Transfer gossip round-up: Al Hilal target England's Kane - Wednesday's gossip

The latest BBC gossip roundup sees a flurry of Saudi interest, a few Italian snubs and a host of Premier League names still circling on the transfer radar.

Saudi Pro League side Al‑Hilal feature prominently, with Talksport reporting that representatives for England captain Harry Kane, 33, have held talks with the club and that the Bayern Munich striker is open to a future move. At the same time Teamtalk says Aston Villa’s England striker Ollie Watkins, 29, has agreed personal terms with Al‑Hilal, although the Saudi side have yet to submit a formal offer to Villa.

In England, Newcastle are reportedly in exploratory talks with Manchester City about a possible switch for Spanish midfielder Nico Gonzalez, 24, according to The Athletic. Meanwhile Tottenham are said to be weighing a move for Paris St‑Germain and Ukraine defender Illia Zabarnyi, 23, after the sale of Cristian Romero to Atletico Madrid, as noted by Teamtalk.

The north‑east sees a different kind of drama: Daily Mail warns that Sunderland’s £25.7 million acquisition of Toulouse and France Under‑21 defender Dayann Methalie, 20, could collapse after concerns were raised over his medical.

Further afield, Real Sociedad have reportedly made an approach for West Ham and Mexico midfielder Edson Alvarez, 28, with Sky Sports noting that Ajax have cooled their interest. In Italy, Tuttosport – in Italian – says Coventry’s £8.5 million offer for England midfielder Ruben Loftus‑Cheek, 30, was rejected by AC Milan.

The German market isn’t idle either. Florian Plettenberg reports that Ipswich have had a second offer rejected for Bayer Leverkusen and Argentina midfielder Exequiel Palacios, 27. And CaughtOffside points out that Inter Milan still see Liverpool’s England midfielder Curtis Jones, 25, as a top target, believing a €35 million (£29 million) bid could succeed.

In the lower leagues, The Argus notes that Wolves have entered the race for Brighton winger Amario Cozier‑Duberry, 21, while the England under‑20 international also remains a target for Rangers and former loan club Bolton. Finally, Fichajes – in Spanish – says Malaga are pursuing English winger Ryan Kent, 29, who has been a free agent since leaving Seattle Sounders in January.

All told, the summer transfer window remains wide open, with clubs across Europe and the Middle East circling a mix of seasoned internationals and emerging talent.