Newcastle and Spurs in £26m forward transfer battle as Liverpool plot £51m defender swoop

We begin Thursday's Premier League transfer rumour round-up with news of a prospective battle between Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United. According to SportBILD, the Premier League duo are both keeping tabs on Eintracht Frankfurt star Omar Marmoush, with the German side potentially open to a potential sale.

Marmoush has hit 15 goals and six assists in 32 outings across all competitions this season, and can either play on the left flank or through the centre. It is understood that the Egyptian international, if he is sold, could fetch somewhere in the region of £25.6 million.

The 3AM Verdict: Marmoush has been causing quite the stir in Germany this season, and understandably so. The Egyptian is a versatile and potent attacking force, and if he could be snapped up for as little as £26 million, he has the potential to be one of the bargains of the summer transfer window. Both Newcastle and Spurs could use reinforcements in forward areas, and Marmoush would represent a decent coup for either side.

Liverpool want Pacho

Elsewhere, in other Eintracht Frankurt-adjacent news, SportBILD claim that Liverpool may face competition from Real Madrid for defender Willian Pacho this summer. The Ecuadorian could be on the move in the coming months, especially if his current employers fail to secure European football for next season.

It is understood that the 22-year-old is valued at around £51.3 million, although Frankfurt are expected to fight for their prize asset. That being said, matters may well be taken out of the German side's hands depending on where they finish in the Bundesliga table, and if their valuation of Pancho is met.

The 3AM Verdict: Is there anything quite as intimidating as a transfer battle with Real Madrid? If Liverpool are to sign Pancho this summer, they will have to do so in the face of immense competition, although, if nothing else, they can take some solace from the fact that the South American is evidently a player of quality if the Spanish giants are intent on signing him.

Man United and Chelsea in for Kounde

And finally, Manchester United and Chelsea are both said to be 'very, very interested' in signing Barcelona defender Jules Kounde this summer. The Premier League heavyweights have both been heavily linked with the Frenchman before, and could be afforded another chance to reignite their respective pursuits during the transfer window.

Barca continue to struggle with financial hardship, and as such, may be forced into selling a number of valuable squad members in the coming months, according to Sport. Kounde is on that list, as are Andreas Christensen, Inigo Martinez, Eric Garcia, Clement Lenglet, and Chadi Riad. But it is Kounde who has caught the eye in Manchester and West London, with the Reds and the Blues both supposedly monitoring his situation.

The 3AM Verdict: Kounde is a top, top defender, and it is understandable that both United and Chelsea are still keen on him. It had looked as if the Frenchman might be out of both club's grasp this summer, but with Barcelona still struggling to balance the books, there is a very real possibility that somebody in the Premier League could capitalise on their misfortune.