Transfer gossip round-up: Arsenal exploring Yildiz move - Friday's gossip

The BBC gossip digest has handed us a fresh batch of whispers, and the transfer market is already humming. From north London to the Italian peninsula, clubs are circling names that could reshape squads before the next window.

Arsenal’s scouting radar is reportedly pointed at Juventus and Turkey winger Kenan Yildiz, 21, according to the Independent. Meanwhile, across the Channel, Tottenham are said to be eyeing France striker Jean‑Philippe Mateta, 29, from Crystal Palace, as reported by Football Insider. Those two north London clubs are both probing the forward market, albeit in different directions.

In the capital, Manchester City are busy on two fronts. ESPN claims the Sky Blues are in talks to sign Brazilian winger Allan Elias, 22, from Palmeiras, while the Sun reports that City have enquired about England midfielder Adam Wharton, 22, only to be turned down by Crystal Palace. The dual pursuit underlines City’s appetite for both wing flair and midfield depth.

The Spanish giants are not idle. Marca (in Spanish) says Atletico Madrid are trying to finalise the signing of Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson, 25, from Chelsea. Over in Italy, the Corriere dello Sport (in Italian) notes Inter Milan are interested in Brazil forward Gabriel Martinelli, 25, from Arsenal, and Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian) adds that Barcelona have yet to make an offer for Argentina striker Lautaro Martinez, 28, with Inter Milan reportedly unwilling to sell. The same Italian outlet also says Barcelona are considering Spain forward Ayoze Perez, 33, and Georgia forward Georges Mikautadze, 25, both of Villarreal. These pieces illustrate how the top clubs are circling established forwards while also keeping an eye on seasoned veterans.

AC Milan’s latest target, as per Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian), is Manchester City’s Portugal defender Ruben Dias, 29, a centre‑back now on their radar. In the defensive arena, Teamtalk reports that Manchester United, Tottenham and Newcastle have all identified Bayer Leverkusen’s Burkina Faso centre‑back Edmond Tapsoba, 27, as a leading target. The Sun also says France defender Axel Disasi, 28, is closing in on a loan move from Chelsea to Crystal Palace, adding another layer to the Palace‑Chelsea link.

Further down the league ladder, the Independent suggests Ipswich Town and Nottingham Forest are among clubs considering a move for Chelsea’s English striker Liam Delap, 23. Teamtalk notes that Liverpool, Everton and Leeds United are monitoring Midtjylland’s 22‑year‑old Chile winger Dario Osorio. Finally, CaughtOffside reports Manchester United are concentrating on signing a new left‑back, with Racing Santander’s 19‑year‑old Spaniard Jorge Salinas a candidate as Newcastle are not inclined to sell England left‑back Lewis Hall, 21. The web of interest shows how even the lower‑profile positions are generating buzz.

All told, the day’s whispers span continents and positions, and while none are set in stone, the chatter alone signals a busy summer ahead.