Transfer rumours: Kolo Muani to Paris Saint-Germain, Ekitike to Eintracht Frankfurt, Palhinha to Bayern Munich

PSG are determined to sign the France international before Friday's deadline, as they continue to rebuild their forward line following the departures of Lionel Messi and Neymar.

According to Sky Sports News, Frankfurt rejected a £68.6m (€80m) bid from PSG on Tuesday, with the German club holding out for a fee closer to £85.5m.

Frankfurt have now revealed that Kolo Muani refused to take part in Wednesday's training session ahead of the club's Europa Conference League qualifying clash against Levski Sofia on Thursday.

In a statement, Frankfurt's sporting director Markus Krosche said: "This isn't the Randal we've got to know and we know his real character. He's being bombarded at the moment and the result is this reaction, which is wrong, as we've made clear to him and his entourage along with all the ramifications.

"We'll contest the match against Levski Sofia without him. For us it's clear: this behaviour has no influence on transfer business."

Since joining Frankfurt from Nantes last summer, Kolo Muani has gone on to score 26 goals in 50 competitive games for the German side.

While Kolo Muani's Frankfurt future is shrouded in uncertainty, the Bundesliga club have reportedly emerged as the frontrunners to sign Hugo Ekitike from PSG.

Ekitike is keen to secure regular game time elsewhere after playing just eight minutes in PSG's opening three matches of the new season.

The 21-year-old has been linked with a number of Premier League clubs, including Brentford, Crystal Palace and West Ham United.

However, according to The Standard, Frankfurt are leading the races to sign the young striker ahead of the transfer deadline.

Contrary to previous speculation, the report claims that he will not be used as a makeweight in any potential deal for Kolo Muani.

After spending the 2022-23 season on loan from Reims, Ekitike completed a permanent move to PSG for an initial €28.5m (£24.5m) fee.

However, he could be set to leave the club after scoring four goals and providing four assists in 33 appearances across all competitions.

Elsewhere in Germany, Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich are interested in signing Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha.

Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel has made it clear he wants to sign a number six before the transfer window closes, which has led to links with Manchester United's Scott McTominay.

However, the Bavarians have seemingly turned their attention to another Premier League midfielder, with Bild reporting that Palhinha has been identified as a priority target.

While the report claims that Bayern have submitted a bid, Sky Sports News stated that Fulham have not received an offer from the German side.

Palhinha only joined Fulham from Sporting Lisbon last summer, and is under contract until the summer of 2027 with an option to extend by an additional year.

West Ham attempted to sign the Portugal international earlier this summer, but saw a £60m bid rejected by the Cottagers.

With Fulham reluctant to part ways with the 28-year-old, there is a belief that they will only consider a sale for a fee in the region of £80m.