We've had no completed deals so far but we've had a major update around Hugo Ekitike.

We started the morning looking at Newcastle's interest in the Eintracht Frankfurt forward, having already had one deal rejected earlier this week, with Liverpool also keen on him as well.

Liverpool also had Magpies striker Alexander Isak in their sights, with a potential British record fee of £130m being bounced about.

But then came the plot-twist.

Liverpool are in advanced talks to sign Ekitike and are aiming to have the transfer wrapped up by the weekend.

With that being said, Newcastle are now expected to accelerate their interest in Brentford striker Yoane Wissa in the next 24 hours.

Alex Fletcher
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

On the face of it, Premier League proven Alexander Isak would be the obvious choice over Hugo Ekitike when it comes to scoring goals.

But with the Swede's high price tag, are Liverpool getting a better deal by signing Ekitike?

German football writer Constantin Eckner told BBC Sport: "His tactical understanding is one of his great strengths, he is versatile and not just a striker who feels at home inside the box. Ekitike might not be the most dynamic player, but he can get past defenders with smart moves."

Whilst there is room for improvement in his shot conversion, Ekitike has played as both a lone striker and in a partnership during his time at Frankfurt, with the departure of Omar Marmoush to Manchester City allowing him to flourish.

Both in assists and chances created he outperformed Isak during the last campaign, so there is certainly a case that Liverpool are getting an all-rounder who provides value for money at around half the price.

That's not forgetting that he is being added to an attacking line that includes the 29 Premier League goals of Mo Salah...

Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

Should Liverpool succeed with a move for Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike they would land one of Europe’s brightest young talents.

Only three players aged 23 or under were directly involved in more goals than Ekitike in the top five European leagues last season. The Frenchman scored 15 top-flight goals and assisted eight, with his combined tally matching that of Cole Palmer and one more than Florian Wirtz and Lamine Yamal managed – certainly good company to be keep.

The key to Ekitike’s success has been the sheer volume of shots he attempts. He registered 117 efforts on goal in the Bundesliga last term, more than any other player, while his expected goals figure of 21.6 was the league’s second highest – indicating a player consistently able to find space and take on high-probability scoring opportunities.

The flipside to that is his actual finishing has been, to date, a weakness. While his haul of 15 league goals in 2024-25 was a career best, he underperformed his expected goals total by 6.6, comfortably the worst figure in the German top flight. His shot conversion rate of 12.8% was also below par. But if those rough edges can be smoothed out, Ekitike’s upside could be immense. Despite standing 6ft 3in tall, his rangy running style covers ground quickly and his top speed of 35.5 km/h placed him amongst a handful of the Bundesliga’s quickest attacking players last season.

He used that pace to good effect, attempting 126 dribbles, the league’s fifth highest total, typically collecting the ball in wide areas and driving inside towards the box.

Image source, Getty Images

Jordan Butler
BBC Sport

Liverpool are reportedly close to sealing a deal for one of Europe’s brightest young talents in Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike. But how do the Frenchman’s number stack up when compared to another of their transfer targets, Alexander Isak?

Firstly, only three players aged 23 or under were directly involved in more goals than Ekitike in the Europe’s big five leagues last season. The striker scored 15 top-flight goals and assisted eight, with his combined tally emulating Cole Palmer and one more than Florian Wirtz and Lamine Yamal mustered – not bad company to keep.

While his haul of 15 league goals in 2024-25 was a career best, his finishing appears a potential weakness. The 23-year-old underperformed his expected goals total by 6.7 and converted just 12.8% of his shots – with Isak almost twice as lethal in front of goal last season:

Ben Ramsdale
BBC Sport

Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, yeah?

I understand how odd this will look out of context if I'm not right with this one.

Image source, Getty Images

This is not the first time that Ekitike has been at the centre of a transfer battle involving Newcastle.

In January 2022, Newcastle looked to be in pole position to sign him, only for Paris Saint-Germain to swoop and get his signature.

Speaking to Le Parisien on the transfer he said: “I don’t put aside everything Newcastle did to get me to come [to St James' Park].

“If I had to go abroad, I would have gone there, but when PSG wants you and you’re French, you can’t refuse.”

