to say goodbye after an unbelievable few years in the Toon.

"Thank you for everything. We stood strong together through the highs and some lows to help the club experience new heights.

"I am so proud to have worn the iconic number 9 shirt and to have added a little more history to it. Scoring at the Gallowgate End really is as special as they say.

"All good things come to an end, but there's no doubt Newcastle United will always have a place in mine and my family's hearts.

"Thank you for the memories."

Newcastle have posted on X, external:

"Callum Wilson. Goalscorer. Thank you for the memories, CW9."

That came alongside a video montage of some of the striker's key goals for Newcastle.

Callum Wilson and Newcastle have now confirmed the striker's departure with a statement to fans.

More to follow.

Sami Mokbel
BBC Sport Senior football correspondent

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The answer to that last question is yes.

Newcastle striker Callum Wilson is leaving the club after failing to agree a new contract at St James’ Park.

The former England international’s deal expired last week but the Premier League side confirmed last month that the forward was in talks over a new deal.

However, well-placed sources have confirmed to BBC Sport that Wilson has started the process of finding a new club after failing to reach an agreement to remain in the north-east.

It is understood a number of Premier League clubs have shown an interest in the 33-year-old, while he also has options in Major League Soccer.

Wilson has made 130 appearances for the club after joining from Bournemouth for about £20m in 2020.

He has scored 49 goals during an injury-hit five years on Tyneside.

Wilson struggled with both back and hamstring injuries last season, and only managed 18 appearances in the Premier League.

Craig Nelson
BBC Sport reporter

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Teenaged Spanish winger Antonio Cordero, 18, a free signing from Malaga, is the only new arrival at Newcastle so far this summer.

Numerous reports today, including from football journalist Fabrizio Romano, external and the Newcastle Chronicle, external, suggest that England striker Callum Wilson is ready to leave the club.

The 33-year-old former Bournemouth forward has had continuous problems with injury.

Last season he failed to score in the 18 games he was able to play in the Premier League.

When Newcastle released their retained list there was an asterisk next to his name. Wilson's contract has now ended, but discussions were ongoing about a potential new deal.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

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Ralph, Lancaster: Hi Phil, when might we see Eddie Howe's “early signings”? Newcastle are the only top six side still to join the market and surely needed more strength in depth for the Champions League campaign?

Morning, Ralph. Eddie Howe sat in front of us at St James’ Park on the final day of the season after qualifying for the Champions League and stated very clearly the importance of getting deals done quickly.

It will be hugely frustrating for him and Newcastle’s fans that this has not happened.

Joao Pedro, a prime target, went to Chelsea and Liam Delap – another player on Howe’s list - did the same. The attempts to sign Antony Elanga from Nottingham Forest are dragging on.

Howe will really want some movement soon because, for all the success of last season in winning the Carabao Cup and reaching the Champions League, his squad was thin beyond his main first-choice team.

Newcastle need to start doing deals quickly or those frustrations will grow.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

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Graham: Hi Phil. Do you agree that although Everton need a striker the best business they have done this summer is new contracts for Jarrad Branthwaite and Idrissa Gueye?

Hi, Graham. Absolutely. Two players at either end of their careers but both absolutely invaluable to Everton.

Branthwaite’s new contract is a real statement as I know plenty of Everton fans who thought he would leave for a big fee this summer. The 23-year-old is an outstanding defender and will form the cornerstone of David Moyes’ team this season.

Gueye was top class for Everton last season. Even though he is 36 in September, he looks in peak physical condition and is vital to the team in that calm, unfussy way he has. Great at sensing danger and just the sort of experienced, calm head Everton need.

And you’re also right about the striker. There seems to have been progress on Thierno Barry from Villarreal. If that goes through there will be plenty of expectation there.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

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James, Luton: Hi Phil, what are your views on Tottenham’s apparent slow pursuit of Mohammed Kudus? Any agreed fee looks likely to be approaching £60m and with Eberechi Eze seemingly available for £68m I don’t understand why we have not at least gone bold to find out if Eze would want to join. Kudus does not seem good value for an immediate impact.

Hello, James. I must admit the initial talk of £80m for Kudus sounded very, very rich to me, irrespective of his genuine talent. It would appear £60m is nearer the mark, but even then there is an element of risk because he has been inconsistent.

Eze would be a better bet, in my opinion, but there is four-year age gap to take into consideration.

For the slight reservations I have just expressed about Kudus, he is highly-rated by many very good judges.

When I spoke to Danny Murphy at the end of last season about players Liverpool should be looking at this summer, he named Kudus as one and was glowing about his talent.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Dave, Jersey: Morning Phil, with transfers done to date and those looking like done deals, who do you think has improved their squad most so far and has anyone changed what the top six from last season will look like this season?

Easy answer – at least in my opinion. Liverpool.

This is a sobering thought for those hoping to take the Premier League title back from them. Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong will add real strength and quality – and do not be surprised to see more coming in after sales.

Arsenal clearly mean business while Manchester City and Chelsea are not holding back, so at this stage, I do not see that much change to the top six.

Remember, though, that we are only just into July and so much will happen between now and the start of the season, which could change that.

Craig Nelson
BBC Sport reporter

Right, let's rejoin Phil McNulty's Q&A shall we...

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

Ola Aina's new deal highlights Nottingham Forest's commitment to maintaining their momentum and aim of becoming a force again.

Discussions have been on-going for a while and the full-back, who played an important role in helping Forest finish seventh last season, is the latest key man to sign fresh terms.

Nuno Espirito Santo has stressed before he felt keeping his squad together was the most important thing - rather than bringing in an influx of new signings - and Forest have been working on doing that.

They have already tied down Chris Wood, Murillo and Neco Williams this year while Nuno himself signed a new three-year deal last month.

Forest do not want to sell Newcastle target Anthony Elanga - although every player has his price - as they build towards returning to Europe for the first time since 1995-96.

It is a tight squad, the unity was evident last season, and Aina is just the next piece of the puzzle in Forest's long-term desire of competing at the top.

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Ola Aina played an integral role in helping Nottingham Forest push for European qualification last season, with the club eventually finishing seventh to secure a place in the Conference League.

The 28-year-old right-back played 35 times in the Premier League - scoring twice and registering one assist as he regularly burst forward out of defence.

He also won 136 duels and 55 tackles, in total, as Forest conceded just 46 league goals last season, one of the best defensive records outside of the top five in the Premier League.

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