Transfer gossip round-up: Arsenal continue Alvarez pursuit - Friday's gossip

The BBC gossip digest served up a busy day of transfer chatter, with a mix of big‑club pursuits and quieter moves across Europe.

Arsenal’s interest in Argentina forward Julian Alvarez remains alive, with the Mail reporting that the Gunners are refusing to give up on the 26‑year‑old, who is keen to leave Atletico Madrid. Meanwhile, Manchester City’s radar includes Senegal’s Iliman Ndiaye, a 26‑year‑old attacking midfielder whose Everton valuation sits around £80m, according to the Guardian. The same Italian giant also appears in talks over Chelsea’s Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernandez, 25, as Fabrizio Romano notes that the player remains hopeful of a move to Manchester City.

In Serie A, Aston Villa have reached out directly to AC Milan regarding Portugal winger Rafael Leão, 27, in a bid to outpace Galatasaray, per Fabrizio Romano. Across the channel, Chelsea are simultaneously negotiating the sale of their 20‑year‑old Spanish striker Marc Guiu to Napoli, with Sky Sports confirming the deal is progressing. Napoli, however, are also eyeing a loan for Newcastle’s 24‑year‑old German striker Nick Woltemade, as reported by Fabrizio Romano in Italian. Fiorentina’s Italy forward Moise Kean is said to be closing in on a £35m move to Como, according to Sky Sports Italy.

In the English lower leagues, Hull City are reportedly near an agreement with AS Roma for 19‑year‑old French striker Robinio Vaz, Athletic reports. Nottingham Forest have tabled an offer of up to £22m for Crystal Palace’s 30‑year‑old Colombian wing‑back Daniel Muñoz, also cited by the Athletic. Leeds United, meanwhile, have granted Brazilian goalkeeper Lucas Perri permission to finalise a loan to Torino with an option to buy, Sky Sports says, and are also weighing a move for Standard Liège’s 21‑year‑old DR Congo keeper Matthieu Epolo, as Get French Football News notes.

Finally, Manchester United have reportedly been offered the chance to sign Chelsea’s English centre‑back Tosin Adarabioyo, 28, with GiveMeSport indicating the former’s interest in bolstering their defence. Atletico Madrid, according to Fichajes, are considering signing Brazil forwards Igor Jesus, 25, and Gabriel Jesus, 29, from Nottingham Forest and Arsenal respectively.

All these threads underline a transfer market where ambitions clash and opportunities ripple through clubs of every size.