Ekitike, Isak, Sesko, Mbuemo, Gyokeres: The race for a striker is hotting up

Alexander Isak: (Newcastle United)

Newcastle’s message is that Isak is not for sale but you get the feeling this isn’t the last we will hear about his future.

Liverpool are interested in the 25-year-old Sweden forward but know they would have to break the British transfer record to even stand a chance of prising him from the Magpies.

BBC Sport understands a deal for Isak would cost up to £130m.

Hugo Ekitike: (Eintracht Frankfurt)

Newcastle and Liverpool have both made their interest known in the 23-year-old Frenchman over the past few days.

Chelsea were another club seriously interested in him but, having recently signed Delap and Joao Pedro, they are unlikely to move for another frontman, unless there is movement out.

Ekitike has enjoyed the best goalscoring season of his career, scoring 15 goals and adding eight assists for Frankfurt to help them finish third in the Bundesliga and earn a Champions League place.

Newcastle have had an initial £70m bid turned down by the Germans and don’t see the striker as a replacement for Isak. He is also one of a number of strikers Liverpool are looking at.

Bryan Mbeumo: (Brentford)

Manchester United’s move for the Brentford forward has gone a bit quiet in recent weeks.

But those at Old Trafford hope Mbeumo’s protracted move for more than £60m is completed before Ruben Amorim and his squad set off on their pre-season travels at the weekend.

Tottenham are also interested in the 25-year-old Cameroon international but are yet to make a bid, while there are several Champions League clubs on the continent watching his situation closely.

Yoane Wissa: (Brentford)

Tottenham are also exploring a move for another Brentford forward.

BBC Sport understands the Bees have been made aware of their London rivals’ interest in the 28-year-old, in a deal that could reunite the forward with his former manager Thomas Frank, now in charge at Spurs.

Wissa, who scored 20 goals last season, courted major interest from Premier League clubs in recent months, Nottingham Forest failing to sign the DR Congo international in January.

Liverpool are another club monitoring Wissa’s situation, but have other preferred targets to explore first.