Latest transfer news and rumors: Arsenal in the mix for Ekitike

With the Premier League transfer window open, and the rest of Europe's top leagues preparing to officially do business July 1, the rumor mill is in overdrive. Check in every day for all the latest buzz from across the soccer world.

Top story: Arsenal enter Ekitike race

Arsenal continue to expand their list of targets as they search for a new striker. The Gunners, strongly linked with Benjamin Sesko, Viktor Gyokeres, and Ollie Watkins, are now in the picture for Hugo Ekitike.

Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester United are also tracking the 23-year-old, who turned heads across Europe this past season with Eintracht Frankfurt. The German club is in no rush to sell its prized asset, however, and will hold out until receiving a massive offer. (BILD)

Other rumors

June 30

Rashford's back ... for now: Marcus Rashford has officially returned to Manchester United after Aston Villa opted not to make his loan deal permanent. The Red Devils will now try to sell Rashford elsewhere for £40 million. (Fabrizio Romano)

Gyokeres unhappy with Sporting: Viktor Gyokeres is upset with the way Sporting CP have handled his potential transfer, and has informed club president Frederico Varandas that he won't return this summer. (Record)

Madrid's next young star: Real Madrid are eyeing a move for AZ Alkmaar teenager Kees Smit. The Dutch midfielder was named the top player at the recent U19 European Championship, which the Netherlands won. (AS)

Liverpool pushing for Guehi: Liverpool are trying to reduce Crystal Palace's asking price for center-back Marc Guehi, and are willing to offer Scottish teenager Ben Doak as part of the deal. (The Sun)

Time running out: Manchester United remain interested in striker Moise Kean, but they have until July 15 to exercise his €52-million release clause, otherwise they'll have to negotiate a fee with Fiorentina. (Corriere dello Sport)

Tammy to Turkey: Besiktas have reached a verbal agreement with Roma to sign Tammy Abraham. The striker will fly to Turkey for a medical before finalizing a €20-million transfer. (Fabrizio Romano)

Como keeping Paz: Real Madrid have decided to leave rising star Nico Paz at Como for another season. They can exercise a €9-million buyback option next summer to bring him back to the Spanish capital. (Fabrizio Romano)

June 29

Battle for Dibu: Chelsea and Manchester United are both in the mix to sign goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez from Aston Villa. The Argentine netminder prefers a move to Manchester United. (Football Insider)

Nico's ultimatum: Nico Williams still wants to join Barcelona this summer, but he needs assurances from the Catalans that he'll be registered immediately upon leaving Athletic Bilbao. That will force Barca to sell players first so they can meet La Liga's salary cap. (Marca)

Inter's new striker: Inter are signing Ange-Yoan Bonny from Parma. The Nerazzurri will pay €23 million plus bonuses, while the young striker will ink a five-year contract worth €2 million per season. (Gianluca Di Marzio)

Napoli's backup plan: Napoli remain locked in negotiations with Liverpool for Darwin Nunez. If they can't meet the Reds' hefty asking price, the Serie A champions will quickly shift gears and sign towering striker Lorenzo Lucca from Udinese. (Sky Sport Italia)

Juve need reinforcements: After getting trounced 5-2 by Manchester City at the Club World Cup, Juve want to bolster their backline. Marseille's Leonardo Balerdi is Igor Tudor's top choice. Nayef Aguerd, Jhon Lucumi, and Ronald Araujo are among the alternatives. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

Stuttgart set their price: VfB Stuttgart will only consider offers in excess of €100 million for Nick Woltemade. The German striker has already agreed to personal terms with Bayern Munich, but the Bundesliga champions don't want to spend over €60 million on the transfer. (Kicker)

Club-record deal for Black Cats: Sunderland, preparing for their first season back in the Premier League since 2017, have agreed to sign midfielder Habib Diarra from Strasbourg for £30 million. (The Guardian)

June 28

Arsenal eyeing Watkins: If Arsenal fail to land Benjamin Sesko or Viktor Gyokeres, they'll turn their attention back to Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins. The Gunners had a £40-million offer for Watkins rejected in January. (Daily Mail)

Mbeumo's stance clear: Bryan Mbeumo informed Brentford and Tottenham of his desire to join Manchester United this summer. The Red Devils continue to work on the deal after having multiple bids rejected thus far. (The Athletic)

Luiz back to England: Leeds United have opened talks with Juventus to sign midfielder Douglas Luiz. The Brazilian, who's struggled in Turin, could be tempted by a return to the Premier League. (Calciomercato)

Bournemouth's big demand: Manchester United, Tottenham, and Newcastle are all interested in signing Antoine Semenyo, but all three have been put off by Bournemouth's £70-million valuation of the forward. (The I)

Milan land Ricci: AC Milan have a verbal agreement in place with Torino to sign Samuele Ricci. The Italian midfielder will cost the Rossoneri €23 million up front plus another €2 million in bonuses. (Fabrizio Romano)

Duran leaving Al-Nassr: Jhon Duran's brief stint in Saudi Arabia is coming to an end. The Colombian striker is on the verge of joining Fenerbahce, where he'll be coached by Jose Mourinho. (Fabrizio Romano)

Busy Bayer: Leverkusen are putting the finishing touches on a deal to sign Malik Tillman from PSV. The U.S. midfielder will cost around €35 million. The clubs are finalizing the payment structure. (Fabrizio Romano)

