Liverpool transfer news: Hugo Ekitike and Marc Guehi latest as Alexander Isak statement made
Liverpool are working hard to sign a centre-forward to add to their array of transfers in the summer window.
The Reds have already closed deals for Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Armin Pesci and Freddie Woodman for an outlay of around £180million. But they are not happy to stop there, with a centre-forward and centre-back among the other additions wanted by Arne Slot.
There are also departures on the cards at Anfield, with Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz, Ibrahima Konate and Harvey Elliott among those who could be sold before the window closes on September 1.
Having played Preston already in pre-season, Liverpool will soon jet off to Asia, where they face AC Milan and Yokohama in Hong Kong and Japan. Slot wants transfers wrapped up as soon as possible so he can play how to defend their Premier League title. Here are the latest transfer news stories regarding Liverpool.
Howe speaks out on Isak
Eddie Howe has tried to explain the situation surrounding Alexander Isak after he was absent from Newcastle's 4-0 defeat by Celtic on Saturday. Liverpool made enquiries over a £120million deal for Isak earlier in the week before moving on to chase the Magpies own target, Hugo Ekitike.
But Isak's absence had worried some Newcastle fans – and although Howe refused to give certainty that the Swede would stay – he did explain things.
"I decided to send him home due to the speculation around him," he admitted before adding: 'Yes, I've had discussions with him, but that's not abnormal. I respect a player's career and how short it is. Alex has been really good, he's trained really well and I realise there'll be noise around him.'
Ekitike move tied to Diaz
Liverpool are in negotiations with Eintracht Frankfurt over a transfer for Ekitike, who has already agreed personal terms over a six-year deal with the Reds. Ekitike had been chased by Newcastle, but is understood to prefer a move to Anfield.
He has a £86m release clause, but Liverpool are taking things slowly and trying to prise him away from the German club. And Sky Sports Germany say that Bayern Munich 's efforts to sign Luis Diaz are linked to Ekitike's future.
Diaz wants to leave Liverpool, but they have already rejected an offer worth £58m from Bayern. While they have been firm publicly that the Colombian winger is not for sale, Sky's sources in Germany suggest that they will green light the move once it's clear that Ekitike is on board.
Guehi 'deal to be done'
Things have quietened down on Liverpool's interest in Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi, but that interest has not gone away. Guehi has entered the final year of his Palace contract and doesn't seem keen to sign a new one.
Palace have tried to dampen transfer speculation by placing a £65m valuation on the England international. But BBC Sport reporter Sami Mokbel thinks they will ultimately do business for less.
Speaking to The Redmen TV, Mokbel explained: 'That interest is ongoing. My understanding at the moment is that there isn't anything club-to-club yet. I expect that to happen in some form or another in the not-too-distant future. It's down to the clubs reaching an agreement. I don't know if it'll be necessarily that easy, knowing how Palace operate.'
He added: 'I think all parties probably realise that there is a deal to be done here.'
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