Image source, Getty Images

Ekitike signed his first professional contract with Reims in 2020 at the age of 18 and during his time at the club he spent half a season on loan at Vejle Boldklub in Denmark.

The following season he joined Paris Saint-Germain on a season-long loan, which was made a permanent move the following year and cost the French champions £30.6m.

Despite winning two league titles, he was loaned to Eintracht Frankfurt in January 2024 and the German club made his move permanent that summer.

Ekitike completed his first full season with Frankfurt in the 2024/25 campaign as they secured Champions League football with a third placed finish in the Bundesliga.

Sami Mokbel
BBC Sport Senior football correspondent

Newcastle are expected to accelerate their interest in Brentford striker Yoane Wissa in the next 24 hours after withdrawing from their pursuit of Hugo Ekitike.

The Magpies want to sign a new centre-forward but their £70m offer to Eintracht Frankfurt for 23-year-old Frenchman Ekitike was rejected.

Liverpool have also targeted Ekitike as a possible alternative to their first-choice target, Newcastle's Alexander Isak.

And with Newcastle adamant Isak is not for sale, the Anfield club are now expected to step up their interest in Ekitike.

Sources have told BBC Sport that with Newcastle's efforts to land Ekitike hitting complications in the last 24 hours, the Magpies have turned their attentions to Wissa.

Brentford attacker Wissa, 28, is also a target for Tottenham and Nottingham Forest

It is understood Newcastle's interest in the Democratic Republic of Congo international is less advanced than that of those clubs as things stand, but it is now set to ramp up as the club from north east England increase their efforts to sign a striker.

Brentford are adamant they do not want to lose Bryan Mbeumo, who is coveted by Manchester United, and Wissa this summer - but Wissa is open to leaving the Bees for a chance to play in the Champions League.

He has scored 45 goals in 137 Premier League appearances since joining from Lorient in 2021.

Ben Ramsdale
BBC Sport

It's a certain Abba song I believe, Kirstin. That's your clue. And everyone else struggling!

Sorry to those tuning in for transfer news and not song trivia - back to it.

Image source, Getty Images

What you may have missed in that big old Hugo Ekitike post is the snippet that Newcastle United are now expected to accelerate their interest in Brentford striker Yoane Wissa.

With their attempts to land Ekitike seemingly having stalled, the Magpies look to have turned their attention to the Bees forward.

The 28-year-old DR Congo international had his best season in senior football to date in 2024-25, scoring 19 times and providing five assists in 35 appearances.

Ben Ramsdale
BBC Sport

I can't lie Scott, I've just had to ask in the office what tune that was meant to be to and now it's stuck in my head. Cheers.

Sami Mokbel
BBC Sport Senior football correspondent

Liverpool are in advanced talks to sign Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike in a deal in excess of £70m.

Multiple sources have indicated that Liverpool aim to have the transfer wrapped up by the weekend.

Newcastle have already had a £70million offer for Ekitike rejected by Frankfurt, with Liverpool's offer expected to surpass the Magpies' bid.

Ekitike is open to joining the Premier League champions, who want to sign a new central striker.

Liverpool have also shown a major interest in Newcastle striker Alexander Isak, but the Magpies are adamant the Swede is not for sale at any price.

Liverpool have already signed midfielder Florian Wirtz in a potential British record £116m deal this summer and paid £40m and £30m respectively for full-backs Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong.

Newcastle are expected to accelerate their interest in Brentford striker Yoane Wissa in the next 24 hours after their own attempts to land Ekitike slowed.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa lost 1-0 at League Two side Walsall in their first pre-season friendly on Wednesday.

Harrison Burke's close-range strike in the 38th minute proved to be the only goal of the game at Bescot Stadium.

It was a young Villa squad that travelled and 22 players were given minutes. Senior players who started included Pau Torres, Ross Barkley and Jacob Ramsey, while Tyrone Mings and Boubacar Kamara were among those who featured in the second half.

Meanwhile, former Villa winger Albert Adomah was playing for the Saddlers.

Unai Emery's men head to Germany to face Hansa Rostock on Saturday for their second of an eight-match pre-season campaign.