What the Ek? It is precisely zero surprise to see that while everyone else has ignored the obviously daft suggestion that Hugo Ekitike has handed in a transfer request to ‘force through’ a move which is going to happen anyway, a handful of certain publications are not only willing but entirely desperate to disregard any such red flags.

Liverpool are advancing in talks with Eintracht Frankfurt over the transfer of Hugo Ekitike. The club’s proposed package to sign the 23-year-old striker is in excess of €80million (£69.2m; $92.7m) and personal terms are not expected to be an issue.

The Athletic and Fabrizio Romano both report that Newcastle have now cooled their interest in Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitiké. Earlier this week, Newcastle had a bid rejected for Ekitiké by