June 27

NLD for Eze: North London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are battling over the signing of Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze. The England international has a release clause in his Palace contract worth £68 million. (The Sun)

Man United back in front: Manchester United are once again leading the race to sign Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP. The Swedish striker is ready to reunite with former coach Ruben Amorim. (Mirror)

Spurs won't lower price: Tottenham value center-back Cristian Romero at over £60 million, and aren't willing to negotiate a lower fee with Atletico Madrid, who are interested in the Argentine international. (The Telegraph)

Big fee for Nunez: Napoli continue to work on a deal for Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez, but the Reds want €65 million up front, plus another €5 million in bonuses, to let the Uruguayan leave Anfield. (Sky Sport Italia)

Three deals for Atleti: Atletico Madrid reached an agreement with Villarreal to sign Alex Baena for around €50 million. They're also closing in on Matteo Ruggeri from Atalanta and Johnny Cardoso of Real Betis. (Fabrizio Romano)

Weah rejects Forest: Tim Weah has turned down Nottingham Forest's contract proposal. The Premier League side agreed to a deal with Juventus for the U.S. international and Samuel Mbangula worth around €22 million total, but Weah wants to explore other options. (ESPN)

June 26

Preliminary Zaire-Emery talks: Manchester United inquired about the possibility of signing Warren Zaire-Emery in a blockbuster deal. PSG have set the 19-year-old's price tag at €100 million. (TEAMtalk)

Bumper bonus barrier: Juventus need Jonathan David's representatives to reduce their requested €15-million commission before they sign the striker. The club is also tracking Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

Freebie CB: Ibrahima Konate is planning to let his Liverpool contract expire next summer. Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Real Madrid are interested in signing the defender on a free transfer. (Foot Mercato)

Ederson 'eading nowhere: Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson stressed that he's staying at the club amid speculation over his future. "There's a lot of fake news around my name," he said. (The Athletic)

Mosquera move: Arsenal want to sign Cristhian Mosquera as competition for center-backs William Saliba and Gabriel. The 20-year-old has made 90 appearances for Valencia. (The Athletic)

Red Bull flavor: The New York Red Bulls are in talks to sign Timo Werner from RB Leipzig. The attacker's former Leipzig teammate Emil Forsberg is already at the MLS club. (GiveMeSport)

June 25

Modric to Milan: AC Milan sporting director Igli Tare announced Luka Modric has verbally agreed to join the Rossoneri when the Club World Cup is over. "(He) wants to be a star player from the start," Tare said. (ESPN)

Big cash for Rash: Barcelona boss Hansi Flick is a fan of Marcus Rashford's versatility in attack. Manchester United would prefer to sell the 27-year-old for around £40 million, but Barca want a loan deal. (The Times)

Jashari dash: AC Milan's €30-million offer for Ardon Jashari is below Club Brugge's valuation of €40 million. Borussia Dortmund and Manchester United are among the other clubs interested in the 22-year-old. (Calciomercato)

AfterPartey: Arsenal are set to sign Brentford captain Christian Norgaard for €11 million. The Danish midfielder will replace Thomas Partey, whose contract expires on June 30. (Fabrizio Romano)

Italy gets more Morata: Alvaro Morata is ready to join Como. AC Milan need to negotiate an early termination of the striker's loan at Galatasaray before his transfer to Cesc Fabregas' side can go ahead. (Fabrizio Romano)

Cardoso capture: Atletico Madrid have reached a verbal agreement with Real Betis to sign Johnny Cardoso for over €30 million. The midfielder is currently at the Gold Cup with the United States men's national team. (ESPN)

Magpies need more silver: Newcastle United will need to put down more money to encourage Nottingham Forest to sell Anthony Elanga after their bid of around £45 million was rejected. (The Athletic)

June 24

Nico picks next club: Nico Williams has told Athletic Bilbao that he intends to join Barcelona. His €60-million release clause is expected to be triggered after June 30, so the outlay is registered in Spain's next financial year. (The Athletic)

United won't stop after Mbeumo: Manchester United won't be done after Bryan Mbeumo joins Matheus Cunha in their refreshed attack. They still want a true No. 9 to spearhead their forward line. (Manchester Evening News)

Friends reunite: Casemiro could play with former Real Madrid and Manchester United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo again. The midfielder is in advanced talks to join Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr. (Record)

Arsenal on the attack: Arsenal are weighing up an approach for Chelsea's Noni Madueke because they're on the verge of being priced out of a move for RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko. (The Independent)

Bradley snooper: Arsenal are sniffing around Paris Saint-Germain's Bradley Barcola. The 22-year-old winger has also drawn interest from Bayern Munich and Liverpool. (L'Equipe)

Juve get creative in Sancho pursuit: Juventus are willing to offer Dusan Vlahovic and Douglas Luiz as part of a deal for Manchester United's Jadon Sancho. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

Ndoye in demand: Borussia Dortmund could compete with Napoli for the signature of Bologna winger Dan Ndoye. Der BVB are preparing for Jamie Gittens' potential departure to Chelsea. (Gianluca Di Marzio)

'Keeper captures: Newcastle could pay up to £40 million for Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford, putting Nick Pope's future on Tyneside in doubt. Burnley are close to signing Karlsruher goalkeeper Max Weiss. (The Guardian)