Transfer gossip round-up: Al-Hilal closing in on Watkins - Thursday's gossip

The latest batch of transfer chatter is a kaleidoscope of cross‑channel moves, with a few clubs juggling multiple targets while others circle back to familiar names.

In the Premier League arena, Aston Villa is the busiest. According to Fabrizio Romano, the club have reportedly agreed a deal worth about £50 million with Al‑Hilal for England forward Ollie Watkins, 30. The same outlet also notes Villa’s interest in West Ham’s French defender Jean‑Claire Todibo, 26, as they search for a centre‑back, as reported by the Mail. Adding to Villa’s outbound ambitions, Corriere dello Sport – in Italian – says that AC Milan’s Portuguese winger Rafael Leão, 27, is close to agreeing a £38 million move to Galatasaray, a deal that would free up the winger for Villa’s pursuit.

Chelsea’s name pops up twice. The Sun claims the Blues have lined up Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott, 23, as a replacement for Enzo Fernandez, 25, should the Argentine move to Manchester City. Meanwhile, Sky Sport Italy – in Italian – reports Chelsea are also closing in on a £36 million deal for Italy defender Honest Ahanor, 18, from Atalanta.

Further north, Sunderland have reportedly slipped an offer to Manchester City for England winger Jack Grealish, 30, on loan, according to the Athletic. Across the Channel, Marseille are confident of retaining Brazilian forward Igor Paixão, 26, despite interest from Arsenal and Sunderland, as Teamtalk notes.

In the continent’s transfer carousel, Barcelona’s left‑back slot remains on Manchester United’s shortlist, with Spain defender Alejandro Balde, 22, still in the mix, per Fichajes – in Spanish. Newcastle, per the Mail, have not walked away from a deal for Lille and Belgium winger Matías Fernández‑Pardo, 21, but caution against breaching Premier League and UEFA spending rules. Lille, in turn, are reportedly eyeing former player French striker Martin Terrier, 29, as a replacement for Fernández‑Pardo, according to L’Equipe – in French.

Bayer Leverkusen’s Argentine midfielder Exequiel Palacios, 27, is said to be close to a £23.5 million move to Ipswich Town, as Sky Sports reports.

In Italy, Fiorentina have turned down Nottingham Forest’s initial £6 million bid for Brazilian right‑back Dodo, 27, per Sky Sport Italy – in Italian.

Finally, Everton are reportedly lining up a deal for Guinea‑Bissau forward Franculino, 22, from Midtjylland, while also preparing to sanction the sale of Republic of Ireland defender Jake O’Brien, 25, according to Teamtalk.

All told, the day’s gossip paints a picture of clubs both courting fresh talent and reshuffling existing assets, with no shortage of names on the move.