Transfer news LIVE: Liverpool’s Real Madrid enquiry after Minteh bid rejected, Man Utd seal Baleba deal and Arsenal confirm Konsa

Wrexham are keen on Angers star Jacques Ekomie.

The 23-year-old is thought to be valued at €5m.

The Gabon international prefers a move to Hamburg, Foot Mercato reports, which could leave the Championship club searching elsewhere for a new left-back.

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery admits the summer exodus of star players at Villa Park has surprised him.

Villa have already lost Morgan Rogers, Ezri Konsa, Lucas Digne and Youri Tielemans this summer, with Ollie Watkins and Emiliano Martinez also looking likely to leave before the transfer window closes.

Emery has been able to replace some of his key men, but the Spaniard was not expecting the scale of the rebuild.

“Definitely not expecting the changes we were doing, but last year when we finished sixth and played PSG in the quarter-finals, we didn’t have a lot of movement around players,” he said ahead of Sunday’s opener at Brighton.

“This year is completely different. Maybe it was winning the Europa League or finishing fourth, but more or less both seasons were similar in performance.

“This year they have come for our players, but I accept it and we have to be positive again.”

The potential arrival of Carlos Baleba means Michael Carrick’s midfield rebuild might be complete, Chris Wilson writes, but there are glaring gaps elsewhere in the squad as the new season begins:

“Left-back is being looked at, that’s why they enquired about Myles Lewis-Skelly, the price quoted was too high,” The Athletic’s David Ornstein tells TNT Sports.

“If a reasonable deal becomes available, they’ll do it, but I think they won’t have many more big names.

“If it’s England, it’s Man Utd, a Barcelona, Bayern, PSG… He’d have looked at that, the No 9 shirt is a show of faith.”

“It’s very good, a 7/10, I think they could do with another body as a striker. I think the potential is there, they’re building something special. In terms of discipline in the market, the squad depth now, every position, there are good players available.

“Five good centre-backs for two positions. There’s depth everywhere. Maybe Sesko will be great, but you could do with one, an Osimhen type, but other than that, good.”

Liverpool could walk away from Yankuba Minteh negotiations, reports The Athletic’s David Ornstein. In conversation with TNT Sports, Ornstein states that if the numbers aren’t right, and Brighton want more than £70m, despite a £60m offer rejected, then Liverpool have another target they could pivot to.

Brighton have been linked with Spanish winger Yeremay Hernandez, reports Marca.

The Deportivo La Coruña star scored 11 goals last term in the Segunda Division.

He’s also been part of Spain’s Under-21s.

With Yankuba Minteh linked with Liverpool and two bids rejected, with Brighton after upwards of £70m, Hernandez could unlock the Gambian’s move to Anfield.

Aston Villa are looking into a move for free agent and Germany international Leon Goretzka, reports The Athletic.

Goretzka left Bayern Munich at the end of last season and could prove to be a cheap fix with Amadou Onana out long-term with an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury.

Villa did have talks with Bayern over a loan with an option for Joao Palhinha, the report adds.

Chelsea have turned down an opening loan offer for Mykhailo Mudryk from Leeds United, reports Sky Sports News.

The Ukrainian winger was recently cleared to play football again after a doping ban, and Leeds boss Daniel Farke wants to improve his attacking options before the deadline.

The first proposal was turned down but the two clubs are still in contact, with other clubs believed to be interested too.

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has claimed that the club will “definitely sign some players” before the end of the summer transfer window, with the Spaniard admitting his squad is “still quite thin” in places.